American legion
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| Motto | "For God and Country" |
|---|---|
| Established | March 16, 1919 |
| Founder | Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. |
| Founded at | Paris, France |
| Type | 501(c)(19) – American veterans' organization |
| 35-0144250 | |
| Legal status | 36 U.S.C. 217 – U.S. chartered corporation |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Coordinates | 39°46′37″N 86°09′22″W / 39.776996°N 86.156201°W |
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Region served
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Worldwide |
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Membership (2014)
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2,400,000 |
| Charles E. Schmidt | |
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| Daniel S. Wheeler | |
| George A. Buskirk | |
| National Executive Committee | |
| Publication | The American Legion |
| Subsidiaries |
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| Secessions | Forty and Eight |
| Affiliations | Patriot Guard Riders |
| Website | legion |
The American Legion, Inc., is a wartime veterans' organization formed in Paris, France, on March 16, 1919, by members of the American Expeditionary Forces. It was chartered by Congress on September 16, 1919. The American Legion is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and also has offices in Washington, D.C. It played the leading role in drafting and passing the GI Bill in 1944.
In addition to organizing commemorative events, volunteer veterans operating through The American Legion support activities and provide assistance at Veterans Administration hospitals and clinics. The American Legion is active in issue-oriented U.S. politics. Its primary political activity is lobbying on behalf of interests of veterans and service members, including support for veterans benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Health Administration. The veterans' organization has also historically promoted Americanism and opposed Communism in the United States, providing names of persons and organizations to the Hollywood blacklist.
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