Listen Up, Younger Vets

I’m writing here to the younger generations of veterans: When is the last time you went to a meeting of the American Legion? Probably never, right? Or maybe you went once.

Yeah, I know … lots of the posts are filled with really old guys, and you think you don’t have anything in common. That’s partly true. Here are some of the differences between you and the older veterans:

• Many of them were in wars where mail call was a once a month. There was no email.

• Many of them went years without a phone call to or from home. There was no video chat putting them right in the action at home.

• Many of them came back with PTSD because it wasn’t even acknowledged as being a problem … except for the ones called “coward” because they had “shell shock.”

• Many of them got sprayed frequently with Agent Orange because nobody knew (unless it was the chemical manufacturers) that the stuff was carcinogenic.

Here are just a few reasons to join the American Legion:

• They advocate for you. They’re all over Congress, pushing for decent budgets and benefits.

• They hold job fairs, have transition services, provide scholarships, raise money for children, provide help with benefits claims and appeals, volunteer at medical facilities, help the homeless, bestow honors at funerals, take care of families of deployed service members and so much more. Check the website at www.legion.org or on Twitter @AmericanLegion.

• They’ve been helping you for years behind the scenes. If you’re not there for the Legion now, it won’t be long before they’re not there for you. They’ll be gone.

So grab a couple buddies and go see what they’re up to. You’ll be supported and appreciated — and understood — and you’ll know it the minute you walk in the door.