American Legion seeks donations for Coast Guard members

The American Legion is collecting donations to support Coast Guard members working without pay during the federal shutdown.

Commander Ed Bergen of American Legion Post 17 in Lewes said eight Coast Guard members stationed in Lewes are not being paid. Coast Guard spokesperson Seth Johnson said 33 active-duty personnel stationed at Indian River Inlet’s Coast Guard Station are also working without pay.

Coast Guard spokesperson Chad Saylor said a fiscal year 2019 appropriation, continuing resolution or additional legislative funding actions would have allowed Coast Guard members to receive paychecks on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

“Nothing has changed, and, to my knowledge, no action has been taken,” Saylor said.

Bergen said the national American Legion office is setting up a payment program to support Coast Guard members until they are paid. Donations, made payable to Veterans Assistance Program, may be sent to Department of Delaware, the American Legion, P.O. Box 930, Seaford DE 19973-0930.

All contributions will be forwarded to the national office for processing and dispersion to Coast Guard members, Bergen said.