The American Legion - Department of New York

MISSION & PURPOSE The American Legion, the nation’s largest wartime veterans organization, is devoted to mutual helpfulness, and is committed to: - mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome programs in our communities, - advocating patriotism and honor, - promoting strong national security, - continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans. It was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Heroes to Hometowns program connects local Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities. The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities. The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislative process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership. 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.