American Legion issued the following announcement on Dec. 20.
There have been many significant milestones in National Commander Brett Reistad’s Far East tour, but none bigger than his meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at the presidential palace in Taipei on Dec. 17.
Reistad is the first American Legion leader with whom Tsai has met since coming to office in 2016.
“It was clear that President Tsai respects The American Legion and is grateful for the support our convention delegates have repeatedly given her nation over the years by promoting peaceful dialogue with the communist mainland and the ability of Taiwan to defend itself through the availability of U.S. arms,” Reistad said. “I was extremely impressed with the Taipei General Veterans Hospital, but the main focus of this visit has been national security and countries that threaten not just that part of the world, but our own nation as well.”
“With more than 2 million members combined The American Legion and its Auxiliary yield considerable influence in the United States,” Tsai said during the meeting. “ Your views on key policies are highly valued by the United States government. Our Veterans Affairs Council and The American Legion have conducted exchanges for over half a century and enjoy a longstanding and robust friendship.”
She also thanked The American Legion for its national resolutions supporting Taiwan and for urging the U.S. government to strengthen military and security cooperation there. “I also welcome your focus on the defense issue which is very, very important aspect of our security here in Taiwan,” Tsai said.
Improving American Legion expertise in the national security realm is what Executive Director Lou Celli called “the primary purpose of these visits.” He added that briefings by military commanders in the Far East, diplomats and allies are valuable as The American Legion delivers these messages to Congress and other Washington corridors of power.
The Legion delegation also paid its respects at the Kinkaseki POW camp in Jinguashi, Taiwan. More than 500 British, American and other allied servicemembers were held there by occupying Japanese forces during World War II. The POWs were subjected to hard labor in the region’s gold and copper mines.
“Kinkaseki is a visible and painful reminder of what can happen when freedom is lost,” Reistad said. “Japan is now a great friend, and that old regime is long gone. But history proves time and time again why The American Legion’s commitment to a strong national security policy is essential if we don’t want evil to flourish.”
Reistad is now in Tokyo and plans to visit the USS Ronald Reagan on Friday. The delegation will return to the United States on Dec. 23.
Original source can be found here.
Source: American Legion
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