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Should I join the American Legion?
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Posted on 08/18/2004 8:41:56 AM PDT by ozidar

I recently received a solicitation for membership in the American Legion. I am eligible due to my service in the Air Force during the Gulf War era. I'm sure there are members here. Can you share with me some of the reasons for joining or not joining? I would really like to learn more about the organization. If you want to reply privately instead of publicly that's fine too.


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To: Old Sarge

Hope the American Legion in his area is more freindly then this VFW is up by me. The boose is cheap but if you didn't grow up in the area, your really not welcomed, even if your a Nam vet. As time goes by, I forsee it (this post) dying off.


21 posted on 08/18/2004 9:10:04 AM PDT by OldSgt.
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To: ozidar

Here in my neck of the woods (Arlington, VA) my Korean-era vet father (WWII "vet" if you want to include his refugee childhood) joined post #139 a decade ago, then found out it was basically a drinking club for geezers. He now confines his Legion activities to nearby post #85 (a generational schism in the past, the Vietnam-era guys go there).

It's academic to me. When I got out of the Navy in '88 I was told by the personnelman on my ship that I qualified by dint of the Gulf of Sidra action (I think I still have a few "I crossed the line of death" cruise T-shirts in storage somewhere) that my ship was involved in for the VFW but not the American Legion. Well whatever, as I have to stay away from drinking situations it must remain forever academic.

From what little I've seen, the aforementioned organizations could use a shot of new blood. Individual posts probably vary greatly around the country but I would say by all means check them out and if they don't suit you then, by Cracky, borrow a page from the rules for radicals and team up with your buddies to infiltrate them and make them over to suit.


22 posted on 08/18/2004 9:10:17 AM PDT by sinanju
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To: Old Sarge

As an "outsider", it was my impression that the Legion was slightly more formally organized. They got involved in sponsoring community activities like baseball leagues for teens. The VFW was more oriented towards the vets themselves, sponsoring events that gave 'em a "men's night-out with the boys". And while both groups drank beer, I think the VFW usually did the larger volume of business. But that very well could have varied in different communities.


23 posted on 08/18/2004 9:13:19 AM PDT by Willie Green (Go Alan Go!!!)
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To: ozidar

If you're in AA or younger than 55 don't bother attending the facility; joining isn't that bad an idea, they may help your widow secure your 1/40th acre, no mule though.


24 posted on 08/18/2004 9:15:49 AM PDT by Old Professer (Neither pot nor kettle shall reflect light in the darkness of oppression.)
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To: OldSgt.

Gee - I like your taste in names! LOL! Welcome to Free Republic!

I really do think it's liek anywhere else: depends a lot on the character of the characters. The VFW/AL posts near Ft. McCoy took me in, a total stranger.

Both served food and beer, both welcomed brethren under arms, both served the communities. The Legion is far better organized, I'll agree - and more vocal.

But, the vets of older wars are leaving us at a shocking rate. It's up to us, their successors, to keep on.


25 posted on 08/18/2004 9:18:24 AM PDT by Old Sarge (ZOT 'em all, let MOD sort 'em out!)
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To: ozidar
I belong to the American Legion to keep up with what's happening to veterans and how the organization perceives politicians and how Washington treats veterans.
26 posted on 08/18/2004 9:18:55 AM PDT by vetvetdoug (In memory of T/Sgt. Secundino "Dean" Baldonado, Jarales, NM-KIA Bien Hoa AFB, RVN 1965)
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To: ozidar
Membership in the Legion and VFW(if you are a vet from the posted periods) are both worth joining. Some posts are social clubs others are very community supportive. In all cases the state and national leadership work hard to continue and improve Vet benefits and support. The magazines are worth the cost and include lists of reunions and people inquiries as well as updates on veteran issues.
As the WWII generation leaves us it is up to the younger vets to pick up the load. If your legion does not meet your expectations, run for leadership positions and make the changes. New blood is needed and necessary.
27 posted on 08/18/2004 9:26:21 AM PDT by milbuf
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To: Piquaboy

The American Legion is the worlds largest Veterans organization which accomodates all members of your family Sons, Daughters, Wife, grandchildren.. Scholarships are offered to all of the above.. There are a whole lot of other benefits also.
It is an organization that looks after our benefits and other interests of all veterans. We need all of the eligible veterans as members.
C D Cook, Commander
District 13 Alabama American Legion.


28 posted on 08/18/2004 9:26:25 AM PDT by southland
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To: Radix

Not as such. There are ladies auxiliaries;

http://www.legion-aux.org/

There's also the Sons of The American Legion. I'm qualified for both, but I was SAL before I enlisted. An active SAL chapter isn't much different than the legion. Requirements to join aren't as stringent as for legionaries.

http://www.sal.legion.org/member.htm#memb


29 posted on 08/18/2004 9:33:04 AM PDT by Hillarys Gate Cult ("I hate going to places like Austin and Dubuque to raise large sums of money. But I have to," Kerry)
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To: ozidar
I'm an Vietnam ERA Vet (66-70). Didn't join until late because it took so long for them and the VFW to recognize the Viet Nam War. Had a good friend of mine on PDR's and wounded who was denied VFW. I think it was 1972 when they came around. Allot of the places didn't want us around anyway in my area. Finally joined Post 1 Albany, NY with no affiliation to any local post. I can use my card for any Legion post and most importantly receive Legion Magazine. Just go on their site and they will sign you up to a post like Albany and then, if you find a post you are comfortable with, you can just transfer.

