Why You Should Belong - The American Legion

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WHY YOU SHOULD BELONGBOARD OF VETERANS APPEALSFor veterans and families disputing benefits decisionsby VA, The American Legion has staff representativesin Washington D.C. who can help free ofcharge to the veteran.VA VOLUNTEER SERVICESLegion Family members donate millions of hours a yearat health-care facilities, working through the VA VolunteerServices program. These volunteer hours save thefederal government no less than an estimated $18.5 milliona year. Other Legion opportunities include Habitatfor Humanity, Ride 2 Recovery, Operation Homefront,Veterans of Valor and VA’s National Suicide Hotline.www.legion.org/volunteersWHY I BELONG“A group of concerned citizens who believed in us donateda van so that we could transport veterans to the Dallas andFort Worth VA facilities for their medical appointments.”JoAnn Cassidy, Texas Post 163VETERANS EDUCATION AND THE GI BILLThe American Legion was instrumental in the creationof a new Post 9/11 GI Bill to provide veteraneducation benefits to meet today’s needs. Following itspassage, the Legion has continued to fight to make itmore helpful to National Guardsmen, reservists andthose pursuing online educations.www.legion.org/mygibillHEROES TO HOMETOWNSThe American Legion helps severely wounded militarypersonnel adjust to new lives across the nation throughHeroes to Hometowns. Legion staff members workclosely with DoD and VA to connect today’s woundedwarriors with veterans in their local communities.www.legion.org/heroes4 The American Legion | Why You Should Belong

WHY YOU SHOULD BELONGBLUE STAR BANNERSThe Blue Star Banner was resurrected by The AmericanLegion after 9/11 to acknowledge U.S. families withloved ones serving in the Armed Forces during wartime.Each blue star represents one family member at war. Agold star indicates a family member who has made theultimate sacrifice. American Legion Blue Star Salutesand other post-sponsored events honor these families.www/legion.org/troops/bluestarDISASTER PREPAREDNESSThe American Legion works with the Departmentof Homeland Security at the national, state and locallevels to prepare for natural disasters. In many communities,American Legion posts serve as civil-defenseshelters and havens of relief in the event of catastropheor attack on U.S. soil.http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/disaster_07.pdfWHY I BELONG“After Hurricane Charley devastated our island in 2004, wecame together as a family and opened up our post to thecommunity as a mess hall and drop-off point for essentialsupplies for the community.”Dick Thomas, South Carolina Post 136BLOOD DONOR PROGRAMThe American Legion conducts state competitionsthroughout the country for posts that donate blood orhost blood drives. Awards are given annually to thosewho make outstanding contributions.www.legion.org/security/bloodBORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATIONThe American Legion opposes illegal immigration andamnesty for those who came to the United States illegally.The Legion advocates for strict border and portsecurity as a defense against invasion or attack by foreign8 The American Legion | Why You Should Belong

WHY YOU SHOULD BELONGMILITARY COMMUNITY COVENANTThe American Legion and the U.S. Army are united ina nationwide effort to pledge support for the militarythrough the Military Community Covenant. By signingthe covenant, a community commits to providespecific forms of support.www.legion.org/troops/covenantFULL ACCOUNTING OF POW/MIAsThe American Legion maintains unwavering supportfor the full accounting of all U.S. military personneltaken as prisoners of war, missing or killed in action onforeign soil. The Legion maintains close relationshipswith the Joint Prisoners of War, Missing in Action AccountingCommand and the National League of POW/MIA Families to assure they are properly funded andfulfilling their sacred duties.www.legion.org/powmiaWHY I BELONG“When I first joined our post, I thought it was nothing morethan a social club. Boy, did I find out I was wrong. Whata great group of veterans who care so much about othermembers and our community.”Kim Henderson, Ohio Post 16610 The American Legion | Why You Should Belong

