Purpose and Mission

As the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, the American Legion is devoted to mutual helpfulness, and is committed to:

• mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities,

• advocating patriotism and honor,

• promoting strong national security,

• continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time.  American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness.  The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities.  The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.

The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill.  Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington.  The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism.  The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

History:

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization.  Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States.  Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country.  Today, membership stands at over 2 million in more than 13,000 posts worldwide.  The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

The American Legion Auxiliary is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization. Through its nearly 10,500 units located in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace.  Along with The American Legion, it solidly stands behind America and her ideals.

The Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion.  The S.A.L. is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion.