American Legion post in Howland reaches out to teens

HOWLAND – American Legion Post 700 is slowly dying of old age, but some of its members still want high school students to know the answer to the question: “What is a Vet?”

Although once having a membership of 70 veterans, Post 700 is down to 58 members — maybe less — says Dick Orwig, post commander for 15 years.

Post 700 hasn’t gained in membership over the years. “I can go down this list and cross off maybe 15 names,” the 81-year-old Orwig said as he peers at the membership roster, pencil in hand.

“It was up to 70, but they’ve been dying off,” said the World War II Army veteran of the Pacific Theater.

Orwig said that some members of Post 700 want to surrender its charter to the state organization.

But the commander is opposing it so far, mainly because the group and its auxiliary have been able to save money earned in the township over the years — and he doesn’t want to give it to the state.

The post has about $5,000 in certificates of deposit.

The post has not been able to muster added members, Orwig explained, because it doesn’t have a canteen where members can stop for a drink.

Also, there are so many other things for people to do.

Much larger Legion posts, like those in Florida with its large number of retirees who flee the northern winters, have canteens that serve lunch and dinner daily and have regular activities to fill the evenings.

Despite its small numbers, Post 700 does influence the community: It helps the veterans with baskets of flowers when they become ill, is involved in the Fourth of July parade and Memorial Day program.

The post is able to sponsor six boys the Buckeye Boys State and six girls to Buckeye Girls State to learn about various level of government through nonpartisan education programs.

Legionnaires want to get the message about veterans across to high school students.

Each year, Orwig and four or five other post members go the Howland High School and ask sophomore, junior and senior students the question: What is a Vet?”

“When we get done, they know what a vet is,” Orwig said.

Most of the students are attentive, but every once in a while, one will get a nudge from a teacher for nodding off.

See complete story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com