Polytrauma refers to the complex patterns of injury that are commonly seen in soldiers injured during the fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan. Polytrauma typically results from blast injury caused by explosions related to improvised explosive devices or rocket-propelled grenades. The combination of high-pressure waves, explosive fragments, and falling debris produce multiple injuries that include brain injury, amputations of limbs, burns, wounds, fractures, blindness and hearing loss. The magnitude of these injuries and the circumstances in which they occur, cause additional psychological stress to both the injured soldier and their families.

Consequently, the medical care for these soldiers requires a full compliment of medical surgical, rehabilitation, and mental health services. The Polytrauma Centers work collaboratively with the Department of Defense to provide a seamless transition of care for injured soldiers from the battlefield to the community.

The President's Project helps to raise money so that the American Legion Auxiliary can purchase bedside computer carts, computers, and Internet connection for the computers to aid OIF and OEF patients in the Polytrauma Centers. The bedside computer carts are specially-constructed for polytrauma patients and their needs.

To donate to the President's Project, mail checks to National Headquarters, payable to: American Legion Auxiliary National Treasurer, and indicate "President's Project" in the memo line.

Everyday, we are seeing an increasing numbers of units and military personnel from our communities being activated and deployed. In many cases they leave families and jobs behind them. Therefore, we need to be there for them as a support base by welcoming these troops home and back into the community. As veterans and veteran advocates, The American Legion Family knows from experience just how valuable a helping hand can be in times of need.

To capture this whole process from activation to discharge, The American Legion has combined several brochures (Reconnect, Family Support Network and Welcome Home) into one pocket-sized durable Troop Support Services (TS2) Resource Guide. This guide is designed to be placed in the "troops" hands prior to deployment. One section of the guide is for the "troop" and the other for the family as a stay behind.

Download the brochure now, or contact your local American Legion Post to find out more information on TS2.

http://www.americasupportsyou.mil

America Supports You! spotlights what Americans are doing in support of the military, encouraging individuals to thank the troops and allowing all to tell their stories by giving voice and visibility to their efforts. This is a program sponsored by the Department of Defense. This site helps donors find established charities started to assist with military families' emergencies.

Operation Welcome Troops Home is a program run through Community Service, to make sure that service members receive a proper welcome when they return to the community. Inspired by Operation Welcome Home (http://www.operationwelcomehome.org) in Rochester, N.Y., this program encourages Auxiliary members to work with other organizations in their communities to plan a positive and powerful homecoming for our troops. This is also a great way to combine the "TS2" program and "Operation Welcome Troops Home" together. For more information and ideas, visit the above link, and contact your Department Community Service Chairman.

Veterans Service Days are a joint venture of state Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to activate every veteran in the state by providing free services with service officers at family veterans fairs in each Congressional district.

Under the leadership of Past National Commander Ron Conley, the Department of Pennsylvania launched an Alliance of Veterans Services with AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, DAV, Marine Corps League, Military Order of the Purple Heart and the VFW. The first trial of this alliance was held on April, 25th, 2005 in Pennsylvania.

By pooling resources and bringing VSOs together, you can make it happen! Remember to bring Congressional leaders into the project to share ideas and voice concerns on veterans' issues. For more information download the materials produced by The American Legion: Veterans Service Days (Word Document)

America's Heroes of Freedom, Washington: http://www.americasheroes.us

Comfort for America's Uniformed Services Elite, Herndon, Va.: http://www.cause-usa.org

Give 2 the Troops, Canton, Conn.: http://www.give2thetroops.org

Homes for Our Troops, Taunton, Mass.: http://www.homesforourtroops.org

Operation AC, Bear, Del.: http://www.operationac.org

Operation Family Fund, Ridgecrest, Calif.: http://www.operationfamilyfund.org

Operation First Response, Culpeper, Va.: http://www.operationfirstresponse.org

Operation Homefront, Santa Ana, Calif.: http://www.operationhomefront.net

Operation Welcome Home, Rochester, NY: http://www.operationwelcomehome.org

Soldier's Angels, Pasadena, Calif.: http://www.soldiersangels.org

USA Cares, Radcliff, Ky.: http://www.usacares.us

Wounded Warrior Project, Roanoke, Va.: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org