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 93268 Legion Post #70CA 93268 Legion Post#70
- CA 93270 Legion Post #779CA 93270 Legion Post#779
- CA 90201 Legion Post #120CA 90201 Legion Post#120
- CA 92252 Legion Post #761CA 92252 Legion Post#761
- CA 91711 Legion Post #78CA 91711 Legion Post#78
- CA 96122 Legion Post #329CA 96122 Legion Post#329
- CA 93644 Legion Post #110CA 93644 Legion Post#110
Top of page ↑
Colorado
Top of page ↑
Connecticut
Top of page ↑
Delaware
Top of page ↑
Florida
- FL 33471 Legion Post #299FL 33471 Legion Post#299
- FL 32148 Legion Post #293FL 32148 Legion Post#293
- FL 34761 Legion Post #109FL 34761 Legion Post#109
- FL 33859 Legion Post #71FL 33859 Legion Post#71
- FL 32565 Legion Post #121FL 32565 Legion Post#121
- FL 34639 Legion Post #108FL 34639 Legion Post#108
- FL 32640 Legion Post #230FL 32640 Legion Post#230
Top of page ↑
Georgia
Top of page ↑
Hawaii
Top of page ↑
Idaho
Top of page ↑
Illinois
- IL 60013 Legion Post #276IL 60013 Legion Post#276
- IL 62874 Legion Post #1961IL 62874 Legion Post#1961
- IL 62875 Legion Post #543IL 62875 Legion Post#543
- IL 61721 Legion Post #913IL 61721 Legion Post#913
- IL 61849 Legion Post #290IL 61849 Legion Post#290
- IL 61273 Legion Post #255IL 61273 Legion Post#255
- IL 62539 Legion Post #508IL 62539 Legion Post#508
Top of page ↑
Indiana
- IN 47335 Legion Post #338IN 47335 Legion Post#338
- IN 46382 Legion Post #295IN 46382 Legion Post#295
- IN 47021 Legion Post #247IN 47021 Legion Post#247
- IN 47577 Legion Post #366IN 47577 Legion Post#366
- IN 46975 Legion Post #36IN 46975 Legion Post#36
- IN 47380 Legion Post #507IN 47380 Legion Post#507
- IN 46776 Legion Post #423IN 46776 Legion Post#423
Top of page ↑
Iowa
Top of page ↑
Kansas
- KS 66092 Legion Post #194KS 66092 Legion Post#194
- KS 67485 Legion Post #278KS 67485 Legion Post#278
- KS 66451 Legion Post #125KS 66451 Legion Post#125
- KS 67584 Legion Post #380KS 67584 Legion Post#380
- KS 67039 Legion Post #202KS 67039 Legion Post#202
- KS 66026 Legion Post #381KS 66026 Legion Post#381
- KS 66053 Legion Post #250KS 66053 Legion Post#250
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 48353 Legion Post #415MI 48353 Legion Post#415
- MI 48106 Legion Post #46MI 48106 Legion Post#46
- MI 49947 Legion Post #523MI 49947 Legion Post#523
- MI 49435 Legion Post #376MI 49435 Legion Post#376
- MI 48376 Legion Post #19MI 48376 Legion Post#19
- MI 49642 Legion Post #263MI 49642 Legion Post#263
- MI 49468 Legion Post #179MI 49468 Legion Post#179
Top of page ↑
Minnesota
- MN 56255 Legion Post #467MN 56255 Legion Post#467
- MN 56384 Legion Post #350MN 56384 Legion Post#350
- MN 56258 Legion Post #113MN 56258 Legion Post#113
- MN 55429 Legion Post #332MN 55429 Legion Post#332
- MN 56287 Legion Post #275MN 56287 Legion Post#275
- MN 56002 Legion Post #11MN 56002 Legion Post#11
- MN 55711 Legion Post #562MN 55711 Legion Post#562
Top of page ↑
Mississippi
Top of page ↑
Missouri
- MO 65584 Legion Post #331MO 65584 Legion Post#331
- MO 63461 Legion Post #174MO 63461 Legion Post#174
- MO 63601 Legion Post #39MO 63601 Legion Post#39
- MO 63140 Legion Post #356MO 63140 Legion Post#356
- MO 64779 Legion Post #67MO 64779 Legion Post#67
- MO 65020 Legion Post #193MO 65020 Legion Post#193
- MO 65560 Legion Post #99MO 65560 Legion Post#99
Top of page ↑
Montana
Top of page ↑
Nebraska
