- The American Legion is comprised of 55
state-level "departments" in each of the 50 states as well as
the District of Columbia, France, Mexico, Philippines and Puerto
Rico. There are approximately 14,000 local "posts" throughout
the state level.
- Facts about membership in The American
Legion, the nation's largest veterans organization.
The 2010 current national membership tally —
roughly 2.4 million — is consistent with the year-end totals for
1954 through 1986.
- The American Legion extended its service in
communities across the country through the development of 77
new, revitalized posts in 2009.
- One of the newest and fastest growing
activities in The American Legion, Legion Riders, raised over
$600,000 by the 2010 Legacy Run to Milwaukee in support of The
American Legion Legacy Fund—a fund which provide scholarships to
the children of active duty troops who died in the war on
terrorism since September 11, 2001
- The American Legion attracts younger
veterans. Active-duty members are eligible to join - and they
are joining. In fact, The American Legion has over 500,000
members who joined under the War on Terrorism, Persian Gulf,
Lebanon/Grenada and Panama War periods of eligibility.
- Today's active duty service members continue
to join.
The American Legion created a task force
especially designated to assist Persian Gulf veterans and their
families.
The task force has helped individuals receive direct
compensation and needed support through the service provided by
The American Legion.
- The American Legion is "Still Serving
America."
This is only a part of what The American Legion did
"for God and Country" in program year 2009-2010.
Donated 4 million hours of service to communities.
Post Service Officers handled more than
142,000 cases of veterans seeking benefits and just compensation
from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Devoted almost 2.3 million hours of volunteer
service to Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Donated more than 84,000 pints of blood to collection centers
nationwide, making The American Legion the nation's single
largest blood donor.
- Annually spends nearly $33 million on
programs benefiting children and youth.
1. Awarded more than 9,000 medals to Junior ROTC Students.
2. Sponsored almost 16,000 American Legion Boys State
delegates.
3. Sponsored more than 2,000 Scouting units serving 58,000
youngsters.
4. Sponsored more than 2,300 American Legion Baseball teams
and an additional 1,600 youth baseball squads.
5. Awarded more than $4 million in college scholarships to
deserving students.
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