Annual Report • Chapter Search • Convention Information • LEGION History • LEGION Membership Requirements
LEGION Mission Statement: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, to maintain law and order, to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism, to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars, to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation, to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses, to make right the master of might, to promote peace and good will on earth.
LEGION Mission Motto: For God and Country
| LEGION HQ Address/LEGION Map: | LEGION Online |
|---|---|
| 700 N. Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 |
    |
| Telephone: (202) 628 1776 | Make a donation LEGION EIN: 35-0144250 |
| LEGION Date Founded: | March 15, 1919 |
| LEGION Congressionally Chartered: | September 16, 1919 36 U.S. Code Chapter 217 |
| LEGION Leadership: |  |
| National Commander: | Charles E. Schmidt |
| LEGION Website | |
 |
|
 Top of page ↑ |
|
| LEGION History: | |
|
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
|
|
|
Top of page ↑ |
|
| LEGION Membership Eligibility Requirements: | |
|
Eligibility Information
Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces. If you have served federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces during any of the war eras listed below, and have been honorably discharged or are still serving — you are eligible for membership in The American Legion! *AUGUST 2, 1990 TO TODAY (PERSIAN GULF/ WAR ON TERRORISM) U.S. Merchant Marine eligible only from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (WWII). |
|
| Number of Chapters: | 11,978 |
| Members: | 1,400,000 |
LEGION National Headquarters Map
Top of page ↑
36 U.S. Code Chapter 217 – THE AMERICAN LEGION
§ 21701 – Organization
(a)Federal Charter.—
The American Legion (in this chapter, the “corporation”) is a federally chartered corporation.
(b)Perpetual Existence.—
Except as otherwise provided, the corporation has perpetual existence.
§ 21702 – Purposes
The purposes of the corporation are—
(1) to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States;
(2) to promote peace and good will among the peoples of the United States and all the nations of the Earth;
(3) to preserve the memories and incidents of the 2 World Wars and the other great hostilities fought to uphold democracy;
(4) to cement the ties and comradeship born of service; and
(5) to consecrate the efforts of its members to mutual helpfulness and service to their country.
§ 21703 – Membership
An individual is eligible for membership in the corporation only if the individual—
(1) has served in the Armed Forces of—
(A) the United States at any time during any period from—
(i) April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918;
(ii) December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946;
(iii) June 25, 1950, through January 31, 1955;
(iv) February 28, 1961, through May 7, 1975;
(v) August 24, 1982, through July 31, 1984;
(vi) December 20, 1989, through January 31, 1990; or
(vii) August 2, 1990, through the date of cessation of hostilities, as decided by the United States Government; or
(B) a government associated with the United States during a period referred to in subclause (A) of this clause and was a citizen of the United States when the individual entered that service; and
(2) was honorably discharged or separated from that service or continues to serve honorably during or after that period.
§ 21704 – Powers
The corporation may—
(1) adopt a constitution, bylaws, and regulations to carry out the purposes of the corporation;
(2) adopt and alter a corporate seal;
(3) establish and maintain offices to conduct its activities;
(4) establish State and territorial organizations and local chapter or post organizations;
(5) provide guidance and leadership to organizations and local chapters established under paragraph (4), but may not control or otherwise influence the specific activities and conduct of such organizations and local chapters;
(6) acquire, own, lease, encumber, and transfer property as necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation;
(7) publish a magazine and other publications;
(8) sue and be sued; and
(9) do any other act necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of the corporation.
§ 21705 – Exclusive right to name, emblems, and badges
The corporation and its State and local subdivisions have the exclusive right to use the name “The American Legion” or “American Legion”. The corporation has the exclusive right to use, manufacture, and control the right to manufacture, emblems and badges the corporation adopts.
§ 21706 – Political activities
The corporation shall be nonpolitical and may not promote the candidacy of an individual seeking public office.
§ 21707 – Service of process
As a condition to the exercise of any power or privilege granted by this chapter, the corporation shall file, with the secretary of state or other designated official of each State, the name and address of an agent in that State on whom legal process or demands against the corporation may be served.
§ 21708 – Annual report
Not later than January 1 of each year, the corporation shall submit a report to Congress on the activities of the corporation during the prior calendar year. The report may not be printed as a public document.
