Hundreds will attend Memorial Day events around the county in memory of those who died while serving in the military.
But as wreath ceremonies and flag salutes unfold, concerns about the longevity of the institution that largely coordinates these events remain a troublesome undercurrent to an already somber holiday.
The American Legion, a wartime veterans organization that focuses on veteran outreach and community service, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2019. But it has been declining in membership nationwide for years.
In Oregon alone, membership has dropped from around 21,500 in 2005 to 16,700 last year — and local legion posts are also feeling the crunch.
Mike Phillips, the adjutant of Clatsop Post 12 of the American Legion, said while the local finances have remained stable, membership between the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion branches have dropped from 1,110 when he joined in 2002 down to below 800.
With fewer people joining, worries have mounted about who will take over organizing traditional ceremonies and events.
“We want to get more young people involved,” Phillips said. “We only have about 50 members from Middle East wars — that’s the same as our World War II membership.”
At American Legion Post 168 in Cannon Beach, membership has dropped about 25 percent in the last 10 years, Adjutant Agris Pavlovskis said. But what has impacted this post more has been a decline in turnout at fundraising events like classic oyster feeds and rib night specials.
“We’re not in dire straits. We’re just coming
Views: 18
