by Paul Kink, Stevensville
I want to state that as a Gold Star Family member, having lost my only brother in Vietnam, I have great respect for the American Legion. The wonderful accomplishments of the organization are too numerous to mention here, however an article published in the American Legion publication on February 19, 2019 is a piece we all should read. It contains quotes from eight Presidents, two Generals and one Secretary of Defense lauding the American Legion achievements.
With all due respect, however, I felt compelled to express my disappointment with your letter in last week’s Bitterroot Star announcing your “Mask Burning Ceremony”.
It is quite obvious that Post 94, under your leadership, has decided to enter the political arena by taking sides in the mask debate by stating “recent studies suggest that wearing masks has really had no impact on the spreading of this disease. Other studies suggest wearing a mask is having a very negative effect on our children.”
I want to simply offer a constructive suggestion that you may want to read the opening paragraph of the American Legion article on February 19, 2019, titled “ Policies Not Partisan Politics”, which said “The American Legion celebrates its 100th birthday this month. No principle poured into the foundation of this organization has proven more essential to progress in Washington over the last century than Article II, Section 2 of its constitution which reads: “The American Legion shall be absolutely nonpolitical and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment.”
That same article quoted Theodore Roosevelt Jr., writing in the August 18, 1919 American Legion Weekly: “First, the organization should be nonpartisan, concerning itself with policies but never with partisan politics.”
It is my sincere hope that you will reconsider the decision to hold your “Mask burning ceremony” by adhering to the principles of your constitution and keep your great organization out of partisan politics.