A Brief Organization History of the American Legion

An experienced medical practitioner and former United States Navy medical officer, Dr. Steven Raheb served two decades as the owner and president of the Women’s Health Center of Putnam, PC. He transitioned to teaching biology and human science at Quinebaug Valley Community College. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Steven Raheb participates in several community services, including Empty Bowls and the American Legion.

The American Legion offers veterans, military personnel and their loved ones, and their communities life-changing support and counseling daily. Cash grants, donated goods, disaster relief, networking, and advocacy are some examples. The American Legion has won benefits for veterans and created initiatives for the youth.

Congress established the American Legion in 1919. The Legion grew from a group of World War I veterans to over a million members and several local chapters. In 2021, there are almost two million members in over 13,000 posts across the world. The American Legion has 55 posts, one for each state, the District of Columbia, France, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Philippines.

The OCW Program from the American Legion

Adjunct professor Dr. Steven Raheb teaches human sciences and biology at the Quinebaug Valley Community College in Connecticut. An honorably discharged lieutenant commander with the United States Navy, Dr. Steven Raheb demonstrates support for his fellow veterans through the American Legion, an organization dedicated to improving the well-being of veterans in the United States.

To this end, the American Legion maintains several programs, including Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW). The program provides veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other service-related injuries with nonessential support that government budgets often do not cover. This includes loose-fitting sweatshirts for covering wounds without adding pressure or iPods to block out tinnitus. Fitness equipment, gift cards, and electronics are also provided to veterans injured via the OCW program.

Since many military medical centers cannot store large amounts of care packages, monetary donations to the OCW program are encouraged so the American Legion can quickly deliver important items to wounded warriors. Once a need is identified, the organization orders items via lists obtained from officials at warrior transition units and military hospitals.