National Commander of the American Legion Charles E. Schmidt

Charles E. Schmidt, the National Commander of The American Legion, the nation’s largest Veterans organization, will discuss ways that the Trump Administration and Congress can improve the delivery of benefits to the country’s more than 20 million veterans at a National Press Club Newsmaker news conference, 10 a.m., Wed., Feb. 22 in the club’s Bloomberg Room. On March 1 Schmidt will testify before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs. He also is expected to meet with the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin during his visit to Washington.

Schmidt, who represents 2.2 million Legionnaires from more than 13,000 posts worldwide, also will discuss the need to preserve and improve the Department of Veterans Affairs, including VA hospitals. The American Legion has opposed attempts to privatize the work of the Department. Additionally, he will propose ways to modernize an archaic veterans appeals process, and strengthen national security, among other topics.



Schmidt, a retired Air Force officer and Vietnam War veteran, was elected to lead the Indianapolis-headquartered American Legion in September 2016.

The National Press Club is located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. This news conference is open to credentialed media and NPC members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Contact: Tony Gallo, NPC Newsmakers 202-544-6973, [email protected]

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