To Strengthen a Nation 9: Community service
The American Legion’s role as community-service provider has been fulfilled in thousands of ways throughout the last century. Parks, swimming pools, theaters and sports facilities have come into existence due to American Legion support. Health-care facilities, ambulance services and a school-safety training camp are among the myriad ways the organization has built on the concept of the “Iowa Idea” presented by Past National Commander Hanford MacNider in 1923.
In Episode 9 of “To Strengthen a Nation,” Legionnaire hosts Lorna Duyn and Jeric Wilhelmsen explain how the organization saw community service and patriotic leadership as keys to national pride and security, a value that continues to define the organization today.