- For other uses of American Legion, see American Legion (disambiguation)
The American Legion is an organization of veterans of the United States armed forces who served in wartime. This is a list of Veterans organizations. Australia Returned and Services League of Australia Canada A veteran (from Latin vetus, meaning "old" is a person who has or is working in the armed forces The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States The Organization was founded in 1919 by veterans returning from Europe after World War I and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The group has nearly 3 million members. [1]
In addition to organizing commemorative events and volunteer activities, the American Legion is active in U.S. politics. Politics of the United States takes place in the framework of a presidential, Federal republic where the President of the United States (the Head of While its primary political activity is lobbying for the interests of veterans, including support for veterans benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Affairs hospital system, it has also been involved in more general political issues, generally taking a conservative position. Throughout history war veterans have received compensation Roman soldiers were given rewards at the end of their service including cash or land ( praemia) A pension is a steady income given to a person upon Retirement, typically in the form of a guaranteed annuity. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA) is a government-run military Veteran benefit system with Cabinet -level status Most criticism of the Legion is based on its political activities.
The state American Legions run an annual civic training event for high school juniors called Boys State. Boys State and Girls State are summer leadership and citizenship programs sponsored by The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary for High Two members from each Boys State are selected for Boys Nation. Boys Nation is an annual civic training event run by the American Legion. The American Legion Auxiliary runs Girls State and Girls Nation. The American Legion Auxiliary ( ALA) is a US -headquartered patriotic service organization for women interested in voluntary service Boys State and Girls State are summer leadership and citizenship programs sponsored by The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary for High Girls Nation is an annual civic training event run by the American Legion Auxiliary. The American Legion also hosts many social events.
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History
Founding
The American Legion's Post Officers Guide recounts the organization's founding:
"A group of twenty officers who served in the American Expeditionary Forces (A. The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF was the United States military force sent to Europe in World War I. E. F. ) in France in World War I is credited with planning the Legion. A. E. F. Headquarters asked these officers to suggest ideas on how to improve troop morale. One officer, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., proposed an organization of veterans. Theodore Roosevelt Jr or Theodore Roosevelt II (November 13 1887-July 12 1944 was an American political and business leader a Medal of Honor recipient who In 1919, this group formed a temporary committee and selected several hundred officers who had the confidence and respect of the whole army. When the first organization meeting took place in Paris in March, 1919, about 1,000 officers and enlisted men attended. Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city The meeting, known as the Paris Caucus, adopted a temporary constitution and the name The American Legion. It also elected an executive committee to complete the organization’s work. It considered each soldier of the A. E. F. a member of the Legion. The executive committee named a subcommittee to organize veterans at home in the U. S. The Legion held a second organizing caucus in St. Louis, Missouri, in May 1919.
As is confirmed by The National Library of the American Legion and its official supporting documents, the first post of the American Legion is George Washington Post 1 in Washington, D. C. Organized March 7, 1919, it obtained the first charter issued to any post of The American Legion on May 19, 1919. Originally, the post was named the “General John Joseph Pershing Post Number 1” in part to its members’ sincere admiration of Pershing as a man, as well as their appreciation for his career as a soldier in the United States Army. However, at the St. Louis caucus that same year, members decided that posts of the American Legion should not be named after living persons, and therefore the "Pioneer Post" was given its new and current name. The post completed the constitution and made plans for a permanent organization. It set up temporary headquarters in New York City and began its relief, employment, and Americanism programs. The City of New York
Congress granted the American Legion a national charter in September, 1919.
1910s
The first national convention of the American Legion was held from November 10-12, 1919, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at which time the attendees adopted a permanent constitution and elected officers to head the organization. Events 1444 - Battle of Varna: The crusading forces of King Vladislaus III of Varna (aka Ulaszlo I of Hungary and Wladyslaw Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The original purpose of the Legion was to "preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the great war". Prior to World War I, few rural, working-class, or even middle-class Americans traveled to Europe. For a majority of urban Americans, their understanding of Europe had been acquired through the European immigrants they knew. Thus the 2 million Americans who had served in the American Expeditionary Forces had very different experiences than their families, friends and neighbors. The American Legion allowed these young men and women who had served "Over There" to re-integrate into their hometowns and to still remain in contact with others who had been abroad. The Legion served as a support group, a social club and a type of extended family for former service men and women.
