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February 12, 1927 WINNET KA TALK 51 Legion Launches Big Membership Campaign Legion Commander Urges All Service Men to "Join Up" (By Commander Blatchford) As commander of - Winnetka Post, No. 10, of the American Legion, I urge all men eligible to membership to file their applications at once or during the week of February 14 to 19. The American Legion, as now organ- ized, is doing a nation-wide service for ex-service men, their families and chil- dren. I am very proud of the Orphans' Home which our State department is fostering and also of the commendable work and advancement which our state organization is now making. The American Legion is an organiza- tion which should be supported in all local communities because its mem- bership is comprised of men animated by a spirit of civic duty and such an or- ganization, disciplined as the members are, may well act in an emergency for the service of their community. It is the desire of my Post to be of real service to the Village of Winnetka and this service may be best accom- plished by a large membership. May we therefore welcome eligible men to our ranks during the current Membership Drive? A Proclamation (By Village President John S. Miller) In the eight years of its existence, the American Legion has nobly fulfilled its aims so that now it is recognized as one of the most potent forces for good in this country. Its members, sometimes at great sacrifice, have borne their civic responsibilities well. For all service men of the World's war, the American Legion caused the organiza- tion of the Veterans' bureau. It pro- cured from Congress laws appropriat- ing millions of dollars for disability claims, for vocational training, for hos- pitals, for Soldier's Homes and for War Risk Insurance. Only recently the Legion has undertaken a great program to provide a home for every homeless child of a veteran. In all its activities, The American Legion has proven worthy of the high- est commendatign. Membership in its ranks should be regarded as an honor. Inasmuch as The American Legion is conducting a movement to increase its membership and gather into its folds everyone who served during the late war. Therefore, I, John S. Miller, Presi- dent of the Village of Winnetka, urge all of my fellow citizens to co-operate in this laudable effort and I particular- ly exhort those who are eligible to join The American Legion. Furthermore, I proclaim the week of February 12 to 19, 1927, American Le- gion week throughout the Village of | Winnetka. ENROLL NEW MEMBERS The following men have been re- cently elected to membership in Win- netka Post, No. 10, of the American Legion: Eugene P. Fager, Dr. J. P. Turner, William H. Paull, Andrew E. Kuby, Harry A. Olin, Edward B. Wilcox. It is believed a great many of our eligible residents will become members of Winnetka Post, No. 10 during the state-wide membership drive, begin- hing February 14 and ending February Commander Commander Frank W. Blatchford of Winnetka Post, No. 10, American Legion, is anxious to receive the ap- plication of every service man in the community for membership in the Winnetka Post. His statement re- garding the current membership cam- paign is found on this page. Why I Belong I belong to the American Legion be- cause I was more fortunate than others who served the United States in the World war, in that there are many who are wounded, sick, disabled and des- titute. Consider yourself! It goes without saying that you be- lieve the disabled and destitute, result- ing from the great war, should be aided and cared for. The fortunes of war brought you back with the ability to make a living and the opportunity to use that ability. Your duty, then, is to consider those who were less for- tunate than you. Your membership in The American Legion places you at once in the position of administering relief to worthy cases and puts you shoulder to shoulder with those who are supporting movements designed to aid thousands of pitiful cases. No other organization has done as much for the ex-service man as The Ameri- can Legion, and no other body can accomplish as much for him in the fu- ture. If your desire to see the disabled veteran get common justice is sincere, vou can reach but one conclusion on this question of membership in The American Legion. Appoint Committee to Conduct Member Drive Winnetka Post, No. 10, of the Amer- ican Legion has perfected its organiza- tion for the big membership. compaign of next week. The committee charged with directing the drive comprises the following : A. Lee Adams, 784 Elm street; A. C. D. Gedge, 1106 Elm street; Myron T. Harshaw, 535 Willow road; W. H. King, Jr. 802 Foxdale avenue; G. H. Scribner, 812 Ash street; Harold W. Snell, 1075 Pelham road; E. G. Howell, 558 Birch street. il For God and country, we associate to maintain law and order; to foster PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION poses: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the great war; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right. the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safe- guard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutal