American Legion, national association of male and female war veterans, founded (1919) in Paris. Membership is open to veterans of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The preamble to the organization's constitution, adopted at the convention in St. Louis that same year, expresses its purposes in part as "to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; … to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness." The organization has done much work in social welfare, particularly in the areas of veterans' benefits and child care. With national headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., it is the largest veterans' association; it holds an annual convention, which often addresses national issues. The American Legion's efforts have been bent not only to obtaining benefits for veterans but also for the families of those who died in war. Although it is organized on a nonpartisan, nonpolitical basis, its policies have been criticized as extremely conservative by many opponents, and its influence has waned, particularly with the loss of many World War II veterans. There is also a women's auxiliary for the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters of veterans.

Bibliography

See R. Moley, The American Legion Story (1966); W. Pencak, For God and Country: The American Legion, 1919–1941 (1989).

American Legion

Organization of U.S. war veterans. Founded in 1919, it works for the care of disabled and sick veterans and promotes compensation and pensions for the disabled, widows, and orphans. Nonpolitical and nonsectarian, its membership requirement is honourable service and an honourable discharge. It was instrumental in establishing veterans' hospitals, and it sponsored the creation of the U.S. Veterans Administration in 1930. In 1944 it played an important role in the passage of the GI Bill. The American Legion claims about three million members in some 15,000 local posts, or groups.

American Legion

the largest organization of war veterans in the USA. Founded in 1919. In 1968 its membership numbered 2.3 million. The legion is financed by large monopolies and is supervised by an executive committee and national commander elected at its annual conference. There is a far-flung network of lower level organizations (the so-called local posts). Operating with the slogan “100 Percent Americanism,” the leadership of the legion takes a reactionary position on issues affecting American foreign and domestic policy.

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No references found			VETERANS TODAY Vernon Hill American Legion Post 435's color guard and antique green firetruck will participate in the Worcester Columbus Day Parade. MILITARY NOTES by Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA) He is a 61-year member of the American Legion and a 35-year member of the Springfield Elks. ANNIVERSARIES by The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR) She is a past member of the Burbank American Legion Auxiliary, Post 150. MARRIED 60 YEARS: WILLIAM AND CATHERINE ABBOTT by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)			American Fur Co. American Fur Company American Geographical Society American Gothic American Hiking Society American Historical Association American holly American hophornbeam American hornbeam American Indian American Indian Heritage Month American Indian Languages American Indian Literatures American Indian Movement American Indian religions, North American Indian religions, South American Indians American Institute of Architects American International style American jade American Kennel Club American Labor Party American Landrace swine American Lands Alliance American League American Legion American Legion & Peoples State Forests American Library Association American linden American lion American literature American Littoral Society American Mansard style American Medical Association American melting point American Memorial Park American method of application American Monitor Lizard American Motors Corp. American mucocutaneous leishmaniasis American Museum of Natural History American Muslim Mission American National Standard American National Standards Institute American Negro spirituals American oriental carpeting American Park & Recreation Society American Party American pasque flower American pennyroyal oil American Philosophical Society			American league baseball club American League Championship Series American League Division Series American League for Exports & Security Assistance American League of Anglers American League of Anglers and Boaters American League of Colleges and Universities American League of Financial Institutions American League of Lobbyists American League of Physical Culture American League of Professional Football American Leaguer American Learning Institute for Muslims American Leather Chemists Association American Lebanese for the Freedom and Independence of Lebanon American Lebanese Medical Association American Lebanese National Mission American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities American Legacy Dance Theatre American Legacy Foundation American Legal Foundation American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board American Legation United States Naval Attaché American Legend American Legion American Legion & Peoples State Forests American Legion Auxiliary American Legion Community Band American Legion Community Hospital American Legion Golf Course American Legion Hospital American Legion Jersey Boys' State American Legion of Honor American Legion State Forest American Legion World Series American Legion Yacht Club American Legionnaires American Legionnaires American Legionnaires American Legionnaires American Legislative Exchange Council American legless lizard American legless lizard American leishmaniasis American leishmaniasis American leishmaniasis American leishmaniasis American Leisure Group American Leisure Group Limited American Leisure Group Ltd. American Leisure Holdings Inc American Leopard Cur Breeders Association American Leprosy Missions American Liberal-Independent Youth Alliance American Liberation Front