Some Legion groups engaged in strikebreaking activities during this time and into the 1930s. In 1919, a new American Legion group in Washington was involved in the Centralia Massacre (Washington). The Centralia Massacre was a violent and bloody incident that occurred in the town of Centralia Washington on November 11 1919 during a parade celebrating the first anniversary
1920s
The American Legion was very active in the 1920s. The 1920s is sometimes referred to as the " Jazz Age " or the " Roaring Twenties " when speaking about the United States and Canada It was instrumental in the creation of the U.S. Veterans' Bureau, now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA) is a government-run military Veteran benefit system with Cabinet -level status The Legion also created its own American Legion Baseball Program. Commander Travers D. Carmen awarded Charles Lindbergh its "Distinguished Service Medal," the medal's first recipient, on July 22, 1927. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. American Legion national convention was held in Paris, France in September of 1927. A major part of this was drum and bugle corps competition in which approximately 14,000 members took part.
1930s
In 1930, the American Legion Memorial Bridge in Traverse City, Michigan, was completed. Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The American Legion Memorial Bridge is a reinforced concrete arch Bridge in Traverse City Michigan. Traverse City is a City in the US state of Michigan. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region In that year, the Traverse City city commission decided to purchase dedication plaques for $100 at the request of the American Legion. [2]
By 1931, membership of the American Legion had reached 1 million. Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
The Sons of the American Legion formed at the American Legion's 14th National Convention in Portland, Oregon, on September 12-15, 1932. Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the Confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. Membership is limited to the male descendants of members of the American Legion, or deceased individuals who served in the armed forces of the United States during times specified by the American Legion. In 2007, The Sons of the American Legion celebrated 75 years of service to God and Country. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The organization has more than 300,000 members.
According to congressional testimony in the 1930s, several of the American Legion's leaders, including its original bankroller Irénée du Pont, plotted a fascist coup against the Government of Franklin D. Roosevelt called the Business Plot. The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression. Irénée du Pont (1876-1963 was a US businessman former president of the DuPont company and head of the Du Pont trust Fascism is a totalitarian nationalist and corporatist ideology The Business Plot (also the Plot Against FDR and the White House Putsch) was a political conspiracy in 1933 wherein wealthy businessmen and corporations According to testimony, the plot was averted because Major General Smedley Butler warned Roosevelt of the plan. Smedley Darlington Butler (July 30 1881 &ndash June 21 1940 Nicknamed " The Fighting Quaker " and " Old Gimlet Eye " was a Major
In 1935, the first Boys' State convened in Springfield, Illinois. Year 1935 ( MCMXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Springfield is the capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 116482 (U
The American Legion's first National High School Oratorical Contest was held in 1938. Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
1940s
In 1942, the original charter of the American Legion was changed in order to allow veterans of World War II to join. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Throughout the 1940s, the American Legion was very active in providing support for veterans and soldiers who fought in World War II. The American Legion campaigned for the G.I. Bill, which was signed into law in June 1944. The GI Bill (officially titled Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 PL346 58 Statutes at Large 284 provided for college or vocational education for returning Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
The American Legion was active in campaigning for the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II in relocation camps. [1] [2]
The first Boys Nation program was held in 1946. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
1950s
The American Legion asked for a congressional investigation into the ACLU for their petitioning to end loyalty-oath laws for public workers such as school teachers during the red scare. The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU) consists of two separate Non-profit organizations the ACLU Foundation a 501(c(3 organization which focuses McCarthyism is a term describing the intense anti-communist suspicion in the United States in a period that lasted roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s [3]
Veterans of the Korean War were approved for membership in the American Legion in 1950. The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation was formed in 1954. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar)
1960s
