Show WHY LEGION POSTS PROGRESS working hand in hind hand with respective spec tive communities results remit in membership increase progress of the posts of the american legion Is founded on the relations with the community in which they are located according to findings of the national offles officers of the organization from a survey of posts showing reg regular uter ular membership increase this turvey survey was made in 22 states principally those of agricultural rations and represented reports from posts in towns with an average population of persons each of these posts has shown membership increase over that of the preceding year membership growth of these posts has not been sporadic it has been steady and ure sure of the posts formed la 11 1910 1919 an average of 38 36 members was waa shown in 1020 this average for posts had dropped to 28 the next year posts added one more to the average in 1922 the average tor for posts jumped to 58 end and thus far the posts show an average of 62 members reasons resigned assigned for this growth are re primarily due to interest in civic affairs A majority of post officers may ay that membership has grown because they have sold the legion to the community 1 such posts have encountered little opposition in their five year progress in legion activity actual accomplishments of the legion show a multiplicity of movements and a keen observance by the veterans of the needs of the communities the questionnaires show that posts have built tourist parks and camping grounds they have caused city parks to he be opened some build and maintain baseball parks and clubs others build community bathing pools a large number of posts have caused playgrounds to be opened many have erected public memorials a few provide free band concerts by legion musical organizations some plant trees as a part of a conservation p program ro ram and for memorial purposes others maintain burial plots for deceased ex ei service men most legion posts make efforts to obtain employment tor for former service men they direct boy scout movements and sponsor troops they participate in americanization of aliens and afford instruction in citizenship for boys and girls and the majority perform service work tor for disabled men through the posts and in the hospitals other activities tivi ties assigned as the regular lot of legion organizations include the legislative accomplishments for the veterans service work for the disabled in compensation participation in local fetes pageants athletics and other movements developing community interest |