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 93610 Legion Post #148CA 93610 Legion Post#148
- CA 95333 Legion Post #660CA 95333 Legion Post#660
- CA 95247 Legion Post #290CA 95247 Legion Post#290
- CA 93235 Legion Post #743CA 93235 Legion Post#743
- CA 93240 Legion Post #711CA 93240 Legion Post#711
- CA 92307 Legion Post #256CA 92307 Legion Post#256
- CA 93646 Legion Post #226CA 93646 Legion Post#226
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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Florida
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Georgia
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Hawaii
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Idaho
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Illinois
- IL 61001 Legion Post #298IL 61001 Legion Post#298
- IL 61607 Legion Post #979IL 61607 Legion Post#979
- IL 60546 Legion Post #1109IL 60546 Legion Post#1109
- IL 60706 Legion Post #130IL 60706 Legion Post#130
- IL 60630 Legion Post #1039IL 60630 Legion Post#1039
- IL 60914 Legion Post #1164IL 60914 Legion Post#1164
- IL 60632 Legion Post #698IL 60632 Legion Post#698
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Indiana
- IN 47944 Legion Post #57IN 47944 Legion Post#57
- IN 47390 Legion Post #158IN 47390 Legion Post#158
- IN 47446 Legion Post #250IN 47446 Legion Post#250
- IN 47640 Legion Post #114IN 47640 Legion Post#114
- IN 47140 Legion Post #84IN 47140 Legion Post#84
- IN 47111 Legion Post #335IN 47111 Legion Post#335
- IN 46996 Legion Post #71IN 46996 Legion Post#71
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Iowa
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Kansas
- KS 66763 Legion Post #43KS 66763 Legion Post#43
- KS 67837 Legion Post #369KS 67837 Legion Post#369
- KS 66838 Legion Post #147KS 66838 Legion Post#147
- KS 67954 Legion Post #354KS 67954 Legion Post#354
- KS 67576 Legion Post #53KS 67576 Legion Post#53
- KS 67557 Legion Post #52KS 67557 Legion Post#52
- KS 66937 Legion Post #383KS 66937 Legion Post#383
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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 49516 Legion Post #311MI 49516 Legion Post#311
- MI 49323 Legion Post #127MI 49323 Legion Post#127
- MI 49827 Legion Post #290MI 49827 Legion Post#290
- MI 49518 Legion Post #59MI 49518 Legion Post#59
- MI 49967 Legion Post #494MI 49967 Legion Post#494
- MI 49119 Legion Post #518MI 49119 Legion Post#518
- MI 49916 Legion Post #265MI 49916 Legion Post#265
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Minnesota
- MN 55175 Legion Post #406MN 55175 Legion Post#406
- MN 56237 Legion Post #204MN 56237 Legion Post#204
- MN 56381 Legion Post #325MN 56381 Legion Post#325
- MN 55408 Legion Post #310MN 55408 Legion Post#310
- MN 56639 Legion Post #182MN 56639 Legion Post#182
- MN 56117 Legion Post #496MN 56117 Legion Post#496
- MN 56646 Legion Post #603MN 56646 Legion Post#603
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Mississippi
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Missouri
- MO 64012 Legion Post #488MO 64012 Legion Post#488
- MO 63379 Legion Post #94MO 63379 Legion Post#94
- MO 64763 Legion Post #604MO 64763 Legion Post#604
- MO 63369 Legion Post #420MO 63369 Legion Post#420
- MO 63052 Legion Post #283MO 63052 Legion Post#283
- MO 63961 Legion Post #494MO 63961 Legion Post#494
- MO 64843 Legion Post #479MO 64843 Legion Post#479
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Montana
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Nebraska
- NE 68047 Legion Post #55NE 68047 Legion Post#55
- NE 68067 Legion Post #89NE 68067 Legion Post#89
- NE 69038 Legion Post #272NE 69038 Legion Post#272
- NE 68760 Legion Post #224NE 68760 Legion Post#224
- NE 68640 Legion Post #144NE 68640 Legion Post#144
- NE 69348 Legion Post #9NE 69348 Legion Post#9
- NE 68008 Legion Post #154NE 68008 Legion Post#154
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Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
- NJ 7042 Legion Post #251NJ 7042 Legion Post#251
- NJ 8873 Legion Post #478NJ 8873 Legion Post#478
- NJ 7748 Legion Post #515NJ 7748 Legion Post#515
- NJ 7960 Legion Post #312NJ 7960 Legion Post#312
- NJ 8807 Legion Post #507NJ 8807 Legion Post#507
- NJ 7073 Legion Post #67NJ 7073 Legion Post#67
- NJ 7825 Legion Post #258NJ 7825 Legion Post#258
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New Mexico
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New York
- NY 12205 Legion Post #1520NY 12205 Legion Post#1520
- NY 14138 Legion Post #1593NY 14138 Legion Post#1593
- NY 10583 Legion Post #979NY 10583 Legion Post#979
- NY 13662 Legion Post #79NY 13662 Legion Post#79
- NY 13608 Legion Post #916NY 13608 Legion Post#916
- NY 14624 Legion Post #1463NY 14624 Legion Post#1463
- NY 13501 Legion Post #1290NY 13501 Legion Post#1290
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North Carolina
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North Dakota
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Ohio
- OH 43085 Legion Post #239OH 43085 Legion Post#239
- OH 45414 Legion Post #746OH 45414 Legion Post#746
- OH 45662 Legion Post #23OH 45662 Legion Post#23
- OH 44460 Legion Post #56OH 44460 Legion Post#56
- OH 45771 Legion Post #602OH 45771 Legion Post#602
- OH 45638 Legion Post #590OH 45638 Legion Post#590
- OH 45011 Legion Post #520OH 45011 Legion Post#520
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Oklahoma
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Oregon
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Pennsylvania
- PA 15212 Legion Post #81PA 15212 Legion Post#81
- PA 15003 Legion Post #341PA 15003 Legion Post#341
- PA 19087 Legion Post #668PA 19087 Legion Post#668
- PA 17847 Legion Post #71PA 17847 Legion Post#71
- PA 17327 Legion Post #403PA 17327 Legion Post#403
- PA 18940 Legion Post #440PA 18940 Legion Post#440
- PA 16505 Legion Post #773PA 16505 Legion Post#773
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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 79008 Legion Post #412TX 79008 Legion Post#412
- TX 76945 Legion Post #381TX 76945 Legion Post#381
- TX 79360 Legion Post #204TX 79360 Legion Post#204
- TX 75979 Legion Post #299TX 75979 Legion Post#299
- TX 78076 Legion Post #486TX 78076 Legion Post#486
- TX 77088 Legion Post #931TX 77088 Legion Post#931
- TX 78540 Legion Post #408TX 78540 Legion Post#408
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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 54642 Legion Post #439WI 54642 Legion Post#439
- WI 53156 Legion Post #304WI 53156 Legion Post#304
- WI 53923 Legion Post #401WI 53923 Legion Post#401
- WI 53050 Legion Post #69WI 53050 Legion Post#69
- WI 53803 Legion Post #290WI 53803 Legion Post#290
- WI 53577 Legion Post #398WI 53577 Legion Post#398
- WI 54966 Legion Post #380WI 54966 Legion Post#380
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Wyoming
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