American Legion leader delivers heartfelt appeal to help save lives of veterans in distress
Apr. 1---- Bronze sculptures of Raymond Fagen and 11 other infantrymen charging out of a Higgins' boat and onto Utah Beach on D-Day provided a dramatic backdrop for James A. LaCoursiere Jr. and the quiet, to-the-heart message he usually delivers in the more subdued surroundings of Legion halls across the country.
"Together we can and will destigmatize mental health," LaCoursiere, national commander of the
, told more than 100 Legion members and guests at the
in Granite Falls on Friday. "My brothers and sisters, it is OK to not be OK as long as we are there for one another."
His visit Friday was sponsored by American Legion Post 69 in Granite Falls. He spoke the preceding night in
as the guest of Legion Post 271.
The national commander has been speaking to veterans across the country to promote the Legion's "Be the One" mission to prevent veteran suicide. Each day, an average of more than 17 veterans take their lives in the U.S., according to a report released in 2024 by the
. Veterans are at a 58% higher risk of suicide than those who have not served, according to the VA.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among post-9/11 veterans.
LaCoursiere told his audience that he often starts by reciting a few of the key words that describe the hidden wounds suffered by some: post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, loneliness, under-educated, unemployed and homelessness.
"We need to be there for one another. We should always be there for one another," LaCoursiere said.
His message for veterans is to use their compassion and listen to those expressing their distress. Whether talking in person or on the phone, "We need to be with them, locked in with them during that moment," he said.
The national commander also emphasized to his audience that the American Legion is very much "all in" when it comes to protecting veterans' health care and other benefits from any federal budget cuts.
"We care. We truly care and we are committed 110%. We're all in to make sure nothing happens — there are no reductions to VA health care and your VA benefits.
" ... We are on top of it," he said. "You may not hear the American Legion turning around and throwing out weekly messages and that's because we're making it clear with
. We want to work with Congress."
He added, "We also want Congress to be aware we will not allow any cuts or delays when it comes to veterans' health care or any reductions with our benefits."
He encouraged his audience to use their voices and let their state and federal elected officials know their opposition to any cuts.
After his address, LaCoursiere told the
he has heard talk about cuts to veterans' health care and benefits, "but we're not going by hearsay and not acting on hearsay."
He said he has had assurances from members of Congress that there will not be cuts to veterans.
"We're staying on top of it. The Washington, D.C., staff is keeping me appraised daily," he said.
LaCoursiere has been serving as national commander for the American Legion since Aug. 29, 2024. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran and prior state commander in Connecticut, where he is a member of American Legion Post 91 in Moosup.
In welcoming the national commander, Steve Midthun, commander of Post 69 in Granite Falls, told the audience that he was only four months into his role. His start was challenging. The local post was dealing with a number of issues, including the death of its club manager, he said.
When the state adjutant called unexpectedly, and started talking about a visit by the national commander, Midthun said he thought: "What the hell have we done now?"
He turned to Ron and Diane Fagen about the possibility of hosting the commander at the Fagen Fighters Museum.
"From the day we talked about it, it was 'what can we do for you,'" said Midthun while thanking his hosts.
The museum, which opened in 2012, hosts thousands of visitors annually who come to tour four large hangars housing pristine World War II aircraft and equipment.
The museum honors the memory of Ron Fagen's father, Raymond, who died in 2010 at age 91. Ray Fagen was part of the 4th Infantry which landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Ray Fagen returned home with three battle stars for his role in the Invasion of Normandy, the Liberation of Paris and Battle of the Bulge. He received a Purple Heart for injuries suffered while fighting in Belgium.
The Granite Falls museum's D-Day exhibit of the charging infantrymen includes sand from Utah Beach, and is situated in front of a wall-sized mural of the invasion created by the nationally known artist Dave Reiser.
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