Orient American Legion to host membership caravan

Orient American Legion Post 1961 will host the American Legion of Illinois membership caravan beginning at 6 p.m. Jan. 18.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Paul Martel. Martel is the immediate past national central division vice commander. He will update members on national issues of the American Legion family and also will be available for personal interviews.

The membership caravan began 21 years ago to address a decline in membership after the holiday season. To get membership back on the minds of Legion family members, the caravan of 10 to 20 departments, Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion and American Legion Riders members visit 19 posts in several districts over the course of nine days in January.

The American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veterans organization. The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of strong national security, veterans care and rehabilitation, Americanism and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 14,000 posts across the nation.