Our gift, our responsibility
As the days are counting down until our 100th National Convention, as well as my time as your national commander, I was recently reminded yet again about The American Legion’s founding fathers.
After meeting in late July with Boys Nation senators in Washington, D.C., and the 30 Junior 3-Position Air Rifle National Championship competitors in Colorado Spring, Colo., I became inspired for how our Americanism programs are setting up the youth for this nation to serve, whether that’s in a military uniform, law enforcement officer uniform, politics, whatever it is ... and it’s all part of the gift that our World War I veterans gave us. And the responsibility to keep The American Legion at the forefront.
Our founding fathers vision was to protect and fight for veterans benefits – past, present and future – and serve our veterans, servicemembers and their families, children and youth, as well as community, state and nation. The American Legion must remain this nation’s leading advocate for veterans and their families, and for continued success we must provide service to our veterans for another 100 years and beyond. This service begins with membership, our voice on Capitol Hill. And membership is everyone’s responsibility.
In the February issue of Dispatch, Legionnaires were asked to send in their reasons why they joined The American Legion and continue to renew their membership. I want to share a few of your reasons as a reminder that these are words that can be shared when recruiting new members to join our organization when they ask, ‘Why?’ These words will grow membership and keep The American Legion at the forefront.
“It’s the right thing to do. Being a member is a great way to support and continue to serve our military.” – Todd Frye, Post 46 in Marshalltown, Iowa.
“I decided it was time to get back in being a selfless-service person like I used to be while I was in the U.S. Army. I know that The American Legion does a lot of good and great things in my local community.” – Adam Shotts, Post 141 in Indiana, Pa.
“I stay in the Legion because I must continue my mission to prove that women provide a valuable service in any military or any Legion position they aspire to. We are ready and willing to serve and we are here to stay!” – Paula Eyvonne Steinbach, Post 112 in Ontario, Calif.
“I believe we must reach out, embrace and revitalize the American Legion Family to gain greater inclusion of our Persian Gulf and post-9/11 veterans and their families. These younger veterans are our future and the ‘new American Legion guard’ as those of us (World War II, Korea, Vietnam, etc.) retire and pass on the bastion of our organization’s legacy and mission.” – 1st Vice Commander Gary W. Craw, Post 2 in Boise, Idaho.
Thank you for your service, your dedication to the Legion’s mission and for being a part of the American Legion Family.