10 Good reasons why you should become an Illinois Legionnaire

If you are a veteran living in Illinois, the chances are good you may have been contacted by someone you live near or work with about joining an organization called THE AMERICAN LEGION.

            And, if you are like so many others who have been asked to join our organization, you have probably asked the question, “Give me one good reason WHY I should become an Illinois Legionnaire?”

            Well fellow veteran, not only can we give you on good reason, but we can give you TEN good reasons why you should become a member of this great organization.

1)      YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD:  A passport to friendship and hospitality: as an Illinois member of the American Legion, your membership card entitles you to visit any of the 900 American Legion Posts located throughout the State of Illinois.  You membership card allows you to share in the friendship and hospitality of the over 165,000 members of these Posts.  Many of these American Legion Posts offer excellent meals at reasonable prices as well as many activities for you and your family.

Your membership card also enables you to visit any of the other 16,000 American Legion Posts in the rest of the United States as well as four (4) foreign countries.

THE AVERAGE COST TO YOU, AS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, FOR THIS WONDERFUL PIECE OF PAPER? … $27.00!! … CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!

2)      REHABILITATION OF THE VETERAN AND FAMILY ARE ALWAYS OUR PRIME CONCERN:  For over 60 years, The American Legion has led the fight for benefits for the veteran and his family.  The American Legion was instrumental in sponsoring legislation establishing the Veterans Administration system of hospitals.

Today, The American Legion spends many thousands in terms of volunteer man-hours and dollars in support of the sick and needy veterans and their families.  Here in Illinois alone, in one year, over 3,500 cases pertaining to veterans benefits were handled by a highly trained rehabilitation staff.

Our Mobile VA & R Service Van travels the state assisting veterans with claims and information on benefits.

CAN YOU NAME ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION WHICH HAS AND IS DOING SO MUCH FOR ITS’ OWN MEMBERS?

3)      THE AMERICAN LEGION LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMS:  Your link to your senators and congressmen:  The American Legion maintains a strong and active legislative program within the Illinois Department of The American Legion.  Our Legislative Committee monitors the activity of the members of the Illinois General Assembly as well as our duly-elected officials on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  The Department Legislative Committee helps sponsor bills and resolutions affecting veterans and their families.

You say veterans benefits are not important???  Just wait until you need them and you don’t have them.

4)      THE AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL PROGRAM:  Second to none.  Every year, over 100 American Legion baseball teams compete in sectional, regional, and state tournament play within the State of Illinois.  Comprised of high school players, under the direction, coaching and sponsorship of American Legion members.  The American Legion Baseball Program does stress winning, but more importantly, stresses the importance of good sportsmanship, fair play and team work.

5)      PREMIER BOYS STATE:  A week to shape a lifetime: each year since 1935, The Illinois Department of The American Legion has conducted a week long learning experience into the democratic form of government, called Premier Boys State.  Premier Boys State offers the more than 1,000 young men who attend a session annually, an opportunity to learn first hand the inner workings of a political party, and to apply this knowledge in actual practice.

We don’t guarantee that a young man who attends Premier Boys State will grows up to be successful … but we’ll give you odds.

6)      SPECIAL OLYMPICS:  A person to person program:  The Illinois Department of the American Legion actively supports Illinois Special Olympics, in terms of both man-hours spent conducting local events and financial sponsorship as well.  The American Legion believes there is no such thing as handicapped people only truly special people.

No Illinois American Legion Member stands as tall, as when he stoops to help the less advantaged.

7)      ORATORICAL:  The youth of today speak out on the Constitution:  The Illinois Department of the American Legion has conducted a high school oratorical contest for over 55 years.

8)      LIKE SPORTS?  The American Legion has them!  The Illinois Department of the American Legion annually conducts bowling and golf tournaments at some of the finest facilities in the state.

Your membership card in The Illinois American Legion qualifies you for all sports tournaments.

9)      GIFTS TO HOSPITALIZED WAR VETERANS:  Since 1944 the Illinois American Legion has supported a program to remember every hospitalized war veteran in Illinois.  Merchandise requested by hospitalized veterans is purchased with donated funds.  More than 2,000 Legion and Auxiliary Volunteers wrap and distribute gifts at Christmas.

10)  THE TENTH AND FINAL REASON for belonging to the Illinois Department of the American Legion is spelled out in three little letters … Y-O-U:  You, the eligible veteran of this great state who answered the call of your country in a time of need.  YOU, who served and served honorably.  YOU are the person we are looking for to join The American Legion.

The American Legion is not just a veterans organization.  The American Legion is THE world’s LARGEST veterans organization, with over 3 million members.

But to remain the largest veterans organization in the world, we need help … we need your help … we need YOU!

Remember, it is not the price you pay to join that is important; it is the price you paid to be eligible.

JOIN US TODAY!!!!!!!

*Taken from a brochure prepared by:  The American Legion Department of Illinois, 2720 E. Lincoln St, Bloomington, IL 61704