The American Legion
Reviews and Complaints

On August 16th 2021 My friend and I and our wives went to the American Legion in Wellington Ohio They had one barmaid as normal but this night they had karaoke. we were playing tickets and losing the bar became very busy for one barmaid and she became overwhelmed. Unauthorized people were letting people in the door with drinks in hand. slowly she began to lose control of the situation. My friend was talking to a patron at the bar and he asked a question to my friend he answered him and the barmaid overheard the conversation and to my friend to get out so he asked for his money from tickets and left without incident. we proceeded to follow. my friend was confronted by 2 individuals in the parking lot by people from karaoke crowd. they taunted him and harassed him. finally we got what we needed and left. We were both served with letters 10 days later. my friend was suspended for 6 months and I was given a reprimand. none of this would have happened had the post had enough help. we have been accused with out us telling our story and noone care. we were found guilty with out saying a word sounds like a dictatorship to me

The American Legion Post 122 has been operating in a very Unprofessional, unethical manner. First, they have some side-deal with the previous commander, before Matt (Phil). Everyone there knows Phil is a thief & has some side deal going on with Fritz (new commander). Instead of the Event Committee being in control of "Thitsty Thursdays" Phil has it operating like a trashy night club & it pocketing money, like before.
Every Thursday, the place is over the capacity & ghetto people from the hood are parking in unauthorized places. The American Legion is not supposed to be run like some ghetto night club. I feel the Event Committee should suspend the event for good, since the old commander (Phil) is a Thief and should not be holding parties every Thursday at no cost.

Someone needs to look closely to what is going on there at Post 122 & rectify it Immediately!

I was just physically and hurtfully harmed by the bar manager of our local American Legion. What can I do to resolve this painful and embarrassing moment. He told me I had to leave because my membership dues were past due, I began to explain my situation and he suddenly attacked me, pinning me against the wall. He yelled... You will never drink here again. I reacted and subdued him with the help of two other members. He continued ranting and once again approached me and grabbed me by my throat. Before I contact a lawyer concerning this matter, I would like to hear back from you. Sincerely, Rick Hocking. [protected]. [protected]@yahoo.com

I will be transferring my membership from 495 because the Commander they are voting in Monday is a drunk and disrespectful. He is a always drinking shots of Jamison and I will be moving on. Post 495 is all about the cliques and I will leave..his name is David Scott. Also John Scott is a member of the legion riders and out of control, I will hire a lawyer if need be...

I've been a member for many years and never been able to get help with disability claims other than basic instruction on how to file myself. Always seems there's a sickness with my post rep and never get back to me. Can you give me a reason to renew this year? All my dues should help someone, but never for myself. Sorry if I'm out of line, but I know I have a solid case but need assistance. My DAV filed with minimal information, but I have a 0% rating. My VA doctors all support me. No help with nexus letters or exams. Very disappointing. Paul h.bullock post 104, Warren, ri 02885

I have been a member of this post for 20 years. I'll admit I am not active and I have never been to the bar or any event at that location. However, every year I have loyally paid my dues. I learned yesterday (9/5) that the presidents son was coming for a campaign rally, at the post, on 9/10. The president has said guys that went to Vietnam and died are suckers. My last C.O., in the United States Navy, was Capt. John McCain and Trump has repeatedly made disparaging comments about him. A Legion Post should not be used for political grandstanding especially this president. This being Labor Day weekend, I have left messages with the Post to cancel this event but I thought the national office should know what is going on in Washington, PA. If this event takes place I will cancel my membership and encourage other to do the same. You leave politics to the politicians but the creed of duty, honor and country belong to those who have served. I have sent a similar msg to the Legions Internal Affairs.

Respectively submitted, Gary L Ford, 809 Baker Hill Road, Washington, Pa 15301, [protected], [protected]@comcast.net. American Legion membership # [protected]

The American Legion as a whole promotes Discrimination and Racism. After attending a meeting at my new post locally and listening to members sit around talking about other ethnicities in discrimatitive manners, it was disgusting to the point, that I had to leave. Also include this Post President addressing an annual membership letter to me using a racially insensitive nickname as part of my address, that I have never indicated as part of my name. I quit supporting the American Legion based on it's Racist Member Tolerance, White Supremacy Views of its members and Discrimination towards many members. This Organization does not Honorably represent all Veterans and operates on a biased view in order to promote it's funding only. As a caucasian, I will not tolerate any organization that discriminates against Veterans from all races that served proudly before, after or with me. There have been many complaints against this Organization Nationally and the American Legion Leadership has failed every time to address this National Problem within its ranks. I don't support Racist Organizations.