Top of page ↑
Annual National Meeting:
126th Continental Congress
When: June 28, 2017 – July 2, 2017
Where: DAR National Headquarters
Alabama
Top of page ↑
Alaska
Top of page ↑
Arizona
Top of page ↑
Arkansas
Top of page ↑
California
- CA 90241 Legion Post #270CA 90241 Legion Post#270
- CA 90680 Legion Post #783CA 90680 Legion Post#783
- CA 92586 Legion Post #657CA 92586 Legion Post#657
- CA 90047 Legion Post #653CA 90047 Legion Post#653
- CA 92517 Legion Post #418CA 92517 Legion Post#418
- CA 90608 Legion Post #51CA 90608 Legion Post#51
- CA 92652 Legion Post #222CA 92652 Legion Post#222
Top of page ↑
Colorado
Top of page ↑
Connecticut
Top of page ↑
Delaware
Top of page ↑
Florida
- FL 33194 Legion Post #346FL 33194 Legion Post#346
- FL 33036 Legion Post #145FL 33036 Legion Post#145
- FL 32208 Legion Post #9FL 32208 Legion Post#9
- FL 32056 Legion Post #57FL 32056 Legion Post#57
- FL 32708 Legion Post #243FL 32708 Legion Post#243
- FL 33029 Legion Post #385FL 33029 Legion Post#385
- FL 33162 Legion Post #292FL 33162 Legion Post#292
Top of page ↑
Georgia
Top of page ↑
Hawaii
Top of page ↑
Idaho
Top of page ↑
Illinois
- IL 62960 Legion Post #306IL 62960 Legion Post#306
- IL 60520 Legion Post #598IL 60520 Legion Post#598
- IL 62471 Legion Post #95IL 62471 Legion Post#95
- IL 61085 Legion Post #449IL 61085 Legion Post#449
- IL 60108 Legion Post #885IL 60108 Legion Post#885
- IL 60647 Legion Post #273IL 60647 Legion Post#273
- IL 61759 Legion Post #448IL 61759 Legion Post#448
Top of page ↑
Indiana
- IN 46239 Legion Post #220IN 46239 Legion Post#220
- IN 47879 Legion Post #197IN 47879 Legion Post#197
- IN 46947 Legion Post #60IN 46947 Legion Post#60
- IN 46122 Legion Post #118IN 46122 Legion Post#118
- IN 46032 Legion Post #155IN 46032 Legion Post#155
- IN 47432 Legion Post #76IN 47432 Legion Post#76
- IN 46226 Legion Post #495IN 46226 Legion Post#495
Top of page ↑
Iowa
Top of page ↑
Kansas
- KS 67550 Legion Post #106KS 67550 Legion Post#106
- KS 67487 Legion Post #88KS 67487 Legion Post#88
- KS 66067 Legion Post #60KS 66067 Legion Post#60
- KS 67867 Legion Post #203KS 67867 Legion Post#203
- KS 67002 Legion Post #406KS 67002 Legion Post#406
- KS 66030 Legion Post #19KS 66030 Legion Post#19
- KS 66002 Legion Post #6KS 66002 Legion Post#6
Top of page ↑
Kentucky
Top of page ↑
Louisiana
Top of page ↑
Maine
Top of page ↑
Maryland
Top of page ↑
Massachusetts
Top of page ↑
Michigan
- MI 49256 Legion Post #368MI 49256 Legion Post#368
- MI 49221 Legion Post #97MI 49221 Legion Post#97
- MI 49319 Legion Post #287MI 49319 Legion Post#287
- MI 49425 Legion Post #397MI 49425 Legion Post#397
- MI 49801 Legion Post #50MI 49801 Legion Post#50
- MI 48170 Legion Post #251MI 48170 Legion Post#251
- MI 49007 Legion Post #260MI 49007 Legion Post#260
Top of page ↑
Minnesota
- MN 56057 Legion Post #108MN 56057 Legion Post#108
- MN 55104 Legion Post #606MN 55104 Legion Post#606
- MN 55155 Legion Post #666MN 55155 Legion Post#666
- MN 56567 Legion Post #116MN 56567 Legion Post#116
- MN 56722 Legion Post #539MN 56722 Legion Post#539
- MN 55712 Legion Post #563MN 55712 Legion Post#563
- MN 56224 Legion Post #519MN 56224 Legion Post#519
Top of page ↑
Mississippi
Top of page ↑
Missouri
- MO 63460 Legion Post #290MO 63460 Legion Post#290
- MO 64461 Legion Post #288MO 64461 Legion Post#288
- MO 63138 Legion Post #267MO 63138 Legion Post#267
- MO 64661 Legion Post #477MO 64661 Legion Post#477
- MO 63051 Legion Post #783MO 63051 Legion Post#783
- MO 63543 Legion Post #395MO 63543 Legion Post#395
