The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-01-13
LOCAL LEGION
MUCH IN NEED Or
MEETING ROOM
Bennington Post So Far Unable
to Secure Quarters
WANT SHOULD BE FILLED
Excellent Opportunity for Community
to Show Appreciation Of
Great Service
WANT SHOULD BE FILLED

Editor of the Banner:--For some
time after the close OF the great
World War and the return Of our SOL
diers and sailo-s to their homes there
was considerable Informal discussion
in this vicinity of the community TAX
ing some action collectively to show
our appreciation of the service rem
dered in that great war by our local
young men who entered the service
OF their country. Afte.- a time, how
ever, the subject appeared to drop
out OF consideration without any ac-
ton being taken, and consequently
we are reg stored as one Of the com
munities which has done nothing in
that line. But 1t seems that at pres.
ent an excellent opportunity has pre-
sented itself to do something In a
substant al way in the above line.
Since the disbanding of our military
forces the ex-se. vice men OF both the
army and navy have perfected an or
ganization among themselves known
as the American Legion. The object
and purpose of this organization con-
temp ate something OF immediate and
vital interest to every patriotic citi-
zen of this country. 1t is not mere
club for social purposes of its mem
ership; no. is its object wholly
for their individual benefit and ad
vantage; in other words, it Is any
thing but selfish in its purpose. 1t is
devoted to furthering and preserving
American ideals. All of its members.
no no nv
be 100 per cent American and aid in
protecting American institutions from
foes from within as we'll as foes f.om
without our borders. The fact is. In
these days of anarchism, communism,
Bolshevism, and other issues" many
thoughtful persons hayess4 EXPRESSED
the view that If American ideals and
institut ons are to be preserved in
this country the American Legion Is
the one g eat organization of sturdy
young fighting men who will pre-
serve them and save the country In
any crisis.
Benn ngton now has thriving post
in the organization consisting OF over
200 members in good standing, with
applications for new membership
coming in steadily. But the great
difficulty the boys" are meeting with
in advancing their organization in
this village is the lack of suitable
meeting place or post oom and head.
quarters. The membership fees and
dues are exceedingly small in order
to bring In all service men. and so the
post is not well off financially at the
outset, nor in a pos tion at present
to secure comfortable quarters of
gather regularly and work for the
strengthening of Their post and f1r-
thering the objects of the organiza
ton. The boys need place where
they can provide proper quartz 8,
comfortable and inv ting place for
them to call at any time, meet their
buddies and comrades. talk over the
past and future work, and scHss
matters of peculiar interest TO them
without feeling that they are intrudn
ing on anyone's hospitality. This sort
of a place they have been unable to
procure up to date. This same prob
lem has arisen with other posts and
in almost every instance the patrio-
tic communities have come forward
and secured proper quarters for the
boys. Can Bennington do any less
for its local post?
The city of B istol, Conn, has given
its post hand some quarters and o
nest egg Of $6O00 Merchants of the
town of Sedro.Wooley, Wis, have
contributed $1,000 to purchase lot
for a club house for its post, and a
large sum has already been raised
there to build fine club house for
the boys. The citizens OF Langhorne
Pa. have raised $4,000 by popular
subscription 20 build good home for
the post at that place. And so the list
goes. Everywhere patriotic citizens
have come forward and are rushing
their plans to furnish the posts with
fine quarters, and in many other ways
aiding the American Legion to get
good start, because it Is realized that
the members of the Legion not only
did excellent service for their country
in time of need on the battle1elds of
Europe, but are continuing their serY
ice at home through this organiza
ton. Who will take the lead to for
ward this movement here in Benning-
ton? Surely, we are not going to for
get these loyal men by few honeyed
words of praise only. Something sub
stantial should be done for them by
the community. Secure them com
TO table home for their organization
is what is needed at the present time.
Welcome to Our Heroes" sounds
and looks good in print, but suit
able post room would be better ap-
preciated.
Henry Chase.