The Arvada enterprise., 1923-12-20
|lSS'!ssfican |lS!ssffiic
y LEGION
- for This DspArtmsat Supplied By ths
~ American LsGion News Sefvice.)
us1 WHERE LEGION STANDS
,.s,eces Of Organization Not on Do.
cline, Asserts Douglas County
(Nsb.) Lssionnairs.

ne influence Of the American Le-
IA Is on the wane, AYERS a CORE
soudent Of western newspaper, dis
ling the decline In membership Of
~ organization since the peak years
1920 and 1921.
Tollowing the war, the Legion was
.esenized ~ powerful force, par
aeularly in politics, national, state
M community" points out the corre-
pondent. To-day. the Legion Is not
S.cussed much"
It Is our humble opinion that one
e two things Is the matter with this
correspondent, says the Douglas coun.
y (Neb.) Leglonnaire. Either he 10
Vt well informed on the status of the
American Legion with the "homs
ilks," or else he Is using his "ham-
ser" with the apparent intent to be-
little Americas largest and strongest
ssanization Of veterans.
he American Legion 10 not to bs
neasured by mere numbers.
The spirit Of service, the spirit Of
fellowship. the spirit Of self.sacrifice
for their needy buddies, the spirit OF
leyalty to their country and Its insti.
ntions-these are q few of the things
b. which the Legion should be meas
red.
The accomplishments Of the Legion
b the field Of service are a refutation
4 the charge that the Legion's influ-
nee Is wandering. For without the
eaandence of America. without the
support and cooperation Of its citi.
rms, the Legion would be unable to
esIry on its program Of servIce-a pro-
gam which has been 20 successful and
y unselfsh that the organization COM
nands the respect and admiration Of
every right.minded person in the land.
America looks to the American Le-
con a. the organization which speaks
for the 100000 brave men and WON.
q who fought the nations battles In
The greatest war Of all time. Either
By active or passive consent PRACTICAL
" oil Of the service men and women
Il America recognize the aims Of the
Legion, Its principles and its program
% their own.
When the American Legion speaks,
II 10 the voice Of Americas war vet
efans.
10 long a. the Legion maintains its
present high ideals, its present lofty
eooception Of the organisations duty
to Its country and to its buddies, the
voice Of the Legion will be needed.
Membership in the organization Of
fen little to the individual, but the
right to help shoulder q burden, the
night to help carry 4 buddy's pack
that buddy. who. because Of the war,
d unable to meet the economic con-
ditions Of the day.
No luxurious club rooms, no benefits
Of any sort are offered to the men and
women who unselfishly Join hands
through the American Legion to per-
petuate the fellowships Of the battle
neid' the camp and the training ship.
Yet 1t 10 our humble opinion that
Inc Legion, whenever 1t makes up Its
mind that It wants to. can 90 out and
Increase Its membership nationally to
The million mark.
The people Of America have faith
u the American Legion. That their
has not been misplaced 10
proved BY the Legion's unselhsh de-
fo'ion to the principles Of American
IN and service. . service for the most
'sr extended to nonmembers Of the
The Legion may not be discussed
much In the particular circle In which
ne correspondent Of the newspaper
ravelS.
but when the "home folks" think of
ne service man. they think Of the
legion. They have come to look upon
ne Legion Ms the mouthplece Of the
'ation's defenders.
There 10 little to back up the state
sent that the Legion IL losing innu-
nee.
Todny the Legion stands m the au-
nor OF practically all Of the legisla-
ION pertaining to the veterans Of the
world war. Most Of the early objec-
ives have been attained.
ACCOUNT FOR HONOR