{"id":79,"date":"2021-06-22T19:36:13","date_gmt":"2021-06-22T23:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/?page_id=79"},"modified":"2021-06-29T19:57:12","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T23:57:12","slug":"mission-of-the-american-legion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/?page_id=79","title":{"rendered":"Mission of the American Legion"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"79\" class=\"elementor elementor-79\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8c9781c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8c9781c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d3a1d7e\" data-id=\"d3a1d7e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eff2a16 elementor-button-success elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"eff2a16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/?page_id=742\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Return to Post 201 Book<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4b4a198 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4b4a198\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-863bcfc\" data-id=\"863bcfc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-096c3d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"096c3d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0f4a624 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0f4a624\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-668c81e\" data-id=\"668c81e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7061ba3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7061ba3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mission of the American Legion<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d8dc2d1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d8dc2d1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2e4faa\" data-id=\"f2e4faa\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2715e81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2715e81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>To enhance the well-being of America&#8217;s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. The American Legion&#8217;s vision statement is &#8220;The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America.\u201d The American Legion&#8217;s value principles are as follows:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>A VETERAN IS A VETERAN<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; which means The American Legion embraces all current and former members of the military and endeavors to help them transition into their communities.<\/p><p><strong>SELFLESS SERVICE<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; which means The American Legion celebrates all who contribute to something larger than themselves and inspires others to serve and strengthen America.<\/p><p><strong>AMERICAN VALUES AND PATRIOTISM<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; 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.<\/p><p><strong>FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; which means The American Legion meets the unique needs of local communities.<\/p><p><strong>ADVANCING THE VISION<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; which means The American Legion educates, mentors and leads new generations of Americans.<\/p><p><strong>HONOR THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; which means The American Legion pays perpetual respect for all past military sacrifices to ensure they are never forgotton by new generations.<\/p><p>The American Legion&#8217;s motto is &#8220;Veterans Strengthening America.&#8221;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4d82459 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4d82459\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7724fb\" data-id=\"f7724fb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32c4fd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"32c4fd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>What the American Legion Does (from American Legion handout June 2021)<\/strong><\/h4><ul><li><h5>Delivers, free of charge, all U.S. flags for the graves of American military personnel laid to rest at overseas cemeteries.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Provides cash assistance to needy military and veteran families with children at home.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Purchases comfort items and recreational opportunities, from loose-fitting sweat suits for burn victims to amusement park tickets for families of hospitalized military personnel recovering from wounds and illnesses.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Provides volunteer hours and services at VA medical facilities at an estimated annual value of $20 million.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Fulfills needs and provides firsthand support for veterans suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury through a variety of therapeutic programs that are not dependent on prescription drugs.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Awards college scholarships to children of post-9\/11 veterans who died on active duty, or have a combined VA disability of 50 percent or greater.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Distributes urgent cash assistance to veterans whose homes have been badly damaged or destroyed by natural disasters.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Distributes more than $500,000 a year in grants to organizations that provide for children in need.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Sponsors and supports hundreds of youth programs, including more than 3,000 Scouting units, nearly 4,000 American Legion Baseball teams, dozens of Junior Shooting Sports clubs, Junior ROTC, and Junior Law Cadet programs.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Provides relief, support, shelter, training and compassion for homeless veterans.<\/h5><\/li><li><h5>Supports and demands a full accounting and repatriation, when possible, of all U.S. military personnel lists as Prisoners of War or Missings in Action.<\/h5><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e853970 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e853970\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fcaf4cb\" data-id=\"fcaf4cb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01d07c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"01d07c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><strong>Questions and Answers.\u00a0 (extracted from the National Website)<\/strong><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e564110 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e564110\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bc5761c\" data-id=\"bc5761c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65b0c67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"65b0c67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1061\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1061\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I get The American Legion at the local, state and national level to support a candidate running for Congress or any political office?