The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans

organization.  A community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members,

both men and women, in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide.

These Posts are organized into 55 Departments -- one each for the 50 states,

the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.

 

The American Legion's national headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana, with additional offices in Washington, DC.

In addition to thousands of volunteers serving in leadership and program implementation capacities in local

communities, the Legion's standing national commissions and committees within the national organization

has a regular full-time staff of about 300 employees.

 

Membership eligibility is based on honorable federal active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces between:

April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 (World War I)
December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (World War II)
June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955 (Korean War)
February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon/Grenada)
December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990 (Operation Just Cause - Panama)
*August 2, 1990 to today (Operation Desert Shield/Storm - Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom)

 

If you are on active duty today, anywhere in the world, or have served during any eligible war eras, become a

member of the American Legion!  We're veterans just like you, nearly 3 million strong, who care about America,

veterans and their  families and our nation's youth. The Legion is a powerful voice in Washington dedicated

to preserving the rights we've all earned, and were promised, by service to our nation in uniform.

 

We invite you to join us now. Membership brings an impressive array of benefits. The American Legion is always there for you and your family - in Washington and nearly 15,000 local posts throughout America and abroad.

Just like you, we're "Still Serving America!"

 

 

*Because eligibility dates remain open, all members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American

Legion at this time, until the date of the end of hostilities as determined by the government of the United States.