Post 24 Commander’s Corner

Renovations are still on-going at the Post with new ideas coming in every day. Remember to book your events and Christmas Parties early. Most dates are still available, but are going fast. To reserve the hall, call the Post at 369-9053 to set up a time and date, the bartenders will be more than happy to help you with your planning. Remember we do not open until noon, so don’t call before then, but do call!

This month’s American Legion Position is "Flag Amendment." The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that flag desecration is protected speech, after a self-proclaimed communist was charged with desecrating the U.S. Flag. The 1989 "Texas v. Johnson" case invalidated laws against flag desecration in 48 states and the District of Columbia. The American Legion and veterans everywhere were outraged that the Court, in a 5-4 ruling, took away a fundamental right of the people to protect their flag – a right possessed since the birth of this nation. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson R-Mo., introduced H.J. Res. 13 in the 112th Congress. It says “The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.” Its companion measure is S.J. Res. 19, introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah and Sen. Max Baucus, D- Montana. The greatest tragedy in flag mutilation is the disrespect it teaches children, disrespect for the values it embodies, and disrespect for those who have sacrificed for those values. Disrespect is the genesis of hate. It provokes the dissolution of unity, a unity which has only one symbol – the flag. If the flag is good enough to cover the coffins of our heroes, it is good enough to protect. The American Legion supports a flag amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

This month’s American Legion Program is "Americanism, Children & Youth." Not only do the youth represent the future of America, they are also the children and grandchildren of our fallen comrades. The American Legion operates and sponsors several programs to benefit young people, as well as other patriotic programs that benefit Americans of all ages. The American Legions programs include: American Legion Boys State and Boys Nation, American Legion Baseball, The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest,” Junior Shooting Sports Program, American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year, Child Welfare Foundation, Children & Youth Month (April), National Family Week (Thanksgiving), Flag Education, School Award Medal Program and Veteran of the Month. Additional information and enrollment forms for all youth programs are available from the Americanism and Children and Youth Division at National Headquarters, or at legion.org.

The source for the above information can be found in The American Legion Positions and Programs quick reference guide booklet.

Membership has slowed down and is currently at 61%. We still have 193 members out of 498 that have not paid. If you are one of them, send your dues in. You can mail it, stop by the Post or renew on-line at mainelegion.org. It does not matter which way you choose, but pay as soon as possible. Your dues structure is as follows: $13.50 goes to National, $4.40 goes to General Fund, $2.25 goes to Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R), $2.00 to the Maine Legionnaire Paper, $.10 goes to Children and Youth (C&Y) Programs, $.25 goes to Americanism Program, $.25 goes to Convention and $.25 goes to Development for a total of $23. That means a total of $7 stays at the Post to cover administrative costs of mailing out the membership cards and the cost of the key cards.

For those area veterans that are not a member of a Legion Post and would like to join, call the Post (369-9053) or myself (357-3287) to find out if you are eligible. If you have served in the Armed Forces since August 2, 1990 and received an honorable discharge or are currently serving then you qualify, all you have to do is provide a copy of your DD-214 or copy of a military I.D., and fill out an application. Members is what keeps the Post going strong, so think about it you may be surprised at what you find.

Next month’s meeting will be Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.; supper at 5. The next District 5 meeting is 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the John D. Long Post 58 in Buckfield. We meet at Rumford Post 24 at 5:30 p.m. to car pool. Keep it in mind; it is good to see how other Post operate. Hope to see you at the Post soon.