The American Legion Post 853
"For God And Country"
Membership Eligibility
Q:
How do I know if I am eligible for membership in The American
Legion?
A:
Our organization was
founded on the premise that all those serving in the U.S.
Armed Forces during times of national crisis, regardless of
place of service, are eligible to belong to The American
Legion. Our membership is based on period of service, not
place of service. Therefore, if you have served at least one
day of active
dutyduring the
eligibility dates and are still serving in the military after
any of the said periods or have been
honorably
discharged, you may become
a member.
Q:
Why is membership in The American Legion limited to certain
periods of time? I served in military, but not during The
American Legion eligibility periods.
A: The American
Legion was founded in 1919 as a war-time veterans
organization. It was chartered by Congress on this basis. Our
membership eligibility dates parallel dates set by Congress of
war-time service.
World War I:........ April 6, 1917 to November 11,
1918;
World War II:....... December 7, 1941 to December 31,
1946;
Korea:.............. June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955;
Vietnam:............ February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975;
Lebanon & Grenada:.. August 24, 1982 to July 31,
1984;
Panama:............. December 20, 1989 to January 31,
1990;
Persian Gulf:....... August 2, 1990 to the date of cessation
of hostilities as determined by the Government of the United
States (This means that all military personnel now on active
duty are eligible for membership in The American
Legion).
Current and past members of the National Guard and Reserve may also be eligible for membership provided that they had periods of at least four months of duration for training in one or another of the aforementioned eligibility eras. Annual summer camps and weekend drills do not constitute eligible periods of service. Active duty is the key to Legion membership. A person need not have served overseas to be eligible, but must possess an Honorable Discharge (DD Fm 214).