Letters from the past and to the future American Legion

During the 50th anniversary of The American Legion’s formative St. Louis Caucus, National Commander William C. Doyle issued a letter to the veteran who would succeed him a half-century later.

“We don’t know what your world will be like, but we know it will be different from ours,” Doyle wrote in a letter sealed in a time capsule in May 1969. “Just last December, and over the period including Christmas Day of 1968, man first left the earth’s atmosphere and orbited the moon. Those men were Americans. This summer, if all goes well, the first men will land on the moon. Those men, it is expected, will also be Americans. As we place this capsule, we are just beginning to probe the mystery of space. As you open it, we expect you will have gone far beyond.”

American Legion National Commander Brett P. Reistad, presiding over the 101st National Convention opening session Tuesday in Indianapolis, recited his own letter to the national commander on the 150th anniversary of the organization, in 2069. In it, he acknowledged the advances in space, specifically President Trump’s recent authorization of a U.S. Space Force. “I have no doubt that if the Space Force becomes a reality, your American Legion is leading the way as fierce advocates for the needs of the space veteran, just as we have been doing since the doughboys returned from World War I,” Reistad read.

He added that some aspects of The American Legion are certain to remain important in a half-century. “I can only imagine the talent and resourcefulness that the United States military of 2069 must offer. Speaking only with the knowledge of what occurred over the first 100 years of American Legion history, it has become obvious to us that the patriotism and willingness to sacrifice life and limb for country bonds all veterans regardless of what period they served. I have a firm belief that this devotion to a greater cause has continued during the 50-year period from 2019 to 2069.”

Also writing a letter in 1969 was American Legion National Adjutant William F. Hauck, who shared with his successor on the 100th anniversary, Daniel S. Wheeler, his observations from the time.

“We are disturbed over some of the things that are happening on our college campuses,” Hauck wrote. “Our young people are upset over the war in Vietnam. Most of them are fine young people, but those who seemingly provide leadership seem to have lost their way as far as the principles of patriotism and love of country are concerned. Yet, as we look at history, we find this has been characteristic of many ages of man and hope that this too shall pass away.”

Hauck’s message was optimistic about the nation’s future, as long as The American Legion stays true to its founding principles. “We hope the America you inherit from us will still be strong and free and a vibrant force in the affairs of men. If it is, we can truly say our job here was well done.

“We can only say that any accomplishment of the Legion was the result of all of us living with the final point in the Preamble to the Constitution given to us by our founders of a half century ago when each of us coming into this organization pledged ourselves to a life of mutual helpfulness.”

National Adjutant Wheeler next recited his message for the veteran who would hold his position in 2069. “Greetings from Post Everlasting!” Wheeler recited. “I say this not out of melancholy or poor health. In fact, I write this as energetic and optimistic about the prospects and future successes of our organization as I have been at any time during my association with The American Legion.”

Wheeler noted that while Legionnaires now passed have built a legacy that has proven vital to the nation, “the living should not be governed by the dead. You have access to information and technology that we can only dream about. Customs change. And events dictate that we must adapt and change … the alternative is for our organization to die or lose relevance, and I refuse to believe that America’s veterans would allow that to happen. If the organization dies, let it be because there are no more wars!”

American Legion Past National Commander David K. Rehbein, chairman of the organization’s 100th Anniversary Observance Committee, took the letters and sealed them in a cannister, to be held at American Legion National Headquarters until 2069.