helpfulness. ourselves together for the following pur- and perpetuate a one hundred per cent LEGION FACTS Providing Answers to Questions Most Generally Asked About the Ameri- can Legion The American Legion is an organi- zation of World war veterans who served honorably in the armed forces of the United States. When Was the Legion Formed? First steps toward organization were taken at a caucus at Paris, France, March 15 to 17, 1919." A similar con- ference was held at Washington, D. C. A temporary constitution was adopted, temporary officers elected and general policies formulated at-a caucus at St. Louis, Missouri, May 8 to 10, 1919. A national charter was granted by Act of Congress on Sep- tember 16, 1919. Permanent organi- zation was effected and a constitution and by-laws adopted at the First Con- vention at Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 10 to 12, 1919. How Is the Legion Organized? The Legion is organized by depart- ments and posts. Membership is in the national organization by affilia- tion with a post. There are fifty-seven departments, one in every State in the Union and others in territorial possessions of the United States and in certain foreign countries. There are more than 10,000 posts scattered in every part of the United States and throughout the world. How Is It Conducted? Activities of the national organiza- tion are carried on through the na- tional committees and commissions, and the staff of national headquarters. carried on through their officers and committees. The National convention is the su- preme governing body of the whole organization. Authority is vested be- tween conventions in the National Executive committee and the National Commander. Other officers and di- visions of the national organization operate under their direction. Who Is Eligible to Membership? Eligibility is defined by the consti- tution (Article IV, Section 1) thus: "Any person shall be eligible for mem- bership in The American Legion who was regularly enlisted, drafted, or inducted or commissioned and who was accepted for and assigned to ac- tive duty in the Army, Navy or Ma- rine Corps of the United States at some time during the period between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918, both dates inclusive, or who, being a citizen of the United States at the time of his entry therein, served on active duty in the naval, military or air forces of any of the governments associated with the United States during the Great War; provided that no person shall be entitled to mem- bership (a) who, being in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps of the United States during said period refused on conscientious, political or other grounds to subject himself military discipline or unqualified service, or (b) who, being in such service, was separated therefrom under circum- stances amounting to dishonorable discharge and has not subsequently been officially restored to an honorable status." Is It Run by the Overseas Men? There is no rank in the Legion and no distinction between home service and foreign service. The Legion is an organization of veterans run by veterans. Each one has a voice. Is It Run by a Clique? The Legion as a nation-wide or- ganization is not run by a clique. Its affairs are under the constitution, conducted by the entire membership through duly constituted officers, com- mittees and conventions. Why Join a Veterans' Society? Because there is a national desire to perpetuate associations formed un- der the hardships of war. There is comradeship and strength in organiza- tion. Individually, we may weigh but little; organized, our voice and in- fluence will be as far-reaching as our organization. How About Military Obligation? The Legion's constitution '(Article II, Section 1) says: "The American Legion is a civilian organization ; membership therein does not affect nor increase liability for military or police service. Rank does not exist in the Legion; no member shall be addressed by kis military or naval title in any conversation or meeting of the Legion." Is the Legion Political? Absolutely not. Sections 2 and 3, Article II, of the constitution says: "Section 2. The American 1 shall be absolutely non-political and shall not be used for the dissemina- tion of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or pre- ferment. No candidate for or incum- bent of a remunerative elective public office shall hold any office in The American Legion or in any department or post thereof. "Section 3. Each member shall per- form his full duty as a citizen ac- cording to his own conscience and un- derstanding." Is the Legion Non-Sectarian? Absolutely. No distinction of sect or creed is recognized. What Is the Legion's Purpose? Service -- service to community, State and Nation! Members of the Legion gave service while they were members of the armed forces of the United States in the World War. The Legion was organized that they might continue to give the same service in time of peace as they gave in war.