10/19/2026
Why You Should Belong
Veterans Strengthening America
The American Legion is the nation’s largest and most influential organization of U.S. veterans. Today, it accounts for 1.5 million members who support their communities in nearly 12,000 posts worldwide.
Since its 1919 founding, The American Legion has been a staunch advocate for veterans, military members, their families and the communities in which they reside.
It helped create the Department of Veterans Affairs, drafted and drove passage of the GI Bill and updates, and brought into existence dozens of health-care benefits for veterans, including the PACT Act to provide health-care service and disability compensation to millions of veterans suffering from toxic exposures.
Additionally, American Legion accredited service officers
provide free representation for veterans and their families applying for disability benefits, survivor assistance, GI Bill opportunities and more. They secure billions in claims
assistance each year.
Every day, The American Legion works on behalf of U.S. service members. It is recognized as a leader in transition assistance from military to civilian life, providing resources for careers, education and more.
Other priorities:
•
Volunteering: The American Legion has supported and actively participated in the VA Voluntary Service program since it began in 1946. Today, 30,000 volunteers serve nearly 700,000 hours annually at various VA medical centers.
•
Mentoring: In the 1920s, The American Legion played a key role in creating the U.S. Flag Code. Today, Legionnaires teach schoolchildren, Scouts and other
youth groups the history of the American flag, how to show respect for it, as well as how to properly fold and care for it.
•
Giving: The Legion raises funds to award scholarships, provide support for wounded service members and distribute emergency aid to disaster victims.
The American Legion Why You Should Belong 1
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PILLAR I: VETERANS AFFAIRS
& REHABILITATION
The American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation pillar is composed of programs, services and advocacy efforts that improve the lives of those who served, along
with their families and dependents.
A top priority for The American Legion is Be the One.
The mission of Be the One is to reduce the rate of veteran
su***de by destigmatizing the need to ask for help, and empowering Legion Family members and others to know when a veteran is in crisis and how to act to save a life.
The American Legion has a variety of resources to help members Be the One at betheone.org. These resources include su***de prevention training, how-to videos, materials to host a Be the One event, and more.
Additionally, The American Legion advocates on Capitol Hill for a well-funded, appropriately staffed VA that can handle benefits claims efficiently, quickly and accurately.
Accredited American Legion service officers provide more than 750,000 benefits claims for disabled veterans and their families, free of charge, each year. In fiscal 2024,
those service officers provided more than $21 billion in VA disability benefits.
The American Legion also conducts System Worth Saving visits to VA facilities across the United States for an assessment of the facility and discussions with patients and
staff. Working hand in hand with VA, the Legion completes an assessment, offers solutions and publishes its findings.
Be the One is not just a “catchy phrase. It’s not an initiative. It’s a mission. It’s a mission, our mission, to change lives and save lives. That’s what Be the One
is. It’s our mission to be the one to save one.” Daniel J. Seehafer, past national commander of The American Legion
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The American Legion Why You Should Belong 3 Why You Should Belong EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS
The American Legion conducts, promotes and supports
hundreds of veteran job fairs and career events nationwide
each year. Thousands of veterans land jobs because of
these efforts. Meanwhile, The American Legion helps place
hundreds of other veterans in job-training programs every
year. Working veteran-to-veteran with The American
Legion Small Business Task Force, along with the Small
Business Administration, Department of Labor, VA
and corporate associates, The American Legion helps
veterans understand the federal contracting process and
offers personal guidance for career-seeking veterans.
legion.org/careers
VETERANS EDUCATION AND THE GI BILL
The American Legion was instrumental in the creation of
the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance
Act of 2017, also known as the “Forever GI Bill.” providing
veterans with education benefits that better meet today’s
needs. The law builds on previous GI Bill revisions and adds
improvements to the benefit, making it more helpful to
National Guardsmen, reservists and those pursuing online
education. legion.org/education
WORKING WITH VA
VA and The American Legion are working side-by-side to
improve the speed and delivery of benefits claims. Through
its System Worth Saving and Regional Office Action Review
initiatives, The American Legion pinpoints problems,
identifies best practices and works together with staff in VA
medical centers. legion.org/veteransbenefits
BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS
For veterans and families disputing benefits decisions by
VA, The American Legion has staff representatives who can
help with the appeals process or strengthen a case, free of
charge to veterans.
