WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'I did my best to be all I could be'

Burlington, MA
First of all, I did not choose the Army, I was drafted in 1968. My father fought the Japanese in..
596 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

An uncle's sacrifice

Mitchell, SD
While at San Diego State University in 1965, I failed the hearing test for advanced Air Force ROTC. Upon graduating..
530 views
CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 supports Clarksville VA Veterans Expo
VOLUNTEERING

CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 supports Clarksville VA Veterans Expo

Clarksville, TN
Clarksville (Tenn.) CSM Gary W. Crisp American Legion Post 289 played a vital role in the success of the 2025..
607 views
Life experience, education and a way to purchase a home
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

Life experience, education and a way to purchase a home

Dunedin, FL
I'm sad to say that doing my patriotic duty was not my reason for going in the Army. During my..
482 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'My honor and privilege'

Deland, FL
I chose the U.S. Army to expeditiously fulfill my military obligation to our country. I had been drafted but used..
442 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

An honor and a privilege

St. Cloud, FL
I am the youngest of seven brothers. All my older brothers served in the Army, beginning with World War II..
367 views
Like father, like son
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

Like father, like son

Waukesha, WI
My uncle served in the Army during the 1930s. My father was a World War II veteran. All my buddies..
421 views
Cordon of American Legion Riders sees Honor Flight #50 off to Washington, D.C.
LEGION RIDERS

Cordon of American Legion Riders sees Honor Flight #50 off to Washington, D.C.

Fort Wayne, IN
A cordon of Indiana Patriot Guard, 4th District American Legion Riders, Chapter 82, Fort Wayne, Ind., greeted veterans of Northeast..
617 views
American Legion national commander visits Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum
COMMUNITY MEMORIALS / MONUMENTS

American Legion national commander visits Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum

Fort Wayne, IN
American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere Jr. accompanied by Department of Indiana Commander Robert Burkhart, visited the Veterans National..
611 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

An Army guarantee

Philadelphia, PA
I planned to join the Navy after high school because my father served in World War II and during the..
577 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'I wouldn't trade that experience for anything'

Abrams, WI
I was drafted into the Army in April 1970 and served 14 months in Vietnam as an infantryman. Even though..
383 views
Woody Bradshaw’s personal rendition of "Hallelujah" pays tribute to courage and resilience
IN YOUR OWN WORDS

Woody Bradshaw’s personal rendition of "Hallelujah" pays tribute to courage and resilience

Singer-songwriter Woody Bradshaw has released an emotionally charged version of Leonard Cohen's iconic “Hallelujah,” offering a tribute to love, loss..
622 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

Money for college, and Sunday duty

La Plata, MD
There are many reasons I chose to join Army Reserve: 1) to get out of my hometown; 2) to earn..
375 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'I loved my time in the Army'

Auburn, WA
I went into the Army in 1967 right out of high school. I chose the service because I wanted someone..
542 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'I knew this was right for me'

Staten Island, NY
My father, William Lawrence Gallagher, served in North Africa during World War II. My great-great-grandfather, Nathaniel Augustus Conklin, was a..
447 views
'Suppose I volunteer for the draft today?'
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'Suppose I volunteer for the draft today?'

Cumming, GA
As a recent high school graduate in the fall of 1957, I knew that the United States government expected every..
419 views
'I wanted to be part of something bigger'
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'I wanted to be part of something bigger'

Land O' Lakes, FL
I grew up on the streets of Baltimore. The area where I lived did not offer much opportunity for success...
689 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'The heck with it, I'm joining the Army'

Milford, CT
As a male high school senior in 1967, the Selective Service draft was always on my mind. And as a..
437 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

A knock at the door

Montgomery, AL
My father, William Glen Cornwell, got his Army commission as a second lieutenant in 1937 from Iowa State College and..
581 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

The real cost of war

Saco, ME
I did not exactly choose the Army. It chose me in 1968. However, I did choose to honor my citizenship..
526 views
In the footsteps of family
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

In the footsteps of family

Chapel Hill, NC
My ancestor, David Chamberlain, served in George Washington’s army. I wanted to honor his service and that of my grandfathers,..
596 views
Grateful to have served
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

Grateful to have served

Bath, NC
Necessity. My plan had been to go to nursing school at the C&O Hospital on a scholarship upon graduation, but..
407 views
'I feel fortunate to have had the privilege of serving'
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'I feel fortunate to have had the privilege of serving'

Levittown, NY
I always wanted to serve, but life events put that desire on the back burner until I was too old..
401 views
'One of the best decisions I ever made'
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'One of the best decisions I ever made'

Kingsport, TN
I had finished my second year in college and couldn’t find any summer work to help pay to continue. My..
402 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

Forging his own path, in the Army

Worthington, OH
Dad was a Marine, Mom was a Navy nurse. Rather than make one of them mad, I joined the Army...
504 views
WHY I CHOSE THE ARMY

'I knew that was what I wanted to do'

Caroline, WI
I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin that was under the SAC B-52 low-level routes. It was a..
607 views
One small post, dedicated Auxiliary member touch many lives
BE THE ONE

One small post, dedicated Auxiliary member touch many lives

Angier, NC
On March 29, American Legion Post 436 in Angier, N.C., partnered with a local high school senior in organizing a..
496 views
Over the top
MEMBERSHIP SUCCESS STORIES

Over the top

Middlesex, NJ
For the second year, our post was able to attract new members to join our ranks. We have been recognized..
606 views
Post 80th Anniversary commemoration
HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Post 80th Anniversary commemoration

Middlesex , NJ
On April 11, 2025, our post celebrated our 80th year of service to our community, state and nation. Our Borough..
480 views
For the second year, 20th District sponsors ceremony to honor future servicemembers
HONORS & ACHIEVEMENTS

For the second year, 20th District sponsors ceremony to honor future servicemembers

Helotes, TX
HELOTES, Texas – (May 6, 2025) – More than 240 high school students graduating this year from Bexar County and..
423 views