Please, join if you can..

[ironglowz]

  If you are eligible, please consider joining the American Legion.  The Legion still does things to support Veterans and their community.

   Our most recent veterans are fewer in number, since without the draft, our voluntary military is deployed over and over, since they are so few in number.

  Something like 1/10th of 1% of our young people serve, so membership is that more difficult to maintain..

  To keep the good work going and possibly finding a new source of comradeship...please give it some thought.

   https://www.legion.org/join?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=120210563839730289&utm_content=120230107891990289&utm_term=120230106555730289&utm_campaign=120

  This coming from a member who absent mindedly missed last night's meeting..

[Dee]

I've been in numerous American Legions over the years (quit  in my 20s), and most of the focus I saw revolved around the bar. Maybe its different elsewhere.

[Graybeard]

Been in one and only one with a guy who was a member. He and I worked together. All I saw was a bar. The whole place was just tables to sit and drink alcohol of your choice. That was his sole reason for being a member.

I guess I'd have to say it's prolly the last organization I'd chose to be a member of.

I've not had any alcohol since by best friend died early in 2001. I bought a beer and drank it in his honor. He was a big time beer drinker. It tasted awful but I drank it for him since he no longer could.

[Dee]

AMVETS was a close 2nd. If it has anything to do with a bar, I'm not interested. Go in one in the middle of the week, midday, few older men sitting around drinking. Late afternoon, mixed crowd, sitting around drinkin. Weekends, a larger mixed crowd, drinking and if there's a band, dancing and drinkin. Usually the same crowd, every day.

[Mule 11]

I quit drinking over a year ago and I’d still like a few ice cold beers.

[ironglowz]

  Well; I haven't had anything alcoholic to drink since 1954, when I was 17...and then I only tasted it !

   Yes there is a bar at our post, but it doesn't run the post, although it provides funds to do so!  Yes; there are those who frequent the bar, but they are not necessarily "the Legion".

    ..But I suppose the same could be said for the Elks, Moose, Odd Fellows, Masons or any other fraternity or charitable organization..and it could look like that to the uninitiated.

   Note: I didn't say "you MUST join"..I only asked that eligible vets consider it !   Did you guys even look at the link provided ?

  So, ignore that last link and check this one, which tells by a decade by decade count, the history of and the Legion, the victories won and programs established by the American Legion, for our veterans.

  https://www.legion.org/about/organization/history

[ironglowz]

  That last link provided an illustration of what the American Legion has done for veterans up to this date, and is still actively helping vets

  Since the 2020s are not over yet, here is what was accomplished during the 2010s:

     2010s
May 5, 2010
Shelby, N.C., is officially selected to be the long-term site of The American Legion Baseball World Series.

Sept. 1, 2010
 Marcus Haynes of the Valdosta, Ga., Fire Department receives the first American Legion Firefighter of the Year Award.

October 2010
The Legion forms a PTSD-TBI Ad Hoc Committee to examine current methods by VA and the Department of Defense of treating the two signature wounds of the Post 9/11 generation – post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and investigate potential alternative treatments. 

December 2010
The Legion officially begins a relationship with United Services Automobile Association (USAA), making the veteran-founded insurance company "The American Legion's preferred provider of financial services."

May 5, 2011
The American Legion National Executive Committee passes a resolution formally establishing the Junior Law Cadet Program under the national Americanism Commission.

August 2011
 The American Legion Baseball World Series is held for the first time in the tournament's new permanent home, Shelby, N.C. Prior to this, the tournament had rotated to different cities. Total paid attendance at the Shelby contests soars to an all-time high of 86,000 total.

Aug. 30, 2013
National Commander James E. Koutz announces that the American Legion family  raised more than $1.1 million for Operation Comfort Warriors during the 2012-2013 fundraising year, surpassing the original goal by over $500,000.

May 5, 2014
In the midst of a VA waiting-list scandal that reached up to the deaths of veterans waiting for care, The American Legion calls for the resignations of several top officials, including VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, who leaves office before the end of the month.

June 9-13, 2014
The American Legion conducts the first in a 15-month nationwide series of town hall meetings and assistance efforts to help veterans facing difficulties with VA.

Aug. 16, 2017
The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 – also known as the “Forever GI Bill” because it removes time limits for veterans who wish to use it for college – is signed into law by President Donald J. Trump. The legislation is named for The American Legion past national commander who in the winter of 1943-44 drafted the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act that changed the nation after World War II.

