ABMC turns 100, America’s misinformation problem and more in May magazine

ABMC turns 100, America’s misinformation problem and more in May magazine

Don’t miss the May issue of The American Legion Magazine, with features on the “misinformation age,” the centennial of the American Battle Monuments Commission and more. The clickable digi-mag is available through MyLegion.org.

• In “The Misinformation Age,” Alan Greenblatt explores how social media and Americans’ growing distrust in institutions are fueling the spread of false claims. Other eras of U.S. history, including the Gilded Age and the 1920s, resembled our own in some ways, “with political polarization and new forms of media emerging – such as radio and tabloids – that blurred the line between fact and opinion,” he writes. “What’s happening today that hasn’t happened much before, however, is disagreement about basic facts, including scientific findings, data and statistics.” Plus, a look at free speech and the internet, our eroding trust in experts and calls for media literacy instruction.

• American Battle Monuments Commission Secretary Charles Djou says the agency’s centennial is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to honoring the nation’s fallen – and educate the next generation of stewards. “We live by Pershing’s promise in fulfilling our ABMC mission: that ‘time will not dim the glory of their deeds,’” he writes. “I am honored The American Legion takes this charge as seriously as we do.”

• INDYCAR’s Alex Palou, driver of the No. 10 American Legion car, talks about his goals this season and the Legion’s Be the One message of veteran suicide prevention. “I have one championship, and that just created a hunger for more,” he says. “But the thing that comes first is the Indianapolis 500. I need to win that race.”

• Evolving technology is making it possible to remember America’s fallen like never before, National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola writes. From the National World WWI Memorial Virtual Explorer mobile app to interactive displays at overseas cemeteries and other sacred sites, digital developments are giving educators “dynamic, interesting and well-researched tools to show new generations the stories, deeper meanings and reasons we bestow honor at Memorial Day, no matter where we are.”

Members can click here to access the digital magazine.

To join The American Legion and enjoy monthly digital issues of The American Legion Magazine, visit legion.org/join.