Sons of the American Legion

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Sons of the American Legion
File:SAL emblem.jpg
Sons of the American Legion emblem
Motto "For God and Country"
Established September 12–15, 1932; 83 years ago
Type Patriotic-Hereditary society
Legal status Federally chartered corporation
Purpose Patriotic, fraternal, benevolent
Headquarters 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, Indiana
Region served
 Worldwide
Membership (2014)
 356,000
Official language
 English
National Commander
 Kevin Collier[1]
National Adjutant
 Brian O'Hearne[2]
Parent organization
 American Legion
Affiliations American Legion Auxiliary
Website legion.org/sons

The Sons of the American Legion is a patriotic service organization formed on September 12–15, 1932. The S.A.L. is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States Armed Forces during times specified by the American Legion.[3] The Sons of the American Legion's mission to serve veterans, the military and their families is carried out through its hundreds of outreach programs delivered by its members, volunteers and national headquarters.[4] The Sons of the American Legion's national headquarters is located in Indianapolis.

Mission

Their main mission is to sponsor programs that its parent organization, The American Legion, does to improve veterans communities, such as scholarships, veterans help programs (i.e. ending veterans homelessness), and youth sports.[5] They also promote national security, patriotism, and devotion to veterans.[6]

History

Beginnings

The establishment of the Sons of the American Legion as a non-political, no-sectarian civilian organization was authorized by action of the 14th National Convention of the American Legion in Portland, Oregon September 12–15, 1932.

In 1939, the S.A.L. was riding the crest and had a numerical size of about seven percent as large as the parent organization. The S.A.L. organization seemed destined to grow even larger, but looming on the horizon was World War II. With the passing of time, thousands of young men suddenly found themselves old enough o be in the armed services.

Many of the S.A.L. members never returned from World War II and those that did found that their serve had made them eligible to join the ranks of the American Legion itself, which, in 1942 opened the door to the returning World War II veterans.

Membership in the Sons of the American Legion dropped from a high of 72,633 in 1939 to a low of 5,631 in 1953. Many factors caused the lean years for the S.A.L. program. The former S.A.L., now veterans of World War II, had no children in the immediate postwar years. Housing shortages, a nation on the move, the G.I. Bill that sent thousands of veterans back to school, and the Korean War that put reservists back in uniform were some of the contributing factors.

1960–1999

However, by 1963, enrollment had climbed to nearly 17,000. In noting this renewed growth, the National Executive Committee, in regular meetings assembled in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 30 – May 1, 1964, [passed Resolution 22, urging that the S.A.L. program "be encouraged and implemented by internal promotion and increased public recognition through the national Headquarters staff and the various Departments of the American Legion." Approval was given for the S.A.L. to conduct their first National S.A.L. Workshop during the Legion's National Convention in Dallas, Texas in 1964.

In noting a need for a small national body to give the S.A.L. program national direction and stimulation, the Legion's NEC gave its approval to Resolution 60 at its May 8–9, 1969, meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. Resolution 60 created a Sons of the American Legion Committee, consisting of four members and a chairman. Two of the members were from the ranks of the S.A.L. while the chairman and the other two members were American Legionnaires.

After conducting a long and detailed study of the over-all organizational structure of the S.A.L., the Sons of the American Legion Committee reported that there was a "definite need for a national Sons of the American Legion organization and the updating of the National Constitution and By-Laws of the S.A.L., as approved by the Legion's NEC back in May 1933, and be subsequently amended".

The Legion's National Executive Committee at its May 3–4, 1972, meeting in Indianapolis, IN, gave its approval to Resolution 13, creating a National S.A.L. under the full supervision and control of the Legion's NEC, thus opening the door for the Sons of the American Legion to hold their first National Convention in Chicago, Illinois in August 1972. Resolution 13 also rescinded in its entirety the old S.A.L. Constitution and By-Laws as adopted in 1933.

The American Legion's National Executive Committee at its spring meeting on May 2, 1973, gave approval to Resolution 21 originating from the Legion's Internal Affairs Commission. The Resolution established a procedure for handling matters originating from S.A.L. National Conventions and S.A.L. National Executive Committee meetings. All actions of the Sons of the American Legion National Convention and/or NC are reviewed by the Legion's Internal Affairs Commission. The Internal Affairs Commission then affixes to its report to the Legion's NEC an addendum in digest form listing al such actions together with a statement setting forth the Internal Affairs Commission's disposition of each action. Unless specific contrary action is taken by the Legion's NEC with respect to the addendum items, the disposition recommended by the American Legion's Internal Affairs Commission becomes the disposition of the NEC.