On May 30, 1969, the Cabin John Bridge, which carried the Capital Beltway (I-495) across the Potomac River northwest of Washington, D.C., was officially renamed to the " American Legion Memorial Bridge" in a ceremony led by Lt. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, director of the U.S. Selective Service System. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Interstate 495 (abbreviated I-495) is a Freeway -class Interstate highway which circles Washington D Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D The American Legion Memorial Bridge also known as the American Legion Bridge and the Cabin John Bridge is a Bridge in Montgomery County Maryland Lewis Blaine Hershey ( September 12, 1893 - May 20, 1977) was the second Director of the Selective Service System, the means by which The Selective Service System is the means by which the United States administers military Conscription. [3]
1970s
In 1976, an outbreak of bacterial pneumonia occurred among those attending a convention of the American Legion at The Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the Lung. Frequently it is described as lung Parenchyma / alveolar inflammation and abnormal The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel has continued as a well-known institution for more than a century Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə This form of pneumonia became known as Legionnaires' disease, or Legionellosis. Legionellosis is an Infectious disease caused by Bacteria belonging to the Genus Legionella. Legionellosis is an Infectious disease caused by Bacteria belonging to the Genus Legionella. The bacterium that causes the illness was later named Legionella. Legionella is a Gram negative Bacterium, including species that cause Legionellosis or Legionnaires' disease most notably L
1980s
After a 1989 U.S. Supreme Court decision, the American Legion launched and funded an unsuccessful campaign to win a constitutional amendment against harming the flag of the United States. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. Flag desecration is a term applied to various acts that intentionally deface a Flag, most often a National flag (though other flags can be defaced as well The Legion formed the Citizens' Flag Honor Guard and it later became Citizens Flag Alliance. The Citizens Flag Alliance is an American organization advocating in favor of the Flag Burning Amendment project [4]
1990s
In 1993, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts renamed a bridge in the city of Chicopee to the "American Legion Memorial Bridge". Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Chicopee (ˈtʃɪkəpi is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States of America. [4]
Also in 1993, two members of Garden City, Michigan American Legion Post 396 shared an idea that would bond motorcycle enthusiasts in the Legion from the idea of Chuck Dare and post commander Bill Kaledas, the American Legion Riders was born. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Garden City is a city in Wayne County of the US state of Michigan. Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. Joined by 19 other founding members the group soon found itself inundated with requests for information about the new group. As a source of information a website was set up, and it continues to be a source of information worldwide.
In a letter to U. S. President Bill Clinton in May 1999, the American Legion urged the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia. William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia (code-named Operation Allied Force) was NATO 's military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that See also Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslavia ( Serbo-Croatian The National Executive Committee of The American Legion met and adopted a resolution unanimously that stated, in part, that they would only support military operations if "Guidelines be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy" and "That there be support of the mission by the U.S. Congress and the American people". The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses [5][6]
2000s
The Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Steve Buyer (R-Ind. Stephen Earle Buyer (born November 26 1958) has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993 for ), announced that he planned to eliminate the annual congressional hearings for Veterans Service Organizations that was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general In response, National Commander of the American Legion Thomas L. Bock had the following to say:
"I am extremely disappointed in Chairman Buyer's latest effort to ignore the Veterans Service Organizations. Eliminating annual hearings before a joint session of the Veterans Affairs Committees will lead to continued budgetary shortfalls for VA resulting in veterans being underserved. " [7]
By 2007, the American Legion Riders program has grown to over 600 chapters in the United States and overseas.
Membership eligibility requirements
Eligibility for American Legion membership is limited to those honorably discharged veterans and current personnel of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Air Force who served at least one day of active duty during any of the following periods:
DATES OF ELIGIBILITY
- WORLD WAR I: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918
- WORLD WAR II: December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946
Note: U.S. Merchant Marine eligibility runs Dec. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Overview The merchant marine is a civilian auxiliary of the U 7, 1941, to Aug. 16, 1945.
