By Sara Fowler
 
 
Pride in membership. Pride in those who make us eligible to be part of The American Legion Family. 
 
The American Legion Auxiliary has members throughout the country who have more than one membership in the Family: It could be ALA, Legion, Sons of The American Legion, and American Legion Riders. 
 
These members annually commit to more than one overlapping mission, giving our veterans, military, and their families the most support possible in a variety of ways through this level of involvement.  
 
This is part 6 and the final blog post in this American Legion Auxiliary membership series. 
 
 
George Wallace, Department of Florida
Wallce served in the U.S. Army and gets his ALA eligibility through the military service of his wife, Connie. She is retired Army as well and currently serves as the first sergeant in their Honor Guard.  

What does your American Legion Family membership mean to you?
My Legion membership means I am a part of an organization that has been helping veterans for 107 years. I am part of a Family that will always be there for me, no matter if I am struggling mentally, physically, or financially. The camaraderie that exists when I go to our post is tremendous. After retiring from the Army in 2019, I struggled to find what my new purpose in life was going to be. After some counseling with the VA, I had to find my new normal. Volunteering as our post’s service officer not only allowed me to give back and help my fellow veterans, it helped me get to know the members of our post.  
 
Why do you feel it’s important to commit to more than one part of the Family? 
Being a member of our Sons of The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary is about membership numbers. I encourage all Legionnaires who are eligible to join the Sons and/or Auxiliary. I consider myself a “quad member,” as I am a member of our Legion, Sons, Auxiliary, and Riders. My wife is a Legionnaire, Auxiliary, and Rider.  
 
What are some of the activities/events you are involved in?
I have served as our post service officer, first vice commander, and post commander for Winter Haven, Florida Frierson-Nichols American Legion Post 8. I am a past Riders director and road captain for our American Legion Riders. I sit on our Legion Boys State interviews and am active in our Law and Order Awards and the School Award Medal Program, which honor local community members and youth. I also maintain our post’s webpage and Facebook page.  

Do you have any favorite activities/events?
My favorite activities are anything to do with the Riders. I say this because as a Rider, I have visited more posts throughout Florida than I would have even come close to doing if I wasn’t a Rider. It has opened up networking opportunities. I am able to not only talk with some of the post officers, but it allows me to talk with members who may not get a chance to go to our conventions or conferences but they are at the post level doing great things,  and I might not have been able to talk with them if I hadn’t stopped by on an ALR ride.
 
What advice would you give to others to join more than one part of The American Legion Family if they are eligible? 
It all comes down to numbers. If you are able to join more than one Family, I highly encourage you to do so. Not only will it help your post, but it will help your department and national when it comes to showing our elected politicians the strength The American Legion Family brings to the table.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your membership story with us at PR@ALAforVeterans.org.