At its fall meeting in Indianapolis, IN, October 17–18, 1973, the Legion gave its approval to Resolution 15, abolishing the National S.A.L. Committee created by Resolution 60 by the Legion's NEC at its meeting May 8–9, 1969, in St. Louis, MO. Residual responsibilities of the National S.A.L. Committee are now assigned to the Legion's National Internal Affairs Commission.

Since 1988, The Sons have raised more than $5.8 million for the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.[3]

2000–present

Members have volunteered over 1 million hours to date in 2013 in Veterans Hospitals throughout the country and raised over $2,000,000 that has gone directly to VA hospitals and VA homes for a variety of items including TVs, radios, medical equipment and clothing for the patients.[3]

In early to mid 2014, mySAL was launched to Sons of the American Legion squadron adjutants can now access membership information, reports and electronic membership tools online. On September 2, 2014, MyVA was launched as an initiative to help veterans. As of 2014, the membership total is over 356,000.[3]

The Emblem

The design of the S.A.L. 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 ray represent the loyalty of its membership. The blue of the emblem, like the value 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 fathers who willingly gave their lives for their country. The 10 points of the emblem represent the Ten Ideals of every Legion son.

Programs

At the state level, the S.A.L. is organized into "departments", which run annual civic training events for high school juniors called Boys State. Two members from each Boys State are selected for Boys Nation. The American Legion Auxiliary runs Girls State and Girls Nation. In addition to Boys State, the S.A.L., division of the American Legion, features numerous programs including American Legion Baseball, Scouting, Oratorical Contests, Junior Shooting Sports, Youth Alumni, the American Legion Riders, and Scholarships at every level of the organization.

The Ten Ideals

  • Patriotism: Turn out for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day parades and ceremonies. Learn the proper display of the flag. Learn the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Health: Write an essay on how to maintain sanitary conditions to promote health in your home, the Post home and/or in camps, and outdoors in general. Explain what you do daily to keep fit.
  • Training: Become a squadron officer, or assist in a squadron officer(s) during meetings and activities.
  • Knowledge: Maintain good grades in school. Know the instructions for the 10 idealsand five points of service. Explain what each individual part means. Know what the S.A.L. emblem stands for. Explain orally what each part of the emblem represents.
  • Honor: Display honorable service in the squadron over a period of six months by being truthful and honest with your actions.
  • Faith: Demonstrate good conduct and willingness to obey instructions over a period of six months will earn you the squadron's recognition of your faith in its leadership and ideals.
  • Helpfulness: Develop reasonably consistent attendance at meetings and other functions. Volunteer for tasks for the good of the squadron and b reliable in carrying out your part. Help promote your squadron by signing up at least on new membr, and help collect dues from existing members.
  • Courtesy: Apply yourself diligently to show you are polite and respectful to your comrades, officers, Legionnaires, and others.
  • Reverence: Show that you are a member of a religious organization. Aid in placing markers and flowers on veteran's graves.
  • Comradeship: Show the tie that binds you to the squadron and to the Legion by helping in the annual Poppy Sale, thus aiding disabled veterans. Help cheer up a veteran in a hospital or his home.

Five Point Program of Service

The five points are:

  • Patriotism: Love of flag; love of country.
  • Citizenship: Individual obligation of citizenship.
  • Discipline: Respect for and obedience to rules.
  • Leadership: Participation in group activities.
  • Legionism: Knowledge of the American Legion.

The Five Star Award

When S.A.L. members demonstrate perfection in the Five Point Program of Service, they are eligible to receive the Five Star Award, a gold-plated medal bearing the S.A.L. emblem and the symbolism of the five points.

  • Point No. 1: A star for patriotism to the member who shows knowledge of the history of the flag, the proper ways of displaying it, and the proper respect due it.
  • Point No. 2: A star for citizenship to the member who by his usefulness in activities outside the program of the S.A.L. displays a working knowledge of the qualities of a good citizen.
  • Point No. 3: A star for discipline to the member who shows respect for rules and obedience to them.
  • Point No. 4: A star for leadership to the member who develops the qualities of leadership in athletics, drill formations, and church activities.
  • Point No. 5: A star for Legionism to the member who thoroughly understands the ritualistic work and the program of activities for the S.A.L.

