American Legion

The American Legion is a non-profit organization of U.S. war veterans founded on March 15-17, 1919, in Paris, France. It was established by members of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) of World War I, who recognized the need for an organization to support and advocate for veterans, service members, and their communities.

History

The Legion was chartered by Congress on September 16, 1919. Over the years, it expanded its membership to include veterans from subsequent wars, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more recent conflicts. The organization is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and operates worldwide through more than 13,000 local posts organized into 55 departments, including all 50 U.S. states and several overseas locations.

Mission and Activities

The American Legion's mission focuses on advocating for veterans' benefits, supporting youth programs, and fostering patriotism and community service. Key initiatives include:

• Veterans Benefits and Support: The Legion has been instrumental in establishing the U.S. Veterans Administration and has lobbied for numerous veterans' benefits, including the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill. This legislation provided education and home loan benefits to millions of veterans.
• Youth Programs: The organization supports various youth programs, such as Boys State, which educates young men about government operations, and sponsors thousands of Boy Scout units. It also runs the American Legion Baseball program, which has trained many future Major League Baseball players.
• Community Service: The Legion participates in local community service projects and offers assistance to veterans in need.

Structure

The American Legion Family includes three main components:

• The American Legion: The core organization for veterans.
• American Legion Auxiliary: Open to family members of Legionnaires, focusing on supporting veterans and their families.
• Sons of The American Legion: Established in 1932 to honor the service of Legionnaires' family members.

The organization remains one of the largest and most influential veterans' organizations in the United States, with nearly two million members and a broad range of community and veterans' services.