The American Legion in Accomac
The relaxation from the strain occasioned by the great struggle for democracy and the sake of humanity failed, even for a moment, to arrest the activity of the American versatility of brain, for hardly had the Armistice, which brought to a close the bloody and sacrificial combat, been signed ere the idea for an organization for a continuance of the close relationship and comradeship that had existed throughout the War had been formulated. This idea developed into a reality on November 11, 1919, at Minneapolis, Minn., when the American Legion was officially organized.
The same spirit which pervaded the United States Army when taken from their firesides, and transported to a strange and foreign soil and caused them to carry Old Glory to the front and to victory, was also in evidence in the organization of the American Legion. The same motto: "For God and Country" and "100% Americanism", is the basic spirit that brought such hoped for, but scarcely conceived, success to our Army in France, and it should be equally successful in the development of the American Legion. This motto is sufficiently explanatory of what the American Legion is designed to be, and it is the duty of every son of America's soil, who participated in the War and who is eligible, to join the ranks of the American Legion and carry Old Glory forward as honorably and as gloriously in time of peace. It should be considered a privilege and an honor to be numbered among the ranks of the American Legion, and one can be assured that wherever in our beloved land destiny may direct the footsteps of a Legionnaire, there he will find a friend and a brother, a comradeship born of hardships and danger, fostered amid the mud of the trenches mingled with the blood of "pals," and a friendship that will last as long as the lives of the members and will be continued as a memorial by posterity.
The fact seems well established now that the American Legion will be a factor in the future destiny of our Nation. The principles on which it has been organized must survive and must obtain. It is not intended, nor will it ever be permitted, to be partisan, unless the ones higher up are untrue to their fellows and themselves and the principles for which it has been organized are cast the winds; in which even it must utterly fail.
Discipline, team work, cooperation -- the essential attributes of a successful army -- must control the organization effectively to develop. As each man in an army, from the lowest private to the commanding general, has a duty to perform and "his bit" to do, so should every man, and woman, too, who honorably served their country in the crisis, put his or her shoulder to the wheel and "push" with the same eagerness and the same loyalty as when the cannon were belching forth their fire and steel of destruction. Without this cooperating success can be assured but partially and it is not the nature of the American to fail. Let's get together at home and be ready for the conflict when our services are needed, and stick together closely, so that when called upon to fight any enemy, political or otherwise, which
might molest the security of our homes or our Government, it can be said by those in distress "Thank God, the American Legion comes". And let us be there to relieve them.
The Accomac Post No. 60, has a charter, but it is a matter of regret that the right interest has not been displayed by the Service boys from this County. Doubtless it is largely due to the fact that the importance of the organization has not been properly been brought to them. Because of lack of cooperation nothing is being done. You know that one man can't do it all and should feel it is as much your duty as the other fellow's, so let's get together and have an organization in this County that will reflect credit to it. The dues are comparatively nothing and the only thing necessary to have a Post in this County that will be a success is to put your shoulder to the wheel and do your part yourself -- don't put it off on the other fellow; it is not "Americanism" and it is not "Accomac Countyism". Join yourself, and see your "buddy" and get him to join, and we'll all be better off by it, feel better and will have our "family" scattered all over the Country, and we'll always be "at home" anywhere.
The undersigned will be pleased to give information to any one and furnish application cards for membership to all applicants.
JAMES C. MELSON, Accomac, Va.