Bipartisan LEGION Act passed by the Senate

Thank you, my friend @LT Col Charlie for making us aware that a "bill expanding membership eligibility for The American Legion passed on June 11 [2019] by unanimous consent in the Senate. The Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act — also known as the LEGION Act — is a bipartisan effort introduced by Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.

That is interesting news to me, since I served during the Vietnam War and all wars since and since I did not deploy I could not join. After thinking about it, I may be thinking of the VFW. :-)
I may consider joining the American Legion.

"Because The American Legion’s membership periods are congressionally chartered, the organization is prevented from expanding membership eligibility without an act of Congress. The act expands membership eligibility to honorably discharged veterans who have served in unrecognized times of war since World War II.
The LEGION Act was a focus of American Legion National Commander Brett Reistad’s Feb. 27 testimony before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs. He called on Congress to take action amending the charter, thereby giving tens of thousands of veterans access to American Legion benefits and programs they are not currently eligible for.
“Nearly 1,600 brave American men and women were killed or wounded since World War II, while defending our nation during times not officially recognized as periods of war by the U.S. government,” American Legion National Commander Brett P. Reistad said during his testimony. “These veterans are unable to receive some of the benefits and recognition available to their counterparts who served during official wartime periods."
When the LEGION Act was introduced Feb. 14 in the Senate, Sinema said, “The American Legion provides critical resources to our veterans, but currently, only veterans who served during formally recognized conflicts can belong to the Legion. That restriction leaves out thousands of former American servicemembers who signed up to defend our country. Our legislation rights this wrong and ensures veterans have the opportunity to join the American Legion.”

FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Greg Henning LTC Jeff Shearer Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan CPT Scott Sharon CWO3 Dennis M. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG William Jones SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski PO1 H Gene Lawrence PO2 Kevin Parker PO3 Bob McCord

This will resolve itself without political interference. Eventually, we old timers will expire and the requirements will change or the organization will expire with us. Same for VFW.

Don't recall all the details but remember a neighbor in New Hampshire who couldn't join the Legion because he served after the Korean Conflict and before the start of Vietnam.