- MO 64420 Legion Post #92MO 64420 Legion Post#92
Top of page ↑
Montana
Top of page ↑
Nebraska
- NE 68832 Legion Post #300NE 68832 Legion Post#300
- NE 68301 Legion Post #221NE 68301 Legion Post#221
- NE 68815 Legion Post #251NE 68815 Legion Post#251
- NE 68406 Legion Post #240NE 68406 Legion Post#240
- NE 68652 Legion Post #334NE 68652 Legion Post#334
- NE 68716 Legion Post #159NE 68716 Legion Post#159
- NE 68780 Legion Post #115NE 68780 Legion Post#115
Top of page ↑
Nevada
Top of page ↑
New Hampshire
Top of page ↑
New Jersey
- NJ 8857 Legion Post #177NJ 8857 Legion Post#177
- NJ 7727 Legion Post #178NJ 7727 Legion Post#178
- NJ 7061 Legion Post #219NJ 7061 Legion Post#219
- NJ 7849 Legion Post #245NJ 7849 Legion Post#245
- NJ 7442 Legion Post #235NJ 7442 Legion Post#235
- NJ 7039 Legion Post #201NJ 7039 Legion Post#201
- NJ 8046 Legion Post #516NJ 8046 Legion Post#516
Top of page ↑
New Mexico
Top of page ↑
New York
- NY 12186 Legion Post #1493NY 12186 Legion Post#1493
- NY 11756 Legion Post #1711NY 11756 Legion Post#1711
- NY 14423 Legion Post #255NY 14423 Legion Post#255
- NY 10465 Legion Post #29NY 10465 Legion Post#29
- NY 14901 Legion Post #443NY 14901 Legion Post#443
- NY 10512 Legion Post #270NY 10512 Legion Post#270
- NY 14517 Legion Post #333NY 14517 Legion Post#333
Top of page ↑
North Carolina
- NC 28398 Legion Post #127NC 28398 Legion Post#127
- NC 28016 Legion Post #243NC 28016 Legion Post#243
- NC 27925 Legion Post #182NC 27925 Legion Post#182
- NC 27807 Legion Post #384NC 27807 Legion Post#384
- NC 27509 Legion Post #161NC 27509 Legion Post#161
- NC 27883 Legion Post #245NC 27883 Legion Post#245
- NC 28090 Legion Post #302NC 28090 Legion Post#302
Top of page ↑
North Dakota
Top of page ↑
Ohio
- OH 43618 Legion Post #537OH 43618 Legion Post#537
- OH 45244 Legion Post #72OH 45244 Legion Post#72
- OH 43545 Legion Post #300OH 43545 Legion Post#300
- OH 43725 Legion Post #116OH 43725 Legion Post#116
- OH 43232 Legion Post #486OH 43232 Legion Post#486
- OH 45424 Legion Post #200OH 45424 Legion Post#200
- OH 43516 Legion Post #316OH 43516 Legion Post#316
Top of page ↑
Oklahoma
Top of page ↑
Oregon
Top of page ↑
Pennsylvania
- PA 15851 Legion Post #392PA 15851 Legion Post#392
- PA 18201 Legion Post #76PA 18201 Legion Post#76
- PA 19381 Legion Post #134PA 19381 Legion Post#134
- PA 15206 Legion Post #5PA 15206 Legion Post#5
- PA 15126 Legion Post #335PA 15126 Legion Post#335
- PA 15222 Legion Post #41PA 15222 Legion Post#41
- PA 18504 Legion Post #675PA 18504 Legion Post#675
Top of page ↑
Rhode Island
Top of page ↑
South Carolina
Top of page ↑
South Dakota
Top of page ↑
Tennessee
Top of page ↑
Texas
- TX 76861 Legion Post #543TX 76861 Legion Post#543
- TX 75645 Legion Post #320TX 75645 Legion Post#320
- TX 79830 Legion Post #653TX 79830 Legion Post#653
- TX 76511 Legion Post #183TX 76511 Legion Post#183
- TX 76570 Legion Post #329TX 76570 Legion Post#329
- TX 75833 Legion Post #335TX 75833 Legion Post#335
- TX 76703 Legion Post #440TX 76703 Legion Post#440
Top of page ↑
Utah
Top of page ↑
Vermont
Top of page ↑
Virginia
Top of page ↑
Washington
Top of page ↑
West Virginia
Top of page ↑
Wisconsin
- WI 54157 Legion Post #312WI 54157 Legion Post#312
- WI 54107 Legion Post #392WI 54107 Legion Post#392
- WI 54896 Legion Post #394WI 54896 Legion Post#394
- WI 54459 Legion Post #452WI 54459 Legion Post#452
- WI 53190 Legion Post #513WI 53190 Legion Post#513
- WI 54982 Legion Post #163WI 54982 Legion Post#163
- WI 54440 Legion Post #471WI 54440 Legion Post#471
Top of page ↑
Wyoming
Top of page ↑