10/21/2026
Fellow Legionnaires,
As of October 19, 2026, our department reported 16,425 members, representing 58.45% of the 2027 target of 28,102. We rank 33rd nationwide out of 55 departments and 8th in the Northeast Region. We are on track to reach our third target, but we are down 1,736 members from last year. Last year, our membership goal was 29,900, but we reached only 28,198. I keep preaching at our County meetings that we will not exist if we keep going this way. Please use your Legion family to help you recruit new members, especially since the Auxiliary membership has changed. We have over 274,000 Veterans in New Jersey, but we still can’t recruit enough to meet our annual goal. In Bergen County, we have 34 posts, and only nine (9) posts have recruited at least one (1) member. We can do better, especially with Veterans Day coming up; offer a Veteran a complimentary membership. I always say, reach out if you need any assistance, and I have only heard from one (1) post. For those who do not use MyLegion.org, we have Post 1000 and expired lists. Please reach out, and I can provide you with those lists. On Saturday, January 23rd, 2027, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., you have an excellent opportunity to learn how to recruit new members, use your elevator speech, engage, and retain members. Your District 1 Vice Commander, Joseph Fricker, will be providing this training with Team Gladden. The training will take place at American Legion Post 58, 151 West Forest Avenue in Englewood, NJ. Please take this message seriously, as we are in dire straits with membership. We cannot survive without members. If you ever have any comments, questions, or concerns. You can reach out to me directly at 201-859-0921.
For God and Country,
Sophia Dmoch
BCAL DEC
Department Membership Chair
Commander Post 310
Send a message to learn more