The American Legion Family

To Strengthen A Nation 11: The American Legion Family

Hosts Lorna Duyn and Jeric Wilhelmsen chronicle the origins of The American Legion Auxiliary, The Sons of American Legion and The American Legion Riders. They show how the organization that started in 1919 grew to become The American Legion Family.

The American Legion:

Founded in 1919, The American Legion is the nation’s largest and most influential veterans service organization. It is made up of nearly 2 million wartime veterans who focus activities on the organization’s Four Pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Defense, Americanism, and Children & Youth.

The Sons of The American Legion (SAL):

Founded in 1932, the Sons honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires. There are more than 372,000 members in the United States. Members include males whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership.

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA):

The Auxiliary’s membership is more than 600,000 strong. With more than 8,000 units in communities, members are fiercely dedicated to serving, helping, and meeting the needs of veterans, the military, and their families.

American Legion Riders (ALR):

With more than 2,500 chapters, Legion Riders have helped raise more than $14 million for the Legacy Scholarship Fund. The Riders also perform a number of services for American Legion-supported causes and provide support at military funerals. Participants must be members of The American Legion, Auxiliary or Sons.