An Aging American Legion Fights for Relevancy - NYTimes.com

An Aging American Legion Fights for Relevancy - NYTimes.com: The Elgin post’s struggles are reflected at American Legion halls across the United States, where the enemies these days are old age, apathy and budget deficits. Long serving as hometown hubs where veterans and nonveterans alike gathered for beer, bingo and camaraderie, many American Legion posts have grown quieter, with total membership nationwide down 11 percent since 2000, to less than 2.4 million members in 2012. The legion has also seen a decline in the number of operating posts, dropping from 14,700 posts in 2000 to just under 13,800 this year, officials said.