[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I am a proud Navy vet. I am proud of my service in Vietnam and other places around the world. I understand the expressed reason for the rule as stated, but my feeling is that if you are not able to serve all members of the organization, rather than open only for a select few, you should close the doors to all until you are able to fully accept ALL members of the organization with open arms. Anything less smacks as operating a private club in the guise of a service club.

CV cannot be just ignored. I would suggest outdoor dining with box dinners. Maybe with a tent roof or a building with all open sides for meals, bingo, and other activities. Indoor activities should be for those fully vaccinated and willing to wear a mask. I realize that the separation of groups is the opposite of the main idea of togetherness that veterans deserve - and it would be difficult and harsh, but we are living in difficult and harsh times. Several prominent medical Doctors believe that we will ALL have to live with this pandemic for up to 5 years. So, the Legion Post 347 and ALL indoor businesses in the US must make harsh and unpopular decisions. Who am I to blame them?

[tommitchell99@yahoo.com]

USMC vet. Thanks for your service. Consider checking out Band of Brothers in The Villages. We meet Tuesday’s at lunch, City Fire in Sumter. No politics and plenty of military brotherhood.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by RICH1

Thank you for serving this Great Country ! I am a member of Post 80
St Cloud Florida and also a Charter Rider, I support Post 80 financially because of the small membership numbers of Post 80, and I used to live in St. Cloud.. interested in how vaccinated guests would be an issue!

I can answer the last part of that question. The NEW Delta variant is different than the earlier variants. Delta can remain for some (yet to be exactly researched) period of time in a vaccinated person's nasal cavity. During that time a vaccinated person can infect an unvaccinated person (especially indoors) and that unvaccinated person could become hospitalized and DIE. Imagine what a simple sneeze could do indoors. This information is on the CDC website and has been explained in detail by many expert Doctors on many news programs.

[Quent]

Agreed

[mad329]

My husband is a member of AL #347. We went there on Monday August 9th. We had to friends with us. Apparently we didn’t read the notice on the door (or the paper) so we went in. We were told about the notice. They were all VERY polite. We understood the situation and respected it. We simply went elsewhere - it was no big deal. We have never met a condescending or rude individual on any occasion. Since then our friend was sworn in and we plan on returning tonight.

[Number 10 GI]

Just because a person has seen some horrific things doesn't give them the right to be a rude jerk. I would bet a few dollars that this person is well known in the club as being a rude jerk but no one has the guts to speak up about it to prohibit him from performing these duties. I'm quite sure the commander of this club is aware of this person's attitude. One thing a leader has to accept is they have to make hard decisions and do what is best for the organization. You aren't a leader if you can't do that.
First impressions are the ones that stick in a person's mind about an individual or an organization. This jerk has caused a number of people to decide not to join. This is how clubs die out after a while. Just how hard would it be to politely and in a friendly manner explain the new policy and to thank the person for their interest in the club. Trouble is that jerks have no idea about being friendly and treat other people with courtesy.
I quit belonging to social clubs many years ago for the same attitude of club members displayed by the jerk in the Legion Club. Pretty disgusting when a new member is told that they have to wait patiently for acceptance by the regulars. The current membership are the ones that should welcome a new member and not wait for the newbee to beg for acceptance.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

OP, under High Year of Tenure requirements, how does an E7 serve for 35 years?

[CommonSense]

Earlier today I received a call from Joan Suelter, Post Commander of the American Legion Post 347. We had a very friendly conversation and she was gracious enough to explain the Post's recent decision to open the building only for Post members and their spouses. Though I do not necessarily agree with their policy, I understand and accept their decision. I explained to her that I did not feel my comments were directed to Post 347 as a whole but were actually a reference to how unwelcomed I was by the gatekeeper. I was born and raised in the hospitality industry and my parents owned a family restaurant in Iowa. My father once told me that he welcomed complaints because it was an opportunity to correct a problem. It was a lesson I carried through my entire life and whether you agree or disagree with my observation or complaint, there is a communication problem within this Post. Reading the threads of this discussion, I am not the only person who has experienced rude gatekeepers or employees. Now that the problem has been exposed, maybe it is time to fix it! Of course, I understand we all have bad days, but there is a trail of bad days that seems to contribute to a growing communication problem. I believe the Commander understands the situation and I can only hope for the Post, its members, and all veterans, she takes advantage of this negative publicity as an opportunity to find ways to improve communications and provide a more welcoming attitude for visiting American Legion Members.

[wbilbrey99@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by CommonSense

I know posting this is not the smartest thing to do, but I felt I had to say something about being denied access to the local American Legion Post 347 because of COVID-19 because I am not a member of their Post.

My wife and I just finished dinner at the Orange Blossom Hills Golf & Country Club and decided to stop at Post 347 for a drink on our way home in the Village of Hawkins.