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1061\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1061\"><p>No. In Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of The American Legion, &#8220;The American Legion shall be absolutely nonpolitical and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment.&#8221; Additionally the National Charter, approved by Congress, stipulates The American Legion as an organization is nonpolitical. Therefore, The American Legion as an organization is never to help or endorse a candidate. However, you, as a private citizen and not speaking for the organization, can do whatever is legal and ethical to advance his\/her candidacy.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1062\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1062\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Where can I find information on actions pending in Congress and The American Legion's position on legislation? How can I get involved in the legislative process from the local level?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1062\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1062\"><p>The American Legion maintains several web pages dedicated to our legislative activities. The Legislative information landing page on our national website,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.legion.org\/legislative\">www.legion.org\/legislative<\/a>, is regularly updated with news and information about Legion legislative activities, our current legislative priorities and recent testimony.<\/p><p>There is also a link to our &#8220;Legislative Action Center&#8221;, where members can see the most recent &#8220;Action Alerts&#8221; and send messages to their elected officials. The Legislative Division also sends out action alerts via email when important legislation is pending. The alerts provide key message points and a specific request for action. Sign up to receive action alert email:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/capwiz.com\/legion\/mlm\/signup\/\">capwiz.com\/legion\/mlm\/signup<\/a><\/p><p>The Legislative Division also sends out a semi-weekly newsletter that provides information on legislative issues and news concerning The American Legion&#8217;s legislative initiatives. Sign up to receive the Legislative Update at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.legion.org\/newsletters\">www.legion.org\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p><p>The Legislative Division has a wealth of useful information on members of Congress, the Executive Branch, the media and individual pieces of Legislation. There are many useful documents available for download at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/publications#legislative\">www.legion.org\/publications#legislative<\/a>. You can also contact the Legislative Division by emailing\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:leg@legion.org\">leg@legion.org<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1063\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1063\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I wear my American Legion cap to a political event?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1063\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1063\"><p>No. The American Legion cap is considered the official legion uniform (see p. 40 of 2018 Officer&#8217;s Guide). If attending a political event, The American Legion cap, or any clothing with The American Legion emblem visible, must be removed so as not to imply any endorsement by The American Legion.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1064\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1064\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can we use our American Legion post for a political event?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1064\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1064\"><p>When using post facilities to host any candidates, the post must remove American Legion emblems and American Legion flags to avoid any impression of endorsements. Candidates for all parties must be presented equal opportunity to use the facilities on the same terms and conditions as other competing candidates.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1065\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1065\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can our post accept political donations?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1065\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1065\"><p>No. If financial contributions are offered by candidates for political office, campaigns, political action committees or political parties, your post should politely decline. The American Legion must avoid any perception of supporting any candidate or political party at all times.<\/p><p>The American Legion values its independence and effectiveness on veterans&#8217; 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 &#8220;or opposes as necessary&#8221; only issues which impact the Four Pillars.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1066\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1066\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">If the Post has a problem with a member in their Post, can the Post ask National for help?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1066\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1066\"><p>According to the Federal Charter, the United States Code Annotated Title 36, Chapter 217, Section \u00a721704 titled Powers: The American Legion may &#8220;provide guidance and leadership to organizations and local chapters, but may not control or otherwise influence the specific activities and conduct of such organizations and local chapters.&#8221;<\/p><p>The National organization has no legion direct authority on actions or activities of a local post. Remember your &#8220;chain of command.&#8221; Issues within a post should be brought to the respective local post commander. In the event the issue is with the post commander, the issue should be brought forward to the other department- defined intermediate bodies such as counties and district commanders before addressing persons within the department.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1067\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1067\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why is so much emphasis placed on district commanders when these offices are not even required by the organization<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1067\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1067\"><p>The national constitution gives departments authority to create intermediate bodies between posts and departments for promoting the programs of The American Legion. It further states that the Department Executive Committee (DEC) shall define the powers of the intermediate bodies (county, district, zone, area, etc.) so as not to invade the prerogatives invested in the post, department or National.