Chaplain: The term ‘legion’ is an inclusive one

Legion means many.

It does not mean many as in many of the exact same — I tend to think of the Borg from the “Star Trek” series or an orc from the “Lord of the Rings,” those without unique features, personalities, drives or any other differences, just faceless, nameless beings all with exact mission.

The American Legion is a variety of many of the same species (i.e. human). I think of Shawn Davis’ SAL class on generational differences that he presents at Minnesota American Legion College. (Thanks, Shawn!)

G.K. Chesteron (1874-1936) was an author, Christian apologist, philosopher, and literary/art critic whose quips continue providing fodder to challenge what and why of an actionable belief.

G.K. had been searching for the right religion to practice for himself. He analyzed all major religions before deciding. When his newspaper editor learned of his conversion to Catholicism, he told G.K. he cannot write about religion. The editor was apparently concerned about one of his writers diving off into penned proselytizing as newspaper writing at the turn of the 20th century was about reporting the facts of what, who, where, why and how without attempting to influence.

G.K. quipped he cannot not write about religion for as politics is that horizontal relationship men (people) have with one another, religion is that vertical relationship men (people) have with God (Creator, god, G-d, gods), everything is either about one or the other. His writings delve into ideologies and philosophies that define what and why we do what we do.

Today, there is a website, school and many books or essays available:  https://www.chesterton.org/who-is-this-guy/.

The many people who founded The American Legion might have known of G.K. Chesterton even though he lived in England. When putting pen to paper outlining who TAL is and why — the spiritual virtue of serving another for those who have served in uniform, their families and our future was the spotlight. Our Preamble and new national TAL mission statement: “To enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness,” attest to that.

Our organization is both non-political and non-religious. What you vertically and horizontally believe are freedoms we all stood strong in uniform for and were willing to lay our life down for (as many have). We are legion: Christians, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Seikh and Muslim religions. Spiritual practices of our Indigenous tribes, Pagan/Wiccan beliefs and Atheists, Agnostics have equal footing of freedom.  When we put TAL cap on and various emblems of our organizations, we vow to respect our spiritual and political differences for together we are stronger and better.

An asset to remind us of our vertical freedoms in TAL are the chaplains. They are to point us to that divine dimension which grounds us all to greater spiritual goods to benefit another through compassion and kindness. In TAL we work for: a just military, goodwill, mutual helpfulness,  respect, kindness.

Chaplains provide opportunities to remember our brothers and sisters through ritual. Chaplains provide awareness that all are valued in our republican democracy over an autocracy where only one is valued to be served. Chaplains do not have the role to judge the spiritual beliefs of another or convert to their belief system.

Finally, chaplains are to help us remember that many have worked for the future we are living in and we are to work for justice, fairness and peace for those who will come after us. Chaplains in The American Legion exist to serve all Legionnaires and when that TAL cap is on you can trust that they are here to serve everyone.

I am so thankful for those who serve as Legion chaplains. Thank you, chaplains!

Kelley Adelsman of Pine Island Post 184 is the chaplain for The American Legion Department of Minnesota.