- NE 68745 Legion Post #54NE 68745 Legion Post#54
- NE 68938 Legion Post #256NE 68938 Legion Post#256
- NE 69165 Legion Post #208NE 69165 Legion Post#208
- NE 68031 Legion Post #18NE 68031 Legion Post#18
- NE 68853 Legion Post #48NE 68853 Legion Post#48
- NE 69210 Legion Post #79NE 69210 Legion Post#79
- NE 68836 Legion Post #316NE 68836 Legion Post#316
Top of page ↑
Nevada
Top of page ↑
New Hampshire
Top of page ↑
New Jersey
- NJ 8840 Legion Post #65NJ 8840 Legion Post#65
- NJ 8079 Legion Post #75NJ 8079 Legion Post#75
- NJ 8344 Legion Post #409NJ 8344 Legion Post#409
- NJ 7506 Legion Post #240NJ 7506 Legion Post#240
- NJ 8403 Legion Post #469NJ 8403 Legion Post#469
- NJ 7461 Legion Post #213NJ 7461 Legion Post#213
- NJ 7109 Legion Post #300NJ 7109 Legion Post#300
Top of page ↑
New Mexico
Top of page ↑
New York
- NY 14891 Legion Post #555NY 14891 Legion Post#555
- NY 10562 Legion Post #1123NY 10562 Legion Post#1123
- NY 11106 Legion Post #797NY 11106 Legion Post#797
- NY 11234 Legion Post #1358NY 11234 Legion Post#1358
- NY 13158 Legion Post #963NY 13158 Legion Post#963
- NY 12206 Legion Post #1019NY 12206 Legion Post#1019
- NY 14743 Legion Post #1434NY 14743 Legion Post#1434
Top of page ↑
North Carolina
- NC 28906 Legion Post #96NC 28906 Legion Post#96
- NC 27028 Legion Post #174NC 27028 Legion Post#174
- NC 28383 Legion Post #271NC 28383 Legion Post#271
- NC 28120 Legion Post #152NC 28120 Legion Post#152
- NC 27828 Legion Post #372NC 27828 Legion Post#372
- NC 28645 Legion Post #29NC 28645 Legion Post#29
- NC 28164 Legion Post #266NC 28164 Legion Post#266
Top of page ↑
North Dakota
Top of page ↑
Ohio
- OH 43050 Legion Post #136OH 43050 Legion Post#136
- OH 43756 Legion Post #24OH 43756 Legion Post#24
- OH 45385 Legion Post #517OH 45385 Legion Post#517
- OH 43604 Legion Post #335OH 43604 Legion Post#335
- OH 43310 Legion Post #266OH 43310 Legion Post#266
- OH 44256 Legion Post #202OH 44256 Legion Post#202
- OH 45873 Legion Post #341OH 45873 Legion Post#341
Top of page ↑
Oklahoma
Top of page ↑
Oregon
Top of page ↑
Pennsylvania
- PA 18216 Legion Post #383PA 18216 Legion Post#383
- PA 19036 Legion Post #566PA 19036 Legion Post#566
- PA 17003 Legion Post #559PA 17003 Legion Post#559
- PA 19134 Legion Post #78PA 19134 Legion Post#78
- PA 17070 Legion Post #974PA 17070 Legion Post#974
- PA 19134 Legion Post #152PA 19134 Legion Post#152
- PA 18964 Legion Post #234PA 18964 Legion Post#234
Top of page ↑
Rhode Island
Top of page ↑
South Carolina
Top of page ↑
South Dakota
Top of page ↑
Tennessee
Top of page ↑
Texas
- TX 78852 Legion Post #211TX 78852 Legion Post#211
- TX 79096 Legion Post #138TX 79096 Legion Post#138
- TX 78842 Legion Post #298TX 78842 Legion Post#298
- TX 75773 Legion Post #296TX 75773 Legion Post#296
- TX 79364 Legion Post #438TX 79364 Legion Post#438
- TX 77859 Legion Post #454TX 77859 Legion Post#454
- TX 78375 Legion Post #207TX 78375 Legion Post#207
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 54614 Legion Post #40WI 54614 Legion Post#40
- WI 54841 Legion Post #540WI 54841 Legion Post#540
- WI 54750 Legion Post #158WI 54750 Legion Post#158
- WI 54740 Legion Post #207WI 54740 Legion Post#207
- WI 53916 Legion Post #146WI 53916 Legion Post#146
- WI 54856 Legion Post #516WI 54856 Legion Post#516
- WI 54632 Legion Post #246WI 54632 Legion Post#246
Top of page ↑
Wyoming
Top of page ↑