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The American
Legion is... STILL
SERVING AMERICA!
"Still Serving America" is
the motto of The American Legion. Veterans who continue their service to
America by still serving their communities. Veterans whose involvement in
the community creates and supports the feeling of camaraderie which makes
The American Legion the nation's largest and the most respected
organization of wartime veterans.
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The following are just a few of the ways our members are "Still
Serving America."
Needy children and families received more than $6 million in cash
and goods.
Deserving high school students were awarded $3.8 million in
college scholarships.
Local charity campaigns received over $10 million in donations.
Legion members donated over 2.7 million hours of service to
their communities.
Legion Posts provided over $2 million in emergency aid to
veterans last year.
Over $30 million was spent by The American Legion and its
affiliated organizations for the benefit of children
and youth last year.
Legionnaires across the country donate almost 2 million hours
each year in the VA's Voluntary Service Program, helping veterans who are patients
in VA medical facilities.
The Legion's Family Support Network has helped thousands of
family members of reserve military personnel called to active duty with every
day needs from simple household repairs to financial assistance.
That's veterans "Still Serving America." It's people helping
people. It's Americans taking care of America. And
the
impressive part of the activities cited above is the fact that they were
achieved by only half of the Legion's 15,000 chartered Posts!
As a Legion member, you will open an unending catalog of
opportunities to expand your life and utilize your unique talents. To more fully
understand the scope of American Legion membership, we invite you to take just a
few minutes to review the following information.
For more information on The
American Legion visit us on the World Wide Web at:
www.legion.org
THESE AMERICANS AGREE:
The American Legion Gives Back More Than It Takes
TOM BROKAW
NBC-TV News Anchorman
 In 1957 I had the
privilege of being elected Governor of South Dakota Boys State. It was one of
the most memorable experiences of my young life. Even now I can remember the
excitement of that week. How we learned how government functioned, the
challenges and responsibilities of being in public service and the political
spotlight. I can even remember some of the press coverage that 1 received that
week. Furthermore, I made friends that week that are friends to this day. We
have grown and shared together a lifetime of experiences that started with South
Dakota Boys State.
A program of government instruction and citizenship training for
high school students, American Legion Boys State has been the catalyst for
careers in politics or government service for many nationally prominent
Americans. NBC-TV news anchorman, Tom Brokaw, was one.
BOBBY RICHARDSON
New York Yankees 2nd Baseman
 It seems like most of my life I have been telling people how I feel
about The American Legion Baseball Program. It can influence your life, whether
you're a player, a coach, a sponsor, a civic leader, or a volunteer who makes
the competition possible. From college scholarships to professional ethics,
American Legion Baseball is the one program that sets an example for others. As
America continues to grow, and our society continues to provide a diverse set of
experiences for our youth, I believe American Legion Baseball has been and will
continue to be among the best programs for grooming all-around leaders.
PROGRAMS
Americanism
Through the following community and
youth-oriented programs The American Legion strives to further a strong sense of
patriotism and loyalty.
American Legion Baseball. For many
years, one of our country's best-known and most respected amateur athletic
programs, Legion ball has been the training ground for many of our major
league stars. Each year, about 90,000 boys experience the benefits of good
sportsmanship and team play.
Boys
State/Boys Nation. American Legion Posts select outstanding high school
students to attend Boys State/Boys Nation every year. During the week-long
program, participants receive instruction on citizenship and experience
first-hand how their state and federal governments function.
High School Oratorical Competitions. High school students vie for college scholarships
awarded by The American Legion by demonstrating their knowledge of the United
States Constitution in public speaking contests on local, state and national
levels.
Scouting
Sponsorship. Legion Posts sponsor
approximately 2,500 Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing crews each year to
foster wholesome development of America's youth. Annually, The American Legion
awards the Eagle Scout of the Year with a college scholarship.
Flag Education. Through this program, our youth are taught flag
etiquette and proper display of the United States Flag.
Scholarship
Information. "Need a Lift?" is the
Legions annual publication providing information for high school students on
the "hows and wheres" of obtaining college financial aid. The booklet is
distributed nationally to all
public and private high schools. In addition, the Samsung American Legion
Scholarship Program is available for those students who are direct descendants
of U.S. wartime veterans. Scholarships are for undergraduate study at
accredited U.S. colleges and universities.
School Awards. Posts award local elementary through high
school students with special recognition honoring outstanding leadership,
academic excellence and other character-building qualities.
Junior
Shooting Sports. Local Legion Posts offer youth air rifle competition
and basic gun safety instruction.
Patriotic Holiday Observances. Since 1919, The American
Legion has been our country's leader in the observance of patriotic holidays,
sponsoring marching bands, color guards and drill teams.
Children and Youth. Our Children and Youth program has
three main objectives:
1) to strengthen the family unit;
2) to maintain well-rounded youth programs;
3) to support other organizations which serve children and
youth.