<\/p><p>The district (county, zone or area in some departments depending on size and desire) commander is the department commander&#8217;s link between department and posts in order to enhance The American Legion programs. This vital link serves to extend the communications span of the department commander but does not usurp their responsibilities. The district commander is the liaison between the post and department, but also has the implied obligation to provide guidance and supervision within the guidelines established by the DEC.<\/p><p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/publications\/246562\/district-commanders-guide\">District\/County Commanders Guide<\/a>\u00a0(available for download from the Legion.org website) provides additional suggested information and guidance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1068\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1068\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How does a Post apply\/qualify for ceremonial rifles?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1068\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1068\"><p>The individual post is required to have their Commander or Adjutant fill out the form located at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tacom.army.mil\/ilsc\/donations\/index.html?p=rifle\">www.tacom.army.mil<\/a>. This form must be sent to your Department Adjutant to validate the post is in good standing and will forward the form to the National Security Division Director for further processing.\u00a0 The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/publications\/246556\/2019-officers-guide\">Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies<\/a>\u00a0(available for download from the Legion.org website) has the procedures for requesting rifles, ammunition and static military equipment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1069\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1069\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can our Post's rifles be loaned to another Post or an organization within the respective Post\/Detachment?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1069\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1069\"><p>No. Rifles are only to be used by the issued organization&#8217;s Post. The weapons are not to be shared or loaned or utilized by anyone other than that organization&#8217;s members. The Sons of the American Legion may use the ceremonial rifles provided they comply with local, state, federal law (i.e. no felonies); over 18 years of age; and have weapon safety training. Sons are not authorized to have their own Honor Guard using US Army ceremonial rifles and at least one veteran member of the Post is required to participate.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10610\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10610\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Does the Post own the rifles?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10610\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10610\"><p>No. All rifles remain the property of the US Government. The Post is the custodian of the rifles conditionally issued for ceremonial purposes. There is a requirement that the post must send a rifle inventory to the Army. See current\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/publications\/246556\/2019-officers-guide\">Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies<\/a>\u00a0(available for download from the Legion.org website) for additional guidance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10611\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"11\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10611\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What if the Post thinks they bought the rifles and want to keep the rifles as personal property?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10611\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"11\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10611\"><p>All rifles remain the property of the US Government. The Post is the custodian of the rifles conditionally issued for ceremonial purposes. There is a requirement that the post must send a rifle inventory to the Army. See current\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/publications\/246556\/2019-officers-guide\">Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies<\/a>\u00a0(available for download from the Legion.org website) for additional guidance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10612\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"12\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10612\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What if the Post closes, do the rifles go to the District Commander or to a neighboring post in need?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10612\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"12\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10612\"><p>No. The post Adjutant or Commander must contact the Army Donations Program Office for disposition (return) instructions prior to closing the Post. See current\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/publications\/246556\/2019-officers-guide\">Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies<\/a>\u00a0(available for download from the Legion.org website) for additional guidance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10613\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"13\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10613\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Our Post has different models of rifles on hand (M1897, M1903, M1917, M1, etc.). What models of rifles need to be recorded on the Ceremonial Rifle Inventory form?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10613\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"13\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10613\"><p>You are required to report by model, manufacturer, and serial numbers all types of rifles. See current\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/publications\/160963\/post-officer-guide-and-manual-ceremonies\">Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies<\/a>\u00a0(available for download from the Legion.org website) for additional guidance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10614\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"14\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10614\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Does the Officers' Guide and Manual of Ceremonies include Army Donations Program information?