Voter Participation
American Legion posts serve as polling places, political debate venues and forums during campaigns. The Legion is a nonpartisan organization but takes an active role in the political process. www.legion.org/vote
PILLAR III: AMERICANISM
For those looking ton make differences in their local communities, The American Legion is a great place to start. From Legion Baseball to Boys State/Boys Nation to the Oratorical Contest, there are plenty of opportunities to make your mark.
Taking, for example, the experience of Pat Unger, commander of Tyler Cates American Legion Post 281 in Mount Juliet, Tenn. Unger vision of creating a Legion Baseball team came true.
Post 281 Legionnaires provided support by supplying uniforms, attending games, serving refreshments and meeting players’ transportation needs to and from games.
“The enthusiasm and camaraderie among the Legion members and players has been one of the most rewarding experiences for everyone,” Unger says. “The experience of going to a baseball game knowing that The American Legion is a driving force behind the teams is both gratifying and satisfying.”
Legion posts and volunteers like Unger coordinate each season, culminating with the Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C., watched by millions on ESPNU and ESPN3.
Morre than 100,000 young athletes compete for nearly 5,000 American Legion Baseball teams each year. Some of these baseball players go on to play professionally, including more than 75 who have been enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
www.legion.org/baseball
ROTC
The American Legion is actively involved in the support, organization and coordination of high school Junior ROTC and college ROTC programs throughout the country. www.legion.org/rotc
U.S. Flag Protection And Education
The American Legion Legacy is the nation’s leading supporter of the constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag from desecration. Since a 5-4 Supreme Court decision in 1989 defined flag burning as free speech, The American Legion has advocated alongside members of the Congress, the Citizen Flag Alliance and the majority of the American people … [Read more…]
Legacy Scholarship
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship provides college scholarships for children of military personnel who were killed on active duty since 9/11, or have a combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or higher. The needs-based scholarship is designed to fulfill a gap after all federal and state grants and scholarships have been used by eligible … [Read more…]
Education Assistance
At the national, state and local levels , The American Legion provides access to dozens of scholarships and education programs. Fr more information about Legion-affiliated scholarships and aplications materials, visit www.legion.org/scholarships
Boys Scouts Of America
American Legion posts nationwide sponsor more than 2,500 Scouting units and provide thousands of dollars in scholarships. The Legion offers a national scholarship for Eagle Scout of the Year, and the Square Knot Award for Legionnaires who work for Scouting programs in their communities. www.legion.org/scouting
Youth Law Cadet Enforcement
American Legion departments conduct a week-long American Legion Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program for raising high school seniors that educates them about law enforcement and instills a newfound respect for law officials. www.legion.org/juniorlaw
Oratorical Competition
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program gives thousands of young people the opportunity to hone their speaking skills and learn about the U.S. Constitution. Competitions at the local and state levels lead ups ton the National American Legion High School Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis, where top finishers are awarded more than $138,000 n … [Read more…]
Junior Shooting
AMerican Legion youth air-rifle teams compete throughout the country for possible berth in the National Junior Shooting Sports championship at the U.S. Olympics Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., each year. www.legion.org/shooting
Boys State/Boys Nation
Young men throughout the country learn firsthand how government works during AMerican Legion Boys State and AMerican Legion Boys Nation. From each Boys State program, two delegates are selected to attend Boys Nation in Washignton D.C., where they form a mock federal Senate and meet with top officials in the nation’s capital. www.legion.org/boysnation