4 The American Legion Why You Should Belong Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
WOMEN VETERANS
The American Legion supports women veterans, provides
resources to those in transition and works to address their
unique needs such as gender-specific health care and
military sexual trauma.
DISCHARGE REVIEW
The American Legion offers free assistance to those
applying to their service branches for corrections to military
records and discharge statuses. American Legion experts
help veterans with claims for Combat Related Special
Compensation and the procurement of accurate records.
Email [email protected]
HELP FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
American Legion posts throughout the country build
shelters or provide financial and volunteer support for
homeless veterans. At the national level, The American
Legion works with VA to raise awareness and allocate funds
to help alleviate the problem. legion.org/homelessveterans
VA VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Legionnaires donate more than 1 million hours of service a
year at veterans health-care facilities, working through the
VA Volunteer Services program. These volunteer hours save
the federal government millions of dollars each year.
FINAL RESPECTS
The American Legion fulfills a sacred duty by honoring
the memories of U.S. veterans after their deaths. American
Legion honor guards salute their fallen comrades at funeral
services throughout the country. American Legion Riders
provide motorcycle escorts at services for veterans. The
American Legion also works closely with the National
Cemetery Administration, Arlington National Cemetery
and American Battle Monuments Commission to honor the
fallen.
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PILLAR II: NATIONAL SECURITY
The American Legion’s positions on national defense,
homeland security, border control and military support
are all part of the long-held American Legion value that
the key to peace and world stability is a strong, well-
resourced defense.
In order to protect America, troops and their families
must have support. The American Legion plays a vital role
in supporting those who protect our freedoms.
The American Legion is addressing and improving the
quality of life for servicemembers and their families
through its Base Assessment and Servicemember
Experience (BASE) program, launched in 2022. The BASE
program focuses on mental health, childcare, base housing
and barracks, community relations, access to health
care, education, spousal employment, food and financial
insecurities, and more.
The intent of these visits is to work with the Department of
Defense and congressional leaders to foster a constructive
dialogue on improving quality-of-life conditions for
military members and their families.
The American Legion also is heavily involved in blood-
donation efforts. The American Legion Blood Donor
Program has existed officially since 1942. Over the
years, The American Legion became the nation’s top
organizational donor of blood for the Red Cross. Each
year, thousands of Legionnaires donate to support the
American Red Cross.
legion.org/security
“These visits are important because we cannot
simply rely on web stories or data extrapolated from
surveys – we need to hear the servicemembers’
perspective firsthand. Conversations open a two-
way communication that spark ideas on reforms and
shared best practices.”
National Security Division staff
6 The American Legion Why You Should Belong
The American Legion Why You Should Belong 7 Why You Should Belong OPERATION COMFORT WARRIORS
Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) assists wounded,
injured or ill active-duty military personnel and veterans
by providing morale-enhancing gifts to warrior transition
units, VA and DoD medical care facilities, military
installations, and 501(c)3 and 501(c)19 organizations which
are part of the American Legion Family or such nonprofit
entities sponsored by an American Legion legal entity.
legion.org/operationcomfortwarriors
MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE
The American Legion’s support of the U.S. military – from
adequate funding for weapons systems to reasonable child
care services for deployed troops – is respected in the
Pentagon, at the White House and on Capitol Hill.
SUPPPORT FOR TRICARE
The U.S. military’s health-care system and medical
insurance program frequently face challenges in
Washington. The American Legion persistently testifies on
the need to keep TRICARE and TRICARE For Life viable
and affordable benefits of military service.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Dozens of American Legion posts set the tone for
preparing for natural disasters. In many communities,
American Legion posts serve as civil-defense shelters and
havens of relief in the event of catastrophe or attack on
U.S. soil.
BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION
The American Legion advocates for strict border and port
security as a defense against invasion or attack by foreign
enemies, illegal drug trafficking and adverse economic
impact. Transnational Criminal Organizations continue to
operate across borders while engaging in drug smuggling,
human trafficking, arms dealing, money laundering and
are a threat to American communities. The American
Legion implores lawmakers to work together on behalf of
Americans to improve national security.
8 The American Legion Why You Should Belong National Security
NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND
The National Emergency Fund has provided more than
$10 million in immediate financial assistance to American
Legion members and posts affected by natural disasters.
