History of the American Legion

History of the American Legion

The American Legion is an organization of veterans of the United States armed forces who served in war. The Organization was founded in 1919 by veterans who were returning from Europe after World War I. Today, the group as over 3 million members.

The American Legion started when Officer Teddy Roosevelt proposed an organization of veterans. In 1919, this group formed a temporary committee and selected several hundred officers who had the confidence and respect of the whole army. When the first organization meeting took place in Paris on April 7, 1919, about 1,000 officers and enlisted men attended. The meeting, known as the Paris Caucus, adopted a temporary constitution and the name The American Legion. It also elected an executive committee to complete the organization's work. It considered each soldier of the American Expeditionary Forces a member of the Legion. After that Legion was established, the committee appointed a subcommittee to organize a Legion back in the United States. Almost 80 years later there is nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. These posts are organized into 55 Departments, there is one in each of the 50 states, and also one a piece in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

Today the American Legion takes part in many events beneficial to the community, In addition to organizing commemorative events and volunteer activities, the American Legion is also active in United States politics. While its primary political activity is lobbying for the interests of the veterans, including things like support for veterans benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Affairs hospital system, it has recently also become involved in more general political issues, usually taking the conservative position. The Legion also takes part in many social activities.

To become a member of the American Legion, a person must have been in the United States Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard during either World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, Grenada, Operation Just Cause, or Operation Desert Storm. The main American Legion Headquarters is located on the Indiana War Memorial Plaza in Indianapolis. It is the primary office for the National Commander and also houses the historical archives, library, Membership affairs, and the Magazine editorial offices. The Legion also owns a building