American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars...military heroes who continue to serve

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - Millions of military heroes throughout the nation, who completed their service time in the armed forces, continue to serve their country. They do so by joining the federally chartered American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations that work ardently for the needs and rights of veterans, but also focus on needs in the local community.

Veteran’s Day, November 11, will be honored by these organizations, and the community is invited to participate. American Legion Post 411 will host a Veterans’ Day Commemorative Ceremony at 11:00 a.m., at Historical Flag Park adjacent to the Montgomery County Library on I-45N in Conroe. (Also see Veteran’s Day Commemorative Ceremony.

The American Legion was formed in Paris on March 16, 1919, by veterans of the American Expeditionary Forces (A. E. F.) Eligibility for American Legion membership is limited to those honorably discharged veterans and current personnel of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Air Force who served at least one day of active duty during any of the following periods:

The organization worked has worked ardently to spread of the ideology of Americanism, and has acted as a lobbying organization on behalf of issues of importance to veterans. The American Legion was instrumental in winning the "soldier's bonus" payment from the U.S. government, and has worked tirelessly for the alleviation of unemployment for returning soldiers.

The American Legion features numerous programs including its annual civic training events for high school juniors called Boys State. Two member of Boys State are selected to participate in Boys Nation. (The American Legion Auxiliary runs Girls State and Girls Nation.) Other programs include: American Legion Baseball, Scouting, Oratorical Contests, Junior Shooting Sports, Youth Alumni, Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Riders, and Scholarships at every level of the organization.

Presidents 34 to 41, Harry Truman through George W. Bush, and the 43rd, George W. Bush, have all been members of the American Legion In fact, both Bush presidents are members of American Legion Post 77 in Houston, Texas. Other distinguished members included General George Patton, General Douglas MacArthur, and Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the eldest son of the 26th President, who was instrumental in the founding of the American Legion. Other notables included Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Alvin York, and hollywood actors, Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable.

Membership peaked for the Legion right after World War II, when enrollment doubled from 1.7 million to 3.3 million; after the Korean War, there were 2.5 million Legionnaires. As membership increased to 3.1 million in 1992, with the addition of ‘baby boomers’ who joined. Sadly, membership has slowly been decreasing. In 2013, the Legion reported 2.3 million members, with WWII veterans passing, and subsequent generations not joining.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars was formed on September 29, 1899, by Spanish–American War veterans. The VFW grew rapidly after the First World War with hundreds of thousands eligible veterans returning from the war.

The objectives of the organization are to speed rehabilitation to the nation’s disabled and needy veterans, assist veterans’ widows and orphans and the dependents of needy or disabled veterans, and promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism, and by constructive service to local communities.

This nationwide program serves disabled veterans of all wars, who are members and non-members, in matters of government compensation and pension claims, hospitalization, and civil-service employment preference.

Membership in the V.F.W. is restricted to any active or honorably discharged officer or enlisted person who is a citizen of the United States, and who has served in its armed forces in any foreign war, insurrection, or expedition.

Distinguished members have included all the presidents previously listed, minus the 43rd, and also the 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt. Other notables include: General John Pershing, Sgt. York, 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Carl Sandburg, Dallas Cowboy quarterback, Roger Staubach, and one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, Audie Murphy, who received the Medal of Honor at age 19.

Membership steadily grew after the war peaking at about 2.5 million in 1993, but likewise, the VFW has seen a decline in membership as the older veterans passed away.

A long-standing but friendly rivalry exists between the American Legion and VFW as they compete for members and recognition as the premier veterans organization in the United States. Many members are proud to hold membership in both organizations; annual dues are kept low to encourage membership. As their numbers dwindle due to the loss of aging veterans, more members are needed to continue to work for veterans’ needs and rights. Government budget cuts and fierce competition for available resources, are making these organizations’ missions more difficult. As the saying goes...there’s power in numbers. Just being a card-carrying member provides both the American Legion and the VFW more lobbying power, but active participation is encouraged.

Both organizations have an auxiliary which allows for the wives, widows, and daughters of veterans, to participate in projects that benefit veterans, making it a family affair to champion for veterans needs and rights, and promote Americanism.

Montgomery County is proud to have posts and auxiliaries for both organizations. See related links for contact information, and inquire about eligibility.

American Legion Post 411 in Conroe, TX
American Legion Post 411

American Legion Post 305 The Woodlands, TX
American Legion Post 305

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4709 in Conroe, TX
VFW Post 4709

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12024 The Woodlands, TX
VFW Post 12024

American Legion Post 618 in Willis, TX
American Legion Post 618

All have have Facebook pages that allow community interaction, if you will kindly ‘Friend’ them. (See related links contained here within.)

The Veterans Commemorative Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Veteran’s Day will be a rain or shine event. The community is cordially invited to participate.