What is the proper way to refute a complain about a member? A friend had a sexual harassment complaint called in and the person receiving the call won't even let the person give his side of the story. This person not only did not talk to him in private but yelled at him in front of a bunch of people.

This person is also bullying him spreading rumors about him and also insinuating that he is cheating on his wife which is not true. The sexual harassment is not true as well.

The person causing the problems is at the state level.

My name is Stacey S Latimer (Last 4- 9349) (call back number [protected]). For almost 2 month now. I have called the American Legion almost everyday leaving messages. On 5/17/19 at 12:05pm I received a recorded message from Dave Sprinkle, switch didn't help me. The end of the message states, if there are questions call me back at 212-807-3066. I have called back almost everyday since then, sometimes 3 and 4 times a day. I have been told he is going to call you back at least 3 times; He is on another line at least 6 times; "I gave him your message 4 times'; "He hasn't called you back yet, " 3 times, and the 3 times today that I called, each time I was told that he was in a meeting. Where else might I go to get service? Who else do I call to get the help I need before it's too late for me?
PS: I tried attaching his message, bu it would not load.

My husband is with the American legion located in Louisville, ky. His VSO, Stanley Adler, has been rude, disrespectful, unhelpful and argumentative whenever he interacts with my husband. Mr. Adler offers no advice to my husband if he has no answers to any question (which is always the case). He is never willing to listen, always wants to dismiss my husband to avoid doing any work. There is no solution to this issue other than to move to a different organization. The last interaction was today 3/1/2019 around 1020am.

I use to be a highly supportive member however the American Legion allows local posts to do whatever they want which includes bullying individuals.The commander Bret Reistad ignored my FB message then blocked me .The legion can pick and choose members as they want and have meetings behind closed doors about members .They have individuals handling the money as officers who have been sued for not being able to handle their own finances .I donated countless hours, raised money was on the color guard to be told I was no longer welcome since I was told that the previous commander Cherie Korn did not like me although the current commander now denies he told me that in a conversation and then attacked me after I filed a complaint .She now is suppose to represent women veterans .I have now joined veterans groups that are very active in the community supporting fellow veterans as well as first responders .I can no longer stand with a group that asks women to show their *** on Veterans Day to support veterans .I was told that I could be part of the women's auxiliary but I am a veteran and until the end of the year a current member .The American Legions membership is declining as current veterans are more interested in being active not drinking /smoking /eating .It is truly sad the It appears the Legion has lost sight of its mission and also attacks fellow veterans on FB .I showed the State office they lied but was told the local posts are allowed to govern themselves and do whatever they want so I will no longer be paying my dues or supporting the legion as I have joined a couple awesome groups that do not judge individuals, accept all individuals and helps them instead of tearing them down .I highly recommend before you join you do your research and so thankful I did not pay lifetime dues as they make so much money by members paying them for life .They do not respond to complaints and they slander their members .Its very sad but this holiday I am focusing on the positive and leaving the legion in my rear view mirror and they do NOT deserve one more second of my time .Unlike them I do not talk behind their backs but if they continue to treat members in this manner they will eventually fail as the majority of their members are much older as as they pass away the have very few new members in their place as most people want to be active .I wish them nothing but the best and meet some truly outstanding individuals that are lifetime friends .The leadership clams to be Christian but they judge who they want and are dishonest .Its truly heartbreaking.

I purchased hospital insurance through the American legion. Approx a year past and I had to have surgery and was in the hospital back in May 2018. I filed a claim sent them itemized bill, doctor sent one too, all the tests and results and every couple weeks I get a paper telling me I have to send the same info again. Then in August they sent paperwork saying i was deceased, 2 weeks later after talking with them and faxing them the paperwork they ask for I got another paper saying I was deceased. So I called again and they said it was all good. Today I get yet another letter telling me to send the itemized hospital bill for the 3rd time? Is this insurance even real? It's a ripoff!

The American Legion and Its Response to Member Misconduct
By Paul McInerny
December 2017

From the June 4, 2013 American Legion:

"On June 3, President Barack Obama signed into law The American Legion-backed Stolen Valor Act of 2013, which now makes it a "federal crime for an individual to fraudulently hold oneself out to be a recipient of any of several specified military decorations or medals with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit."

Past Legion Commander James E. Koutz praised the overwhelming, bipartisan vote.

"The American Legion is impressed with Congress today, " he said. "Those who deliberately lie about military service, wear medals they did not earn or make claims of combat heroism they did not achieve are more than just liars. They are perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud. Their lies are an insult to all who have truly stood in harm's way and earned their decorations. We raised this issue at our national convention, and the House acted."

