Joe recruited 51 new members into the Legion in 2014.
Six-time American Legion Gold Brigade Award recipient Joe Dudley of Post 2003 in Scottsville, Va., recruited 51 new members into the Legion in 2014. The U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran said he gets his recruiting motivation from the first four words to the Legion’s preamble – "For God and Country."
Dudley sets up membership booths at job fairs, wine festivals, local fairs, Sams Club, Walmart, Sears and at Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades. "The main reason I get out and attend several events a year is because I love to help other veterans," Dudley said. "When I recruit a new member, I feel like I’ve helped the post, I’ve helped the state, and I’ve helped national too.
"When veterans see what we are doing, they want to be a part of it. Veterans tell me they don’t have time to be active, but I tell them that with their membership they are already active."
Dudley is also a six-time American Legion Silver Brigade Award recipient. He credits his recruiting success to always asking people, "Are you a veteran? Has anybody talked to you about joining The American Legion?"
"Every time I sign up a new Legion member I know I’ve helped a veteran," Dudley said. "It’s a lot of fun, and I get to help a lot of veterans."
- Dispatch