S.A.L. News

S.A.L.utations
By Loren Estrada, Detachment Commander

"Proud possessors of a priceless heritage". This is how we describe ourselves as Sons of The American Legion. Every time you see an American flag waving overhead in the breeze against a clear blue sky, children of every ethnic and economic background playing together on their way home from school, old folks sitting close beside each other on a park bench holding hands or your own family and loved ones able to be near you without worrying if you are OK, remember how we came to be those Proud Possessors and say a silent prayer for all the men and women of our armed services. It is to these brave soldiers, both past and present that we owe for this way of life we so cherish and enjoy today.

To be a Son of The American Legion is a choice earned for us through our parent's or grandparent's military service during specific times of war. Although it goes without saying that the opportunity to associate ourselves together as Sons of The American Legion is due to the efforts and desires of the many Veterans who formed the American Legion and then later authorized our formation, it is nevertheless that choice earned for and bestowed upon us by our parents or grandparents that gives us the opportunity and privilege to join this organization.

To be a member of The Sons of The American Legion is an honor to our parents and/or grandparents however it is not a choice to be taken lightly. With it comes responsibilities such as to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism, and to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to our Community, State and Nation just to name a few. Sadly many of our members fail to recognize and support these responsibilities. In cases like this, these members usually are not members for very long.

The membership renewal target for the Detachment of Alaska as of February 13, 2008 was 75%. I'm sorry to report to you that we fell just short of our goal this time coming in at about 70%. Our membership is very important. It is important to your programs at the Squadron level and equally important at the National level in terms of strength in numbers when the American Legion addresses Congress on behalf of our Nations Veterans. Membership renewal and recruiting is another one of those things that I refer to as a responsibility with becoming a member. It is a must have.