Aug. 23, 2017
President Donald J. Trump signs the Veterans Appeals and Modernization Act of 2017 onstage at the 99th American Legion National Convention, in Reno, Nev.

Aug. 24, 2017
Denise H. Rohan of Wisconsin is elected national commander, the first woman to hold the role in the Legion's history.

June 6, 2018
President Trump signs into law the sweeping VA MISSION Act – officially the John McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Outside Networks Act – which includes a number of American Legion resolutions to improve VA health-care services.

Jan. 31, 2019
The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program completes a record-breaking month of cash-grant disbursements. Of the $1,030,163 delivered to military and veteran families, most is distributed to U.S. Coast Guard families with children at home who were affected by the 35-day federal government shutdown.

March 15-17, 2019
The American Legion celebrates its 100th birthday in Paris, France, throughout the United States and around the world.

June 20, 2019
The U.S. Supreme Court rules 7-2 in favor of The American Legion in its case to allow a 40-foot cross-shaped World War I memorial in Prince George’s County, Md., to stay on public property.

July 30, 2019
President Trump signs the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service – the LEGION Act – which extends recognized wartime service to cover previously unrecognized periods of U.S. military conflict, back to World War II.

2020s

[Dee]

I don't  have  any  desire to  join  any  of  the  organizations  mentioned, and will  put the Masonic Lodge at the #1 spot.
I don't have anything against a beer, or a drink of bourbon. I Bought a 6 pack of Shiner about 4 months ago, and there are 5 still in the refrigerator. I occasionally want a drink of Jim Beam Vanilla. A 5th of that will last about 2 years. I seldom finish that one occasional Shiner Bach, and I sometimes just want one swallow of the Jim Beam.
But, I long ago grew outta of watching folks drink themselves into a stupor. And when I think of an American Legion, an AMVETS Club, or a Moose Lodge, that's how I remember them.

[ironglowz]

   Again; I'm not saying that anybody either must or should join..just asking those who are  qualified, to consider it !

   Nobody drinks themselves to a stupor at our post, perhaps especially since there is a state police station just a mile down the road..

  I have heard some claim that alcohol plays a major part there, but when called upon to describe when they last saw an inebriated individual come stumbling out, they are at a loss for words.

  Here's a truncated list of Legion accomplishments over the last century, among which is the drive for and the establishment of, the Veterans Administration..

  Check it out, you may be surprised...    https://calegion.org/american-legion-history/

   

[Graybeard]

 I'm not a vet so assume not eligible to join. But even if I were I'd have zero interest. I do not know the good or bad of the organization. The only place locally I'm aware of is the one I went to with the guy I worked with. He sure left drunk as a skunk. I wasn't paying all that much attention to the others in there but everyone not an employee was drinking and one after another. I'm sure plenty of them left drunk and impaired to drive away. The state trooper office is less than a half mile from it.

I was a very long time ago a Mason. I can say with certainty in the 2-3 years I was a member I never saw any sort of alcohol on premises. Coffee and soda were the only drinks available. Now I heard the Shriner's which are some kind of branch off of the Masons were into alcohol. I was never a member so I cannot say if rumors were true.

I gave up on it as I just didn't see anything of interest in it. Just seemed like a place for old men to gather up once a week, drink coffee or soda, eat donuts and talk. I wasn't an old man back then, quite young in fact and none of it really interested me.

[Dee]

In the American Legions, and AMVETS Clubs i went into you didnt have to be a member, or a vet. I was younger and went with friends to drink, and were never turned away.
After I got older and into law enforcement, I went into'em when called for fights and disturbances. The clientele hadn't changed much.
A few years ago when I worked for Harley Davidson I made a few toy runs at several American Legions. There were always plenty of drunk members helping with the toy collecting.
There is obviously a lot of membership dues going into their well stocked bars.

[ironglowz]

In the American Legions, and AMVETS Clubs i went into you didnt have to be a member, or a vet. I was younger and went with friends to drink, and were never turned away.
After I got older and into law enforcement, I went into'em when called for fights and disturbances. The clientele hadn't changed much.
A few years ago when I worked for Harley Davidson I made a few toy runs at several American Legions. There were always plenty of drunk members helping with the toy collecting.
There is obviously a lot of membership dues going into their well stocked bars.

   
   Our local post used to only allow members and member's guests to utilize the bar area, while the meeting room in the rear was for members only, of course.