The financial grants have helped American Legion
members and American Legion posts rebuild their lives.
legion.org/emergency
BLUE STAR BANNERS
The American Legion’s Blue Star Banner was resurrected
after 9/11 to acknowledge U.S. families with loved ones
serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime.
American Legion Blue Star Salutes and other post-
sponsored events to distribute the banners are effective
expressions of homefront support for military families.
BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM
The American Legion Blood Donor Program recognizes
departments in two areas for blood donation efforts: post
participation and individual Legionnaire participation.
legion.org/security
FOREIGN RELATIONS
The American Legion maintains a strong working
relationship with the State Department to promote peace,
human rights and trade on a global scale. The American
Legion urges the president and Congress to continue
pursuing the “smart power” strategy of using military and
economic strength in tandem with foreign aid and human-
rights negotiations to fulfill U.S. foreign policy.
FULL ACCOUNTING OF POW/MIAS
The American Legion maintains unwavering support for
the full accounting of all U.S. military personnel taken as
prisoners of war, missing or killed in action on foreign soil.
Official meetings of The American Legion start with a prayer
to honor our nation’s POWs. POW/ MIA flags, patches and
pins are displayed at American Legion events to demonstrate
the organization’s eternal vigilance.
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PILLAR III: AMERICANISM
For those looking to make differences in their local
communities, The American Legion is a great place to
start. From American Legion Baseball to Boys State/
Boys Nation to the Oratorical Contest, there are plenty of
opportunities to make your mark.
American Legion Baseball is celebrating 100 years. The initial
resolution proposing an American Legion Baseball program
was passed at the Department of South Dakota’s convention
on July 17, 1925, “to teach practical lessons in sportsmanship
and citizenship by emphasizing such qualities as loyalty,
respect for the rules, fair play, courage and physical fitness.”
“How American Legion Baseball has lasted 100 years is
what it offers to the young men that have participated in
the program,” says Gary Stone, chairman of the National
American Legion Baseball Committee. “It’s a sense of
community; it’s the only organization I’m aware of that’s
sponsored by a veterans organization. And if you go back
through the alumni that have come through the program,
what they’ve contributed to the community and the nation,
those are the things we stand for.”
Each season of Legion Baseball culminates with the
American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C., watched by
millions on ESPNU and ESPN3.
More than 50,000 young athletes compete for nearly 3,000
American Legion Baseball teams each year. Some of these
baseball players go on to play professionally, including 87
who have been enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in
Cooperstown, N.Y.
legion.org/baseball
10 The American Legion Why You Should Belong
“American Legion Baseball helped me take my game
to the next level because I was able to play with so
many great athletes. It was a great experience. At
the end of the day, those are the experiences you
take with you no matter where you play.”
Major League Baseball player Albert Pujols,
who played American Legion Baseball for Post 340
in Independence, Mo.
The American Legion Why You Should Belong 11 Why You Should Belong BOYS STATE/BOYS NATION
Young men throughout the country learn firsthand how
government works during American Legion Boys State
and American Legion Boys Nation. From each Boys State
program, two delegates are selected to attend Boys Nation
in Washington, D.C., where they form a mock federal
Senate and meet with top officials in the nation’s capital.
The American Legion Auxiliary conducts a separate
program for young women. legion.org/boysnation
JUNIOR SHOOTING SPORTS
American Legion youth air-rifle teams compete
throughout the country for a possible berth in the National
Junior Shooting Sports championships at Hillsdale College
in Hillsdale, Mich. legion.org/shooting
ORATORICAL COMPETITION
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship
Program gives thousands of young people the opportunity
to hone their speaking skills and learn about the U.S.
Constitution. Competitions at the local and state levels
lead up to the National American Legion High School
Oratorical Contest at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich.,
where top finishers are awarded more than $203,500 in
scholarships. legion.org/oratorical
YOUTH LAW CADET ENFORCEMENT
American Legion departments conduct weeklong
American Legion Youth Cadet Law Enforcement
Programs for rising high school seniors that educate them
about law enforcement and instills respect for law officials.
legion.org/juniorlaw
SCOUTING
American Legion posts sponsor more than 2,300 Scouting
units and provide thousands of dollars in scholarships.
The American Legion offers a national scholarship for
Eagle Scout of the Year, and the Square Knot Award
for Legionnaires who assist Scouting programs in their
communities. legion.org/scouting
12 The American Legion Why You Should Belong Americanism
EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
The American Legion provides access to dozens of
scholarships and education programs at the national, state
and local levels. legion.org/scholarships
LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship provides
college scholarships for children of military personnel
who were killed on active duty since 9/11, or have a
combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater.