National Family Week. A nationwide program to encourage
family activities each day during the week of Thanksgiving in November.
Child Health. Our new alliance with the Children's Miracle
Network (CMN) underscores The American Legion's mission and reputation as a
caretaker of America's future - its children. C.M.N. affiliated hospitals
provide quality health care to all children, regardless of condition or
ability to pay.
Teenage Suicide Prevention. Teen suicides have shocked
communities throughout the country. The American Legion actively supports
programs of prevention and awareness and has published the brochure "Warning
Signs: Suicide Prevention."
Temporary Financial Assistance.
This Legion program started in 1925 and provides cash assistance for needy
children of eligible veterans.
American Legion Child Welfare
Foundation. The Foundation is unique, in that all contributions are
awarded in grants to non-profit organizations for projects designed to assist
children.
National Emergency Fund
The American Legion is actively
involved in meeting the needs of both the community and individual Legion
family members in the wake of a natural disaster. Any current year paid member
of The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American
Legion is eligible to apply for temporary financial relief for losses
sustained in a declared natural disaster.
Since October 1989, the National
Emergency Fund has provided over $3,000,000 in direct financial assistance to
Legion family members and posts. All contributions made to this fund are
deposited in a special account and are used exclusively to meet our members
most urgent needs.
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
The Legion is an organization of veterans serving
other veterans, their widows and widowers, and their orphans. To this end, the
Legion was instrumental in the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs
(formerly the Veterans Administration), and is universally recognized as the
originator of the G.I. Bill of Rights, and is constantly working to protect
and preserve the rights and benefits to veterans through service to their
country.
Board of Veterans Appeals.
The Legion operates an Appeals Unit at the Board of Veterans Appeals in
Washington, DC, who specialize in affording representation to veterans and
claimants seeking satisfactory resolution of benefit claim determinations made
by local VA regional offices or VA medical centers.
National Field Services. To
ensure that veterans receive the quality of medical care they deserve and
expect, the Legion's National Field Services conducts on-site field visits to
individual VA medical centers and to network offices. The information and data
received is used to support VA&.R activities in both congressional testimony
and personal contacts with Members of Congress.
Military/Naval Discharge Review and
Correction Boards. A team of Legion
representatives provide assistance to former service members who seek upgrade
of their less than honorable discharge or dismissals from the Armed Services.
The Unit also assists veterans in obtaining decorations and medals through the
various Armed Forces.
Persian Gulf Task Force. The American Legion's Persian Gulf War Task Force was
created out of concern for America's newest generation of wartime veterans,
providing service to these veterans, their families and their advocates.
The Task Force has undertaken rigorous clinical studies, Freedom of
Information Act Requests, site visits to VA and DoD Medical Centers, and VA
Regional Offices, and the creation of an Internet site for Gulf War veterans
in need of assistance to call. All geared to help Gulf War veterans, including
those who suffer from Gulf War illnesses.
Legislative
The American Legion is among those organizations
that wield the greatest influence on the nation's legislative system. Through
strong grassroots lobbying and a dedicated professional staff. The American
Legion's "official voice" in the Halls of Congress continues to advance the
legislative mandates for veterans and their families.
National Security
The American Legion has National Security policies
in the areas of Aerospace, Energy, Merchant Marine, Defense Civil Preparedness,
Law and Order, and Military and Naval Affairs. Implementation of these policies
is accomplished through legislative action and coordination with the Department
of Defense, Military Services and other agencies.
Junior Law Cadet Program. Many Legion Posts, working in conjunction with law
enforcement agencies, have established programs to introduce high school
students to law enforcement and to establish cadet camps.
ROTC Recognition Programs. Posts award American Legion ROTC, Military
Excellence and Scholastic Excellence Medals to outstanding high school and
college ROTC students.
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award
Programs. Presented annually at
American Legion Post, State, Regional and National levels to recognize law
enforcement officers for extraordinary performance to include superior
community service.
Blood Donor Awards. As the nation's
largest blood donor organization, The American Legion recognizes States for
their individual and collective efforts in donating this "gift of life."
Employment and Economics
The American Legion has always been involved in
issues that affect veterans economically. These issues include employment, job
training, veterans preference, housing, small business and vocational
rehabilitation. The National Economic Commission is responsible for ensuring
that America's veterans have an opportunity to provide, with dignity and honor,
the economic necessities of life for themselves and their families. The
Commission lobbies Congress and works closely with many federal agencies. It
also works very closely with private sector organizations such as the National
Organization on Disability, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the
Veterans Organizations Homeless Council, and the Senior Corps of Retired
Executives.
The American Legion Magazine
As a Legion member you receive a yearly
subscription to The American Legion Magazine at no additional cost. This
colorful monthly issue is packed full of general-interest features and updates
on veterans' benefits to keep you informed of changes that affect you as a
veteran.
Eligibility Requirements
Lorton
Post 162 - A Short History
Sam Ramseur - Historian
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