Gary Lint became our first Legion Act recruit.
In a significant legislative victory for The American Legion, President Trump signed the LEGION Act on July 30th that declares the United States has been in a state of war since Dec. 7, 1941. The American Legion sought the declaration as a way to honor approximately 1,600 U.S. servicemembers who were killed or wounded during previously undeclared periods of war.
The LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) also opens the door for approximately 6 million veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.
“Recognizing the service of these wartime veterans is the right thing do and it is long overdue,” the then National Commander Brett Reistad said. “The families of those who were killed or wounded during these wartime acts should take pride in knowing that we recognize their sacrifice and service. Moreover, we are proud to welcome any of the six million living veterans from the previously unrecognized periods into our organization and call them ‘Legionnaires.’”
Now that the legislation has been signed, The American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from seven war eras to two: April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941 to a time later determined by the federal government. No other restrictions to American Legion membership are changed.
Since the Legion Act's passing, veterans who had previously been denied membership have come back to their local Posts asking for an application. Our first Legion Act applicant in Post 626 was Gary Lint, an Air Force Veteran who's service fell squarely between the Korean and Vietnam Wars.” During that time (1955-1960) the cold war was not very cold: Naval units evacuated Tachen Island; Marines evacuated Alexandria Egypt; Marines landed in Lebanon; Advisers were arriving in Vietnam; and more Marines arrived in the Caribbean after the Cuban revolution. And our man Gary was in SAC (Strategic Air Command) flying ready reaction cover flights from Mountain Home Idaho, never knowing when their flight would be called to go over. American military personnel were putting their safety, even their lives at risk constantly, not just during periods of declared war. We welcome Gary and any other eligible veteran or service member.
