September 10, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The American Legion and Ladies’ Auxiliary is turning 100 this month and the local Post #122 will mark the observance on Thursday, September 26.
Everyone is invited to the celebration from 3-6 p.m. that day at Greenbrook Park with a meet and greet. Fingerfoods, drinks, and desserts will be served and while you are there inquire about becoming a member
The American Legion came to life in Paris, France in 1919 by soldiers restlessly awaiting passage home after victory in WWI. In the months that followed the armistice of November 11, 1918, they had time to think about life after the war and what they might do…
In support of their wounded comrades.
In honor of the fallen.
To help surviving spouses and orphans.
To protect the democracy they pledged their lives to defend.
And to chart a new course for future generations of Americans.
These troops envisioned a different kind of veteran’s association that would be like none before it, or any that would follow. The American Legion would be built on strengthening the nation—not serving themselves– through four primary pillars of volunteer work on behalf of: veterans, defense, youth, and Americanism.
The American Legion sponsors the following activities in several parts of the country: Speech contests, Mock government camps for high school juniors, and youth baseball programs. The American Legion would press for education, literacy, and understanding of U.S. Democracy.
The American Legion elevated public appreciation for the U.S. Flag, the Constitution, law enfocement, faith, civic responsibility, and community service. Women veterans were members and leaders of the American Legion, for instance, before they had the right to vote for President of the United States.
The American Legion was responsible for the formation of the Veteran’s Administration in 1930 and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in 1989. The GI Bill , steered to passage by the American Legion, made it possible for higher education, home ownership, and gainful employment.
Two other programs started by the American Legion and Ladies’ Auxiliary are Boys and Girls State and the American Legion’s National Emergency Fund. Girls and Boys State which started in 1937 gives high school Juniors the opportunity to experience how a mock government works. The National Emergency Fund has disbursed tens of millions of dollars to disaster victims since its creation in 1989.