BROCKWAY, Pa. (EYT) – At the end of July, the United States House of Representatives passed a bipartisan act to expand membership into the American Legion.
(PHOTO: Post 95 Memorial Wall)
The LEGION Act, which stands for “Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service”, expands membership in the American Legion organization from narrowly-defined war times to anyone who served in the military after December 7, 1941.
Locally, American Legion Post No. 95 believes this will make sure their post continues for a very long time.
“Membership is a problem,” Post 95 Commander Bill Sabatose said. “Everyone realized this was something we had to do. Our members have been fighting for this for years.”
The tank at Brockway Legion Post 95.
Prior to the LEGION Act, veterans could join the American Legion if they served in specific wartime situations. Now, this act expands potential membership to anyone who served honorably.
“Cold War veterans served, but they couldn’t join before,” Sabatose said. “Our members over 60 have been active, but there are so many people who couldn’t help us.”
Post 95 World War II memorial
Sabatose said that he will get names of veterans in Jefferson County who could not join before and send them a letter. However, there are some Cold War veterans who are already interested.
“I know three or four people who have expressed interest and said they wish they could join,” Sabatose said. “I’m going to give them applications.”
Post 95 Memorial Wall
The American Legion said that old membership forms will still be honored, but instead of selecting specific wartime, veterans are urged to write “LEGION Act.” New forms will be created since the passage of the act.
“This is great news for the American Legion in Pennsylvania,” Sabatose said. “It will help Legions everywhere.
“I’ve been seeing chapters close because they can’t get people in, but now we have some life.”
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