43
The Legion wants to attract younger veterans to the organization
BOARDMAN
One of the hardest things to do is convince younger military veterans of the value of membership in the American Legion and other veterans service organizations.
The American Legion, founded in 1919, is the largest veterans service organization in the United States, and with 2.4 million members, is the strongest voice for veterans in the nation, said James W. Campbell of Howland, commander of the American Legion’s Department of Ohio.
Campbell, an Air Force veteran who deployed to Vietnam for a year in 1969-1970 as a machine gunner on an armored personnel carrier at Danang Air Base, is a four-time commander of American Legion Post 700 in Howland. He also is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 1090 in Warren, AMVETS Post 44 in Struthers and the Vietnam Veterans Association.
“As we look to the future, we are trying to coordinate with and bring in to the American Legion these young veterans,” said Campbell, speaking Saturday at Boardman American Legion Post 565’s annual Christmas party at Abruzzi’s Cafe 422 in Boardman.
John R. Spagnola, newly-elected commander of Post 565, who served 21 years in the Army National Guard and was activated for nine months after 9/11, represents both the American Legion’s future and its challenge.
Spagnola, of Poland, 48, was the youngest member of Post 565 when he joined the organization 13 years ago, and still is.
The United States does not have a draft, so the military personnel get deployed over and over. They are beaten up and tired when they get home, Campbell said.
“They have so much on their plates when they get home, struggling to build a family and home and taking care of themselves physically and mentally, many suffering from wounds and post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, they may not feel they have time to join a veterans service organization,” said Campbell, a retired Howland Police Department detective.
“Our young veterans are truly dedicated patriots, and the American Legion stands ready to help them in any way it can,” he said.
Campbell said he has watched the rebirth of Post 565, which had about 50 veterans and guests at Saturday’s event.
Larry Johnson of Boardman, who served in the Navy from 1968 to 1975, had never been a member of a veterans service organization until he joined Post 565 in 2015.
“I think there should be a presence in the community for veterans for kids to see and to remember,” said Johnson, explaining why he joined Post 565 at 65.
Also, he said: “You are among men and women who have served and have similar experiences,” he said.