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10614\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"14\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10614\"><p>Yes, The current\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/publications\/160963\/post-officer-guide-and-manual-ceremonies\">Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies<\/a>\u00a0(available for download from the Legion.org website) has information.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10615\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"15\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10615\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why is the Consolidated Post Report (CPR) so important that every post should submit one?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10615\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"15\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10615\"><p>When the National Commander testifies before Congress, the Consolidated Post Report (CPR) data is used to provide numerical data of what the collective American Legion is doing. Leadership at all levels of the organization need to impress upon our posts that they need to report what they are accomplishing in their community. The CPR is important to the business of The American Legion.<\/p><p>The Federal Charter requires the National Organization to report to Congress on the activities of the corporation during the prior calendar year. The CPR is essential in collecting the data to compile this report to Congress.<\/p><p>Every post is most likely doing something in the community. It is important that the post leadership report what they are doing and at what level they are assisting. The post or department may fill out a CPR to just submit a report but the level of participation is what is essential. This is made easier by using the CPR form on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mylegion.org\/\">mylegion.org<\/a>. It has the capability to keep a running total and save the data until the next event. The magnitude of our numbers from just 68% (which is yearly average at National level) of our posts reporting has a major impact on Congress.<\/p><p>A department headquarters may also report program accomplishments on the department HQ post&#8217;s CPR.\u00a0 For instance, if the department sponsors four young men to Boy&#8217;s State, or department staff members donate blood during a blood drive, those activities should also be reported on the departments HQ CPR.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10616\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"16\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10616\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can the National organization help in funding a local memorial or education center?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10616\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"16\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10616\"><p>Due to the increasing number of proposed memorials coming to the attention of the Internal Affairs Commission, it is not possible for The American Legion to honor all such requests for financial support; therefore, the Commission adopted the following policy:<\/p><p>The National Headquarters will not consider financial support for memorials, museums nor education centers that are not in the greater Washington, DC, area and federally supported by Congress and the National Parks System.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10617\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"17\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10617\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">When I see how my Congress members vote on veterans' earned benefits issues, I have a feeling they don't really care about veterans. When is The American Legion going to make their votes public?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10617\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"17\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10617\"><p>All votes of members of Congress are public; unfortunately, many veterans&#8217; bills are agreed to under unanimous consent (voice vote). Another problem is that veterans&#8217; bills are often included in omnibus legislative packages; which means there are many other provisions not related to veterans&#8217; benefits or issues that are controversial. This means a member&#8217;s vote against or for such omnibus bills may not reflect a member&#8217;s true position on a veterans&#8217; benefit or issue. The website\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.govtrack.us\/congress\/members\">www.govtrack.us<\/a>\u00a0provides information about individual members of Congress and their voting records.<\/p><p>The best way to know a lawmaker&#8217;s position on any issue is to ask \u2013 by email, letter, phone call, town hall meeting, etc. Make your judgment based on his or her response to you. Hold your two senators and your representative accountable.<\/p><p>On the whole, veterans&#8217; benefits have improved significantly. The American Legion has never been, and will never be, a single-issue national wartime veterans&#8217; service organization.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10618\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"18\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10618\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How can we get stories into The American Legion Magazine?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10618\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"18\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10618\"><p><em>The American Legion Magazine<\/em>\u00a0is the nation&#8217;s largest and best-read publication for veterans and their families. With a monthly readership of over 2 million, the magazine receives hundreds of submissions per month and can only publish a small fraction of them, balanced within an editorial calendar that addresses major issues facing our nation and the world. Submissions can be sent by e-mail to\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:magazine@legion.org\">magazine@legion.org<\/a>\u00a0or by mail to\u00a0<em>American Legion Magazine<\/em>, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Submissions cannot be returned, so the Magazine strongly urges members not to send original photos or documents.<\/p><p>In order to provide local posts and members a forum to share their stories, The American Legion Media &amp; Communications Division has developed and maintains the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.legiontown.org\/\">Legiontown USA<\/a>\u00a0web site for members and posts to share their stories, photos and other materials. Many of those submissions are positioned on the Honor &amp; Remembrance platform at\u00a0legion.org\/honor\u00a0which appears online.<\/p><p>Often, a story and photo from a local post is best-suited in a local, district or department publication. In order to reach national print media, the story and\/or photo must relate directly to a national issue, value, resolution or initiative. Those who submit articles are encouraged to include a query letter that expresses the national issue, value, resolution or initiative that matches the submission.