LEBANON — Thousands of veterans nationwide can join the American Legion after its eligibility periods were expanded to include all members of the military and Merchant Marines who served in World War II and beyond.
“We have troops that are stationed all over the world who are now being recognized as Legion candidates,” said Eric Morrill, commander of Guyer-Carignan Post 22 in Lebanon. “It opens up about 30 years that have been unaccounted for.”
About a dozen people have joined Post 22 since the change took effect in July, either through becoming new members or by transferring their membership from a branch of the American Legion, such as the Sons of the American Legion.
The American Legion has been trying for years to expand eligibility periods, said Larry Greenwood, adjutant at Post 22. President Trump signed the “Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act” — also known as the Legion Act — on July 30 after it was passed by both chambers of Congress.
“The Legion, unlike any other organization, is governed by Congress,” Morrill said. “I would like to see a plea go out to all veterans to look into the Legion to see what it has for you and what you have to give us.”
Previously, people were only eligible if they served during periods that were designated as being a state of war by Congress, which included World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, conflicts in Lebanon, Grenada and Panama, the Gulf War, the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War.
“They’re honoring thousands of veterans who were killed or wounded during periods not considered a time of war,” Greenwood said.
In order to join, veterans must show proof that they received an honorable discharge.
The previous periods largely excluded veterans who served during the Cold War. But the expanded eligibility now acknowledges “every veteran whether they served overseas in combat or in a support role on the Berlin Wall or in Korea, you’re still serving our country and willing to give your life for what you believe,” Morrill said.
One of those veterans is Kevin Bailey, of Lebanon, who served 13 years in the Army, National Guard and Army Reserve beginning in 1982.
“I always thought I should have been and now I am,” said Bailey, who used to be president of the sons of the Sons of the American Legion at Post 22. “I’m proud to have served my country and now the Legion recognizes that and I’m glad to help out.”
The eligibility expansion will also affect the Sons of the American Legion, which is for male descendants of veterans; the American Legion Auxiliary, which is for female descendants, mothers and spouses of veterans; and the Legion Riders, which is the motorcycle branch for members of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.
Doug Whitcomb, commander of Windsor American Legion Post 25, hopes that the expanded eligibility dates will lead to an increase in membership at the organization, which currently has about 200 members.
“We’re down from years ago, probably 50%,” Whitcomb said. “We had 400-500 members at one point.”
While Post 25 has some members who served in the Gulf War or the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are not the majority.
“The younger folks don’t want to seem to get involved. They don’t have time for it these days. They have families,” Whitcomb said. “Every new member we get, we probably lose two or three that have just passed on.”
Post 25 has weekly bingo games and hosts a community dinner on Wednesday nights. They also sponsor scholarships and run the town’s Memorial Day parade and ceremony.
While the American Legion is a national organization, each post operates independently and the money it raises goes back to the veterans and programs in its community.
“This is going to affect the American Legion I hope for the next 10 years, by opening the availability of support, programs that we have their families that they were not eligible for before,” Morrill said. “There is no separating previous Legionnaires from current ones. We are all brought into the fold as family.”
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
