Local legion loses members but soldiers on with its work

Every year, the group visits Howland High School, among other activities.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

HOWLAND — American Legion Post 700 is slowly dwindling because 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 fewer — said 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 peered 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 some members of Post 700 want to surrender its charter to the state organization.

But the commander opposes it so far, mainly because the group and its auxiliary have saved 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 newmembers, Orwig said, because it doesn’t have a canteen where members can stop for a drink.

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

Much larger Legion posts, such as those in Florida with 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.

Still working in the community

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

The post is able to sponsor six boys to 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 to Howland High School and ask sophomores, juniors and seniors 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.

The post also gives the students a 50-question, not-so-easy test about U.S. history and government. The highest score is around 84 percent. About 800 students take the test.

All of this takes money and time for the veterans.

Earlier this month, the post auxiliary sponsored its annual poppy sale with the help of post members. This year, they got some help from those attending Girls and Boys State. They usually take in $3,000 to $4,000 selling 4,000 poppies to help young people.

Help with recruitment

In Mahoning County, Joseph Rockwell of Sebring is the judge advocate for the American Legion Veterans Council. He’s convinced that his recruiting will put new members into the posts.

“It’s finding the right person” to recruit members, Rockwell said. “Each post has a different personality.”

In addition to putting ads in newspapers, Rockwell gets a list of veterans by ZIP code from the state Legion organization and pays them a visit to encourage them to join. “I really like going around talking to vets,” he said.

At Legion Post 560 in Campbell, membership is down slightly. Post Adjutant John Texter, a Marine Corps veteran, said 25 members have been buried in the past two years. Most of the 138 members, Texter said, are World War II and Korean War veterans.

“I always thought it was an honor to be with a veterans organization,” Texter said, noting he reads the obituaries and sees veterans who have not been affiliated with any veterans group. “I feel bad,” he said.

Post 560 on 12th Street uses fund-raising events to maintain its building amid rising utility costs and to send four boy to Boys State. Like the Howland post, the Campbell post works in the schools to teach students about government.

“We’re walking a tightrope. We’re trying to maintain our post as long as we can,” Tester said.

“But it’s not like it used to be,” he said, noting its difficult to get members to run as an officer at Post 560 with about 15 members attending its meetings.

yovich@vindy.com