American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford is coming to the Twin Cities and will speak on issues of importance to Minnesota veterans.

Among the topics Oxford typically addresses are how to get post-9/11 veterans involved in veteran service organizations, American Legion Buddy Checks, suicide prevention, COVID-19 vaccines, VA health care for women veterans and a fundraiser called 100 Miles for Hope.

He will visit American Legion Post 98 in St. Paul Park for lunch on Tuesday, April 6, then at Post 39 in North St. Paul for supper. On Wednesday, April 7, he will be at Post 172 in Osseo for breakfast, then depart for stops in Greater Minnesota.

“We are honored to showcase National Commander Oxford throughout Minnesota,” said American Legion Minnesota Commander Mark Dvorak. “The post-9/11 veterans are our future, and the more we can do to inform them about what’s going on in the veteran community, the better.”

With a membership of almost 2 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the Four Pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 13,000 posts across the nation and overseas, including 539 in Minnesota.

COVID-19 protocols will be in place.

100 Miles for Hope is a wellness program that raises funds for The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation, which provides financial assistance to disabled veterans, military families and young people who lost parents in service to the nation.

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. Media may arrive at any time during the visit. See media availability times below.

EVENT DETAILS:

WHO: American Legion members, community leaders and local citizens WHAT: Meals, media availability and remarks from American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford WHERE: • American Legion Post 98, 328 E. Broadway Ave. S., St. Paul Park, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., media availability before or after noon lunch

• American Legion Post 39, 2678 Seventh Ave. E., North St. Paul, from 5 to 8 p.m., media availability 5-6 p.m.

• American Legion Post 172, 260 Fourth Ave. SE, Osseo, from 7:55 to 9:40 a.m., breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by re- marks and media availability NOTE: Typically, we experience the greatest media interest at the first stop of the tour, so St. Paul Park Post 98 is probably your best bet.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.mnlegion.org THE TOUR: Tuesday, April 6 Visit with state officials St. Paul Park Post 98: Lunch, noon North St. Paul Post 39: Dinner, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, April 7 Osseo Post 172: Breakfast, 8 a.m.

Royalton Post 137: Lunch, noon Nisswa Post 627: Dinner, 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 8 Walker Post 134: Breakfast, 8 a.m.

Visit with Camp Ripley officials Visit with Minnesota American Legion College Friday, April 9 Park Rapids Post 212: Breakfast, 8 a.m.

Bagley Post 16: Lunch, noon Detroit Lakes Post 15: Dinner, 6 p.m.