American Legion Post 10

We came in hoping that this American Legion would be set apart from the rest. Unfortunately we were gravely disappointed. Upon entering through the «speak easy» doors and having to be «buzzed in» we were slammed with the fetid stench of stale cigarette smoke and a hint of hopelessness. The depression of this building was palpable to the point of being able to chew it in the atmosphere. The door to the «banquet hall» were still locked even though breakfast was to be served in less than five minutes. Our family (including a decorated Army veteran, an industrious Navy veteran, an exuberant little girl, and myself) was greeted with a scornful and disgusted glance from the bartender. One of the members, seated at the bar, curtly observed that we had a child with us and inquired as to why she wasn’t in school. The aforementioned uncouth bartender disdainfully retorted that is was Sunday. Then she informed us that breakfast was not quite ready and would consist of various heart attack inducing fare. One member of our family required using the facilities and was able to bring to light the repulsive, yet convenient, placement of ashtrays contained within the bathroom. Between the feeling of being most unwelcome and the extremely dated décor alongside the acrid stench of cigarette smoke we realized that this American Legion post was no different than the others we have visited. There is apparently no real desire to draw in the OIF/​OEF generation of veterans or their families. The stagnate status these decades old veterans organizations seem to cleve to will leave them all to waste as the newer veterans push forward into modern service and family focused values. It’s heartbreaking to watch this once honorably civic minded congregation fall to ruin. Such is the fate of any group that fails to evolve to meet its prospective members needs and wants. For those of us watching these hallowed meeting halls succumb to history we will mourn the loss and attempt to pay homage to what could have been.