When I got out of the Army I joined the American Legion, mainly out of respect for my Father, he was proud of his youngest boy for serving in the military and was even prouder that he and I were the only Father/Son members of our local post. After my Dad passed away, I kept up my membership...as a tribute to my Dad...while I have cringed at some of the Legion’s statements over the years...I stayed in as a non-active member...
After what I received in the mail today...I can no longer stay a member...
More below the fold...
The letter is from "The American Legion Honor Guard" and is signed my Daniel S. Wheeler, National Adjutant. The first paragraph to catch my eye was this one...
...powerful and radical special interest groups claimed their "independent polls" told them how "MOST" Americans felt about values issues. Yet, in your heart of hearts, you know they’re not even close to how you honestly feel.
Note the quotes around "independent polls" and how "MOST" is quoted and capitalized...they are trying to scare me by saying that the polls are not independent and that they polls cannot possibly be right...well, I guess, I would like to know which polls they are talking about...and I thought the last poll, called an election...kinda spoke volumes...but, I digress...the next paragraph that caught my attention...
If you look at some of the startling issues that are being debated in our government buildings and courts, one would think that our society’s morals and values have shifted. But I don’t buy it.
What startling issues is he talking about here? I sure hope it is the lack of care our Vets are receiving...because that is what the Legion should be concentrating on...now for some of the survey questions...
- Do you believe the physical act of desecrating a flag is a form of speech that should be protected? Yes No
- Do you SUPPORT or OPPOSE the practice of students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school? Support Oppose
- Do you believe that private organizations like the Boy Scouts have the right to make their own policies regarding homosexual men supervising young boys? Yes No
- Do you feel that the Ten Commandments are threatening and should be removed from public buildings? Yes No
- Do you feel the phrase "under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance should be removed? Yes No
Now, I find all of the above questions to be leading...and number eight disgusts me...obviously they are confusing homosexuality with pedophilia...never could figure out how anyone could make that leap...
Now...the one paragraph that tells me my own late Father would abandon the Legion he so loved...and the best part, this is on the back of the survey...
THE AMERICAN LEGION NEEDS YOUR HELP Many special interest groups are well financed and organized, They use the courts – unelected, unaccountable, often irresponsible, immoral, amoral, atheistic judges for their agenda. The cost to continue fending off their attacks is high, but we cannot stand back and watch as these groups slowly chip away at our country’s moral foundation. We must draw a line in the sand. Would you be willing to consider a tax-deductable gift of support to HELP ADVANCE our fight to protect our flag, our pledge and great American institutions like the Boy Scouts?
If my Father were alive, his heart would be breaking...as he would also be resigning his membership from his beloved Legion. The Legion is supposed to be fighting for Veteran’s issues...sadly at the time when our Veterans need the Legion most, the Legion has turned its back on them...and instead has become a mouthpiece for the Conservative movement. Goodbye American Legion...I say goodbye to you much like I said goodbye to scouting...You obviously do not welcome my kind. I left scouting with my son as I feared they would kick us out because I am an Atheist...I am leaving the Legion because the Legion has lost its way, only Christian, straight Vets are allowed...The Legion is now one step away from becoming the Klan...
Update 1: Holy CRAP The Rec List!!! Thank YOU!!! Never thought this would happen!
Update 2: I would like to take a moment to dedicate this diary to my Father, her passed away almost ten years ago...he would not have stood from this from the Legion...