NJ post uses gaming PC unveiling to bring in new members, raise awareness about the post

When New Jersey Legionnaire Mike Smith won a gaming PC through a drawing at the 2023 American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., he said he hoped setting up the PC in his post could help draw younger members.

The PC has only been in Anthony Wayne Post 174 since Oct. 7, but it’s already made an impact on the post’s membership rolls.

It was on Oct. 7 that Post 174 hosted an open house while the PC was installed by Paradox Custom staff. Multiple members of the REGIMENT Gaming community – the largest veteran gaming community in the nation – attended the open house and ended joining Post 174.

“I’ve been wanting to have (an open house) for a while now but haven’t had the chance,” said Smith, commander of Post 174 in Wayne and adjutant for the Passaic County American Legion. “The whole idea of having the PC at the post was to try to introduce the post to gaming. Gaming helps veterans. And reaching out to the younger veterans through gaming is important.

“I decided it was good to have an event out of it. Have REGIMENT members from the local community come by. People want to come in and see what the Legion is about. So do that, and we can unbox the gaming computer, and we can talk to people. And we got a couple of new members out of the deal.”

The post provided free food and drinks, and invited members of the community to attend. Making the trip from Texas was REGIMENT CEO and co-founder Chris Earl; last July, The American Legion became the official veteran service organization of REGIMENT.

“They did it a little differently. They hosted a nice little open house here,” Earl said. “A lot of burgers and food and stuff like that. A lot of veterans. And they’ve actually recruited a couple members from REGIMENT. A lot of people from REGIMENT showed up and actually signed up for the post. It was definitely a great event. We’re excited to see what this thing’s going to do here.”

The American Legion and REGIMENT have been teaming for various in-person and virtual events since late 2021. Earl is pleased with the way the relationship has evolved and wants his community members to continue sharing the mission of The American Legion.

“It’s definitely been a great partnership so far with The American Legion. It’s very important to us that we continue to spread the word,” Earl said. “The American Legion is an amazing organization, and we want to continue to see it flourish. And I think our partnership with the Legion is going to help them do that.”

Smith said the relationship between the Legion and REGIMENT is proving to be mutually beneficial. “It works both ways,” he said. “You’ve got the REGIMENT members who come and check out what the post is about. They’re veterans. They join. And then you have Legionnaires who might not know what REGIMENT is about. They hear about REGIMENT. They see the computer. We talk about it, and then maybe they join REGIMENT.

“We have a lot in common. We’re all veterans. We’re all trying to help out the veterans. Suicide awareness is really important in REGIMENT, and obviously it’s’ real important in the Legion with the Be the One program. It’s really a symbiosis.”

But Smith also believes having the gaming PC at Post 174 can help the post reach veterans throughout the veteran community. “Even if they’re not members of REGIMENT or members of the Legion … but if they hear about an event and wander in, we can get new members that way,” he said. “It’s not just getting members from REGIMENT. It’s getting the younger veterans who might not know anything about either organization coming in off the street.”