2014 could be a challenging year for veterans. HELP US DEFEND VETERANS RIGHTS!

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1 The American Legion P.O. Box 7017 Indianapolis, IN NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #1315 DAYTON, OH 2014 could be a challenging year for veterans. HELP US DEFEND VETERANS RIGHTS!

2 The American Legion P.O. Box 7017 Indianapolis, IN From the desk of Director of Membership, The American Legion John Q. Sample 123 Any Street Anytown, US American Legion Member since 1994 Dear John Q. Sample: On behalf of The American Legion, I want to thank you for your military service and to ask that you help us face a pressing challenge this year that could affect millions of veterans. As you may know, the United States government has passed a new budget that calls for future federal spending cuts. In light of this, The American Legion is taking action to safeguard the benefits that all veterans have earned and to prevent any compromise in the quality of services they receive. But to be successful on this front, we re going to need your help. Make your voice heard in Washington through The American Legion. Please consider joining The American Legion today to help us protect the interests and preserve the essential benefits of all military veterans, including active duty military. On top of potential budget and services cuts, our brothers and sisters serving in the military are continuing to deal with the effects of sequestration. Active duty military personnel have been cut, military bases closed and acquisition of some new equipment terminated. While the new budget may ease some cuts in military spending, further personnel cuts may be on the horizon. Even Stars & Stripes, the Armed Forces Network, and military-operated commissaries and exchanges may become casualties of government belt-tightening. The American Legion has been a consistently powerful voice in Washington. We maintain an active presence on Capitol Hill and have worked with Congress to pass multiple G.I. Bills and support legislation that lends assistance to wounded, unemployed and homeless veterans and their families. We are working diligently with the Veterans Administration to speed processing of benefits claims. A recent legislative victory includes a 1.5% cost-of-living increase for veterans (and their families/survivors) who receive disability compensation and pension benefits from the VA. We welcome wartime veterans from all walks of life, including current military. The American Legion was chartered by Congress almost 100 years ago, and membership is open to all those who have served the US honorably during any wartime period, including those currently on active duty. Today s American Legion includes women and men, veterans and servicemembers from all age groups, from all branches of the military, and from all walks of life. What brings us together is our desire to serve our Continued on back of letter... 3 EASY WAYS TO JOIN: Detach the Reply Certificate and mail in the envelope provided. Call Or go to and enter your Temporary Membership Number: Detach here REPLY CERTIFICATE Please complete both sides of this form and return it in the envelope provided. 1 I certify that I have served or am still serving honorably on active duty during one of the war periods listed to the right: Eligibility Dates Please check appropriate boxes AUG 2, 1990-OPEN DEC 20, 1989-JAN 31, 1990 AUG 24, 1982-JULY 31, 1984 FEB 28, 1961-MAY 7, 1975 JUNE 25, 1950-JAN 31, 1955 DEC 7, 1941-DEC 31, 1946 APRIL 6, 1917-NOV 11, 1918 Nominee: John Sample 123 Any Street Anytown, US If address above is not correct, please cross out and make corrections below. Name Address City State Zip YES! I want to join The American Legion. Please send me the Lock-Back Knife welcome gift for the Branch of Service I have indicated below. Branch of Service U.S. ARMY U.S. NAVY U.S. AIR FORCE Enclosed is a $25 check for membership dues payable to The American Legion. I would like to charge my $25 dues. My information is on the back of this reply. Temporary Membership Number: U.S. MARINES U.S. COAST GUARD U.S. MERCHANT MARINE (WWII Only) Continued on reverse side...

