Written by Jack Ries, Second Vice Commander- Marietta American Legion
We have all seen evidence of the American Legion’s presence around the borough. Many of us have gone to the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery, or at least seen the American Legion Riders escorting the parade and the post officers waving to the crowd from the back seat of a Corvette. We’ve noticed the Hometown Heroes banners hanging on nearly every utility pole in town, and we may even know several of those honorees from our community. But what do you know about the American Legion itself? I’m sure you know it’s a veteran’s organization, or that it’s a charitable non-profit, or even that it’s a place for good eats and cheap drinks, but you still may not know the whole story… 
The American Legion was founded on March 15, 1919, in Paris, France, by members of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe awaiting passage home from WWI. Since then, it has become the largest veteran’s organization in the United States, boasting over 2 million members at over 12,000 posts across all 50 states, and in no less than four foreign countries. The organization’s mission is to maintain veterans benefits and protections, develop better post-service care for veterans, serve veterans in need, and of course, as it says in the preamble to the constitution of the American Legion, “to foster and perpetuate 100 percent Americanism.”
Today, American Legion posts also serve the local communities in which they reside. As a national organization, the Legion has donated millions of dollars to scholarships, the VA, children’s hospitals, community grants, scholastic and athletic programs, and the list goes on and on and on. All that money has to come from somewhere, of course. The American Legion raises nearly 100% of those funds through what is called the Home Association. So, what is the Home Association? When you think of the American Legion, you probably think of a bar/restaurant, with music, entertainment, good food, cheap drinks, and small games of chance. Well, that’s the Home Association. The money raised through everything that goes on in the main room of each post is where that post gets the funds to donate to all of the amazing organizations that help others in our communities. And we MUST, by law, donate those funds each year.
So now we get to the point. I want you, the reader, to think of that WWII recruiting poster with Uncle Sam shoving his finger in your face, because the American Legion wants YOU! Our members are the backbone of our organization. Without their patronage, we have nothing. No food, no drinks, no entertainment, and worst of all, no ability to help those in need. This isn’t a membership drive, so to speak, but more of a call to those who are looking not only for a great local place to patronize, but to also give back to something bigger than themselves. It’s for those who want to support veterans and the community, so they may not only “talk the talk” but also “walk the walk”. You don’t even have to volunteer for anything. Just coming in and enjoying a burger and a beer helps the cause.
I, your humble author, have had the pleasure of serving as the Second Vice Commander and Veterans Service Officer of Post 466 for the past year, and I will be continuing that service through the coming year. I will tell you firsthand, this isn’t your granddaddy’s American Legion anymore. As the title of this article would indicate, the American Legion is now a place for everyone. Sure, it’s still a veteran’s organization and vets may join the Legionnaires, but sons and grandsons of veterans can join the Sons of the American Legion. Daughters, granddaughters, and wives of veterans may join the Ladies Auxiliary. Even if you have no connection to the military whatsoever, you may still join your local post as a social member.
But wait, there’s more: Unlike some social clubs that you may encounter, the American Legion doesn’t discriminate based on race, religion, political affiliation, or literally any other federally protected status. Intolerance and bigotry aren’t tolerated at any Legion post, and even the use of foul language is heavily discouraged on post property, making it a great place to bring the family for a bite to eat or a night of entertainment, whether that be a live band, trivia, a DJ dance party, or one of our “world-famous” (read: Marietta famous) dollar DJ night fundraisers. Heck, even the trademark haze and smell of cigarette smoke hanging in the air that many veterans’ organizations used to be known for is gone, since the post went non-smoking and renovated the dining room. Like I said, it ain’t your granddaddy’s Legion anymore, and it truly is a place for everyone.
If this sounds like the place for you, or you’d at least like to stop in and see it for yourself, come on down to the post at 19 South Gay Street in Marietta. Take a look at the bulletin board in the hallway before you get buzzed in through the visitor’s entrance and see what we have going on. Don’t be shy. Take a minute to stop and talk to one of the members about the post, or even one of the post officers (at least one of us is usually there most days) about joining and see what the American Legion can offer you. Trust me, you won’t regret it.