Wilum
30 posted on 08/18/2004 9:35:08 AM PDT by Wilum
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To: Old Sarge
"Gee - I like your taste in names! " Ya, there's lots of us, only the special few could easly come up with the name. LOL
Liked your uniformed picture, only thing wrong with it was it wasn't in USMC green , just kidding.
Times have changed since the first Gulf War, Active duty people ARE looked at much better then we all were, coming back.
31 posted on 08/18/2004 9:36:45 AM PDT by OldSgt.
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To: OldSgt.

::bowing:: Thank you, thank you.

Heaven help the Jihadis, if someone decides to put an entire company of old pharts into battle. Old age and Treachery vs. youth and skill - they don't stand a snowball's chance...


32 posted on 08/18/2004 9:39:52 AM PDT by Old Sarge (ZOT 'em all, let MOD sort 'em out!)
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To: ozidar
Yes, they do many civic projects that help different Vet projects. The one my hubby belongs to donates to the Boy Scouts, their special work is for the VA hospital and the spinal cord unit.

The Ladies Aux would be a good thing for your wife..if you are married or you daughters.

Our unit last year made 60 lap quilts for the spinal cord unit at the VA hospital in Memphis. Made sure they had Christmas goodies.

Their lobbying group helps to net Vets better benifits.

33 posted on 08/18/2004 9:47:31 AM PDT by GailA ( hanoi john, I'm for the death penalty for terrorist, before I impose a moratorium on it.)
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To: kellynla

If he's only an Gulf War era Vet, he won't qualify for the VFW. Hubby is Vietnam era Vet, and can only join the AM Legion.


34 posted on 08/18/2004 9:49:11 AM PDT by GailA ( hanoi john, I'm for the death penalty for terrorist, before I impose a moratorium on it.)
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To: Old Sarge
USAF 72-76 SAC Viet Nam Era vet

Probably not eligible for VFW, unless you served in Thailand in support of ops. I don't know about at Anderson, I would think that would do it too, if you served there during the Vietnam war. However if you never served overseas, then you are not eligible for VFW membership, it is after all the Veterans of Foreign Wars. You are definitely eligible for Legion membership. Your period of service brackets mine, and I am eligible and was a member, but I let it lapse when I moved. Basically if you are eligible for the national defense service medal, you are eligible for Legion membership.

My Dad belonged to both, plus the DAV (a branch of which is visible from Mom's house). Check here for VFW eligibility (PDF file!) and here for Legion eligibility (also PDF, it's the application form)

35 posted on 08/18/2004 9:49:43 AM PDT by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)
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To: ozidar

Francis Scott Key Post # 11 - Bump Way to the top!


36 posted on 08/18/2004 9:55:24 AM PDT by drgnwrks ((Find me some terrorist speed bumps, I need to grease my 4 x 4))
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To: ozidar
I first joined after WW II but have not been a continuous member depending on where I lived. Today I am and march [for as long as I can!] in their local Memorial Day parade.

I like the Legion. They were the force behind the GI Bill and continue to support Veteran's needs. They also sponsor a pretty good baseball program. You don't have to only belong to one veteran's organization.

They have a website at http://www.legion.org/

37 posted on 08/18/2004 9:56:02 AM PDT by ex-snook ("BUT ABOVE ALL THINGS, TRUTH BEARETH AWAY THE VICTORY")
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To: Old Sarge
Ya got it right! "old farts " we can't run like we once could, don't get all excited like we once did. Basically we'll just hold our ground and being all calm, we're much better shots. "Jihadis" be wary, be very, very wary. Grumpy old men don't scare easily!
38 posted on 08/18/2004 9:56:09 AM PDT by OldSgt.
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To: Radix

Besides all the good reason to join above, there is one other: Hanoi Jane Fonda decals in the urinals. Whoever said "Coke is the pause that refreshes," never took a pi$$ at the local legion post!!!
Pride Runs Deep!


39 posted on 08/18/2004 10:02:06 AM PDT by submarine571 (The Purple Heart Big Lie)
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To: GailA

Gail, if your husband was in combat in Viet Nam then he most most certainly can join the V.F.W. !!! He should have received a Viet Nam Service Medal for combat service.

Here is the link for all those eligible veterans who have received a combat action ribbon for service overseas, who can join the V.F.W.

Viet Nam Service Medal
July 4, 1965 until March 8, 1973

http://www.vfw.org/pdf/eligibility.pdf


40 posted on 08/18/2004 10:06:38 AM PDT by kellynla (U.S.M.C. 1/5 1st Mar Div. Nam 69&70 Semper Fi http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.com)
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