When Britton American Legion Post 80 Commander Mike Kraft came across a yellowing document with elaborate handwriting among the post’s old records, he discovered a piece of local history that could help shape its future.
The document showed that Britton once had a Sons of the American Legion chapter, officially chartered May 1, 1935. Nearly 100 years later, Kraft and other Legion members hope to bring the organization back to life.
The Sons of the American Legion (SAL) is open to male descendants, including adopted sons and stepsons, of American Legion members, as well as male descendants of veterans who served honorably during qualifying periods of military service. This includes sons, grandsons and other eligible family members of veterans.
Kraft said he is uncertain when Britton’s original chapter stopped being active, but believes it was likely around World War II, when many of the eligible sons would have left to serve in the military.
Now, with American Legion membership declining as its members age, Kraft sees an opportunity to bring more people into the Legion family and help ensure its programs continue.
“To be honest, the American Legion is dwindling in numbers as our membership ages,” Kraft said. “In Britton, we believe we have enough interest to get a group going and get the chapter re-established.”
The Sons of the American Legion was established nationally in 1932 as an organization within the American Legion. Local groups, known as squadrons, work alongside their sponsoring Legion posts to support veterans, promote patriotism and American values, and provide opportunities for youth.
Kraft said one of the primary goals of restarting the local group would be to assist with the programs and responsibilities already handled by Post 80. That could include helping with military burial services, supporting youth programs and assisting with other community activities.
He also hopes the organization will help keep a sense of Americanism alive in the community.
“We want to keep the Americanism in our community going because in other areas it’s not a priority,” he said.
While the local effort is just getting started, Kraft said the Sons of the American Legion program is growing in popularity nationally. He hopes that renewed interest will translate into participation locally.
In a letter sent to potential members, Kraft encouraged interested individuals to gather and discuss how membership in the Sons organization can benefit both them and their veteran family members. He emphasized that the local post wants to take a gradual approach to getting the squadron established.
The organization also offers younger members opportunities to develop leadership, citizenship and public speaking skills while learning more about their family’s military heritage.
Kraft hopes to schedule an initial meeting soon to gauge interest and begin discussing the steps needed to re-establish the Britton squadron.
Anyone interested in learning more or getting involved can contact an American Legion member, call Kraft at 605-448-8368 or attend an American Legion Post 80 meeting.
