ABOUT US

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at nearly 2 million in more than 13,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

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.