MEMBERSHIP�
It has always been a big problem to get members. Many will not join unless there is a selfish interest. Many pay their dues every year, but have to be solicitated. There was a lot of enthusiasm for a few years after World War l and again after World War ll, but when it settles down to hard work without glamour, they just seem to forget to pay up. It is impossible to give selfish inducements to join the legion.
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There is a potential membership in this area probably close to 2000, and the membership probably averages somewhere close to 300. Two or three good, hard working members have always accounted for 75% of the enrollment. There are quite a few every year who intend to join but they wait for someone to come and collect their dues. If this is not done they will not send in the money. We had an example a number of years back when a member thought he had qualified for a long service button. Investigation disclosed that he had not paid his dues for a couple of years a good many before. No one had asked him for his dues and they were not paid. 35 year membership cards were issued July 9, 1953 to 24 members, and March 4, 1958 22 members were entitled to 40� year cards.
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LIFE MEMBERSHIP�
The first life membership card was presented to Herbert O Froehlke on February 3, 1949. On April 10, 1958 a life membership was bought by the post for William R Kenney.
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CONTRIBUTIONS�
The post was never in a financial condition where they could be as liberal as they would wish in the matter of donations to worth while civic and charitable drives, however, the post always did what they could. Jan.28, 1956 a wheelbarrow race for the March of Dimes was held down town Marshfield. This was followed in succeeding yeas by wheel chair races. These races were instrumental in raising a considerable amount of money for the March of Dimes.
SERVICE�
The service work for the veteran has been a big problem from the very first. A lot of new legislation was required to get care for the veteran who had been sick or wounded. The hospitals were inadequate, and the medical care was inconsistent. Throughout the years many veterans hospital were built and arrangements for extra care were made with local doctors and hospitals.
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The connection between the veteran and the government was hampered by obsolete and imperfect legislation and red tape, and the American Legion did some of its greatest work in this field, getting hospitalization and justice for the veteran.
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The local post was extremely fortunate in having excellent men in this department from the very first to the present. Charles M. Pors held the office of Service Officer from March 2, 1921 to 1929, at which time William R Kenney took over and handled these veterans cases until his death, and since the office was taken over by Kenneth Pucker. One of their biggest jobs was to assist the veterans of World War l and ll and the Korean War in making out forms required by the government, to advise his insurance, homestead rights, loan rights, application for the bonus, and many other things about which the average veteran was totally ignorant. I feel that in this department the local post has done well or better than any post in the United States. In 939 a county service officer was established, and we have been fortunate in having men in this capacity who gave the veteran every consideration, and gave the Legion service officer full cooperation.
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YOUTH ACTIVITY�
BOYS STATE�
The first reference that I can find a record of was Boys Week at St John's Military Academy at Delafield, Wis July 6th to which 5 boys were sent. This meting became known as Boys State and was an annual occurrence until May 6, 1943, when it was called off for the duration of the war. It was renewed in 1945, and has been continuous since that date. The meeting has been held at Ripon for a good many years. Marshfield has usually sent about 8 boys, one of which was sponsored by the American Legion. Past Commander Glen D Tinklam was elected president of Boys State about 1947 and has served continuously in that capacity since. The post has always entertained the boys who attended Boy State, at a Post meeting, and the boys have given account of their experiences, and have expressed themselves as grateful for their opportunity to attend.
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BOY SCOUTS�
The Marshfield post started to aid the Boy Scout movement in 1924. The post inaugurated a Bean Feed for the Boy Scouts, Feb. 2, 1939. This has been an annual affair, and has been extremely successful. The Boy Scouts presented a plaque to the American Legion Post in appreciation of the Bean Feed and interest taken in the Boy Scouts by the post. The Boy Scouts have occasionally been invited to the post meetings where they gave exhibition of tying knots, sending messages in code, making camp, etc.
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GIRL SCOUTS�
The Women's Auxiliary of the Legion has been taking an active interest in the Girl Scouts through the years.
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