The American Legion was chartered and
incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s
largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, advocating
patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
The American Legion
Preamble to the Constitution
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER
FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
To maintain law and order;
To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
To
preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars;
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation
to the community, state and nation;
To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
To make right
the master of might;
To promote peace and goodwill on earth;
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.
In contrast to other veterans organizations, the Legion offers a number of local programs and activities to strengthen
its commitment to our nation’s grass roots and the people we serve. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s
most successful amateur athletic programs; it continues to educate youths on the importance of sportsmanship and develops
the quality of our country’s citizenship. The Heroes to Hometowns program is the only nationwide reintegration assistance
service for wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, millions of dollars in donations have been given to
fellow veterans and their families in times of grief, and various scholarship opportunities ensure the future success of our
youth.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots
involvements in the legislation process. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to their community, state and nation drives
an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands not behind politics, but the issues and people that institute
progress by focusing on veterans rights and quality of life.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization
belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.