Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-06-26
THE AMERICAN LEGION


Among the organizations preparing for
participation in the welcome to be ex-
tended to our returned soldiers on the
anniversary of American independence
is the American Legion. This worthy or
ganzatlon is to be for those Americans
who fought in the war against Germany
what the Grand Army of the Republic
has been and is today for the veterans
of the Union armies who helped save our
nation.
The American Legion will contain
host of young men. and not a few mere
boys, but they are all veterans in the
military service of their country in the
war with Germany and host of their
number are veterans in experience on
the field of battle. Some of them had
experience in German prisons. Not a few
of them are living witnesses of Hun
brutality In various forms, where the
rules of warfare called for the manifesto
ton and exemplifcation of the spirit of
humanity.
This organization is to keep alive the
patriotic impulses that found expression
in connection with the world war, and to
carry into civil life the same spirit of
helpful service which they manifested so
beautifully and so thoroughly for the
Stars and Stripes and the nation as n
whole in France and elsewhere on the
soil of Europe.
The character, aims and purposes of the
American Legion have been we'll set
forth IN statement and appeal sent
out to veterans of this war by Nelson
Jackson Of Burlington, temporary chair
man of the organization for Vermont,
and Joseph II. Fountain, temporary sec
rotary for Vermont. These men. by the
way. carry out in their statement the
recent vote Of their organization to do
away with titles of war in their work in
order that they may be in better posi-
ton to do the service in peace to which
they feel called. The statement reads as
follows:
THE American Legion is primarily an
enlisted mans organization arganzed at
st. Louis. May 10, 1919, at which caucus
temporary chairmen for every state In
the Union were elected to act in orga-
MIXING posts in the towns of their res
pective states. In organizing posts in
Vermont the cooperation and membership
Of every eX-service man, whether SOL
der, sailor. or marine, is earnestly solic-
tied. and all persons shall be eligible to
membership in this organization who
the United States during the period be-
tween April 6. 1917. and November IL. 1918.
both dates inclusive. AS to dues, each
post is permitted to fix its own. but one
dollar per member per year is suggested.
} THE American Legion Is the organ-
War, as was the Grand Army of the
Republic for the veterans of the Civil
War. and has for it's objects according
. to the constitution adopted by the st.
l Louis Caucus, the following:
''To uphold and defend the Constitution
: Of the United States of America; to ma in
tain law and order; to foster and per-
I petuate a one hundred percent American
ism; to preserve the memories and incl
r dents of our association in the Great
, War; to inculcate a sense of individual
t obligation to the community, state and
nation; to combat the autocracy of both
l the classes and the masses; TO make
1 right the master of might; to promote
/ peace and good will on earth; to safe
t principles of justice. freedom and democ-
= racy; to consecrate and sanctfy ouI
Y comradeshp by our devotion to mutual
helpfulness"
n IAN American Legion post in every
r town in the State is the slogan for Yer
mont
These are commendable aims and the
8 American Legion will surely receive the
e hearty cooperation of all patriotic Ameri-
: cans in the efforts of its members to carry
S out the spirit thus given expression.
G peculiarly the home of patriotic organi.
h cations Of all kinds, and which has beer
e the headquarters of not few of these
State and national bodies, will unques
u tionably do its part to help make the
u American Legion what it hopes ant
l. aims to be. One of these duties will b'
% to hold high the torch" which the Crane
Amry of the Republic is slowly but surel!
" passing to the hands of the veterans o
II the new war. their worthy successors IL
l. the defence of the glorious flag we al
love.
It FIFTY YEARS OF GRAND SERVICE
d One Of the most felicitious features of al
t. unusually happy commencement season a
o the University of Vermont was the un
n yelling and presentation to the universit
hue Ia al, nj 90 n