I handed my membership card from American Legion Post 342 in St. Charles, IL, where I was a past commander and have been a member of this Post for over 40 years.

I was informed that because I was not a member of Post 347, I could not enter. The gatekeeper pointed to a posted sign stating only Post 347 members can enter because of COVID!

COVID has been around for 18 months, and this is their excuse to refuse my wife and me access to an organization I have spent over four decades as an active member.

Prior to today (8/21/21 at 1600 hours), we stopped two weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon only to leave because they were packed with BINGO players. At that time, I did not see anyone wearing a mask during BINGO or anyone wearing a mask this afternoon.

Post 347 blatantly refused access to my wife and I, both members of this national organization, and quite honestly, I am "****ed off"!

The Villages is supposed to be the friendliest community in Florida, but just outside The Villages in Lady Lake is the largest American Legion Post in the United States. They refused to allow me to enter!

OK, so maybe I am a nobody, but I am an Air Force veteran of 35 years, proud to serve my country and honored to be a member of the American Legion for forty-two years. Served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and currently undergoing cancer treatment at the VA for Agent Orange. Very active as a Veterans Advocate and presently working on a YouTube project entitled "Saluting American Veterans."

It was bad enough coming home from SEA and being spit at and rejected, but to deny a veteran who is an American Legion member access to their Post because of COVID is simply WRONG.

We moved here two months ago and recently started searching for opportunities to volunteer. One such organization is the Village Honor Flight, and they asked me to get involved. I intend to, but it seems this organization is tied to the American Legion Post 347, so I am having second thoughts!

Also, before we moved to The Villages, I heard a similar story about a member from another Post being denied entry and that bothered me!

The first time I went to Post 347 in June, I was welcomed and told that story was a misunderstanding.

Well, I hope this is a misunderstanding because today, more than ever, veterans need each other. And please, do not use COVID as an excuse because both my wife and I are vaccinated, and if you wanted us to wear masks, we would.

Please reconsider this stupid policy! Don't shut your doors to those entitled to the privileges of membership with the American Legion. Last I knew…an American Legion member, regardless of what posts they belong to, is entitled to access other posts worldwide.

Guess the rules are different in the friendliest community in Florida!

If I am wrong, I will apologize and retract this post; We were brothers and sisters when we served, so what changed?

Fred J. Rosenthal
MSgt. USAF (Retired)
5524 Brittany Terrace
The Villages, FL 32163
630-926-3109
therosenthalgroup@sbcglobal.net

Ok that answers my question.moved here a year ago was going to transfer to 347 maybe try the one on 44 instead.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by CommonSense

I explained to her that I did not feel my comments were directed to Post 347 as a whole but were actually a reference to how unwelcomed I was by the gatekeeper.

Now that you have been educated about not being entitled to access every Post, Hopefully you have had an attitude adjustment towards The Villages as well.

[CommonSense]

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix

OP, under High Year of Tenure requirements, how does an E7 serve for 35 years?

However, the High Year of Tenure was not fully implemented until after I retired. But for the record, because I have nothing to hide, I served three years, nine months, and twenty-one days on active duty. I received an honorable discharge (and a DD-214) after fighting a war in Southeast Asia. I returned to college and after graduation, I joined the Air Force Reserves where I had an opportunity to travel around the world for most of the other 32 years. I hope this clarifies any misconceptions you might have about my service record.

[CommonSense]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Now that you have been educated about not being entitled to access every Post, Hopefully, you have had an attitude adjustment towards The Villages as well.

Could you do me a favor and point out where I said or wrote the word (entitled).

When you are in someone else's house you have access as a guest, but you are not entitled to roam through their closets.

If I did use the word "entitled", maybe you misunderstand what I was trying to explain!

Yes, every Amerian Legion member is a guest outside of the own Post. However, that being said, if you are a member in good standing with the American Legion and visiting another Post, you are entitled to the respect courted the local members.

That is call courtesy and incorporates common sense.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by CommonSense

Could you do me a favor and point out where I said or wrote the word (entitled). [/U]..

Your statement: Please reconsider this stupid policy! Don't shut your doors to those entitled to the privileges of membership with the American Legion.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Your statement: Please reconsider this stupid policy! Don't shut your doors to those entitled to the privileges of membership with the American Legion.

[retiredguy123]

You can complain about rudeness. You can disagree with a policy. But the title of this thread is not about either. It is about "denying access". It sounds like the gatekeeper did their job by denying access to the OP. One thing I like about the military is that, unlike many others, they are usually very good at following and enforcing their own rules. Suppose the gatekeeper had allowed access to a non-member who spread the COVID virus inside the Post? That would defeat the purpose of the policy established by the Post, and the gatekeeper's function.