The needs-based scholarship is designed to fulfill a gap
after all federal and state grants and scholarships have
been used by eligible applicants. Since 2001, the Legacy
Scholarship has provided nearly $7.9 million in financial
aid. legion.org/scholarships/legacy
U.S. FLAG PROTECTION AND EDUCATION
The American Legion is the nation’s leading supporter
of a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag
from desecration. Since a 5-4 Supreme Court decision in
1989 defined flag burning as free speech, The American
Legion has advocated alongside members of Congress,
the Citizens Flag Alliance and the majority of Americans
to return to the states the right to enact flag-protection
laws. The American Legion is also the nation’s foremost
authority on the U.S. Flag Code and proper dignified
disposal of unserviceable U.S. flags. legion.org/flag
VOTER PARTICIPATION
American Legion posts serve as polling places, political
debate venues and forums during campaigns. The
American Legion is a nonpartisan organization but takes
an active role in the political process and encourages
Americans to register and vote in all elections.
legion.org/vote
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PILLAR IV: CHILDREN & YOUTH
The American Legion’s Children & Youth pillar is guided
by three main objectives: strengthen the family unit,
support organizations that help children in need, and
provide communities with well-rounded programs to
deliver hope and opportunity for young people facing
difficult challenges.
Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) is designed
to assist minor children of eligible active-duty
servicemembers or eligible American Legion members
through cash grants. These grants help families meet
the costs of shelter, utilities, food, clothing and medical
expenses.
Over the last decade, over $5.4 million in TFA grants
have been awarded. An example of how The American
Legion aids servicemembers was in full view of the nation
in January 2019 when the longest government shutdown
prevented U.S. Coast Guard servicemembers from
receiving their paychecks.
In response, American Legion volunteers and staff
worked tirelessly to process TFA grants so the Coast
Guard personnel and their families would be able to
afford food, pay housing and utilities, and take care of
other necessary bills.
In all, the American Legion distributed more than $1
million to Coast Guard members and their families at
that time. While an extraordinary effort, this type of
support is carried out by American Legion members daily
throughout the United States. legion.org/tfa
“The American Legion was almost like a hero for me.
The American Legion eased our financial burden and
worry with their assistance to help us.”
Ivan Redhorn of Great Falls, Mont., an Army
veteran of the Iraq War and a father of six
who lost his home to a house fire
14 The American Legion Why You Should Belong
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The American Legion Family consists of The American
Legion, Sons of The American Legion, American Legion
Auxiliary and American Legion Riders. Members of the
Riders must also be members of the Legion, Auxiliary
or Sons.
•
•
Sons of The American Legion: Founded in 1932, the
SAL honor the service and sacrifice of veterans. There
are more than 390,000 members worldwide. Members
include males whose parents or grandparents served
in the U.S. military and are eligible for membership in
The American Legion. legion.org/sons/join
American Legion Auxiliary: The Auxiliary’s
membership criteria was changed in 2019 from “wives”
to “spouses,” allowing males to join the organization.
With 7,600 units in the United States, members are
dedicated to serving, helping and meeting the needs
of veterans, their families and their communities.
alaforveterans.org
16 The American Legion Why You Should Belong •
American Legion Riders: There are more than 2,500
American Legion Riders chapters across the nation.
Riders support their communities with local
fundraising events and are the primary force behind
the American Legion Veterans & Children Fund
(VCF). Legion Riders raise awareness and collect
donations during the annual American Legion Legacy
Ride to support VCF, which raised $930,000 in its first
year riding for the cause in 2024.
Additionally, Riders perform a number of services
for American Legion-supported causes and provide
support at military funerals.
legion.org/riders
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Benefits of American Legion Membership
THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE
Members of The American Legion receive a free sub-
scription to The American Legion Magazine, the largest
veterans magazine in the nation. Every month the
magazine is filled with interesting stories, interviews,
graphics, photos and ads of interest to Legionnaires and
their families. legion.org/magazine
AMERICAN LEGION ONLINE UPDATE
Members are invited to receive the free twice-weekly
American Legion Online Update e-newsletter that delivers
a comprehensive round-up of stories, photos, videos
and other material straight to their email inboxes. To
subscribe, go to legion.org/newsletters.