After the member has received the five stars, he should then be awarded a Five Star Medal for perfection in S.A.L. work.

MyVA

Launched on September 2, 2014, MyVA is an initiative which will reorient VA around Veteran needs and empower employees to assist them in delivering excellent customer service to improve the Veteran experience. It is the largest department-wide transformation in VA’s history and will be a product of ideas and insights shared by Veterans, employees, members of Congress, VSOs, and other stakeholders. The first phase of MyVA has included creating the task force and building the team to support the mission and an organizational change of this breadth. MyVA is focused on five areas of improvement:

  • Improving the Veteran experience
  • Improving the employee experience so they can better serve Veterans
  • Improving internal support services
  • Establishing a culture of continuous improvement, and
  • Enhancing strategic partnerships.

The Regional Map can be found here.

Membership eligibility requirements

Eligibility for the Sons of the American Legion membership is limited to those male descendants that have honorably discharged veterans and current personnel of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Air Force who served at least one day of active duty during any of the following periods:[7]

Organizational structure

File:Jackson Legion Hall WY1.jpg
Jackson Legion Hall in Jackson, Wyoming

Squadron

The squadron is the basic unit of the Legion and usually represents a small geographic area such as a single town or part of a county. There are roughly 14,900 posts in the United States. The squadron is used for formal business such as meetings and a coordination point for community service projects. Often the squadron will host community events such as bingo, Hunter breakfasts, holiday celebrations, and available to the community, churches in time of need. It is also not uncommon for the Post to contain a bar open during limited hours. An S.A.L. squadron member is distinguished by a French blue garrison cap with red, white and blue piping.

Counties

Each U.S. county comprises several Posts and oversees their operations, led by a County Council of elected officers. The County Commander performs annual inspections of the Posts within their jurisdiction and reports the findings to both the District and the Department level. An S.A.L. County member is distinguished by a French blue garrison cap with white piping.

Districts

Each Department is divided into Divisions and/or Districts. Each District oversees several Posts, generally about 20, to help each smaller group have a larger voice. Divisions are even larger groups of about four or more Districts. The main purpose of these "larger" groups (Districts—Divisions) is to allow one or two delegates to represent an area at conferences, conventions, and other gatherings, where large numbers of Legionnaires may not be able to attend. A District member is distinguished by a French blue garrison cap with a white crown and red, white and blue piping.

Detachments

The Posts are grouped together into a state level organization known as a Detachment for the purposes of coordination and administration. There is a total of 55 Detachments; one for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines. Canada was merged into Department of New York several years ago. The three Detachments located overseas are intended to allow active duty military stationed and veterans living overseas to be actively involved with the American Legion similar to as if they were back in the States. The Detachment of France consists of 29 Posts located in 10 European counties, the Detachment of Mexico consists of 22 Posts located in Central America, and the Detachment of Philippines covers Asia and the Pacific Islands. A Detachment member is distinguished by a French blue garrison cap with a gold crown and red, white and blue piping.

National headquarters

American Legion National Headquarters, Indianapolis

The main S.A.L. Headquarters is located on the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza in Indianapolis. It is the primary office for the National Commander and also houses the historical archives, library, Membership, Internal Affairs, Public Relations, and the Magazine editorial offices. The Legion also owns a building in Washington D.C. that contains many of the operation offices such as Economics, Legislative, Veterans Affairs, Foreign Relations, National Security, and Media Relations. A National member is distinguished by a gold garrison cap with a gold crown and red, white and blue piping.

Suggested calendar of activities

July: Squadrons should cooperate with the sponsoring Post in observance of Independence Day, July 4.

August: S.A.L. Members participating in the Ten Ideals Program may wish to show their proficiency in portions of the ideals of health and training. Installation of squadron officers takes place during August.

September: As a new school year is under way, this is a good time to focus on careers. Guest speakers may be invited to visit the squadron meetings to discuss various careers in which S.A.L. members may be interested in.

October: Squadrons should participate in Halloween safety events. Posts and squadrons can conduct safety events and provide tps to children in the community.