- KOREA: June 25, 1950, to January 31, 1955
- VIETNAM: February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975
Note: Some sources incorrectly begin Vietnam eligibility on Dec. The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia 22, 1961, but the official start date is Feb. 28, 1961.
- PANAMA: December 20, 1989, to January 31, 1990
- GULF WARS (Desert Shield // Desert Storm // Operation Iraqi Liberation // et al): August 2, 1990, through today — and continuing until cessation of hostilities as determined by the U. The Invasion of Grenada, codenamed Operation Urgent Fury, was an Invasion of the nation of Grenada, an island in the Caribbean Sea 100 miles north The United States invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause, was the Invasion of Panama by the United States in December 1989 The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia S. government; open eligibility thus applies to ALL current active-duty service members.
Link to The American Legion Post Officers Guide
From The American Legion Questions and Answers page:
Q: How do I know if I am eligible for membership in The American Legion?
A: Our organization was founded on the premise that all those serving in the U. S. Armed Forces during times of national crisis, regardless of place of service, are eligible to belong to The American Legion. Our membership is based on period of service, not place of service. Therefore, if you have served at least one day of "active duty" during the eligibility dates, are presently serving in the military or have been honorably discharged, you may become a member. Certain members of the Merchant Marines are also eligible for the American Legion if they served overseas during World War II through the Vietnam War. For details, prospective members should contact any American Legion Post Adjutant.
Organizational structure
Posts
The Post is the basic unit of the Legion and usually represents a small geographic area such as a single town or part of a county. There are roughly 14,900 posts in the United States. The Post is used for formal business such as meetings and a coordination point for community service projects. Often the Post will host community events such as Bingo, Hunter breakfasts, holiday celebrations, and etc. It is also not uncommon for the Post to contain a bar open during limited hours.
Districts
Each Department is divided into Divisions and/or Districts. Each District will oversee several Posts, generally about 20, to help each smaller group have a larger voice. Divisions are even larger groups of about 4 or more Districts. The main purpose of these "larger" groups (Districts - Divisions) are to allow one or two delegates to represent an area at Conferences, Conventions, and other gatherings, where a large numbers of Legionnaires may not be able to attend. . .
Departments
The Posts are grouped together into a state level organization known as a Department for the purposes of coordination and administration. There is a total of 55 Departments; one for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines. Canada was merged into Department of New York several years ago. The 3 Departments located overseas are intended to allow active duty military stationed and veterans living overseas to be actively involved with the American Legion similar to as if they were back in the states. The Department of France [8] consists of 29 Posts located in 10 European counties, the Department of Mexico [9] consists of 22 Posts located in Central America, and the Department of Philippines covers Asia and the Pacific Islands.
National headquarters
The main American Legion Headquarters is located on the Indiana War Memorial Plaza in Indianapolis. It is the primary office for the National Commander and also houses the historical archives, library, Membership affairs, and the Magazine editorial offices. The Legion also owns a building in Washington D. C. that contains many of the operation offices such as Legislative, Veterans Affairs, Media Relations, and etc. [10]
List of National Commanders
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References in popular culture
John Dos Passos included in his U.S.A. trilogy a detailed description of the Centralia Massacre, taking the IWW side in this affair. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. John Roderigo Dos Passos ( January 14, 1896 &ndash September 28, 1970) was an American Novelist and artist The USA Trilogy is the major work of American writer John Dos Passos, comprising the novels The 42nd Parallel (1930 1919, also known as Nineteen The Centralia Massacre was a violent and bloody incident that occurred in the town of Centralia Washington on November 11 1919 during a parade celebrating the first anniversary The Industrial Workers of the World ( IWW or the Wobblies) is an international union currently headquartered in Cincinnati Ohio, USA
The 1949 story "The Long Watch", by science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein, was commissioned by the American Legion and published in the Legion's magazine. Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. " The Long Watch " is a Science fiction Short story by Robert A Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7 1907 – May 8 1988 was an American Novelist and Science fiction Writer. However, the story was reportedly "heavily edited" before being published - presumably because its theme - a one-man rebellion by a future space officer who sacrifices his life to foil a military coup and the use of nuclear weapons on civilian populations - can be read both as extolling patriotic self-sacrifice and as extolling rebelliousness and disobedience.
