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American Legion National Commander Visits Coast Guard Academy
Part of tour through Connecticut
The national commander of the American Legion made a stop at the Coast Guard Academy on Friday as part of a tour through Connecticut.
Jimmie L. Foster arrived in Connecticut on Thursday and will be staying through Sunday. Foster, of Anchorage, Ak. served in the Marines as well as the Army, retiring in 1994.
Several representatives from the academy as well as area American Legion posts attended Foster's brief appearance. He said he spends 344 days of his one-year appointment as national commander on the road, and that the Coast Guard Academy was the last federal service academy he had not visited.
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Foster said there are 4 million members of the American Legion between its main branch, reserve, and Sons of the American Legion. When asked what he felt the most important issue facing members of the military today, he replied, "The main thing that I tell Congress is, 'Don't balance the budget on the backs of veterans.'"
Foster presented the academy with a plaque recognizing its 100 years in New London. He also plans to stop at Three Rivers Community College to meet with veteran students, Jewett City to see the Homeless Veterans Transitional Housing project, and a dinner hosted by Fifth District American Legion Commander Paul Spedaliere in Lebanon.
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