To Strengthen a Nation: The American Legion Story, hosted by Air Force veteran Lorna Duyn and Army veteran Jeric Wilhelmsen, connects the dots between legacy and vision of the nation’s largest veterans service organization in honor of its 2019 centennial. In the Prelude episode, the veterans, both members of Hollywood, Calif., American Legion Post 43, begin their cross-country journey to discover the origins and reasons behind services and programs they now fulfill as Legionnaires. The Prelude burrows back to the roots of veteran organizations, from the Revolution to the Civil War, and the lessons The American Legion learned from its predecessors.
Our hosts explore the 1919 gatherings of war-weary troops in France who planted the seed that would grow to more than 684,000 members operating in posts nationwide by the first anniversary of the Great War’s end. This episode explains why founding leader Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., declined nomination to serve as the first national leader of The American Legion, the reasons the organization was firm in its conviction to remain non-partisan, open to all who honorably served, and guided by a constitutional preamble that endures as a statement of purpose today.
Our hosts, Jeric and Lorna, explore the American Legion’s legacy of support for veterans. The founders battled for better compensation for 100 percent combat-disabled veterans, the GI Bill of Rights, recognition of Agent Orange as the source of service-connected illnesses, and the fight for fair and compassionate treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
This episode of The American Legion’s centennial video series explores the ways the organization has helped veterans find jobs, start businesses and make successful transitions to civilian life.
Legionnaire hosts Lorna Duyn and Jeric Wilhelmsen explore the organization’s legacy of support for a strong defense and members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Our hosts, Jeric and Lorna, travel to Milbank, S.D. to learn the origin story of American Legion Baseball and explore how the organization has promoted citizenship through sportsmanship throughout the past century.
In Episode 6 of “To Strengthen a Nation,” a video series on the history of The American Legion, hosts Lorna Duyn and Jeric Wilhelmsen explore the original reasons the organization made “Americanism” a pillar value. Responsible U.S. citizenship, respect for the flag, constitutional understanding, voter participation, support for law and order and a number of youth programs arose from a founding interest to ensure that Americans not only had the resources and training to defend the country, but also understood the reasons why.
This episode of The American Legion’s centennial series traces the roots of the organization’s role to improve the lives of young people, from the early 1920s to today.
Throughout its history, The American Legion has put military training to use during disasters ranging from floods to terrorist attacks to a global pandemic. “To Strengthen a Nation” hosts Jeric Wilhelmsen and Lorna Duyn explore the many ways The American Legion has responded to emergencies over the decades.
Episode 9 of “To Strengthen a Nation” explores the roots and evolution of The American Legion’s role in service to local communities throughout the last century, a role that continues through “individual obligation to community, state and nation.”
In the 10th episode of “To Strengthen a Nation: The American Legion Story,” hosts Lorna Duyn and Jeric Wilhelmsen examine the ways in which the organization has paid tribute to our nation’s fallen, from overseas cemetery flags to national memorials and local honor guards, “to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars.”
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 final installment of The American Legion’s historical video series returns hosts Jeric Wilhelmsen and Lorna Duyn to Hollywood Post 43, where they reflect on all they’ve discovered, inspired for a second century of veterans strengthening America.
This is The American Legion
About the Legionnaires
Veterans Strengthening America
Eligibility Information
The LEGION Act
Elements of The American Legion Emblem
Uniform Cap Etiquette
To Strengthen a Nation
Robert’s Rules of Order
National Constitution and By-laws
Utah Constitution and By-laws
The American Legion was noted in passing during the course of debate on the topic that Teddy Roosevelt, Jr. had been responsible for an earlier organization called “The American Legion” in 1914, a “preparedness” society with a claimed membership of 35,000 which had been absorbed into the Council of National Defense in 1916.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veteran’s 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.
The American Legion values its independence and effectiveness on veterans’ issues. This stance is best maintained by neutrality on all individual candidates or political parties. The American Legion, by legal definition, is non-partisan and supports “or opposes as necessary” only issues which impact the Four Pillars.
The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Americanism, Children and Youth, National Security, and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation.
They have earned the right to call themselves Legionnaires. The American Legion’s founders did not distinguish between those who fought in the trenches of Europe and those stationed in the United States or at sea.
