LA CROSSE, Wis.--The American Legion post in La Crosse is one of the oldest and largest in the state of Wisconsin. Saturday, the post held its 85th annual veteran outreach reception, not only to honor current members, but to also recruit and celebrate the new veterans of today.

More than 850 veterans are members of the American legion in La Crosse. At one time, that number was as high as 1500 members.

But as time goes on and the veterans change, the American legion wants veterans to know, it will always be there for those soldiers who need help.

“We're people helping veterans is what we are and it's a good organization.       

After serving in the Korean War, joining the American Legion wasn't exactly at the top of Dewey Johnson's list, but he hasn't regretted being a member for the past 35 years.

“I just figured I had enough military stuff at the time, but when you get in here it's nothing like that,” said Johnson.

Last year, the post paid its final respects to 80 of its members. While a few new members have been recruited, the numbers just aren’t where they used to be.

David Kurtz of the Wisconsin American Legion said many of the veterans out there don't know the services the legion can provide such as employment help, health services or family support.

But it all goes back to basic training from their days in combat.

“One of the things we were taught in the military is you never leave a solider behind,” said Kurtz. “Coming back into the civilian life from being in the military, a lot of folks are motivated by that to make sure that those who are still serving today are getting the services, the goods, the things that they need.”

And it's the camaraderie that veterans from all walks of life share that recruited James Woodson when he came back from Iraq in 2007.

“We always sit down and just talk to each other,” said Woodson. “We get an opportunity to hear from the veterans and to be able to provide other programs or assistance to them that they may not know that's out there to them.”

That way, no veteran will ever be forgotten.

“The eterans of WWII and Korea, they stood their watch,” said Kurtz. “Today, men and women serving in Afghanistan have come back from Iraq are back here in Wisconsin, they've stood their watch and they deserve, they've earned the benefits and the care that we help give them.”

All services the legion provides to its members are free of charge.

There will be another one Sunday  at Post 417 in French Island from noon until 2 p.m.