The American Legion, a prestigious veterans organization, was an ardent supporter of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 and Commander Koutz said those who lie about their military service are "perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud."

Certainly, the American Legion would not tolerate such an individual in their organization. They would conduct an in-house investigation to determine whether of not allegations of misconduct had any merit and take appropriate action. Or would they?

In July 2017, a member of the American Legion community sent a letter to an American Legion Post Commander in New York regarding one of its members who had Honorably Discharged from the Navy at the rank of Commander. The Navy veteran, however, had been photographed in a Navy uniform with the rank of Captain with Aviator Wings, the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, Purple Heart and numerous other medals. The Navy veteran had written about his heroic exploits as a pilot, how his aircraft had been struck by a surface-to-air missile over the skies of Hanoi and how he, wounded and bleeding profusely, nursed his crippled aircraft back to the carrier, where he crash landed. The only problem, according to research with the National Personnel Records Center and the Navy Awards Section, there are no records of any kind to indicate the veteran earned any of the mentioned medals. Not one.

Now, the wearing of rank and medals not earned may not meet the elements necessary to make it a violation (crime) of the Stolen Valor Act, but surely the American Legion would look into the matter to determine whether or not the Navy veteran, a member of its organization, was wearing medals he did not earn or make claims of combat heroism he did not achieve. After all, he would be more than just a liar. He would be one of the "perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud."

What was the local Commanders response to the veteran who made the allegation(s) of misconduct? Nothing. No response or communication of any type.

The veteran who initially wrote to the local American Legion Post attempted additional contact with the local Commander and received absolutely no response. Frustrated, the veteran decided to forward his allegations to the American Legion Headquarters. Convinced they would look into the matter of the Navy veteran and perhaps even research why there was no response at the local level.

The veteran compiled a packet of the information he had gathered through research and included a photograph of the Navy veteran in the Captain's uniform. The information was sent via mail to the American Legion Headquarters and addressed to the Legion Commander.

A month passed by and the veteran received no confirmation from anyone at the American Legion Headquarters. A phone call to headquarters indicated the packet had quite possibly been lost, as they receive a great deal of correspondence. Additional phone calls and voice mails proved frustrating and non-productive, until approximately a month and a half had passed, when the veteran finally spoke with someone at American Legion Headquarters who appeared genuinely interested in the allegations. He asked that the contents be emailed directly to him and he acknowledged their receipt. He assured the veteran he would send the packet "up the leadership chain, " and would let him know how things developed, as he was able.

Approximately two and a half months later, the veteran who made the allegation(s) received no updates of any kind. No emails, no phone calls, no letters. It is unknown if the American Legion Leadership even received the packet of information and allegations, or, if they did, what course of action they took ~ if any.

On December 4, 2017, Mr. Jeff Chapman, Assistant Director of Membership called to discuss the issue. The official stance of the National Headquarters is to not become involved in allegations of misconduct against one of its members. The responsibility belonged to the local post. Would the National Headquarters become involved if the local post failed to investigate the allegations? The answer from Mr. Chapman was an emphatic, "no."

Mr. Chapman said he would, however, contact the local post regarding our conversation.

There are two concerns to be addressed.

The first concern is the lack of response from the he local American Legion post commander who was notified of the allegations of misconduct. There was and is sufficient, tangible documentation (official records, photographs, etc.) to warrant a thorough investigation at the local level. At the very least, the local American Legion should have afforded the veteran the courtesy of a response.

The second concern is the possibility the local American Legion post has turned a blind eye to the allegation(s). Perhaps they decided not to conduct their own, independent investigation into the misconduct of the Navy veteran. It is unknown what course of action was taken, because of the lack of communication.

What is known, the National Headquarters of the American Legion does indeed turn a blind eye. The National Headquarters would not even entertain the notion of an investigation into the allegation. As Mr. Chapman indicated, if the National Headquarters had to investigate every allegation of Stolen Valor against one of its members, they would be too busy to conduct any business for the benefit of the veterans the organization serves. If the local post declines to investigate, national headquarters is fine with the decision.

This is the same American Legion, which raised the issue of Stolen Valor at one of their national conventions. Apparently, the issue was important enough as a topic at a national convention, but doesn't rate consideration at the local level and the National Headquarters doesn't become involved.

Apathy. Clearly, the "not-my-job" attitude. And we wonder why there is a proliferation of individuals parading around in uniforms with medals they didn't earn. We wonder why the topic of Stolen Valor even had to be an issue at a National Convention of the American Legion.

This is your American Legion.