Why Join?
Veterans Strengthening America
The American Legion is the nation’s largest and most influential organization of U.S. wartime veterans. Today, it counts nearly 1.8 million members who support their communities in about 12,000 posts worldwide.
Since COVID-19 disrupted the American way of life in March 2020, American Legion members from coast to coast responded to the call to serve their communities. While adhering to social-distancing guidelines, Legionnaires provided meals to community members.
American Legion posts served as blood donation centers. Legion Family members created mini parades to wish happy birthday to veterans who were isolated in their homes. American Legion members distributed masks and other personal protection equipment to health-care workers.
Whenever their communities called, The American Legion responded. 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 ushered in the modern VA, drafted and drove passage of the GI Bill and updates, and brought into existence dozens of health-care benefits for veterans.
Every day, The American Legion works on behalf of U.S. servicemembers. It is recognized as a leader in transition assistance from military to civilian life, providing resources for careers, education and more. Other priorities:
Volunteering: Members log millions of community service hours as VA volunteers, and more than $1.5 million is raised annually to assist VA hospitals.
Mentoring: In the 1920s, The American Legion played a key role in creating the U.S. Flag Code. Today, Legionnaires teach schoolchildren, Boy Scouts and other youth groups the history of the American flag as well as how to properly fold and care for it.
Giving: The Legion raises funds to award scholarships, provide support for wounded servicemembers and distribute emergency aid to disaster victims.
The American Legion Family is Comprised of
The American Legion Family
The American Legion Family
The American Legion Family
For nearly a century, The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion have worked steadfastly, side by side, promoting patriotism and national security while supporting youth and advocating for veterans and active-duty military personnel and families.
American Legion Riders
The American Legion Family
The American Legion Family
There are more than 2,500 American Legion Riders chapters across the nation. American Legion Riders support their communities with local fundraising events as well as being the primary force behind the annual Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Riders raise awareness and collect donations during the annual American Legion Legacy Ride, which has helped raise more than $12 million for the scholarship fund.
Additionally, American Legion Riders members perform a number of services for American Legion-supported causes and provide support at military funerals.
The Sons of The American Legion
The Sons of The American Legion
The Sons of The American Legion
Founded in 1932, the Sons honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires. There are more than 372,000 members in the United States.
Members include males whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership.
The American Legion Auxiliary
The Sons of The American Legion
The Sons of The American Legion
The Auxiliary’s membership criteria was changed in 2019 from “wives” to “spouses,” allowing males to join the organization.
With 9,000 units in the United States, members are fiercely dedicated to serving, helping and meeting the needs of veterans, their families and their communities.