There are some folks who think that the American Legion is just a bunch old guys sitting around bars, telling war stories.
Nothing could be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, less than a third of the 175 posts in Maine have lounges, and the organization is run by young and old wartime vets who continue serving disabled veterans, kids, the community and nation.
In recognition of the American Legion’s 99th birthday, Gov. Paul LePage will proclaim March 15 as American Legion Day in the State of Maine. In a ceremony held at the Hall of Flags, Gov. LePage presented the proclamation to American Legion Commander, Department of Maine, John Hargreaves.
The governor’s proclamation cited the many accomplishments of the American Legion since its incorporation by an act of Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans’ organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.
There are more than 2.3 million members of the Legion, making it the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ service organization in the United States.
The American Legion has nearly 14,000 posts in nearly every community in the United States. In addition to having one in every state, the Legion has posts in the District of Columbia, France, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
Here’s a look back on the Legion’s accomplishments and involvement over the years:
In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the original GI Bill, or Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, ushering in monumental changes in U.S. society. Six months earlier, The American Legion wrote the first draft of what later became the “GI Bill of Rights,” which is considered the Legion’s single greatest legislative achievement. Higher education became democratized after 8 million veterans went to school on the GI Bill, got better jobs, bought houses in the suburbs and raised families.
On Aug. 9, 1921, a Legion-led effort resulted in the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, which later became the Veterans Administration.
The first “Flag Code” was drafted during a Legion conference in Washington in 1923. Congress adopted the code in 1942. Today, the Legion is at the forefront of efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag from physical desecration.
The Legion donated $1 million to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for construction of The Wall in Washington, becoming the largest single contributor to the project.
The Legion announced its sponsorship of an independent study on the effects of exposure to Agent Orange on Vietnam War veterans. Congress received the results of the “American Legion-Columbia University Study of Vietnam-era Veterans” in 1989.
Today, more than 2,000 high school students annually participate in the Legion’s Junior Shooting Sports National Air Rifle Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The first event was held in 1991.
In 2010, The American Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors program won first place and $250,000 in PepsiCo’s Refresh Everything Project. OCW received the most votes in an online contest and defeated hundreds of other groups and charities to take first place.
The American Legion provides free, professional assistance for any veteran in filing and pursuing benefits claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Legion Baseball was formed in 1925 during an American Legion South Dakota Department state convention. By 1926, Legion Baseball posts in 15 states developed. Today, the program registers more than 5,400 teams in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Approximately 20,000 young men annually participate in Boys State, a Legion program dedicated to promoting leadership. Boys State alumni include former President Bill Clinton, news commentator Tom Brokaw, professional basketball player Michael Jordan, astronaut Neil Armstrong and many more.
Since 1938, The American Legion National High School Oratorical Program, “A Constitutional Speech Contest,” has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. Many politicians and news anchors have been participants, including CNN anchor Lou Dobbs.
Since 1919, American Legion posts have sponsored more than 2,500 scouting units across the country. And annually, the Legion honors an Eagle Scout of the Year with a $10,000 scholarship.
In Maine, there are more than 20,500 members of 175 posts located around the state, with headquarters in Winslow. Anyone interested in becoming a member or donating to the American Legion can call 632-3229.
— Patrick Eisenhart is chairman of the Public Relations Committee, Department of Maine, American Legion.
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