Post 94 celebrated the 106th birthday of The American Legion at Lincoln County Veteran Coffee Talk with a huge birthday cake for all veterans and even got new members to join! We shared information in our newsletter from the document provided from National. All in all, it was a great celebration and reminder of why we are Legionnaires today.
"Happy birthday, American Legion! Since its founding in the wake of World War I, The American Legion has been a steadfast advocate for those who have borne the weight of defending our freedoms. It was The American Legion that drafted the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 – better known as the “GI Bill” – which is lauded by many historians as the greatest legislation ever passed by Congress. When the initial GI Bill period ended in 1956, 7.8 million out of 15.4 million veterans had enrolled in an education or training program. In 1955, the Veterans Administration backed one-third of housing starts. It has been estimated that the GI Bill returned $7 to the economy for every $1 of cost. Instead of another Great Depression, war veterans returned to a booming economy.
It was our American Legion that later funded studies, lobbied Congress and encouraged presidents to sign legislation delivering comprehensive benefits to veterans with conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Lou Gehrig’s disease and a host of illnesses linked to Agent Orange Exposure, burn pits, atomic radiation and other toxins connected to military service.
Each of you, through your selfless service, upholds the values of duty, honor and country. It is because of you that The American Legion remains a beacon of hope and support for those who have served.
As we celebrate our 106th birthday, let us remember our past, honor our present and boldly face our future. We must follow a path for growth by welcoming new generations of veterans into our ranks and advocating for those who have given so much in defense of our nation. Together we will ensure that The American Legion remains as strong in the next century as it has been for the past 106 years."
May God bless The American Legion, our veterans and the United States of America.
