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Show WHO DOES THE LEGION SPEAK FOR? By LYLE GUNDERSON First Vice Commander American Legion, Dept. of Utah Since founders of this great organization made an idea into a working reality, countless words have been written and ,., spoken concerning The American Legion. Many have spoken out in bitter criticism of the programs we uphold with justified justi-fied pride, and belittle our efforts in behalf of God and Country. Coun-try. We cannot, nor do we intend to please everyone. It is beyond me to understand why a person otherwise apparently normal will seek to destroy the wonderful system of government govern-ment under which we live, and embrace one or more of the "isms" that plague mankind. We must recognize the fact that they are among us, and from their pens and lips come well-disguised propaganda against the bulwark of our democracy democ-racy : The American Legion. They generally contain just enough apparent fact to raise doubt and suspicion in the mind of the reader or listener. This in itself is fine, if you make an ! c-ffort to eliminate that doubt and seek out the complete facts, j In this period of explosive unrest in the world it is our solemn : obligation to keep well informed and to use this available in- formation in the best interest of our organization and country, i Be willing and able to gum up the works of those who would - like to see The American Legion dwindle in numbers and prestige. Let your guide be the Preamble. More inspirational inspira-tional words have never been written. We have all heard it said that the Legion does not speak for the veteran, but only for a small minority. If this is true, as it appears to be, then those elected politicians in national and state legislative bodies who like to quote the phrase arc I in the same boat. Just for a moment, consider the number of ! votes cast for the loser, add to that those who, though regis-j regis-j tered, did not vote, then add the people not interested enough , -' I to register, or who reach voting age between elections, and J you will see that although successful in the election, the winning win-ning candidate has only a small minority whom he can definitely defi-nitely say are behind him. Such is the case with us. Maybe we don't have the major-j major-j ity of the potential members but we number within our ranks the lion's share of those who are interested enough in their community, nation and fellowmen to do something one way or another. In other words, we are the Voice of those veterans veter-ans the politicians respect the ones who will act. If someone some-one says Congress pays no attention to The American Legion, don't -you believe it. A lot remains to be done to bring The Legion into its rightful, place of prominence from post level through national. A large membership looks good and it is good. I salute those , pests who have signed up most of the potential, and offer a J . suggestion to the posts that are not in this position : Do as the political parties did a short time ago canvass the area.. Strange as it seems, 13 out of 14 eligible men in Utah do not belong, and stranger still, a lot of them have never been asked to join. Let's find out who is privileged to be a member, and then go out and bring him in! |