The Sons of The American Legion was born during the 1930’s in the midst of the Great Depression. The establishment of The Sons of The American Legion as a non-profit, non-sectarian civilian organization, was authorized by action of The American Legion’s 14th National Convention in Portland Oregon; September 12-15, 1932. The 1933 National Convention officially changed the name of the Organization to “The Sons of The American Legion”, authorized use of the abbreviation “S.A.L” (pronounced S. A. L., not sal), and levied an annual membership dues of 25 cents.
American Legion Program
The Sons of The American Legion has been defined as a legal, self-sustaining program of The American Legion, authorized by resolution. The National Constitution of The Sons of The American Legion provides for finances and revenues derived from annual membership dues.
The Four Pillars of The American Legion
In 1919, The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s Veterans, its servicemembers, their families, the youth of America and ordinary citizens. These programs make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
Our organization’s positions and programs are guided by resolutions passed by American Legion National Convention delegates, and by committee and commission members who represent 2.5 million wartime Veterans and their families. These programs, and the men and women who take the time to perform them allow The American Legion to make a difference on the local, state and national levels.
It’s who we are and what we do.
