Membership now open to more veterans
Finally. It’s about time. What took so long? These are recent phrases echoed by numerous veterans. On Sept. 16, 1919, the American Legion was chartered and incorporated as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion is now one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States with membership at nearly 2 million veterans.
So what took so long? Because the Legion was a federally chartered organization, only Congress could change the Legion membership eligibility requirements. You’ve heard it said “it takes an act of Congress.” That’s what it took On July 30, 2019, President Trump signed into law the LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service) Act.
Now that the legislation has been signed, the American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from six war eras to two – April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941, to a a time when the United States is no longer facing hostilities. This opens the door to anyone who has served any federal active duty after Dec. 7, 1941.
So who is eligible to join the American Legion?
- Anyone who served federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces since Dec. 7, 1941, and was honorably discharged or is still serving;
- All active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Reservists and National Guard members with at least one day on federal active duty orders.
National Legion Commander Reistad declared, “As we celebrate our centennial anniversary, we hold to the same truths that our founders appropriately crafted a century ago, among those: a veteran is a veteran It dos not matter whether a veteran fought enemies on foreign soil, protected our interests in an ocean far away or secured our national defense here at home. Their service is what matters most. Now, thanks to this legislation, all veterans will be properly remembered for their service.”
The local Floyd W. Brown Post #11 is welcoming new members with this recent change in eligibility requirements. The post meets the second Monday of each month at 7 pm at the local VFW building on the east side of the courthouse square. Persons who want more information or a membership application can contact post commander Phil Thompson at 515-391-7211, vice commander Jim Andrew at 515-386-8358, adjutant Barb Labate at 386-5547, or officer Dallas Schrader at 386-4571.
