Mr. Cadmus,
I am shocked and sadden that you and your organization would advocate the destruction of the right granted to all American citizens by the Bill of Rights. The history of my family can be directly traced to imigrants prior to the inception of this country and those who fought for our very freedoms and eligible to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I am a member of a multiple generational military family, thankfully none are members of your organization and now I can understand why. My example of defending freedom is my father who was one of a handful who survived the first wave on the battle on Tarawa, I now understand why he never joined your organization. As a young woman, he stood by me in our opposition to the Vietnam War.
If you say you fight for our freedoms, then you must stand up for those freedoms in every form of expression. Questioning and challenging every administration is the right and obligation of every American citizen. The fact that the American Legion wants to deny me the right and prevent me from fulfilling my obligation to keep each administration accountable for their actions and policies smacks of a Stalinist regime.
My Current military family members:
Daughter of two WWII Vets - Marines, Navy
Sister of former Captain USAF
Ex-wife of SSgt USAF
Niece of Retired Colonel USAF - Veteran of three wars
Cousin of Retired Master Gunnery Sergeant - Marines - two tours in Vietnam
Cousin of former Captain USAF
Hypocrisy found in the American Legion Stand through History
2005
"The American Legion will stand against anyone and any group that would demoralize our troops, or worse, endanger their lives by encouraging terrorists to continue their cowardly attacks against freedom-loving peoples," Thomas Cadmus, national commander, told delegates at the group's national convention in Honolulu.
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"We had hoped that the lessons learned from the Vietnam War would be clear to our fellow citizens. Public protests against the war here at home while our young men and women are in harm's way on the other side of the globe only provide aid and comfort to our enemies."
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The delegates voted to use whatever means necessary to "ensure the united backing of the American people to support our troops and the global war on terrorism."
1999
Dear Mr. President:
The American Legion, a wartime veterans organization of nearly three-million members, urges the immediate withdrawal of American troops participating in "Operation Allied Force.''
The National Executive Committee of The American Legion, meeting in Indianapolis today, adopted Resolution 44, titled "The American Legion's Statement on Yugoslavia.'' This resolution was debated and adopted unanimously.
Mr. President, the United States Armed Forces should never be committed to wartime operations unless the following conditions are fulfilled:
That there be a clear statement by the President of why it is in our vital national interests to be engaged in hostilities;
Guidelines be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy;
That there be support of the mission by the U.S. Congress and the American people; and
That it be made clear that U.S. Forces will be commanded only by U.S. officers whom we acknowledge are superior military leaders.
It is the opinion of The American Legion, which I am sure is shared by the majority of Americans, that three of the above listed conditions have not been met in the current joint operation with NATO ("Operation Allied Force'').
In no case should America commit its Armed Forces in the absence of clearly defined objectives agreed upon by the U.S. Congress in accordance with Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution of the United States.
Sincerely,
Harold L. "Butch'' Miller,
National Commander
American Legion
Letter to President Clinton
May 5, 1999
1967
Month/Day/Year: July 15, 1967
Segment Number: 9
Segment Description: Daily Footage. John Davis, National Commander of the American Legion, speaks about the people protesting the Vietnam War. He says their actions are uncharacteristic of how good people should act and that they give aid to the enemy by their actions .
1923
At it's January 1923 Convention, Commander-in-Chief of the American Legion, Alvin Owsley endorsed Mussolini and Fascism.
"If ever needed the American Legion stands ready to protect our country's institutions and ideals as the Fascisti dealt with the destructionists who menaced Italy."
Asked whether that meant taking over the government, he replied:
"Exactly that. The American Legion is fighting every element that threatens our democratic government-soviets, anarchists, I.W.W., revolutionary socialists and every other Red ... Do not forget that the Fascisti are to Italy what the American Legion is to the United States."
Owsley also invited Mussolini to speak at almost every yearly convention of the Legion during his time at it's helm.