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 |
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| 700 N. Pennsylvania St. P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 |
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| 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 | |
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| LEGION History: | |
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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.
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| LEGION Membership Eligibility Requirements: | |
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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). |
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| Number of Chapters: | 11,978 |
| Members: | 1,400,000 |
LEGION National Headquarters Map
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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.
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Annual National Meeting:
126th Continental Congress
When: June 28, 2017 – July 2, 2017
Where: DAR National Headquarters
Alabama
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Alaska
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Arizona
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Arkansas
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California
- CA 92531 Legion Post #200CA 92531 Legion Post#200
- CA 90063 Legion Post #804CA 90063 Legion Post#804
- CA 92232 Legion Post #90CA 92232 Legion Post#90
- CA 92834 Legion Post #142CA 92834 Legion Post#142
- CA 90742 Legion Post #857CA 90742 Legion Post#857
- CA 92171 Legion Post #537CA 92171 Legion Post#537
- CA 95321 Legion Post #300CA 95321 Legion Post#300
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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Florida
- FL 32561 Legion Post #379FL 32561 Legion Post#379
- FL 32052 Legion Post #215FL 32052 Legion Post#215
- FL 32008 Legion Post #59FL 32008 Legion Post#59
- FL 32324 Legion Post #51FL 32324 Legion Post#51
- FL 32110 Legion Post #115FL 32110 Legion Post#115
- FL 32331 Legion Post #131FL 32331 Legion Post#131
- FL 32066 Legion Post #105FL 32066 Legion Post#105
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Georgia
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Hawaii
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Idaho
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Illinois
- IL 61728 Legion Post #164IL 61728 Legion Post#164
- IL 60641 Legion Post #667IL 60641 Legion Post#667
- IL 60438 Legion Post #1006IL 60438 Legion Post#1006
- IL 60653 Legion Post #236IL 60653 Legion Post#236
- IL 62236 Legion Post #581IL 62236 Legion Post#581
- IL 60087 Legion Post #10IL 60087 Legion Post#10
- IL 61108 Legion Post #1207IL 61108 Legion Post#1207
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Indiana
- IN 46055 Legion Post #556IN 46055 Legion Post#556
- IN 46349 Legion Post #375IN 46349 Legion Post#375
- IN 46077 Legion Post #79IN 46077 Legion Post#79
- IN 47683 Legion Post #462IN 47683 Legion Post#462
- IN 47966 Legion Post #184IN 47966 Legion Post#184
- IN 47469 Legion Post #149IN 47469 Legion Post#149
- IN 47151 Legion Post #28IN 47151 Legion Post#28
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Iowa
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Kansas
- KS 67869 Legion Post #312KS 67869 Legion Post#312
- KS 66757 Legion Post #16KS 66757 Legion Post#16
- KS 67410 Legion Post #39KS 67410 Legion Post#39
- KS 67740 Legion Post #221KS 67740 Legion Post#221
- KS 66548 Legion Post #332KS 66548 Legion Post#332
- KS 66087 Legion Post #55KS 66087 Legion Post#55
- KS 67701 Legion Post #363KS 67701 Legion Post#363
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Kentucky
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Louisiana
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Maine
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
- MI 48636 Legion Post #162MI 48636 Legion Post#162
- MI 48095 Legion Post #100MI 48095 Legion Post#100
- MI 49817 Legion Post #83MI 49817 Legion Post#83
- MI 49845 Legion Post #116MI 49845 Legion Post#116
- MI 49963 Legion Post #304MI 49963 Legion Post#304
- MI 49227 Legion Post #538MI 49227 Legion Post#538
- MI 48347 Legion Post #25MI 48347 Legion Post#25
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Minnesota
- MN 56091 Legion Post #587MN 56091 Legion Post#587
- MN 56114 Legion Post #576MN 56114 Legion Post#576
- MN 56527 Legion Post #283MN 56527 Legion Post#283
- MN 55816 Legion Post #28MN 55816 Legion Post#28
- MN 56174 Legion Post #391MN 56174 Legion Post#391
- MN 55961 Legion Post #544MN 55961 Legion Post#544
- MN 55118 Legion Post #521MN 55118 Legion Post#521
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Mississippi
