If you harbor any preconceived ideas about Chapala’s American Legion Post Seven, now is probably a good time to ditch them.
“Our biggest concern is the community’s perception of who we are and what we do,” says Post Commander Zane Pumiglia. “It’s like we can’t win. Some say we’re a bunch of right-wing nuts while others say we’re left-wing nuts.”
In reality, if you go to the Legion nowadays you’re unlikely to hear much talk about war, politics, or north-of-the-border affairs at all.
Says Facility Manager Victoria Schmidt: “You’ll hear conversations about who’s doing your immigration papers, doctors, dentists, gardeners, where to find a good mechanic. They’ll say I’m looking for this kind of weedkiller, where can I find it, or I need to fix my vacuum cleaner, or who’s going up north who can bring something back of me. And, of course, they’ll talk of how great it is to live in Mexico.”
Post Seven – the largest American Legion post south of the U.S. border – is a resource center, community benefactor and home from home, all rolled into one.
And that’s despite falling membership – an anomaly, some might think, since the population at lakeside is rising.
“Attrition takes its toll. We lost 12 last year,” says Schmidt, adding that just four World War II veterans remain.
Even though the Legion now accepts veterans who served in Grenada, Afghanistan and both Iraq actions (Desert Storm and Desert Shield), finding new members is challenging.
“A lot of younger people are eligible to join but for some reason they lose interest and still think that the Legion is a bunch of old guys sitting around telling war stories,” says Pumiglia. “But since Vietnam a lot of veterans have really soured against the military mindset.”
Adds Schmidt: “We’d like to reach out to cloistered Vietnam vets. There are some down here but they live alone and they don’t socialize much. We would like to let them know we’re here for them.”
The basic premise of the American Legion, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization of 2.5 million members spread out in 14,000 posts across the world, is to assist and provide services for veterans – something Post Seven carries out with due responsibility.That means having a service officer on site every day to assist veterans with many issues, particularly their benefits.
“We check to make sure their benefits are up to date or they are aware of new programs that are available to them,” says Schmidt.
But Post Seven is also proud of its role as “a good neighbor” in the Mexican community, and its officers are aware of how the organization can be instrumental in countering the perceived stereotype of the United States as an arrogant and bullying nation.
Members are actively encouraged to volunteer and get involved in the post’s many outreach projects.
“When people first move here they want to help in the community but don’t know how to get started,” says Lorraine Kulig, president of Auxiliary Unit Seven, whose 50-plus members have become a driving force of the facility.
Post Seven and Auxiliary Unit Seven are major supporters of the nearby Chapala Red Cross and also help the Little Blue School for disabled children, the Tepehua neighborhood community center, the Niños de Chapala y Ajijic educational project and the Niños Incapacitados charity for sick children.
Their charity work has even extended to raising more than 30,000 pesos toward the purchase of digital radio equipment that allows Chapala’s municipal police force to maintain simultaneous contact with all their units and respond more quickly to emergencies.
In addition, Post Seven opens its doors for multiple events, mostly organized by the industrious Auxiliary ladies.
This week on July 4, around 130 members and guests munched down hamburgers and hot dogs as the post celebrated U.S. independence. Two glamorous fashion shows are held each year to raise funds for the Red Cross, while picnics mark other patriotic days, such as Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. There’s a grill on Sundays, a fish fry planned for Saturdays, as well as regular meatloaf contests. August will see an Antiques Road Show. “We’ve collected some amazing things that people have brought here to Mexico and just like the TV show they’ll get appraised,” says Kulig.
Upcoming plans include other TV game show-themed events, such as a newly weds game (people married for less than 60 years, jokes Pumiglia), Chapala Jeopardy and speed dating (or half-speed dating, he jokes again).
The facility also hosts AA meetings, a writer’s group, a card club and a bridge group. And a U.S. Consulate representative comes in once a month from Guadalajara (usual the first Wednesday of the month) to offer assistance on many issues.
For those who join the Legion or Auxiliary, or simply take advantage of the facilities, the benefits can be significant.
And we’re not just talking about the reasonably-priced full American-style breakfasts, lunches or camaraderie to be found in the bar. There’s also a 2,000-book lending library, free wi-fi, medical equipment rental, a post-life program and a frozen meals service.
Although the post’s members and visitors are drawn from as far afield as Ixtlahuacan, Ajijic and San Juan Cosala, many live in Chapala itself, a town Kulig says attracts expats who “want to be part of the Mexico experience.”
The average age of expats in Chapala, Kulig says, is around 60 and many “have integrated themselves into the community.”
Like Tom Schmidt, the post’s chaplain who took early retirement after suffering health problems. The Legion “gives us a purpose,” he says. “Retirement has to be about something. You can’t just sit there and wander around aimlessly.”
And Kulig knows first-hand how community integration can often bring unexpected personal rewards.
After returning from a recent trip to Texas, she was stunned to learn that a young mother in Chapala, a recovering drug addict, had named her daughter Lorraine because of the help she had given her during a difficult birth.
But Post Seven is also a daily stopover for veterans like Gene Kent, a cheery 91-year-old World War II Air Force instructor, who came to Mexico from Kansas 20 years ago. Not one to dwell on the past, he keeps himself in shape by walking two miles a day on the Chapala beach and says his preferred favorite topic of conversation is neither war nor politics but “girls.”
With the post now in a healthy financial state, Pumiglia acknowledges the debt that must be paid to the Auxiliary and its tireless workers.
“We would not be here in this facility if it were not for the Auxiliary,” he says. “In the past some members wanted to walk away and shut the post down and the women said, no we don’t want that to happen. They took over everything and put it back together. It’s been growing steadily ever since.”
The red poppy program that twice a year raises funds for veterans and their families is one of the most visible signs of the Auxiliary’s considerable efforts. These important donations, Schmidt says, are strictly earmarked to help local veterans with their medical and rehabilitation needs.
Schmidt says Post Seven is also committed to supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower men and women of the armed forces who have been severely injured during conflicts.
Although at its core Post Seven is a patriotic veteran’s organization, Pumiglia is keen to stress that it’s a broad church. “Actually, many veterans feel that war is no good. Just because you’ve happened to have spent time in the military doesn’t mean you have to be in agreement with our foreign policy,” he says. “There are many reasons to join and support the organization, not least because we have a huge influence in Congress. Laws get passed for veterans because we have lobbyists.”
Officially, the American Legion is only allowed to accept members who have served during U.S. conflicts, but – “because we’re in Mexico,” Pumiglia says – Post Seven relaxes the rules a little to allow “social memberships.”
In addition, the Legion supports seven Mexican families who work at the facility, and holds a bazaar on the first Friday of the month (from 8:30 a.m. to around 1 p.m.) aimed at both the Mexican and foreign communities. The cost per table for a vendor is 20 pesos.
Joining either the Legion or Auxiliary won’t harm your bank balance. Legion membership is 500 pesos a year, while the Auxiliary fee is 200 pesos, and 150 pesos for social members. Auxiliary members must be relatives of war veterans.
American Legion Post Seven is located at Morelos 114, Chapala, a few blocks east of the main plaza. The restaurant is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The bar is open to 8 p.m. every day, except Sundays when it closes at 7 p.m. The Saturday Fish Fry (from July 13) will run from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday grills (hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, with potato salad and baked beans) are from noon to 3 p.m.
Call 765-2259 for more information. You can also find news about the post on Post Seven’s Facebook page. Keep abreast of all their events in this newspaper.