HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — For decades, World War II veterans were the backbone of the American Legion.

But that era of veterans are dying at a rate of a thousand a day, putting the organization that is approaching the century mark at a crossroads, said National Vice Commander Byron Callies.

"That is a struggle," Callies said after addressing members of Lysle Rishel Post 68 during a tour of Kansas. "Those were the ones who were the backbone until the Vietnam veterans came in and now we're the ones who are the backbone."

Callies, a retired 41-year member of the South Dakota National Guard, touched...