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.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen
the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of
the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs,
educating
young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and
fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering
wounded warriors and their families, providing them with "comfort
items" and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit
more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations
at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their
families during times of need and to provide college scholarship
opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with
great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in
the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill.
Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and
nation
drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands
behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community,
backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active
membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to
the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.