American Legion

The American Legion is a prominent U.S. nonprofit organization and the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization. It was founded on March 15-17, 1919, in Paris, France, by members of the American Expeditionary Forces who were still awaiting their return from World War I[2][3][4]. The organization was formally chartered by the U.S. Congress on September 16, 1919[1][3][4].

Mission and Activities

The American Legion focuses on service to veterans, service members, and communities. Its mission encompasses promoting patriotism, mentoring youth, and advocating for strong national security[1][5]. The organization is committed to mentoring youth through programs like American Legion Boys State, which was established to educate young people about government operations in a democracy[1][2]. Additionally, it sponsors thousands of Boy Scout troops and junior baseball teams[3].

Achievements

The American Legion has achieved significant milestones since its inception. It played a crucial role in the establishment of the U.S. Veterans Administration and successfully sponsored the creation of the GI Bill of Rights for World War II veterans[3][4]. The organization has also been instrumental in advocating for veterans' benefits, including pensions and healthcare services[3][4].

Structure

The American Legion operates with over 2.4 million members organized into more than 14,000 posts worldwide. These posts are divided into 55 departments, each representing a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines[1].

EIN and Legal Status

The American Legion holds the Employer Identification Number (EIN) 35-0144250, not the number provided in the query. The mismatch may be due to a different entity or an error. However, as a 501(c)(19) war veterans' organization, it is exempt from taxation on income related to its charitable activities[4].

Political Influence

As a nonpartisan organization, the American Legion has significant political influence, engaging in grassroots advocacy for legislation benefiting veterans. Its national conventions are among the largest volunteer group meetings in the U.S., and members are actively involved in lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill[3][5].