The American Legion San Benito Post 69 is hoping to increase the number of members with a membership drive at the Hollister Street Festival and Car Show on Saturday.
Commander Joe Love said it is open to anyone who has served in the military during a time of war. The distinction from the Veterans of Foreign Wars is that to join the American Legion, members could have been stationed in the United States or overseas in other countries that were not a direct part of the combat.
The local post has been in existence since 1927. It has 86 members.
In addition to the American Legion, San Benito residents who are eligible can also join the American Legion Riders, the Sons of the American Legion for sons of veterans and the American Legion Auxiliary, for female relatives of veterans. The Legion Riders has 20 members, the Sons has 10, and the Auxiliary has 16.
Love said the main mission of the organization is to help veterans receive the benefits for which they are eligible, such as healthcare, education and GI bill, discharge review and more. At their booth at the street festival, the members will also have a representative from Veteran Services who will answer questions.
“A lot of people don’t realize their benefits,” Love said. “Especially older veterans – World War II, Korea and Vietnam. They should not be homeless.”
Gene and Connie Henagin first learned about the American Legion and its offshoot organizations from Love, who is their neighbor. The couple started out volunteering for the organization at one of the dinners to honor veterans. The group put on a dinner for World War II veterans in December and a Vietnam Vets appreciation dinner in March.
“I liked helping – get in there and doing it,” Gene said.
Gene and Connie volunteered at a cioppino feed before signing on as members with the Legion.
“There are a lot of benefits and it makes me feel good that I can help people,” he said.
He mentioned that in addition to the veterans benefits, American Legion members also get extensive discounts as part of the membership. Some of the discounts include hotel discounts, car rental, prescription drugs, computers, and vision care, among others.
Gene served in the Air Force and Navy for almost 10 years. Love was on active duty with the Army for six and half years, then active Army National Guard for six years, and then Air National Guard for 12 years, before he retired.
“I was one guy who didn’t like to join,” Love said, before he signed up with the legion. “When I got involved, it started with the motorcycle.”
Love said the American Legion Riders allow veterans to connect on motorcycle runs. San Benito was originally part of the Legion Riders in the tri-county area, but the members applied for their own charter last year.
“We wanted to do more things for San Benito,” he said, of creating American Legion Riders Chapter 69.
One local run included stops at veterans memorials or monuments in the 28th district, which includes part of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. The Legion Riders raise money for scholarships and provide support at military funerals.