MYLEGION.ORG
MyLegion is a free, secure website for American Legion
members to manage their profile information, print
membership cards, renew membership, view member-
only discounts, manage American Legion subscriptions to
e-newsletters and the magazine, find an accredited Legion
servie officer and more. mylegion.org
18 The American Legion Why You Should Belong MEMBER BENEFITS
Membership in The American Legion gives Legionnaires
access to discounts on a variety of products and services.
Discounts are available through participating providers
in auto rental, home services, financial and insurance,
medical, moving and relocation, travel and other
industries. legion.org/benefits
FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE SERVICES
The American Legion and USAA have teamed up to
connect the nation’s largest veterans service organization
with one of the nation’s top-ranked insurance and
financial services company. American Legion members
have access to the full range of financial and insurance
services and a separate credit card. For every USAA
membership originating through the dedicated American
Legion-USAA website (legion.org/usaa) or by a special
toll-free phone line – 877-699-2654 – American Legion
programs receive a financial donation from USAA.
AMERICAN LEGION EMBLEM SALES
Members of the American Legion Family are invited to
review the Emblem Sales catalog for the latest in patriotic
merchandise, American-made flags and apparel. A catalog
of products is shipped to members, or they can visit
Emblem Sales online anytime to safely place their orders.
emblem.legion.org
GRASSROOTS ACTION CENTER
Members stay up to date on congressional action related to
American Legion resolutions and programs. Additionally,
they can receive legislative alerts, easily contact their
elected officials to advocate for veteran-friendly legislation,
and much more. legion.org/legislative
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Contact information
MEMBERSHIP
(317) 630-1327, [email protected]
VETERANS AFFAIRS & REHABILITATION
(202) 263-5759, [email protected]
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION
(202) 861-2700, [email protected]
LEGISLATIVE
(800) 433-3318, [email protected]
NATIONAL SECURITY
(202) 861-2700, [email protected]
AMERICANISM
(317) 630-1203, [email protected]
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
(800) 433-3318, [email protected]
THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE
(800) 433-3318, [email protected]
SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
(317) 630-1205, [email protected]
AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
(317) 630-1327, [email protected]
How do I ...
… find a post close to me?
Go to legion.org/posts to search our database... find an American Legion job fair close to me?
Go to legion.org/careers... find a service officer?
Go to legion.org/serviceofficers to search our database.
20 The American Legion Why You Should Belong Prospective members may fill out the membership application
below and bring it to a nearby post. To find a post near you,
visit legion.org/posts.
Alternatively, those who meet the eligibility requirements, may
join online at legion.org/join or call 1-800-433-3318
Global War on Terror U.S. Army
Gulf War U.S. Navy
Panama U.S. Air Force
Lebanon/Grenada U.S. Marines
Vietnam U.S. Space Force
Korea U.S. Coast Guard
WWII Merchant Marines (WWII only)
Other Conflicts
________________________________ ___________________ ______________________________
________________________________ ___________________ ______________________________
Signature of applicant Date Name of recruiter.
30-009 honorably discharged or am still serving honorably.
Please check appropriate service era and branch of service below
I certify that I served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941 and was honorably Discharged.
__________________________________________________
Male Female _______________
__________________________________________________
(City) (State) (Zip) (Post #)
_____________________________________________________________________ _____________
_____________________________________________________________________ _____________
(Mailing Address) (Phone Number)
_______________________________________________________________ ___________________
_______________________________________________________________ ___________________
_______________________________________________________________ ___________________
_______________________________________________________________ ___________________
(Name) (Date of Birth)
The American Legion Membership Application
Receipt of Dues
(Please Print)
From __________________________________________________________
$__________________ for 20____ Post # ___________________________
$__________________ for 20____
Recruiter’s Name
______________________________________________
Recruiter’s Signature ___________________________________________
Recruiter’s Phone #
____________________________________________
The American Legion Why You Should Belong 21 P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206
1-800-433-3318
legion.org
Connect with The American Legion
Scan here
to visit legion.org/join
or visit your local
American Legion post.
Stock # 31-185 (Rev. 03/25) Artwork # 54MEM0225
Scotty Harville
Post Adjutant/Sargent At Arms
Post 74
Cedar City
Utah Department
(435)590-3072
[email protected]
P.O. Box 2231
Cedar City, Utah
84721-2231
