My American Legion Convention Experience

I recently attended the American Legion's annual convention in Indianapolis.  I was invited to attend as a guest of the American Legion.  I really didn't know what to expect before I went but I sure left there with a new appreciation for the organization.

I thought I knew what the American Legion was but quickly realized that I didn't have a clue about the breadth of their programs.  Over the next weeks or months I will be writing posts about the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.  Both of these organization are beyond outstanding.  I'm very happy that I was allowed to get a glimpse into what they are all about.

Fair warning!!!  I'm also going to be on a mission to get you younger guys to join the American Legion.

Everyone I met at the convention was warm, genuine and welcoming.  They were all open to my myriad of questions and happy to help me understand all that the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary does.  I was impressed with their professionalism and their camaraderie.  While there certainly were opportunities for socializing there was no question that those in attendance were there to conduct business to benefit Veterans, active duty military personnel and their families.

The American Legion  was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at over 2.4 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

The American Legion subscribes to four pillars.  I will focus on each of these pillars separately in coming posts.  The pillars are:

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation

National Security

Americanism

Youth and Children

I hope you will enjoy learning about the American Legion with me in the coming weeks and months.