About
Who are the Sons of The American Legion?
The Sons of the American Legion is an organization of the American Legion & consists of the Male Descendants of Veterans of the US Military. We proudly boast of more than 15,000 Members in Illinois and over 350,000 members Nationally. We are fully committed to maintain the high ideals and 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 service members, 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 committee and commission members who represent 2.6 million wartime veterans and their families. These programs, and the men and women who take the time to perform them, are what allow The American Legion to make a difference locally, and on the state and national levels. It’s who we are and what we do.
Sons of The American Legion Membership Requirements:
To be eligible, you must be a male descendant (includes stepsons and adopted sons) of a member of The American Legion (male or female).
You would also be eligible to join the Sons of The American Legion if you are the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of a veteran who died in service from the following dates (As listed Below) World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Persian Gulf War.
You would also be eligible to join the Sons of The American Legion if you are the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of a veteran (Male or Female) who died subsequent to his or her honorable discharge from service in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Persian Gulf War (the same eligibility periods apply as below).
Eligibility only need to be during one day listed below of active duty (National Guard and Reserve… Basic Training during those dates does apply.)
For any questions on eligibility please contact your local post/squadron or Department Headquarters.
CLICK HERE TO FIND A POST
Unfortunately Nephews, Brothers, Uncles and Cousins, Wards or Foster Children are not eligible for the Sons of the American Legion.
Eligibility Periods:
World War I
April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918
World War II - Present
December 7, 1941 - Present
Sons of The American Legion Preamble
Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of Veterans of all Wars, associate ourselves together as “Sons of The American Legion” for the following purposes:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism; to preserve the memories of our former members and the association of our members and our forefathers in all Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the Community, State and Nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy, to consecrate and sanctify our friendship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness; to adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which The American Legion stands; and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.
THE EMBLEM
The design of our emblem was taken from the emblem of our parent organization, but is oval in shape so as to be easily distinguished.
The star in the center represents our country, and the five points of the star represent the five-point program of the Sons of The American Legion.
The sun in the background represents the Sons of The American Legion and the rays represent the loyalty of its membership.
The blue of the emblem, like the blue of our flag, stands for justice.
The two stars in the blue border stand for freedom and democracy.
The wreath below the star is in memory of our comrades, and those of our forefathers who willingly gave their lives for their country.
The 10 points of the emblem represent the 10 ideals of every American Legion son.
