Why You Should Belong ToThe American Legion

Why You Should Belong To
The American Legion

When you get involved in The American Legion, you get
involved in ... AMERICA!

"Get Involved.' It's the motto of The American Legion. It's also the primary reason why more and more dedicated veterans continue to devote their lives to their county. It's the background of involvement that creates and supports the feeling of camaraderie which makes The American Legion the nation's largest and fastest growing organization of wartime veterans.

Here are just a few of the ways our members "got involved" last year:

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 hours of service to their communities.
Legion Posts provided over $2 million in emergency aid to veterans last year.
Over $37.5 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 military personnel in the Persian Gulf in every day needs from simple household repairs to financial assistance.

That's what "getting involved" can do. 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 you 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.

Americanism...

Through the following community and youth oriented programs the Legion strives to further a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty.

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 contents on local, regional and national levels.

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 league stars. Each year, about 86,000 boys experience the benefits of good sportsmanship and team play.

Boys Sate/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.

School Awards: Posts award local elementary through high school students with special recognition honoring outstanding leadership, academic excellence and other character-building qualities.

Scouting Sponsorship: Legion Posts sponsor approximately 2,500 Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer units each year to foster wholesome development of America's youth.

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 Legion's annual publication providing information for high school students on the "how’s and where’s" of obtaining college financial aid. The booklet is distributed nationally to all public and private high schools.

Junior Shooting Sports: Local Legion Posts offer youth air rifle competition and basic safety instruction in conjunction with the National Rifle Association.

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 agencies and organizations which serve children and youth.

Child Safety: A variety of programs are conducted by Posts that contribute to both the physical and emotional health and well being of our young people.

Drug Abuse: Drug and alcohol abuse are robbing this nation of our youth. Legion Posts have expressed their concern over this devastating problem through sponsorship of speakers and seminars and support of other anti-drug organizations.

Teenage Suicide Prevention: Teen suicides have shocked communities throughout the country. The Legion actively supports programs of prevention and awareness and has published the brochure "Warning Signs: Suicide Prevention."

Temporary Financial Assistance: This Legion program provides cash assistance for needy children of veterans.

American Legion Child Welfare Foundation: The Foundation is unique, in that every penny it receives in donations is awarded in grants to projects designed to help children.

Employment...

The National Economic Commission works with Congress, the Department of Labor and the Office of Personnel Management to develop, implement and evaluate national employment and training programs for veterans. It monitors veterans preference in federal employment, the Vocational Rehabilitation and Loan Guaranty Services of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the veterans programs of the Small Business Administration. The Commission also works closely with The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and its Committee on Disabled Veterans.

National Security...

The American Legion has National Security policies in the areas of Aerospace, 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 and Military Services. On the local level, The American Legion is deeply involved with the Blood Donor Program, Disaster Relief in conjunction with the American Red Cross, as well as Crime and Fire Prevention programs.

Veterans' Affairs and Rehabilitation...

The Legion is an organization of veterans serving other veterans, their widows, and their orphans. To this end, the Legion was instrumental in the creation of the Veterans Administration, is universally recognized as the originator of the GI Bill of Rights, and is constantly working to maintain the rights and benefits earned by veterans through service to their country.

Field Services: In order to provide veterans with the quality medical care they deserve, Legion representatives make on-site visits to every VA medical facility to gather necessary information. The information and recommendations for improvements are then submitted to VA officials for action. Members of Congress and other Government Agencies also receive this information.

Veterans' Service Officers: Each American Legion Post has a Service Officer available to help you and your dependents obtain the VA benefits to which you are entitled. In addition, a full-time American Legion Service Officer is stationed at every VA Regional Office across the country...ready to assist you.

Legislative...

The Legion maintains a fully staffed office in Washington, D.C., to represent our 3 million members in the Halls of Congress and consistently monitors all legislation which concerns veterans and their families.

Special Member Benefits...

Membership in The American Legion brings with it special benefits that not only provide protection for your family but substantial money-saving discounts as well.

As a member, you are eligible to participate in the new American Legion Life Insurance Program... low cost life insurance... three unique life insurance plans designed to meet the needs of Veterans of all ages and their spouses.

You'll also get special discount rates on car rentals, at thousands of hotels and motels, moving companies and eyewear. Using any one of these discounts can easily offset your entire year's dues. It's a benefit package your entire family can enjoy!

As a Legion member you also receive a yearly subscription to The American Legion Magazine at no additional cost... colorful monthly issues packed full of general-interest features... updates on Veterans' benefits, to keep you informed of changes that affect you as a Veteran... debates on the "Big Issues" from both the Republican and Democratic point of view, so you can see both sides of the story... information on outfit reunions, to help you renew old friendships... monthly interviews with top government officials, giving you answers to many of the questions you may have regarding the operation of our federal agencies... and even occasional stories of days gone by (always true) to jog your memory... and much, much more!

*** Why You Should Join ***

The American Legion. Patriotism. Service. Fraternity. It's a powerful package! It's a program of involvement in the many facets of your life. It's a program which can have a positive influence in the lives of you and your family. It's a program of promise!

You can join The American Legion by contacting your local Legion Post, our New Hampshire Headquarters

The New Hampshire Department of

The American Legion

25 Capitol Street Room 431

Concord, NH 03301-6312

TEL: 603-271-2211 FAX: 603-271-5352

HOURS: 8 AM – 4 PM MON – FRI

or our National Headquarters.

The American Legion National Headquarters
P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206
(317) 635-8411