Our Mission
To enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. The American Legion’s vision statement is “The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America.” The American Legion’s value principles are as follows:
A VETERAN IS A VETERAN – which means The American Legion embraces all current and former members of the military and endeavors to help them transition into their communities.
SELFLESS SERVICE – which means The American Legion celebrates all who contribute to something larger than themselves and inspires others to serve and strengthen America.
AMERICAN VALUES AND PATRIOTISM – which means The American Legion advocates for upholding and defending the United States Constitution, equal justice and opportunity for everyone and discrimination against no one, youth education, responsible citizenship and honoring military service by observing and participating in memorial events.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – which means The American Legion meets the unique needs of local communities.
ADVANCING THE VISION – which means The American Legion educates, mentors and leads new generations of Americans.
HONOR THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US – which means The American Legion pays perpetual respect for all past military sacrifices to ensure they are never forgotten by new generations.
The American Legion’s motto is “Veterans Strengthening America.”
Suppose you have served federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces since December 7, 1941 and have been honorably discharged or are still serving. In that case, you are eligible for membership in The American Legion!
*Because eligibility dates remain open, all active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion at this time, until the date of the end of hostilities as determined by the government of the United States.
**The U.S. Merchant Marine is eligible only from December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946 (WWII).
Listen to the text:
President Donald J. Trump signs S. 504, the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service (LEGION) Act Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in the Oval Office of the White House. Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour.
LEGION Act signed into law
The American Legion
In a significant legislative victory for The American Legion, President Trump signed a bill July 30 that declares the United States has been in a state of war since Dec. 7, 1941.
The American Legion sought the declaration as a way to honor approximately 1,600 U.S. servicemembers who were killed or wounded during previously undeclared periods of war.
The LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) also opens the door for approximately 6 million veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.
“Recognizing the service of these wartime veterans is the right thing do and it is long overdue,” National Commander Brett Reistad said. “The families of those who were killed or wounded during these wartime acts should take pride in knowing that we recognize their sacrifice and service. Moreover, we are proud to welcome any of the six million living veterans from the previously unrecognized periods into our organization and call them ‘Legionnaires.’”
Now that the legislation has been signed, The American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from seven war eras to two: April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941 to a time later determined by the federal government. No other restrictions to American Legion membership are changed.
The law’s journey began on Feb. 14 when Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., introduced S. 504, along with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. A companion measure, H.R. 1641, was introduced in the House by Reps. Lou Correa, D-Calif., and Ben Cline, R-Va.
Reistad expressed gratitude to the bipartisan members of Congress for passing the legislation.
“We are grateful that President Trump fully acknowledges the importance of The American Legion by signing the LEGION Act in the White House today – just one week after it passed the House of Representatives,” Reistad said. “In an era of partisan gridlock, Republicans and Democrats in Congress overwhelmingly recognized the importance of allowing thousands of honorable but previously ineligible veterans the right to join the largest and most influential veterans organization in the country.”
Reistad pointed out that existing American Legion membership applications are in the process of being updated but can still be used. “In the meantime, I recommend that prospective Legionnaires and recruiters write ‘LEGION Act’ in the eligibility date section of American Legion membership applications if they fall outside the previous war eras,” Reistad said. “The larger pool of veterans now eligible for The American Legion will also open their family members to eligibility in the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary as well.”
Uniform Cap Etiquette
The left side (emblem side) of the cap is reserved only for the Legion emblem, city, county, district, or state lettering.
If desired, the following items must be placed on the right side of the cap:
Additional lettering, restricted to either the name of a Post or to an officer title, such as Past Commander
Cap insignias or badges for past or present officers
Consecutive membership insignia, membership stars, and/or authorized Legion or military service decorations
Names or nicknames of individual members cannot be used on caps.
The Legion uniform cap should be worn by its members only when in attendance at official Legion meetings or ceremonies or as official guests at patriotic or other civil functions or by individuals when officially representing The American Legion on public occasions.
A member is considered to be in uniform if wearing an official Legion uniform cap. Therefore it is not proper to wear the cap while eating a meal at an official Legion or civic luncheon or dinner.
