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   Post 5 is investigating the possibility of bringing a SAL (Sons of American Legion) Squadron to the post……The purpose is to allow the children of our nations vets the opportunity to join and participate in the American Legion and our Post... For more information please contact Terry Baum (320)228-2340

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June 28, 2011

    Article by Ric Santo:
DAGSBORO -- While the number of veterans joining social organizations has increased, groups such as the American Legion are finding it hard to recruit younger members.

Overall, these organizations have experienced increases in membership for more than a decade, according to Rick Santos, state adjutant for the American Legion Department of Delaware. Sussex County has the highest enlistment rates in Delaware, with Kent County a close second.

We're doing fine with our recruitment as we're 98 percent to our goal," he said. "Membership goals are set for each state according to the national number."

The mission of the American Legion is to help veterans in need. Eligibility for becoming a member consists of being an active or former military personnel that has served during a time of war.

Roland Placente, commander of American Legion Post 24 in Dagsboro, said membership at his post has been "stable" as there have been no increases or decreases in enrollment.

"We were easily able to meet last year's quota of 380 members with no problem, but then there was an increase to 400 members and we're finding that a bit tough," he said. "We try recruiting all the time, but we're pulling from places like Selbyville, Dagsboro and Gumboro. These are small farming towns."

Another challenge, Placente said, is increasing recruitment of younger members.

"We're finding the younger people coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan don't have much of an interest in joining," he said. "No one can explain it."

Placente said his post distributes monthly newsletters and advertises in local newspapers to continue the push for younger members.

"They think it's an old man's club," he said. "I know every American Legion post is talking about how new members are harder to recruit."

Santos, who joined the American Legion at age 23, said while many veterans do not join when they are young, interest in being part of the organization grows as they get older.

"That happens every time," he said. "When I got out of the service at 21, I had a different interest. As you mature and get married and have a family, you may decide you want to be part of something that does community activities."

Santos said improving enlistment of younger members, like Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, starts with adding activities and other things that will pique their interests.

"You have to make adjustments to run a post home," he said. "You've got to make sure your post has Wi-Fi activities, you have to find out what interests them and include that. What I thought was interesting when I was young is different from what someone else is interested in (now)."

Even when it comes to trying to appeal to members of different generations, there's always one message that works.

"We try to appeal to them about what we can do collectively instead of them as an individual," Santos said. "We're trying to help veterans help other veterans and you can appeal to them by showing them what we can do."

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