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PillarPILLAR THREE: AMERICANISMFew organizations stack up to The American Legion’s loveof country. The Legion is the nation’s foremost authorityon U.S. flag display, education and protection. The Legioncelebrates Americanism through wholesome activities foryoung people, voter registration drives, citizenship programs,educational opportunities and patriotic observances.U.S. FLAG PROTECTION AND EDUCATIONThe American Legion is the nation’s leading supporterof a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flagfrom desecration. Since a 5-4 Supreme Court decision in1989 defined flag burning as free speech, The AmericanLegion has lobbied alongside members of Congress, theCitizens Flag Alliance and the majority of the Americanpeople to return to them the right to enact flagprotectionlaws. The Legion is also the nation’s foremostauthority on proper disposal of unserviceable U.S. flags.www.legion.org/flagWHY I BELONG“Our post sponsors a baseball team, Boy Scout troop, attendees toBoys State, and school athletic and oratorical awards programs.”Tony Nardi, Wisconsin Post 10AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALLEach year, more than 100,000 young athletes competefor approximately 5,000 volunteer-coached AmericanLegion Baseball teams nationwide.www.legion.org/baseballBOYS STATE/BOYS NATIONYoung men from across America learn firsthand howgovernment works through American Legion BoysState and American Legion Boys Nation. From eachBoys State program, two delegates are selected to attendBoys Nation in Washington, D.C.www.legion.org/boysnationThe American Legion | Why You Should Belong 13

WHY YOU SHOULD BELONGJUNIOR SHOOTING SPORTSAmerican Legion youth air-rifle teams compete throughoutthe country to earn a berth in the National JuniorShooting Sports Championships at the U.S. OlympicTraining Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., each year.www.legion.org/shootingORATORICAL COMPETITIONThe American Legion High School Oratorical ScholarshipProgram gives young people the opportunity tohone their speaking skills and learn about the U.S. Constitution.The National American Legion High SchoolOratorical Contest in Indianapolis awards more than$138,000 in scholarships.www.legion.org/oratoricalROTCThe American Legion is actively involved in high schoolJunior ROTC and college ROTC programs nationwide.www.legion.org/rotcEDUCATION ASSISTANCEAt the national, state and local levels, The AmericanLegion provides access to dozens of scholarships andeducation programs. For a complete listing, visitwww.legion.org/scholarshipsWHY I BELONG“We try to observe every military holiday with a program/service and lunch or dinner, in honor of our veterans andmilitary personnel.”Terri Ann Christie, Vermont Post 39VOTER PARTICIPATIONAmerican Legion posts conduct get-out-the-votedrives, serve as polling places, political debate venuesand forums during campaigns.www.legion.org/vote14 The American Legion | Why You Should Belong

AmericanismBOY SCOUTS OF AMERICAAmerican Legion posts nationwide sponsor more than2,500 Scouting units and provide thousands of dollarsin scholarships. The Legion offers a national scholarshipfor Eagle Scout of the Year and the Square KnotAward for Legionnaires who work diligently for theScouting programs in their communities.www.legion.org/scoutingLegacy ScholarshipOpportunities to attend college should not be out ofreach of children left behind because a parent died onactive duty. This is why The American Legion establishedThe American Legion Legacy Scholarship, whichprovides funds for the children of military personnelwho lost their lives on duty after 9/11.www.legion.org/scholarships/legacyLegion RidersThe Legion Riders, with more than 1,200 chapters, haveraised over $2.2 million for the Legacy Scholarship fund.The Riders also perform a number of services for Legionsupportedcauses and provide support at military funerals.www.legion.org/ridersPhoto by James V. CarrollThe American Legion | Why You Should Belong 15