On their 1989 album, Key Lime Pie, the alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven referenced the American Legion in their song "When I Win The Lottery", with the lyrics,
And when I win the lottery, gonna buy the house next to Mr. Key Lime Pie is a 1989 Album by Camper Van Beethoven, also known as CVB Camper Van Beethoven is an American Alternative rock group An eclectic band even by the standards of '80s underground music Camper Van Beethoven mixed elements of pop Red, White and Blue, and when I win the lottery, gonna buy Post 306 American Legion, paint it red with five gold stars.
In chapter 9 of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, it's revealed that Jay Gatsby was a member of the American Legion. The Great Gatsby is a Novel by the American author F Scott Fitzgerald.
References
- ^ Welcome to the American Legion Online
- ^ Information on the American Legion Memorial Bridge (Michigan Department of Transportation Web Site)
- ^ "Cabin John Bridge Given a New Name", Washington Post, Times Herald (Washington, D. C. ): City Life Section, May 31, 1969
- ^ Archives, Library of the State of Massachusetts Retrieved June 11, 2007
Veterans organizations of the United States
Veterans Service Organizations
- The American Legion
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- AmVets - American Veterans
- DAV - Disabled American Veterans
- Grand Army of the Republic (historical organization)
- Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
- Sons of Confederate Veterans
- Marine Corps League
- Air Force Association
- Air Force Sergeants Association
- Veterans for Peace
- Non-Commissioned/Noncommissioned Officers Association
Official U. Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW is an American fraternal organization, the legal successor to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR Sons of Confederate Veterans ( SCV) is an organization The Marine Corps League is the only federally chartered United States Marine Corps -related veterans organization in the United States. The Air Force Association ( AFA) is an independent nonprofit civilian organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power headquartered in Arlington Virginia The Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA is a federally chartered non-profit organization representing the professional and personal interests of 130000+ active retired and veteran Veterans For Peace is an American organization founded in 1985. S. Government Resources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) — formerly Veterans Administration
- DVA list of Veterans Service Organizations
- Military.com benefits registration
Veterans organizations in other countries
- The Royal British Legion
- Royal Canadian Legion
- Returned and Services League of Australia
- Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association
External links
- American Legion National Headquarters site
- Sons of the American Legion site
- Position on the Enola Gay exhibit
- Story of the American Legion by George Seay Wheat (1919)
- American Legion Photographs in the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at the University of Missouri-St. Louis
- The American Legion's national partnership with DOD to welcome home our wounded warriors
- American Legion Post 295's support of the wounded at Bethesda and Walter Reed Hospitals
- American Legion National Convention Medals
- Alabama, The American Legion - Department of Alabama
- Alabama, American Legion Post No. 7, Alabama
- Florida, Department of Florida
- Florida, 5th District of Florida
- Florida, American Legion Lakeshore Post 137, Jacksonville, Florida
- Florida, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 137, Jacksonville, Florida
- Nevada, American Legion Paradise Post 149, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Texas, The American Legion - Department of Texas
- Texas, American Legion Post 127, Tomball, Texas
- Virginia, American Legion Department of Virginia
Further reading
- Richard Seelye Jones. The Royal Canadian Legion is a Non-profit Canadian Ex-service organization ( Veterans Organization) founded in 1925 with more than The Returned and Services League of Australia (often abbreviated to RSL) is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association, often referred to as the Returned Services' Association but best known simply as the RSA, is one of the largest A History of the American Legion (1946)
- Thomas B. Littlewood. Soldiers Back Home: The American Legion in Illinois, 1919-1939 (2004)
- William Pencak. For God & Country: The American Legion, 1919-1941 (1989)
- Thomas A. Rumer. The American Legion: An Official History, 1919-1989 (1990)
- George Seldes. The George Seldes Reader. Barricade Books, 1994
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