The cap should be worn in a place of worship only by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard, and Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard. When returned to and seated in pews, the cap should be removed.
Legion posts marching in formation into a place of worship should uncover at the door, hold the cap with the right hand over the heart until the arrival in the pews and commanded to take seats, remaining uncovered during the entire service. At the close of the service, upon command, the post shall arise, the members holding the cap with the right hand over the heart will march out of the place of worship and recover after marching through the door.
Legion members not in formation will uncover upon entering the place of worship and remain uncovered during the entire service and will recover after leaving the place of worship.
When at a funeral, the cap should be held over the heart as one approaches the casket and is not at any time worn in a place of worship (except by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard, or Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard.) At the graveside, the cap should be held in the right hand over the heart during the entire service. In cold and inclement weather, the cap should not be worn.
In Legion meetings, the cap should be worn except during moments of the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and when standing in silent reverence in memory of departed comrades, when the cap should be held with the right hand over the heart.
Female members of the Legion should wear their caps in the manner prescribed for female personnel of the armed services.
To Strengthen a Nation: The American Legion Story, hosted by Air Force veteran Lorna Duyn and Army veteran Jeric Wilhelmsen, connects the dots between legacy and vision of the nation’s largest veterans service organization in honor of its 2019 centennial. In the Prelude episode, the veterans, both members of Hollywood, Calif., American Legion Post 43, begin their cross-country journey to discover the origins and reasons behind services and programs they now fulfill as Legionnaires. The Prelude burrows back to the roots of veteran organizations, from the Revolution to the Civil War, and the lessons The American Legion learned from its predecessors.
Our hosts explore the 1919 gatherings of war-weary troops in France who planted the seed that would grow to more than 684,000 members operating in posts nationwide by the first anniversary of the Great War’s end. This episode explains why founding leader Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., declined nomination to serve as the first national leader of The American Legion, the reasons the organization was firm in its conviction to remain non-partisan, open to all who honorably served, and guided by a constitutional preamble that endures as a statement of purpose today.
Our hosts, Jeric and Lorna, explore the American Legion’s legacy of support for veterans. The founders battled for better compensation for 100 percent combat-disabled veterans, the GI Bill of Rights, recognition of Agent Orange as the source of service-connected illnesses, and the fight for fair and compassionate treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
This episode of The American Legion’s centennial video series explores the ways the organization has helped veterans find jobs, start businesses and make successful transitions to civilian life.
Legionnaire hosts Lorna Duyn and Jeric Wilhelmsen explore the organization’s legacy of support for a strong defense and members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Our hosts, Jeric and Lorna, travel to Milbank, S.D. to learn the origin story of American Legion Baseball and explore how the organization has promoted citizenship through sportsmanship throughout the past century.
In Episode 6 of “To Strengthen a Nation,” a video series on the history of The American Legion, hosts Lorna Duyn and Jeric Wilhelmsen explore the original reasons the organization made “Americanism” a pillar value. Responsible U.S. citizenship, respect for the flag, constitutional understanding, voter participation, support for law and order and a number of youth programs arose from a founding interest to ensure that Americans not only had the resources and training to defend the country, but also understood the reasons why.
This episode of The American Legion’s centennial series traces the roots of the organization’s role to improve the lives of young people, from the early 1920s to today.
Throughout its history, The American Legion has put military training to use during disasters ranging from floods to terrorist attacks to a global pandemic. “To Strengthen a Nation” hosts Jeric Wilhelmsen and Lorna Duyn explore the many ways The American Legion has responded to emergencies over the decades.
Episode 9 of “To Strengthen a Nation” explores the roots and evolution of The American Legion’s role in service to local communities throughout the last century, a role that continues through “individual obligation to community, state and nation.”
In the 10th episode of “To Strengthen a Nation: The American Legion Story,” hosts Lorna Duyn and Jeric Wilhelmsen examine the ways in which the organization has paid tribute to our nation’s fallen, from overseas cemetery flags to national memorials and local honor guards, “to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars.”
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 final installment of The American Legion’s historical video series returns hosts Jeric Wilhelmsen and Lorna Duyn to Hollywood Post 43, where they reflect on all they’ve discovered, inspired for a second century of veterans strengthening America.
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