Membership

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We, the American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, fully realizing our responsibility to our community, to our State, and to our Nation, associate our selves for the following purposes: To Uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States; to safeguard the principles of freedom, liberty, justice for all; to promote the: cause of peace and good will among nations; to maintain inviolate the freedom of our Country; to preserve the fundamentals of democracy; to perpetuate the friendship and associations of the Second World War, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars; and to dedicate ourselves to the cause of mutual assistance, this by the Grace of God.

The name of this organization shall be AMVETS, Department of Ohio (American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam, Department of Ohio), and it shall be hereinafter referred to as AMVETS, Department of Ohio.

AIMS
1) To serve our Country in peace as in war; to build and maintain the welfare of the United States of America toward lasting prosperity and peace for all its inhabitants.
2) To encourage, in keeping with the policies of our Government, the establishment of a concrete plan to secure permanent international peace and to assist in the maintenance of international peace.
3) To inspire in our membership a sense of responsibility, and to develop leadership for the preservation of our American democratic way of life.
4) To help unify divergent groups in the over-all interest of American democracy.
5) To train our youth to become purposeful citizens in a democracy with full knowledge of the responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship.
6) To cooperate with all duly recognized existing veterans organizations in the furtherance of the aims of the veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
7) To insure the orderly return of the veteran to civilian life by protecting his rights as an individual while he is still in uniform.
8) To expedite and assist in the rehabilitation of the veteran by maintenance of employment services, sponsoring educational opportunities, and providing counsel insurance, housing, recreation, personal problems, hospitalization, and veterans benefits.
9) To act as a liaison agent between the veteran and the Government.
10)To provide an organization to encourage fellowship among all veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
11)To keep the public forever reminded that the veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, fought or served to preserve peace, liberty, and democracy for their nation.

AMVETS SUBSIDIARY ORGANIZATIONS

AMVETS AUXILIARY: Eligibility for membership in AMVETS Auxiliary is available to
mothers, wives, daughters and sisters or regular members of AMVETS, and deceased veterans who were AMVETS, or would have been eligible for membership in the AMVETS, and is at least eighteen years old.

SONS OF AMVETS: Eligibility for membership in the Sons of AMVETS is limited to all male descendants, adopted sons, stepsons, fathers, husbands, widowers and brothers of AMVET members, deceased AMVET members or deceased service personnel who would have been eligible for membership in the parent organization, and is at least eighteen years old.

JUNIOR AMVETS: Eligibility for membership in the Junior AMVETS is limited to the sons,
daughters, brothers and sisters, and grandchildren of AMVETS, deceased members of
AMVETS, and members of the Auxiliary and servicemen who died and who would have
been eligible for membership in the AMVETS, including all children that they may be legal guardian of, from the ages of seven to, and including, seventeen years.

SAD SACKS: The AMVETS recognize a subsidiary organization known as AMVETS Sad
Sacks of American Veterans of World War II, Korean and Vietnam. The Sad Sacks membership is limited to members in good standing of the AMVETS. The Sad Sacks are the official Fun and Honor group of the AMVETS.

SACKETTES: The AMVETS Auxiliary and AMVETS recognize a subsidiary organization
known as Ohio Department Sackettes. Sackettes membership is limited to members in good standing of the AMVETS Auxiliary. They are the official Fun and Honor group of the ladies Auxiliary.

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Any person who served or is currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America at any time after September 15, 1940 is eligible for regular membership in AMVETS provided such service, when terminated by discharge or release from active duty, be by honorable discharge or honorable separation or general discharge under honorable conditions. Any American citizen, as an American citizen, who served in the Armed Forces of an allied nation of the United States at any time after September 15, 1940 and before May 8, 1975, is eligible for regular membership in AMVETS provided such service when terminated by discharge or release from active duty be by honorable discharge or separation.

No person who is a member of, or working for the overthrow of the United States Government by force, and no American citizen or permanent resident alien in the United States, one of its territories, possessions or the District of Columbia who refuses to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States shall be privileged to become, or continue to be a member of this organization.

Honorary membership shall not be granted after the adoption of this amendment. In lieu thereof, certificates of merit may be awarded by a suitably inscribed award given to those rendering distinct service to the community and to veterans. Such awards may be made by Posts, internal administrative groups, State departments, the national executive committee, or national convention. Awards by Posts and internal administrative groups must be approved by department executive committees.

No person shall be a member of more than one Post at any one time. No person expelled by one Post shall be eligible for membership in any other Post without the consent of the expelling Post or the consent of the Department Executive Committee after hearing an appeal.

Any member of AMVETS classified as a member-at-large may not hold an elected or appointed office at any level in the AMVETS organization.

Membership shall run from January 1 through December 31. All AMVETS subordinate organizations shall maintain the same calendar year for their membership. Eligibility for Membership and the rights and privileges of members shall be as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws and the terms of membership and requirements for holding office within AMVETS shall not be discriminatory on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.