The Sidney herald., 1961-05-17
DON'T LET YOUR WV POST
BE "A N FOR THE
JOHN BIRCH SOCIETY
BY Keith c. Abel. Department Commander

oY ASAIn -. ADe department commander
There have been several instances in Montana where
members of the Birch Society have approached Post
officers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. asking the
VFW TO endorse their Society and sponsor their speak
es. The Society seems 10 choose veterans organizations.
church groups and PTA organizations as the most fertile
fields TO sow their seeds of hate. In each case where a
Montana VFW Post sponsored outside speakers for this
Society. they usually left the Communist brand on out
standing members of the community and built up hate
and distrust among people of the community.
The hardcore. militant leadership and some of the
membership of the John Birch Society appears TO be
made up of frustrated malcontents who will 60 TO any
extreme TO draw attention to the dangers of Communism.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars continually conducts
one of the best Americanism programs offered by any
social or fraternal organization. Through an act of Con-
gress. each year the VFW sponsors Loyalty Day on May
Isl TO offset Communists observance of May Day
throughout the world. Patriotism to our country is al
ways the theme of Loyalty Day. Then the entire week
of May IT has been designated as "Americanism Week"
by the VIEW at which time the public is reminded of the
many advantages we enjoy being Americans.
Besides these anti Communistic measures. the VFW
on a year around basis. distributes Flag Etiquette"
booklets TO the children in the schools of our country.
teaching them the proper use and respect TO our national
flag; the VFW always observes Memorial Day on May 80.
at which time we pay our respects TO deceased comrades
of all wars of our great country; on Nov. ii the VFW
observes Veterans Day which marks the end of World
War I and II; Post and Auxiliary units yearly sponsor
the Voice of Democracy contest for high school chill
dren. which helps them understand the true meaning
of Americanism; the VFW continually provides flags
for schools. hospitals. colleges and Scouting units.
All this and many more activities in this field has
earned the Veterans of Foreign Wars the National Free
doms Foundation Award three times out of the four
years of its existence for their outstanding contribution
against Communism and in support of Americanism.
For this reason I feel that the Veterans of Foreign
Wars should continue with their fine Americanism pro-
4 gram that they have sponsored in the past. which has
been wellaccepted by all true Americans. and not gel
themselves involved with this group of superpatriots
dedicated TO creating confusion. hate and dissention
among our people.
When and If the John Birch Society lifts the curtain
of secrecy on its membership. it affiliations its ultimate
goal and its method of attaining this goal = and can
prove 70 the people that it is a dedicated patriotic group.
organized TO combat communism then it may get pro-
per consideration from the Veterans of FOREIGN Wars
Reprinted from May issue. Montana WIN. Paper
Courtesy of and Paid for
By Henry J. Schepens, Member VFW Post 40ss. Sidney