Why Join Civic and Democratic Organizations?

There are certain values that every American should understand and reflect on, especially when considering their fundamental commitment to those ideals. As an ever-evolving society, we continue to uphold certain self-evident truths that carry forward from generation to generation. Civic and democratic organizations play a vital role in educating the public about these values and fostering a shared sense of responsibility in upholding them.

These organizations are not only meaningful institutions that advocate for essential democratic principles, but also provide enjoyable spaces to socialize, connect with others, and strengthen community ties. They often require a genuine commitment to democratic values as a condition of membership. For example, groups like AMVETS or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) require military service by members or their immediate family, while others such as the Eagles or Elks may require a formal pledge or oath. In both cases, expressing a belief in core democratic principles is fundamental.

Civic participation strengthens our communities, supports the health of our nation, and even benefits our personal well-being. Civic Participation-OASH

One organization I admire—especially fitting for the Fourth of July—is AMVETS. Veterans and their families are welcome to join. Join AMVETS. There are others in San Diego and Escanaba that have a lot of value and you should consider exploring (Eagles and Elks are awesome!)

Happy 4th of July and Thank you veterans for all that you do for our society and communities.