PillarPILLAR 4: CHILDREN & YOUTHThe American Legion’s Children & Youth pillar isguided by three main objectives: strengthen the familyunit, support organizations that help children in needand provide communities with well-rounded programsto provide hope and opportunity for young people facingdifficult challenges.WHY I BELONG“What I love about my post is the love and togetherness thatThe American Legion, Sons of The American Legion and ladiesAuxiliary members do for our community and each other.”Juanita B. Reaves, Pennsylvania Post 89FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORKEstablished during Operation Desert Storm, thisprogram connects American Legion members withfamilies struggling at home when a loved one iscalled to military duty. The program takes manyshapes. Legion volunteers provide child-care services,yard work, car repairs or other forms of personalhelp. A dedicated hotline is available for familieslooking for assistance.www.legion.org/fsn(800) 504-4098TEMPORARY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCEThe American Legion provides temporary cash grantsto needy families of veterans and military personnelwith minor children at home.www.legion.org/financialassistanceCHILD WELFARE FOUNDATIONNon-profit organizations that reach out to help youngpeople in need are supported through American LegionChild Welfare Foundation grants.www.legion.org/childwelfareThe American Legion | Why You Should Belong 17

WHY YOU SHOULD BELONGSOCIAL ISSUESThe American Legion opposes attempts to weaken U.S.laws governing the production and distribution of pornographicmaterials and takes a zero-tolerance stance onsexual exploitation of children. The Legion also workswith local programs, law-enforcement officials andschools to prevent substance abuse among young peoplein their communities. Other issues of Legion concerninclude Halloween safety, suicide prevention, support forchildren of deployed troops, and control over excessiveuse of violence in the entertainment media.AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARYWith some 850,000 members and 9,500 units acrossthe U.S., the mission of the American Legion Auxiliaryis to support The American Legion and to honorthe sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the livesof our veterans, military and their families, both athome and abroad.www.alaforveterans.orgSONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGIONOpen to male descendants of veteran parents orgrandparents from any of the Legion eligibility dates,membership in the Sons exceeds 355,000 nationwideand with approximately 5,900 squadrons. The Sonsparticipate in all Legion programs including Children& Youth, Americanism, and Veterans Rehabilitation.www.sal.legion.org18 The American Legion | Why You Should Belong

Benefits of Legion MembershipAMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINEMembers of The American Legion receive a free subscriptionto The American Legion Magazine, the largestveterans magazine in the nation. Every month, themagazine is loaded with interesting feature stories, interviews,graphics, photos, advertisements and illustrationsof interest to Legionnaires.www.legion.org/magazineAMERICAN LEGION ONLINE UPDATEMembers are automatically invited to receive the weeklyAmerican Legion Online Update e-newsletter, which deliversa comprehensive portfolio of stories, photos, videosand other material straight to their computers. The OnlineUpdate also has strong Facebook and Twitter presences.MYLEGION.ORG SOCIAL NETWORKA social network just for Legionnaires is availablethrough mylegion.org. The network is built for veteranswho want to communicate better with each otherand with their posts. It offers a variety of services,including membership administration tools.The American Legion | Why You Should Belong 19

WHY YOU SHOULD BELONGLEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTERMembers stay up to date on congressional action relatedto American Legion resolutions and programs. Frequentlegislative alerts, information about how to contact themedia and elected officials, and much more, including ane-newsletter, are available.www.legion.org/legislativeMEMBER DISCOUNTSMembership in The American Legion means discountson a variety of products and services. Member discountsare available through participating businesses in automobilerental, home services, financial and insurance, medical,moving and relocation, travel and other industries.www.legion.org/benefitsFINANCIAL AND INSURANCE SERVICESThe American Legion and USAA have teamed up toconnect the nation’s largest veterans service organizationwith the nation’s top-ranked insurance and financialservices company. Legion members now have access tothe full range of financial and insurance services anda dedicated credit card. For every USAA membershiporiginating through the Legion-USAA web site (www.usaa.com/legion) or a special toll-free phone line – (877)699-2654 – Legion programs receive assistance.AMERICAN LEGION EMBLEM SALESMembers of The American Legion family are alwaysinvited to review the Emblem Sales catalog for the latestin patriotic merchandise, American-made flags, andapparel. A catalog of products is shipped to membersor they can visit Emblem Sales online anytime to safelyplace their orders.www.emblem.legion.org20 The American Legion | Why You Should Belong

The American LegionNational HeadquartersP.O. Box 1055Indianapolis, IN 462061-800-433-3318www.legion.orgWho to contact:Stock# 30-185 (2011)Artwork# 54IA0211