Thread: I just got a letter from the American Legion!!!

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I just got a letter from the American Legion that asked why didn't I join as a war time Vet??? I said I had not joined because Lebanon and Granada were not recognized as wars. According to the American Legion they are recognized, HUH!!! go figure.
The American Legoin recognizes it but the US government does not, Whats wrong with this picture.
•April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918 (World War I)
•Dec. 7, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1946 (World War II)
•June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955 (Korean War)
•Feb. 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
•Aug. 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon / Grenada)
•Dec. 20, 1989 to Jan. 31, 1990 (Panama)
•Aug. 2, 1990 to today (Gulf War / War On Terrorism)

I was told I couldn't join because I was a Viet Nam era Vet and because I was assigned to duty in Germany and not in combat I was not eligible,DUH! unless things have changed you had to go where Uncle Sam sent you not where you chose to go.

That's a subject that has caused much disagreement among us Vets, especially those of us who "fell between the "wars"". I was denied membership in The American Legion and The VFW because of their definition of a Vet at the time (I was on active duty from Jan., 1960 to May, 1963, and never saw combat service or set foot on foreign soil), and I just never bothered to try again, even after they came recruiting me years later. No hard feelings anymore, just goin' on down the road.

Jeff, they wouldn't let you join, period? Wow!

With the membership numbers dropping off dramatically, the Canadian Legion is actively recruiting members, just to keep it going. It used to be quite restrictive, with only veterans, and veterans children allowed to join up as "associate" members, but I think that currently they will accept almost anyone.

Times are tough for the Legion, and many other service clubs...I belong the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and our membership has dropped dramatically the last ten years.

When I went in the Army they asked where I want to go and I said the middle east.
Because we were having trouble at the time with the hostages and all.
I was on the Air Force tarmac getting ready to go to war more times then I can count.
But I personally never seen any action when it was all said and done.
The closest I came to getting shot was one night on CQ duty in my company.
Caught a bad soldier robbing other soldiers rooms he was comming out of a window,
with a TV. Anyway we got in a fight and he took off running.
I caught him about a half mile away when he pulled a gun and tried to shoot me.
He was loading his own rounds and got some bad blasting caps so non fired at me.
The MP's showed me the dented rounds and said I must have a guardian angel.
Thank you Lord!!!! HE! HE! HE! Funny now, but not back then.

Originally Posted by vara4

When I went in the Army they asked where I want to go and I said the middle east.
Because we were having trouble at the time with the hostages and all.
I was on the Air Force tarmac getting ready to go to war more times then I can count.
But I personally never seen any action when it was all said and done.
The closest I came to getting shot was one night on CQ duty in my company.
Caught a bad soldier robbing other soldiers rooms he was comming out of a window,
with a TV. Anyway we got in a fight and he took off running.
I caught him about a half mile away when he pulled a gun and tried to shoot me.
He was loading his own rounds and got some bad blasting caps so non fired at me.
The MP's showed me the dented rounds and said I must have a guardian angel.
Thank you Lord!!!! HE! HE! HE! Funny now, but not back then.

Attempted murder to keep from getting caught in a burglary charge? I hope the low life is still rotting in the stockade, or whatever the Army equivalent of the brig would be.