The Guadalajara Reporter

Chapala American Legion Post Seven: Not the place to talk about war

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.”

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