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Missouri
- MO 64672 Legion Post #402MO 64672 Legion Post#402
- MO 65049 Legion Post #229MO 65049 Legion Post#229
- MO 63457 Legion Post #578MO 63457 Legion Post#578
- MO 64463 Legion Post #132MO 64463 Legion Post#132
- MO 64097 Legion Post #134MO 64097 Legion Post#134
- MO 65625 Legion Post #118MO 65625 Legion Post#118
- MO 64655 Legion Post #249MO 64655 Legion Post#249
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Montana
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Nebraska
- NE 69350 Legion Post #57NE 69350 Legion Post#57
- NE 69033 Legion Post #92NE 69033 Legion Post#92
- NE 69358 Legion Post #10NE 69358 Legion Post#10
- NE 68826 Legion Post #6NE 68826 Legion Post#6
- NE 68424 Legion Post #243NE 68424 Legion Post#243
- NE 69334 Legion Post #200NE 69334 Legion Post#200
- NE 68779 Legion Post #88NE 68779 Legion Post#88
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Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
- NJ 7444 Legion Post #242NJ 7444 Legion Post#242
- NJ 8888 Legion Post #284NJ 8888 Legion Post#284
- NJ 7432 Legion Post #130NJ 7432 Legion Post#130
- NJ 7724 Legion Post #325NJ 7724 Legion Post#325
- NJ 7926 Legion Post #315NJ 7926 Legion Post#315
- NJ 7024 Legion Post #244NJ 7024 Legion Post#244
- NJ 7103 Legion Post #152NJ 7103 Legion Post#152
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New Mexico
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New York
- NY 14809 Legion Post #1315NY 14809 Legion Post#1315
- NY 14217 Legion Post #205NY 14217 Legion Post#205
- NY 14024 Legion Post #1720NY 14024 Legion Post#1720
- NY 14437 Legion Post #87NY 14437 Legion Post#87
- NY 11563 Legion Post #335NY 11563 Legion Post#335
- NY 12866 Legion Post #70NY 12866 Legion Post#70
- NY 12037 Legion Post #42NY 12037 Legion Post#42
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North Carolina
- NC 28103 Legion Post #121NC 28103 Legion Post#121
- NC 27893 Legion Post #528NC 27893 Legion Post#528
- NC 28079 Legion Post #458NC 28079 Legion Post#458
- NC 28441 Legion Post #502NC 28441 Legion Post#502
- NC 27012 Legion Post #119NC 27012 Legion Post#119
- NC 28358 Legion Post #42NC 28358 Legion Post#42
- NC 27306 Legion Post #92NC 27306 Legion Post#92
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North Dakota
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Ohio
- OH 45701 Legion Post #21OH 45701 Legion Post#21
- OH 43931 Legion Post #760OH 43931 Legion Post#760
- OH 45324 Legion Post #526OH 45324 Legion Post#526
- OH 43612 Legion Post #576OH 43612 Legion Post#576
- OH 45601 Legion Post #62OH 45601 Legion Post#62
- OH 43302 Legion Post #162OH 43302 Legion Post#162
- OH 45431 Legion Post #776OH 45431 Legion Post#776
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Oklahoma
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Oregon
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Pennsylvania
- PA 18706 Legion Post #176PA 18706 Legion Post#176
- PA 17844 Legion Post #410PA 17844 Legion Post#410
- PA 15956 Legion Post #653PA 15956 Legion Post#653
- PA 18706 Legion Post #609PA 18706 Legion Post#609
- PA 19104 Legion Post #315PA 19104 Legion Post#315
- PA 19014 Legion Post #926PA 19014 Legion Post#926
- PA 15017 Legion Post #54PA 15017 Legion Post#54
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Rhode Island
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South Carolina
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South Dakota
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Tennessee
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Texas
- TX 79063 Legion Post #528TX 79063 Legion Post#528
- TX 76093 Legion Post #648TX 76093 Legion Post#648
- TX 75862 Legion Post #314TX 75862 Legion Post#314
- TX 78218 Legion Post #612TX 78218 Legion Post#612
- TX 79351 Legion Post #386TX 79351 Legion Post#386
- TX 79313 Legion Post #458TX 79313 Legion Post#458
- TX 78130 Legion Post #643TX 78130 Legion Post#643
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Utah
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Vermont
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Virginia
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Washington
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West Virginia
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Wisconsin
- WI 54669 Legion Post #51WI 54669 Legion Post#51
- WI 54241 Legion Post #165WI 54241 Legion Post#165
- WI 54405 Legion Post #139WI 54405 Legion Post#139
- WI 53551 Legion Post #67WI 53551 Legion Post#67
- WI 53950 Legion Post #110WI 53950 Legion Post#110
- WI 54443 Legion Post #281WI 54443 Legion Post#281
- WI 54555 Legion Post #122WI 54555 Legion Post#122
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Wyoming
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