3 communities and our nation and to ensure our fellow veterans receive the services, benefits and respect they deserve. The more members we have, the stronger we will be in Washington. Now, more than ever, The American Legion needs your support and membership. Please join us in this vitally important mission today. Sincerely, Billy R. Johnson Director of Membership, The American Legion P.S. It costs only $25 to join, and that money and your support go a long way in helping us preserve the benefits of all veterans and active duty servicemembers. See the 3 easy ways to join below. Now, more than ever, we need you in The American Legion. The American Legion makes every attempt to reach qualified veterans with our offer for membership. Because privacy laws prevent us from being absolutely certain that you are a qualifying veteran, you may have received this offer in error. If this is the case, please accept our sincere apology. John, Here are answers to frequently asked questions about membership in The American Legion. Q. The American Legion seems like it is mostly for retired people and I am still working. Shouldn t I wait to join? A. The American Legion has members who are women and men from all age groups and all walks of life. How active you choose to be in Legion activities is totally up to you. Some people join and enjoy the fellowship of activities at their local posts; others join to support the Legion initiatives but do not have time to participate in activities at this point in their lives. Q. Are women allowed to join The American Legion? A. Some women mistakenly believe that The American Legion is for men only. Denise Rohan, our Chairperson of the Veterans Employment & Education Commission, would like to set the record straight on that. The American Legion is open to all who have served honorably in the military during any wartime period, including those who served but were not in a combat role. The American Legion is very committed to solving the challenges faced by all veterans, including women, and we need more women members to help us have a stronger voice in these efforts. Q. Why is The American Legion membership limited to certain wartime service periods? A. The American Legion was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1919 as an organization of wartime veterans. The eligible dates of military service are listed on the attached Acceptance Certificate. Q. Why does The American Legion need new members? A. The American Legion needs members to help strengthen our ability to serve all veterans and to continue to be a powerful voice in Washington. Your membership dues will be used to support programs that help veterans facing these challenges: Rising homelessness. The homeless population of veterans in America has tripled in the past 10 years. The American Legion is working in communities across the country to provide food, clothing and shelter for veterans and their families. Slow processing of VA claims. The American Legion has 2,600 accredited service officers nationwide to help veterans with their benefits claims, and we are working closely with the VA to speed up the claims process. Employment barriers. The American Legion is working with government and business leaders to help ensure veterans are employable and that their military experience is recognized and valued for civilian job opportunities. 3 EASY WAYS TO JOIN: Detach the Reply Certificate and mail in the envelope provided. Call Or go to and enter your Temporary Membership Number: Detach here REPLY CERTIFICATE Please complete both sides. THE AMERICAN LEGION P.O. BOX 7017, INDIANAPOLIS, IN Complete this section only if using a credit card. Card # Expires Charge $25 to my: VISA MasterCard Discover American Express Signature Date Credit Card Security Code: Phone Number: - - (Optional) 4 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Would you be willing to provide us with some additional information? It s optional but would help us with our membership records. Thank you! What is your gender? Female Male What is your date of birth? / / Month Day Year With which ethnic group(s) do you most identify yourself? African-American (non-hispanic) Native American or Aleut Asian/Pacific Islander Prefer not to answer Caucasian (non-hispanic) Other (please specify) Hispanic or Latino Would you be willing to provide us with your address? We will never rent or sell your address or any of your personal information to any third party. We may periodically send you additional information of interest to veterans. To view our anti-spam and privacy policy, please visit address: 1456

4 John, Here are 3 easy ways to join The American Legion Today! Detach the Reply Certificate at the bottom of the enclosed letter and mail it in the envelope provided. Help Us Make a Difference Here are just a few of The American Legion accomplishments in the past year: Awarded $1.58 million $734,220 to 20 different non-profit organizations serving the needs of children and $847,150 in cash grants to assist children of veterans in need of shelter, food, clothing and utilities. Call to speak with a representative. Go to To join by phone or online, please have your Temporary Membership Number handy: Raised $1.1 million Provided $840,307 for Operation Comfort Warriors, to help meet the needs of wounded servicemembers by providing them with comfort items not supplied by the government. of our National Emergency Fund to help victims of Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Isaac and veterans affected by the Oklahoma tornado.

5 John, When you join today, your membership will help us continue to serve the needs of all veterans, servicemembers and their families. Plus, you will receive these exclusive Benefits of Membership. Thank you! Benefits of Membership Welcome Gift Commemorative Lock-Back Knife Engraved with Your Branch of Service. This special custom-designed, extra heavy-duty knife is a full 8 1 / 2 when open, but folds to a compact 4 5 / 8 to fit in its Kelvlon belt pouch. Your Branch of Service will appear on the blade. 12 Issues of The American Legion Magazine to stay up-to-date on veterans news and The American Legion programs and activities. Official Membership Card entitling you to exclusive Member Discounts for hotels, auto rental, health screenings, prescriptions, vision and hearing care, and much more. 3 EASY WAYS TO JOIN: Detach the Reply Certificate and mail in the envelope provided. Call Or go to and enter your Temporary Membership Number:

6 PLACE FIRST- PLACE CLASS STAMP POSTAGE HERE HERE THE AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS PO BOX 7017 INDIANAPOLIS IN