Join the Legion Membership

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     Working and volunteering in communities, states, the nation and around the world, The American Legion has been dedicated to veterans, troops, national security, youth, disaster relief and patriotism for over a century. Nearly 2 million U.S. military veterans are members of The American Legion. Joining them are nearly 1 million members of the American  Legion Auxiliary, and more than 375,000 Sons of The American Legion, male descendants of U.S. wartime veterans. They work as one great American Legion Family of shared  values, at more than 12,000 local posts worldwide, in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

     As a federally chartered organization, The American Legion upholds a sacred duty to provide free expert benefits assistance for all who have served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their families. Each local post has its own unique identity, but they are all connected by common core values based on military service and responsible  citizenship.

    No matter the era of service, branch or duty station, Legionnaires believe in an American’s lifelong devotion to:Strong communities.
The Constitution.
Law and order.
Americanism.
Honor and remembrance.

     Such values are embedded in the soul of The American Legion. Generation after generation, the purposes of for which Legionnaires associate collectively come down to a simple three-world motto that comes to life in thousands of ways across the land: “Veterans Strengthening America.”

A legacy of American Legion accomplishments and impact

 

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  • Fought for one federal Veterans Administration in 1930 and continues top rovide critical stake holder oversight
  • Formulated, drafted and fought for the original GI Bill of Rights, along with its successor programs, that have fueled the economy, educated millions and created the military’s greatest incentive to serve
  • Established a U.S. Flag Code and standard rules of respect and display of our nation’s colors
  • Demanded and received medical recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans
  • Proved that exposure to Agent Orange caused deadly diseases and adverse health conditions among veterans
  • Introduced and advanced youth programs in government (Boys State/Boys Nation); the Constitution (American Legion Oratorical Contests); healthy competition (American Legion  Baseball and Junior Shooting Sports); and others
  • Led the charge to help the Department of Veterans Affairs improve healthcare accessibility, benefits processing, education assistance, and career counseling and programs
  • Provided funding and support for active duty military during government shutdowns and other times of need
  • Installed and maintained hundreds of memorials and monuments to U.S. military service worldwide

Services that Make a Difference

Representing more than 700,000 veterans and their families seeking VA disability and medical benefits free of charge at any one time, every day.

 

Participating in more than 1,000 job fairs and other career events for veterans and their families every year nationwide.

 

Working to reduce veteran suicide rates through Be the One and other services.

 

Fighting for fair conversion of military experience into credentials for civilian careers in specialized fields such as emergency medicine, commercial driving, civil engineering and hazardous materials handling.

 

Providing comfort items for hospitalized military personnel recovering from wounds and illnesses.

 

Supporting and helping homeless veterans.

 

Spending millions of volunteerhours at VA medical facilities at anestimated annual value of $20 million.

 

Supporting veterans coping with post‑traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and the effects of military sexual trauma.

 

Addressing and lobbying Congress and the White House to provide timely VA health care, efficient benefits processing, effective GI Bill education provisions, a decent quality of life for active-duty military personnel and other issues important to Americans.

 

Assisting during natural disasters, from converting local posts into clinics after hurricanes and tornadoes to providing food, funds and relief items to displaced citizens.

 

Providing financial assistance to needy military and veteran families with young children at home.

Disbursing grants to organizations that provide support for children in need.

 

Awarding college scholarships to children of U.S. servicemembers killed or disabled while on active duty since the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

 

Mentoring youth through American Legion Boys State and Boys Nation, as well as local, state and national American Legion Oratorical Contests.

 

Operating hundreds of youth programs, including nearly 4,000 American Legion Baseball teams, dozens of Junior Shooting Sports clubs, Junior ROTC and Junior Law Cadet programs, and  many local programs, from softball to rodeo.

 

Providing citizenship and naturalization education and support for legal immigrants seeking to become Americans.

 

Serving as the nation’s foremost authority on U.S. flag respect, procedures and code.

 

Educating school children on such topics as flag respect, military service, history and patriotism.

 

Providing and distributing U.S. flags for the graves of American military personnel laid to rest at overseas cemeteries.

 

Demanding full accounting and repatriation of all U.S. military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action.

 

Participating at thousands of patriotic observances and events around the world each year at the local, state, national and international levels.

 

Providing honor guard services and memorial tributes for fallen military personnel and veterans.

 

Help Us Help Others

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U.S. military veterans who have been honorably discharged, as well as those still on active duty, are eligible to join The American Legion.
Members do not have to designate a specific local post when they join, but it is encouraged. Regular meeting attendance is not a requirement. Membership dues, however, allow the nation’s largest veterans organization to continue changing lives and strengthening communities, states and the nation. Charitable donations are also vital to The American Legion’s ability to serve.

FOR VETERANS
Free expert representation for veterans and families applying for VA benefits
Advocacy for a strong VA health-care system
Veteran suicide prevention
Job fairs and career events
Help for homeless veterans
FOR AMERICA’S YOUTH
American Legion Baseball
Scholarships
Oratorical competitions
American Legion Junior Shooting Sports
Youth Cadet Law Enforcement program
Boys State and Boys Nation
DEFENSE
Grants for military families who have temporary financial needs
Comfort items for hospitalized military personnel
Advocacy for fair military retirement benefits
Family Support Network of volunteers to help military families
Representation in Washington to support a strong defense
Assistance in cases before military discharge review boards
AMERICANISM
National leadership in U.S. flag protection and respect
Services to help legal immigrants become U.S. citizens
Promotion and support for voting and civic participation
COMMUNITY
Honor and remembrance of those who served and sacrificed
Emergency disaster relief
Leadership at patriotic ceremonies and special events
Connections with local schools and home-school students
Numerous local programs and initiatives, tailored to each community’s needs