    Then, those who run the bar portion got an upscale liquor license that allows what they refer to as an "open bar"..meaning any can visit !

  The bar is a feature I almost never use, except to pick up a can of Pepsi on meeting night..

  Although it is an "open" bar", it seems to be the same regular attenders right along. Between that, the "pull tab" machines and a regular ongoing, gun raffle, it goes far
  to support the post and it's community works.

  Membership requires a DD214, showing an honorable discharge.  Besides the national efforts, locally we support trhe memorial day program, buy the cemetery flags, support local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and cooperating with other groups, support various local endeavors.

[Dee]

I don't think you're gonna get much interest here concerning an organization that orbits around a bar. There are many charities out there that don't depend on a bar for part of their income.
If your American Legion Post were to for some reason do away with the bar, that post would likely close fairly quickly.
I often wonder about people claiming Christianity that frequent bars, unless of course they are there witnessing. To support an organization, and have membership, is to support the organization, and that  support includes the bar, is in direct conflict with Christianity, and biblical teachings, in providing a place (an American Legion bar) to come and drink alcohol, and actually provide the alcohol. But I'm sure you've squared that somehow to where it comes out ok for you, but that's another topic entirely.

[Dixie-Dude]

Is there much difference between the American Legion and the VFW?  Some guys I know that were in Vietnam went to the VFW where they had dances and drank.  Sometimes cookouts.  Never was in the military so, don't know?  The Quality of the local chapters is different everywhere.   Oh, the local Elks lodge has a kitchen and a pool.  My uncle was a member here, we used the pool a lot.  One Saturday night a month they had a band, dancing, and of course a bar.  They once had the kitchen prepare buffet lunches for the public to make a little extra money. 

[Goldie]

Seems like most organizations have alcohol available. I guess they want everyone to have a jolly good time! Of course most times where alcohol is involved fights instead of jolly good times are the norm.

[Dee]

Is there much difference between the American Legion and the VFW?  Some guys I know that were in Vietnam went to the VFW where they had dances and drank.  Sometimes cookouts.  Never was in the military so, don't know?  The Quality of the local chapters is different everywhere.   Oh, the local Elks lodge has a kitchen and a pool.  My uncle was a member here, we used the pool a lot.  One Saturday night a month they had a band, dancing, and of course a bar.  They once had the kitchen prepare buffet lunches for the public to make a little extra money.

I've never seen much difference between a VFW, AMVETS. OR American Legion as far as their bars. Most folks go there to drink. In my former home town area the VFWs were bigger, and nicer, but like Goldie said; where there is drinking there is conflict.
During the weekdays the usual drinkers/drunks are there because that's what they do, so whether its VFW, AMVETS, or American Legion, they're pretty much all the same, and if you do away with the bar, they would likely all disappear.

[GTS225]

The last similar organization I joined was the AMVETS.  I went in two years later, and explained why I would not be renewing my membership.  I also showed them the credit card solicitation mailing with their logo prominently displayed, and informed them I hadn't joined in order for them to sell my membership info, including the fact that I was a veteran to some unknown entity.
I was civil about it, but my tone was decidedly "unfriendly".  Thusly, I don't enroll in such organizations any longer.

Thanks for the invite.....Roger

[DDZ]

There are two American legion posts within 15 miles of me. I have visited both back in the day, and my perception then was the legion meant drinking and gambling within the bar. I don't think anything has changed much to this day.

[ironglowz]

There are two American legion posts within 15 miles of me. I have visited both back in the day, and my perception then was the legion meant drinking and gambling within the bar. I don't think anything has changed much to this day.

  I don't visit bars beyond the one I walk through to get to meetings at the post...but I suppose drinking and gambling are common at bar scenes..

  I don't go there for the bar, but for the other community benefits and events mentioned above posts.  But keep in mind..membership is completely voluntary..

[Dee]

There are two American legion posts within 15 miles of me. I have visited both back in the day, and my perception then was the legion meant drinking and gambling within the bar. I don't think anything has changed much to this day.

  I don't visit bars beyond the one I walk through to get to meetings at the post...but I suppose drinking and gambling are common at bar scenes..

  I don't go there for the bar, but for the other community benefits and events mentioned above posts.  But keep in mind..membership is completely voluntary..

But you support the bar.

[ironglowz]

There are two American legion posts within 15 miles of me. I have visited both back in the day, and my perception then was the legion meant drinking and gambling within the bar. I don't think anything has changed much to this day.

