Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – American Legion Post-12 announces the soft launch of EMBER / ASTRID, a veteran-led, phone-first AI helpdesk designed to get veterans and their families faster, human-guided support for benefits, transition, and everyday life.
The public is invited to a hands-on showcase Tuesday, September 24, 3:00 pm at “The Joint” (Insurgentes 108, Emiliano Zapata). Guests will see live demonstrations, meet Post-12’s team, and learn how any veteran, anywhere in the world can join Post-12 and access help immediately.
“We built EMBER/Astrid so no veteran has to wait alone,” said Commander Rey, American Legion Post-12. “It’s simple: humans first, AI-assisted. You call. We listen. We guide your next step. We follow up – by consent – until you’re moving again.”
Why now
- 22 a day: Too many veterans are lost to isolation. Post-12’s buddy program uses scheduled human check-ins to keep people connected before crisis.
- Benefits & paperwork: Confusing forms stall disability, health, education, and small-business support. Astrid turns confusion into a plain-English checklist and a warm hand-off.
- Transition & careers: Military leadership translates into civilian management, ops, logistics, training, and safety – Astrid helps map those skills and connect to opportunities.
What EMBER / ASTRID does
- Phone-first intake (no apps needed) with multilingual support (English/Spanish).
- Human-led guidance on benefits, documents, and next actions—plus consent-based follow-ups.
- Global membership: Any veteran worldwide can join Post-12; Puerto Vallarta is the hub for a truly global network.
- “Trust moves faster than ads,” Commander Rey added. “Veterans are the last trusted voice in many communities. Post-12 will prove that a people-powered helpdesk can beat red tape with dignity and speed.”
Event details (soft launch)
- When: Tuesday, Sept 24, 3:00 PM
- Where: “The Joint” — Insurgentes 108, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta
- Who: Veterans, families, friends, and community partners welcome
- What: Live demo, Q&A, quick-start sign-ups, and membership pre-registration
Try it now (free)
- Call/SMS (Global): 810 ALL VETS (810-255-8387)
- Mexico (Commander Rey): +52 322-322-3361
Not a crisis line. In the U.S., dial 988 (Press 1) for the Veterans Crisis Line; elsewhere use local emergency numbers.
Media background
Recent local coverage on Post-12’s new leadership and community vision:
About American Legion Post-12 (Puerto Vallarta)
Post-12 is a welcoming, globally open American Legion post headquartered in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Post supports veterans and families through community, benefits guidance, and service projects – now augmented by the EMBER / ASTRID phone-first helpdesk.
About EMBER / ASTRID
EMBER / ASTRID is a veteran-led, human-first helpdesk assisted by AI. It provides phone-based intake, plain-language guidance, multilingual support, and consent-based follow-ups to reduce isolation and accelerate access to benefits, education, work, and community.