About The Legion

The American Legion was formed in Paris, France in 1919, immediately after World War I by a cadre of officers who had fought in that war.  They saw that the Veterans were going to need a lot of help after the war and that an organization was needed to represent Veterans' needs to Congress for action.

Since its beginning, The Legion has had what is called "The Four Pillars" which define what the Legion is all about:

1. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
2. National Security
3. Americanism
4. Children & Youth

The Legion is run from a National headquarters which sets a baseline for all Legion operations.  Below that are "Departments".  Each State is a Department as well as a few foreign countries.  Within each Department are "Districts" which carves the Department up into diffferent regions.  And, finally, are the local Posts.  Other than the policies and directives set down by the higher levels, each Post is largely autonomous and sets many of their own rules for operation including operating hours, whether they want to serve alcohol, and so on.  They are responsible for following all local laws in their operations.

The modern Legion has expanded far beyond those early beginnings and is now the largest American Veteran orgnization with the greatest influence over Congress for getting action to help care for our fellow Veterans.  The Legion was the driving force behind establishing the Department of Veterans Affairs and in driving their changes such as covering Agent Orange effects and the recently enacted PACT Act.

We have also expanded from the original Legion to three additional organizations; the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), The American Legion Auxiliary, and the Legion Riders MC. 

Within the four organizations are a multitude of programs to support the Four Pillars including Boys and Girls States, Legion Baseball, the Legion Oratorical program as well as a variety of Veterans and Community services, outreach and an untold number of programs, large and small, created by the individual Posts.

Membership in the Legion is open to all active duty military and all Veterans who have served at least 1 day and received an honorable discharge, to include the National Guard, since December 7, 1941.