New Britain herald., 1930-06-04

] War Veteran Should Join inc Amer lcan Lc2ioN.' which was conducted
 by the post The winning essay was
 written by Miss Leila Ryder. daugh-
 ter ot Mr and Mrs. Arthur Ryder or Washington street. She is member of the 145o graduating class at the PlalnvlIlo High school Her essay caused much favorable comment by the legionnajres at last nights meet
 ing 4 large number Of contestants
 took part in the contest Miss Ryder
 heing awarded s gold piece for
 her winning effort.
 Legion Prize Essay
 Her essay is as follows;
 "Aftcr the World war the many soldiers who returned were bound together by d host Of experiences that could never be forgotten. These experiences brought men together on common ground. from every walk Of life. and brought about the orgaui- zation of the American Legion in Parls, March. 1919. By means of this organization, the eX-soldiers found il possible 10 unite themselves in body and work together in setting right and plotting out. in as far as possible. the devastation caused in American civilization by the Great War. This was q tremendous task but the will and the desire 70 do 1t have been strong enough 10 accom- plish If conmendably we'll
 "In helping carry or this work. and sharing in the social and fra tCrual activities Of the American Le- gion each eN-solder member feels himself part Of q vital whole
 Considering the work fl is doing, and the advantages of comradeship and the good times if affords one feels that every World war veteran who has not joined. would hasten 10 do so if he realized what it would mean 10 him 10 become a member Of this aN-American organization. He would be part Of strong national body and everywhere he went would meet fellow Legionnaircs who would be his friends In fact rv being a Legion member he would he himself q friend Of humanity To prove this point let me list here some Of the aoivities and insritutiosn sponsored by the Legion.
 Through lls efforts. disabled World war veterans are dealt with justly They are provided with hos pitals and everything possible is be- ing done 10 rehabiliratc the men who came back and found their positions filled by younger men who had not suffered physically from the war. and . in some cases found their places taken by foreigners.
 Millions Of dollars arc secured every year in the interest of com nensating and disabled soldiers. The Legion has established hospitals which is stall retains. Such hos nitals may he found in New York -ity. Michigan, Minnesota and Texas.
 'It influences legislation in favor of cN-soldiers who need government recognition. The American Legion 1as also pledged itself 10 provide 7omes for orphaned children Of vet arans who are without homes. Such pledge speaks for itself.
 "When an association has oyr- poses like these I have listed. and ts business is 10 continue 10 do good. oaving no stone unturncd that bone- it's those who have suffered in arled ways from the effect Of the var, no red blooied man who has ''en lover there and can thus ap- 'roclate the things for which if tandS can refuse the American Lo- lon hls support and still retain 2 lear conscience r is the only or ah1zatlon where all American World 'ar veterans can some togther free f social or class distinction Their Nperiences and Eardships together a'7 made them equal
 There IS much 10 do The Ic- lo1 can find place for everyone ho is wiling 10 serve. When one erTes the Legion, it in turn serves r i'm. T. has club houses in many ? ommunltIes. It sponsors summ5r amps and furnishes q valuable so- ar lal unit for small towns. communi- [ es and cities
 "I' has 2 large membership but