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10619\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"19\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10619\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Are there any other American Legion periodicals?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10619\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"19\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10619\"><p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/dispatch\">American Legion Dispatch<\/a>\u00a0is a national leadership publication that disseminates in print and by e-mail stories and information from posts that can be replicated across the country. Unique programs, membership initiatives, organizational articles and stories of community service are welcome in the Dispatch and can be submitted by e-mail at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:dispatch@legion.org\">dispatch@legion.org<\/a>\u00a0or by contacting Editor Cameran Richardson at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:crichardson@legion.org\">crichardson@legion.org<\/a>, or by mailing to American Legion Dispatch, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN, 46206.<\/p><p>There is also the Membership\/Training newsletter created by the Internal Affairs and Membership Division. To subscribe to the newsletter please visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/newsletters\/\">legion.org\/newsletters<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10620\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"20\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10620\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Are there any death benefits available from The American Legion?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10620\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"20\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10620\"><p>There are no death benefits simply by virtue of your membership; however, if a member passes away, the family should check to see if the member held a life insurance policy with any of our benefit partners. Since this is protected information, National Headquarters doesn&#8217;t have this available on its records. Family members can contact our insurance providers at the numbers listed below to see if the member had an active policy:<\/p><p>USAA \u2013 (877) 699-2654<\/p><p>Hartford Life \u2013 (800) 542-5547<\/p><p>Union Fidelity \u2013 (800) 523-5758<\/p><p>Globe Life \u2013 (800) 654-5433<\/p><p>Legionnaires Insurance Trust \u2013 (800) 235-6943<\/p><p>Additionally, some departments may offer a free $1,000 accidental death benefit with a paid membership, which is also separate from the National Organization. You would need to contact the member&#8217;s department headquarters to inquire about a possible death benefit; you can find a listing of the department offices on our website at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mylegion.org\/\">MyLegion.org<\/a>.<\/p><p>You can also contact the US Department of Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000 as well as the appropriate state Veterans Affairs Office to see if there would be a death benefit as a result of the veteran&#8217;s military service.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10621\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"21\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10621\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How can I get help with my VA claim?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10621\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"21\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10621\"><p>The American Legion Department Service Officers are specially trained to provide information and assistance relating to the VA and other veteran&#8217;s issues. You can call our Veterans Affairs &amp; Rehabilitation Division in our DC office at (202) 861- 2700 or email them at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:VAR@legion.org\">VAR@legion.org<\/a>. You can also find a listing of American Legion certified Service Officers on our web site at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/serviceofficers\">Legion.org\/serviceofficers<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-10622\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"22\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-10622\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">My family member served on active duty so can I join under his\/her service?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-10622\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"22\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-10622\"><p>It&#8217;s possible that you may be able to join one of the other organizations in the &#8220;Legion Family.&#8221; The Sons of The American Legion (SAL) is comprised of male descendants, adopted sons and step-sons of American Legion members. (There are no age limitations.) Many posts have an active SAL program and you can contact one near you to learn more. (Visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legion.org\/sons\">Legion.org\/sons<\/a>\u00a0for more information.)<\/p><p>Our sister organization is the American Legion Auxiliary. Eligibility is open to mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, grand-daughters, great-grand-daughters, or grandmothers of members of The American Legion, or of deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the listed war eras. (Women who are eligible for membership in The American Legion are also eligible to join the Auxiliary.) Visit their website at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alaforveterans.org\/\">Alaforveterans.org<\/a>\u00a0or you can reach their National Headquarters office by calling (317) 569-4500.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Post 201 Book Mission of the American Legion To enhance the well-being of America&#8217;s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. The American Legion&#8217;s vision statement is &#8220;The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America.\u201d The American Legion&#8217;s value principles are as follows: A VETERAN IS A VETERAN\u00a0&#8211; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_canvas","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-79","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/79","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=79"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/79\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1138,"href":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/79\/revisions\/1138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amlegpost201.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=79"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}