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 93022 Legion Post #686CA 93022 Legion Post#686
- CA 93657 Legion Post #23CA 93657 Legion Post#23
- CA 93513 Legion Post #457CA 93513 Legion Post#457
- CA 93434 Legion Post #371CA 93434 Legion Post#371
- CA 92373 Legion Post #650CA 92373 Legion Post#650
- CA 95252 Legion Post #102CA 95252 Legion Post#102
- CA 95667 Legion Post #119CA 95667 Legion Post#119
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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 60162 Legion Post #626IL 60162 Legion Post#626
- IL 60625 Legion Post #383IL 60625 Legion Post#383
- IL 60130 Legion Post #414IL 60130 Legion Post#414
- IL 60444 Legion Post #352IL 60444 Legion Post#352
- IL 61611 Legion Post #1115IL 61611 Legion Post#1115
- IL 62233 Legion Post #487IL 62233 Legion Post#487
- IL 61465 Legion Post #484IL 61465 Legion Post#484
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Indiana
- IN 47042 Legion Post #173IN 47042 Legion Post#173
- IN 47108 Legion Post #195IN 47108 Legion Post#195
- IN 47012 Legion Post #77IN 47012 Legion Post#77
- IN 47443 Legion Post #479IN 47443 Legion Post#479
- IN 46552 Legion Post #297IN 46552 Legion Post#297
- IN 47041 Legion Post #337IN 47041 Legion Post#337
- IN 47586 Legion Post #213IN 47586 Legion Post#213
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Iowa
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Kansas
- KS 66952 Legion Post #185KS 66952 Legion Post#185
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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 48174 Legion Post #217MI 48174 Legion Post#217
- MI 48622 Legion Post #558MI 48622 Legion Post#558
- MI 49113 Legion Post #344MI 49113 Legion Post#344
- MI 49093 Legion Post #170MI 49093 Legion Post#170
- MI 48504 Legion Post #151MI 48504 Legion Post#151
- MI 49881 Legion Post #168MI 49881 Legion Post#168
- MI 49887 Legion Post #43MI 49887 Legion Post#43
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Minnesota
- MN 56479 Legion Post #70MN 56479 Legion Post#70
- MN 56211 Legion Post #302MN 56211 Legion Post#302
- MN 56236 Legion Post #297MN 56236 Legion Post#297
- MN 56713 Legion Post #353MN 56713 Legion Post#353
- MN 56735 Legion Post #214MN 56735 Legion Post#214
- MN 56276 Legion Post #520MN 56276 Legion Post#520
- MN 55935 Legion Post #492MN 55935 Legion Post#492
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Mississippi
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Missouri
- MO 64653 Legion Post #538MO 64653 Legion Post#538
- MO 65747 Legion Post #788MO 65747 Legion Post#788
- MO 64850 Legion Post #163MO 64850 Legion Post#163
- MO 65711 Legion Post #30MO 65711 Legion Post#30
- MO 65785 Legion Post #230MO 65785 Legion Post#230
- MO 64834 Legion Post #781MO 64834 Legion Post#781
- MO 64671 Legion Post #557MO 64671 Legion Post#557
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Montana
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Nebraska
- NE 68358 Legion Post #295NE 68358 Legion Post#295
- NE 68661 Legion Post #47NE 68661 Legion Post#47
- NE 69150 Legion Post #271NE 69150 Legion Post#271
- NE 69001 Legion Post #203NE 69001 Legion Post#203
- NE 69145 Legion Post #22NE 69145 Legion Post#22
- NE 68920 Legion Post #364NE 68920 Legion Post#364
- NE 68731 Legion Post #376NE 68731 Legion Post#376
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Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
- NJ 8060 Legion Post #11NJ 8060 Legion Post#11
- NJ 7974 Legion Post #433NJ 7974 Legion Post#433
- NJ 7031 Legion Post #37NJ 7031 Legion Post#37
- NJ 7069 Legion Post #265NJ 7069 Legion Post#265
- NJ 8057 Legion Post #42NJ 8057 Legion Post#42
- NJ 7902 Legion Post #322NJ 7902 Legion Post#322
- NJ 7509 Legion Post #268NJ 7509 Legion Post#268
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New Mexico
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New York
- NY 14303 Legion Post #1465NY 14303 Legion Post#1465
- NY 13502 Legion Post #229NY 13502 Legion Post#229
- NY 13753 Legion Post #190NY 13753 Legion Post#190
- NY 10305 Legion Post #1367NY 10305 Legion Post#1367
- NY 12508 Legion Post #203NY 12508 Legion Post#203
- NY 11216 Legion Post #116NY 11216 Legion Post#116
- NY 14505 Legion Post #1430NY 14505 Legion Post#1430
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North Carolina
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North Dakota
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Ohio
- OH 43777 Legion Post #71OH 43777 Legion Post#71
- OH 44141 Legion Post #196OH 44141 Legion Post#196
- OH 44512 Legion Post #565OH 44512 Legion Post#565
- OH 43901 Legion Post #525OH 43901 Legion Post#525
- OH 45237 Legion Post #524OH 45237 Legion Post#524
- OH 44130 Legion Post #392OH 44130 Legion Post#392
- OH 44880 Legion Post #219OH 44880 Legion Post#219
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Oklahoma
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Oregon
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Pennsylvania
- PA 18702 Legion Post #199PA 18702 Legion Post#199
- PA 15845 Legion Post #501PA 15845 Legion Post#501
- PA 19032 Legion Post #193PA 19032 Legion Post#193
- PA 16652 Legion Post #24PA 16652 Legion Post#24
- PA 15552 Legion Post #112PA 15552 Legion Post#112
- PA 16001 Legion Post #117PA 16001 Legion Post#117
- PA 18411 Legion Post #487PA 18411 Legion Post#487
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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 77979 Legion Post #167TX 77979 Legion Post#167
- TX 75972 Legion Post #387TX 75972 Legion Post#387
- TX Legion Post #56TX Legion Post#56
- TX 79346 Legion Post #374TX 79346 Legion Post#374
- TX Legion Post #272TX Legion Post#272
- TX 7862 Legion Post #290TX 7862 Legion Post#290
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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 53579 Legion Post #190WI 53579 Legion Post#190
- WI 54727 Legion Post #159WI 54727 Legion Post#159
- WI 53021 Legion Post #410WI 53021 Legion Post#410
- WI 54848 Legion Post #64WI 54848 Legion Post#64
- WI 53563 Legion Post #367WI 53563 Legion Post#367
- WI 54612 Legion Post #17WI 54612 Legion Post#17
- WI 54837 Legion Post #249WI 54837 Legion Post#249
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Wyoming
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