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 -- 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. (Click for the Minnesota Department.)
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 to the Legion's standing national commissions and committees, the national organization has a regular full-time staff of about 300 employees.
Membership eligibility in The American Legion is based on honorable federal active duty service with 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) |
| *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. | |
| U.S. Merchant Marine eligible only from Dec. 7, 1941 to Aug. 16, 1945. | |
(Source: United States American Legion, September, 2000)
For information on membership in the Tri-City American Legion, see below.
In this world of ours, the American Legion Auxiliary shines as an example of unselfish giving. With almost a million members from all walks of life, the Auxiliary administers hundreds of volunteer programs, gives tens of thousands of hours to its communities and to veterans, and raises millions of dollars to support its own programs as well as other worthwhile charities familiar to most Americans. It is all accomplished with volunteers.
The Auxiliary is much more than the name implies. The organization has achieved its own unique identity while working side-by-side with the veterans who belong to The American Legion. Like the Legion, the Auxiliary's interests have broadened to encompass the entire community. Through its nearly 12,000 units located in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace. It is as solidly behind America today as it was when it was founded in 1920.
In 1919, at the very first National Convention of The American Legion, it was agreed that the organization's purpose could not be properly served without the aid and dedication of each member's family. Membership in the Auxiliary is now open to Legionnaires' wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, granddaughters and grandmothers.
Today, they are recognized as the most influential patriotic women's organization in the world, but their success has not changed their purpose. They joined hands with The American Legion to serve God and Country as a family and that bond will never be broken.
For more information about the American Legion Auxiliary, visit the Auxiliary's National Web Site. For information on membership in Tri-City's Auxiliary, see below, or e-mail the President of Tri-City's Auxiliary, Jo Huhne.
The Sons of The American Legion (S.A.L.) is a
program of The American Legion established in 1932 in Portland,
Oregon. Since then, the S.A.L. have assisted The American Legion
with their programs and activities. In 1999, they attained an all
time high membership of over 223,000 plus members nationally and
should surpass that for 2000. The largest Detachment (State
level) has over 29,000 plus members. Trophies and awards are
given to Detachments and Squadrons for the largest membership and
the largest increase in membership. The American Legion, the Sons
of The American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary form
the "Legion Family." Our family boasts a combined total
membership of nearly 4.2 million members.
Membership in the S.A.L. is open to all male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of members of The American Legion. Also accepted are any such descendants of veterans who died in service during the eligibility periods set forth in Article IV, Section 1 (shown above), of the National Constitution of The American Legion or who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service. Since the eligibility age begins from date of birth, activities and programs of squadrons are determined by age groups within squadrons and the needs of the community. Just as each Legion post determines the extent of its service to the community, state, and nation, so each squadron is permitted flexibility in planning programs and activities to meet its own needs. The average age of an S.A.L. member is estimated at 33 years of age.
The Sons of the American Legion have study programs recommended for younger members, however, this is not limited to just them. The program is called The Ten Ideals, patriotism, health, knowledge, training, honor, faith, helpfulness, courtesy, reverence, and comradeship. Once completed, members may continue with another program called the Five-Point Program of Service. This program covers patriotism, citizenship, discipline, leadership, and legionism.
The Sons of The American Legion is more than just membership. On all levels, they have worked together with The American Legion to promote a wide variety of programs, including assissting the local posts in all activities, Veterans programs (VAVS), VA home and hospital volunteering, Children & Youth activities, and fund raising. Since 1988, the Sons of The American Legion have raised over a million dollars for The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, including $181,000, in 1999. The members of S.A.L. have donated over 127,000 volunteer hours for 1999 in the Veterans Hospitals throughout the country and raised over $514,000 that has gone directly to the VA hospitals and VA homes for a variety of items including TVs, radios, medical equipment, and clothes for the patients.
The Sons of The American Legion is one of the organizations that make up the Citizens Flag Alliance, a coalition formed to secure Flag protection legislation through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. S.A.L. volunteers work to establish local networks by having petitions available and handing out informational material. They alert the community of the importance of Flag display and respect, while encouraging Flag education programs in schools and other local organizations.
Activities of the Sons of The American Legion are covered, in-depth, in their newsletter National Update which is produced three times per year.
More information can be obtained by visiting the National SAL Web Site. For information on membership in Tri-City's SAL, see below.
Interested in Becoming a
Member of Tri-City's American Legion, Auxiliary or Sons of the
American Legion?
Click
Here for information on how.
However
... In an effort to fully serve the communities in which it based, the Tri-City American Legion is open to the general public. That is, even if you are not a member of the American Legion, you are free to visit Tri-City's Post and use its fine facilities and programs. So, don't be shy! Stop by and have a burger in our dining room (or order take-out), meet your friends in our lounge for a cocktail, play some pull-tabs to help support community programs, hold your reception in our banquet hall, or check out our youth baseball program. |
For information About
Tri-City American Legion Post #513
its history, and which
Minnesota Legion District it resides, Click Here.
 |
If
you have questions or need additional information about
any Tri-City Legion programs or services, e-mail Tri-City
Legion at info@tricitylegion.org. (Please note that, if you are submitting your e-mail in the evening or on the weekend, your e-mail might not be read until the next business day.) |
 |
If you have feedback on the contents of this site, if you find any errors or links that do not work properly, or if you have ideas or information to contribute to this site, e-mail the Web Designer at webdesigner@tricitylegion.org. |
Last updated: 1/24/01
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Gail Kalata, Web Site Designer