  I don't visit bars beyond the one I walk through to get to meetings at the post...but I suppose drinking and gambling are common at bar scenes..

  I don't go there for the bar, but for the other community benefits and events mentioned above posts.  But keep in mind..membership is completely voluntary..

But you support the bar.

  I can't believe this suggestion for veterans to VOLUNTARILY join a veteran's organization, would have this long a shelf life !   

  So, I am accused of supporting a bar, probably nobody else here does..

  Yes, I guess if you look at it that way, I do indirectly.  ..But I also support numerous community services and efforts by doing so..

   Whether we like to admit it or not..both you and I support abortion, LGBTQ, green energy projects, and illegal immigration, as a side bar to our paying taxes..

  ....And by visiting the WWW, we are  promoting all the products and services, and political pleas offered there !

  Yes, I am far from perfect..but I have plenty of company !   

   

[GTS225]

But you support the bar.

Take a look at our 1920's - 30's history, and what happened when we DIDN'T support a bar.

Just sayin'.....Roger

[Goldie]

I have to say I spent many and hour at the NCO clubs when I was in the military. Not a whole lot of trouble, mainly GI'S trying to get over loneliness and despair. Sometimes alcohol is good for some and not for others. All about self control.

[Dee]

I quit donating to bars in about 1977.

[ironglowz]

  In don't use the stuff myself, but neither do I condemn those who do so in a reasonable manner.  I found out at 17 that beer for instance, tastes as bad as it smells, but that is for each to decide.

  I decided at about that age, by counting the good effects of alcohol vs the negative effects of same...was no contest so far as I am concerned, so I swore off.

   That doesn't mean that everyone else has to.  If I thought that way, I would be like a wokeist, thinking everybody must agree with me or be cast aside.

  If we started having drunk problems at our post, as chaplain, I would be the first to issue warnings.

    ..But as of yet, no problems, folks seem to be enjoying one another's company and thereby, contributing to the projects we espouse.

  Keep iun mind..there is no conscription with the American Legion, it is completely voluntary...and only for veterans..

[Goldie]

Well I quit the bar seen when I got out of the army many years ago and don't miss it a bit.  My wife and me used to enjoy the dances at NCO clubs but like all have said trouble and alcohol mix very well. Of course even going to a movie can have violence as well. If a person enjoys going to places like American legions and others more power to them. Just not for me now.

[Dee]

Well I quit the bar seen when I got out of the army many years ago and don't miss it a bit.  My wife and me used to enjoy the dances at NCO clubs but like all have said trouble and alcohol mix very well. Of course even going to a movie can have violence as well. If a person enjoys going to places like American legions and others more power to them. Just not for me now.

Agreed,  but shut that bar down, and watch that legion post close down soon after.

[ulav8r]

VFW built about 2 miles down the road from my dad's place. There is a long straight stretch of road and a curve just before his place. At least three drunks have gone off the curve and taken out part of the fence.  At least one was killed.  VFW makes a "great" neighbor.

[Land_Owner]

You keep telling yourself "It's the comradery" and not the drinking. The boys drinking are using the Org. as a crutch. They perhaps are alone in the world. Their homelife may be poor. They have made drinking buddies at the bar. They don't know or care to know it would cost less to meet and drink at home, etc.

[ironglowz]

You keep telling yourself "It's the comradery" and not the drinking. The boys drinking are using the Org. as a crutch. They perhaps are alone in the world. Their homelife may be poor. They have made drinking buddies at the bar. They don't know or care to know it would cost less to meet and drink at home, etc.

   That may be happening ..somewhere, but not at our Legion post !  I might say they look like that old TV show, "Cheers"...except I never watched that.

  They are a cheerful bunch though..One a seller and installer of automotive hydraulic hoists, another a farmer with a couple thousand dairy cows..and another an
    automobile dealer, with several shops....Chevy, Toyota and a couple other brands.

  They normally have their wives with them each evening they are there,  and seem to be enjoying themselves  a break from a busy day. 

  Sure, there are others...some retired, but certainly not a bunch of losers..

  I presume you could call lumberjacks, cowboys, soldiers or police an assortment of names..based upon the fact that they sometimes gather and enjoy themselves  while imbibing.

  ...But that would be simply taking a small slice of their lives, and hanging a heavy collar about their necks !

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/i0Gz5ohbTok