In his younger years, Essex, Iowa-native Marlin L. Tillman jammed with the famed Everly Brothers (Don and Phil) in Shenandoah, Iowa. Tillman played guitar.
"I haven't played for 20 years," he said, "but I gave it heck for quite a while."
Now Tillman has a new gig. He was elected American Legion Iowa Department Commander this past weekend in Sioux City. Tillman wrapped up a two-day visit Wednesday in Dubuque.
The organization has nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide.
One of Tillman's top issues nationally is the Department of Veterans Affairs health care program. In January 2003, the VA decided to stop enrolling new Priority Group 8 (high income) veterans whose income exceeded VA income thresholds. On June 15, the department relaxed income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While the new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds.
Tillman believes VA health care should be free to all veterans, regardless of their
american legion post 6, dubuque |
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* Tim W. Flynn, commander * 950 members (second-largest in Iowa; Marion is No. 1 with 1,150) * 1,900 members in all Dubuque County Legion posts (third-most in the state behind Linn County, 3,100, and Polk County, 2,300) * Annually conducts 100 military rites funerals |
"We've always felt, and we've all supported this, that if you signed a contract (joining the U.S. armed forces) that says I am going to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic, that means I should qualify, too," he said. "It didn't have something that said if you've got too much money, you're not covered."
In Iowa, the state established a multimillion-dollar fund, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, to provide certain services to veterans. Tillman said the goal was to have $50 million. It didn't happen.
However, all profits from two new Iowa Lottery scratch-ticket games -- The Freedom Rock and Land of Liberty -- will provide proceeds to support veterans and their families through the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund. According to Tillman, the games could bring in between $3 million and $4 million next year.
