Submitted to The Springs Valley Herald
INDIANAPOLIS The American Legion Department of Indiana recently named state Rep. Steve Bartels as recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Public Service Award.
Bartels, R-Eckerty, received the award during the American Legion Department of Indiana’s 102nd annual department convention, held July 10 at the Marriott East Hotel in Indianapolis.
The award honors state legislators who went above and beyond to work with the American Legion and other veteran organizations to accomplish goals during the 2021 Indiana General Assembly legislative session. Rep. Bartels authored House Bill 1264, a bill which changed qualifying requirements for grants from the Military Family Relief Fund, said American Legion Commander Allen Connelly. Many more needy veterans will find themselves eligible due to changes this bill made to current law.
The American Legion
Apr 14, 2021
Thanks to the generosity of a local attorney, and a collaboration between the American Legion Department of Indiana and Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF), a formerly homeless veteran now has a vehicle all his own.
On April 9, Marine Corps veteran Steve Griffin was presented a car by Department Commander Allen Connelly at the Indiana American Legion’s headquarters in Lawrence. The donation came as a result of an individual reaching out to Billy Johnson, who is in charge of business development for the American Legion Department of Indiana.
Johnson said Indianapolis attorney Kevin Alerding, who Johnson taught during ROTC classes at Ball State University, reached out to him to see if he knew of any veterans in need of a used vehicle. The department took the donated vehicle through its Legacy Foundation, which was created to identify the unmet needs of U.S. military personnel, veterans and their families, and provide the necessary resou
Marine veteran Steve Griffin lives at Helping Veterans and Families transitional housing and works at the VA.
Credit: Helping Veterans and Families
Marine veteran Steve Griffin receiving a car. Author: WTHR.com staff Updated: 3:50 PM EDT April 9, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS Marine veteran Steve Griffin got a very special surprise on Friday. Griffin was surprised with a car at the American Legion Department of Indiana in Lawrence.
Griffin lives at Helping Veterans and Families transitional housing and works at the VA. One of the case managers at Helping Veterans and Families is helping him find a permanent home and receive his veteran benefits.