Citing the dramatic decline in America's armed services, the board of directors of the 2.8 million-member American Legion May 12 approved the launching of a national security awareness campaign. The campaign will focus on alerting the voting public about the potentially catastrophic results the U.S. will face from a weakened national defense.

“America is facing a security crisis, and most Americans do not even know it,” said Alan G. Lance, Sr., national commander. “As Americans we must leave here today with renewed dedication to getting the word out on the need to strengthen our national defense. We must urge our fellow citizens to consider this subject when they cast their votes on Nov. 7.”

The commander stressed that although The American Legion is a non-partisan organization, the issue of protecting the country transcends all political boundaries.

“This is not a partisan issue,” he said. “It is an American issue.”

Statistics that have spurred the American Legion into action include the following figures:

•Nearly 20 percent of the total armed forces are deployed to some 134 overseas countries. The National Guard, which is normally used in stateside contingencies, today has a presence in more than 35 countries — with troops provided from 44 different states.

•In 1987, there were 2.1 million uniformed U.S. military members. Now, that number is less than 1.4 million with a 300 percent increase in military deployment around the world.

•The United States in this year's defense budget is spending as much on defense as a percentage of its Gross Domestic Product as it was spending on defense just prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor.

“Our country is on borrowed time,” Lance said. “The only way to restore our military to the readiness levels we have enjoyed in years past is to vote for those candidates who understand what kind of a fighting force our country needs to protect our interests, both within our borders and beyond.”

Steve Thomas

The American Legion

Indianapolis, Ind.

[With nearly 15,000 posts, the American Legion is the nation's largest veterans organization.]18�•

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