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 93625 Legion Post #245CA 93625 Legion Post#245
- CA 92301 Legion Post #229CA 92301 Legion Post#229
- CA 95338 Legion Post #567CA 95338 Legion Post#567
- CA 95315 Legion Post #189CA 95315 Legion Post#189
- CA 93210 Legion Post #2CA 93210 Legion Post#2
- CA 92549 Legion Post #800CA 92549 Legion Post#800
- CA 92065 Legion Post #332CA 92065 Legion Post#332
Top of page ↑
Colorado
Top of page ↑
Connecticut
Top of page ↑
Delaware
Top of page ↑
Florida
Top of page ↑
Georgia
Top of page ↑
Hawaii
Top of page ↑
Idaho
Top of page ↑
Illinois
- IL 60545 Legion Post #395IL 60545 Legion Post#395
- IL 60641 Legion Post #806IL 60641 Legion Post#806
- IL 60515 Legion Post #1974IL 60515 Legion Post#1974
- IL 61264 Legion Post #569IL 61264 Legion Post#569
- IL 62040 Legion Post #307IL 62040 Legion Post#307
- IL 61739 Legion Post #54IL 61739 Legion Post#54
- IL 61046 Legion Post #357IL 61046 Legion Post#357
Top of page ↑
Indiana
- IN 47031 Legion Post #235IN 47031 Legion Post#235
- IN 46532 Legion Post #356IN 46532 Legion Post#356
- IN 47848 Legion Post #224IN 47848 Legion Post#224
- IN 47529 Legion Post #245IN 47529 Legion Post#245
- IN 47932 Legion Post #291IN 47932 Legion Post#291
- IN 46915 Legion Post #414IN 46915 Legion Post#414
- IN 47018 Legion Post #292IN 47018 Legion Post#292
Top of page ↑
Iowa
Top of page ↑
Kansas
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 49117 Legion Post #169MI 49117 Legion Post#169
- MI 49078 Legion Post #84MI 49078 Legion Post#84
- MI 49712 Legion Post #228MI 49712 Legion Post#228
- MI 49685 Legion Post #35MI 49685 Legion Post#35
- MI 48433 Legion Post #283MI 48433 Legion Post#283
- MI 48895 Legion Post #296MI 48895 Legion Post#296
- MI 48116 Legion Post #235MI 48116 Legion Post#235
Top of page ↑
Minnesota
- MN 56248 Legion Post #378MN 56248 Legion Post#378
- MN 55037 Legion Post #347MN 55037 Legion Post#347
- MN 56218 Legion Post #169MN 56218 Legion Post#169
- MN 56014 Legion Post #165MN 56014 Legion Post#165
- MN 56055 Legion Post #294MN 56055 Legion Post#294
- MN 56029 Legion Post #317MN 56029 Legion Post#317
- MN 55757 Legion Post #360MN 55757 Legion Post#360
Top of page ↑
Mississippi
Top of page ↑
Missouri
- MO 63437 Legion Post #309MO 63437 Legion Post#309
- MO 65254 Legion Post #211MO 65254 Legion Post#211
- MO 65723 Legion Post #65MO 65723 Legion Post#65
- MO 64776 Legion Post #618MO 64776 Legion Post#618
- MO 65608 Legion Post #112MO 65608 Legion Post#112
- MO 65674 Legion Post #276MO 65674 Legion Post#276
- MO 65084 Legion Post #104MO 65084 Legion Post#104
Top of page ↑
Montana
Top of page ↑
Nebraska
- NE 68313 Legion Post #178NE 68313 Legion Post#178
- NE 68410 Legion Post #8NE 68410 Legion Post#8
- NE 68003 Legion Post #129NE 68003 Legion Post#129
- NE 69021 Legion Post #65NE 69021 Legion Post#65
- NE 68739 Legion Post #4NE 68739 Legion Post#4
- NE 68823 Legion Post #298NE 68823 Legion Post#298
- NE 68967 Legion Post #219NE 68967 Legion Post#219
Top of page ↑
Nevada
Top of page ↑
New Hampshire
Top of page ↑
New Jersey
- NJ 8805 Legion Post #63NJ 8805 Legion Post#63
- NJ 7712 Legion Post #523NJ 7712 Legion Post#523
- NJ 7407 Legion Post #147NJ 7407 Legion Post#147
- NJ 7022 Legion Post #365NJ 7022 Legion Post#365
- NJ 8021 Legion Post #94NJ 8021 Legion Post#94
- NJ 8029 Legion Post #281NJ 8029 Legion Post#281
- NJ 8035 Legion Post #149NJ 8035 Legion Post#149
Top of page ↑
New Mexico
Top of page ↑
New York
- NY 13790 Legion Post #758NY 13790 Legion Post#758
- NY 10301 Legion Post #1417NY 10301 Legion Post#1417
- NY 13407 Legion Post #25NY 13407 Legion Post#25
- NY 14202 Legion Post #1031NY 14202 Legion Post#1031
- NY 14886 Legion Post #770NY 14886 Legion Post#770
- NY 13754 Legion Post #757NY 13754 Legion Post#757
- NY 12828 Legion Post #1133NY 12828 Legion Post#1133
Top of page ↑
North Carolina
Top of page ↑
North Dakota
Top of page ↑
Ohio
- OH 43952 Legion Post #33OH 43952 Legion Post#33
- OH 43019 Legion Post #500OH 43019 Legion Post#500
- OH 45860 Legion Post #571OH 45860 Legion Post#571
- OH 45856 Legion Post #287OH 45856 Legion Post#287
- OH 43160 Legion Post #653OH 43160 Legion Post#653
- OH 44446 Legion Post #106OH 44446 Legion Post#106
- OH 45503 Legion Post #362OH 45503 Legion Post#362
Top of page ↑
Oklahoma
Top of page ↑
Oregon
Top of page ↑
Pennsylvania
- PA 15213 Legion Post #595PA 15213 Legion Post#595
- PA 16749 Legion Post #138PA 16749 Legion Post#138
- PA 16417 Legion Post #494PA 16417 Legion Post#494
- PA 15106 Legion Post #82PA 15106 Legion Post#82
- PA 16601 Legion Post #745PA 16601 Legion Post#745
- PA 19148 Legion Post #717PA 19148 Legion Post#717
- PA 18042 Legion Post #588PA 18042 Legion Post#588
Top of page ↑
Rhode Island
Top of page ↑
South Carolina
Top of page ↑
South Dakota
Top of page ↑
Tennessee
Top of page ↑
Texas
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 53105 Legion Post #79WI 53105 Legion Post#79
- WI 54929 Legion Post #63WI 54929 Legion Post#63
- WI 54106 Legion Post #332WI 54106 Legion Post#332
- WI 54619 Legion Post #445WI 54619 Legion Post#445
- WI 54732 Legion Post #353WI 54732 Legion Post#353
- WI 54011 Legion Post #204WI 54011 Legion Post#204
- WI 54838 Legion Post #499WI 54838 Legion Post#499
Top of page ↑
Wyoming
Top of page ↑