November: Squadrons should observe Veterans Day with appropriate ceremonies and through participation in events planned by the sponsoring Post. Squadrons may participate in th annual observance of American Education Week.

December: The squadron can assist its sponsoring Post in the distribution of Christmas baskets to needy families, helping in seasonal charity fundraising drives and other goodwill activities.

January: A formal initiation event should be planned during January. Appropriate entertainment and short speeches should proceed the ritual. Invite public officials, local civic leaders, American Legion dignitaries, and members of the sponsoring Post o attend. Study emphasis during the month should be devoted to Citizenship as required for Point 2 of he Five-Point Program.

February: With observance of the birthdays of Presidents Washington and Lincoln this month, it is an appropriate time for a study of patriotism in the Ten Ideals and Five Point Programs.

March: The American Legion's birthday is in March, making this an appropriate time to study the organization and its history, as well as the Preamble of the S.A.L. Constitution.

April: This is a good time to emphasize leadership as required for point number 4 of the Five Point Program of service. Also, those S.A.L. members participating in the Ten Ideals program should be using this time toward the successful completion of the ideals of courtesy and reverence.

May: The squadron should be an active participant in its sponsoring Post's Memorial Day ceremonies. For example, members of the squadron should assist the Post in decorating the graves of veterans. Study emphasis should be given to patriotism in the Ten Ideals & Five Point programs, citizenship in the Ten Ideals program, and citizenship & leadership in the Five Point Program of service.

June: June 14 is Flag Day. The squadron should assist its sponsoring Post in the promotion of flag display in the community. Plans should be made for a special Awards Night for presentation of the Ten Ideals and Five Star awards that have been earned during the year.

mySAL

National Headquarters developed the website to mimic myLegion, which assists post, district and county officers with their membership needs. Download an authorization form at mySAL to start the process of creating a squadron account. Sons of the American Legion squadron adjutants can now access membership information, reports and electronic membership tools online. As of April 2015, Detachments now have access to the website which provides membership information, reports and electronic membership tools such as data change forms for all squadrons within their Detachment.[8]

Past S.A.L. Commanders

The following list is from the S.A.L. website:[9]

1968–1969

Year Name State from Notes
1968 Michael Seaton CA
1969 Robert McBride OH

1970–1979

Year Name State from Notes
1970–71 J.R. Stillwell IL
1972 John Smolinsky MA
1973 Robert Faust CA
1974 James Hartman MD
1975 Gregory D. Reis IL
1976 Grant M. Jamieson MI
1977 Charles E. Gannon MD
1978 John M. Sherrard CA
1979 Richard J. Kepler AZ Deceased

1980–1989

Year Name State from Notes
1980 Ernest Wilson, Jr. NJ Deceased
1981 Donald L. Willson PA Deceased
1982 David P. Stephens IN
1983 Christopher R. Cerullo NY
1984 Fred L. Hartline OH
1985 Woodrow L. Mudge, Jr. CO Deceased
1986 Royce Doucet LA Deceased
1987 Douglas P. Bible MN
1988 Richard L. League MD
1989 David R. Faust WI

1990–1999

Year Name State from Notes
1990 Charles R. Belles VA
1991 Robert A. Worrel IN
1992 Eugene L. Sacco CA
1993 Charles B. Rigsby MI Deceased
1994 Roland D. Matteson AZ
1995 Joseph M. Mayne MN
1996 John T. Dietz KY
1997 Jack E. Jordan TX
1998 William E. Matoska MD
1999 Byron Robichaux LA

2000–2009

Year Name State from Notes
2000 Richard L. Cook OK
2001 Kevin N. Winkelmann TX
2002 Clifford A. Smith MA
2003 Steve C. Laws NC
2004 Neal C. Warnken KS
2005 Michael J. Deacon IA
2006 William L. Sparwasser MD
2007 Earl R. Ruttkofsky MI
2008 Raymond P. Giehll Jr. IN
2009 Patrick J. Shea OH <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • Honorary
  • Deceased
2009 Thomas E. Cisna IL

2010–present

Year Name State from Notes
2010 Mark E. Arneson GA
2011 David L. Dew TX
2012 James K. Roberts III FL
2013 Christopher J. Huntzinger PA
2014 Joseph W. Gladden MD
2015 Mike Moss CO

See also

References

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External links

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