Belong Business Card File

American Legion Head Quarters

The American Legion  of

Maryland

SAL Detachment of Maryland

Attention active duty personnel your first years dues are paid for by the Legion.

“Still Serving America” is the motto of The American Legion.  Veterans whose involvement in the community creates and supports the feeling of camaraderie which makes The American Legion the nation’s largest and the most respected organization of wartime veterans.

The following are just a few of the ways our members are “Still Serving America.”

• Needy Children and families received more than $6 million in cash and goods.
• Deserving high school students were awarded  $3.8 million in college scholarships.

• Local charity campaigns received over $10 million in donations.
• Legion members donated over 2 million hours of service to their communities.
• Legion Posts provide over $2 million in emergency aid to veterans last year.
• Over $30 million was spent by The American Legion and its affiliated organizations for the benefit of children and youth last year.
• Legionaries across the Country donates almost 2 million hours each year in the VA’s Voluntary Service Program, helping veterans who are patients in VA facilities.
• The Legion’s Family Support Network has helped thousands of family members of reserve military personnel called to active duty with every day needs from simple house hold repairs to financial assistance.

That’s veterans “Still Serving America.”  Its people helping people.  It’s Americans taking care of America.  The impressive part of the activities cited above is the fact that they were achieved by only half of the Legions 15,000 chartered Post!

As a Legion member, you will open an unending catalog of opportunities to expand your life and utilize your unique talents. To more fully understand the scope of American Legion membership, we invite you to take just a few minutes to review the next few pages of this brochure.

For more information on The American Legion visit us on the World Wide Web at:

www.legion.org

     www.american-legion-post.us/300

Troop Support Services

The American Legion is There to Assist

As the war on Terrorism continues, the number of Active, National Guard and Reserve units deployed will continue to rise.  Many families unaccustomed to long separations will suddenly find themselves coping with an array of small problems that can become overwhelming.

As Veterans, and family members of Veterans, the American Legion family has been through it all.  We know from experience just how valuable a helping hand can be when it seems there is nowhere to turn.

Through the Troop Support Services (TS2) the American Legion is there to assist.  The TS2 program incorporates the Family Support Network, Reconnect and the Welcome Home brochure into one convenient package that serves as a resource guide for the service member being deployed and the family member left behind to use in calling for assistance.

The American Legion Goes NASCAR Racing in 2005

Join with The American Legion in the fund and excitement as The American Legion Freedom Car competes in the NASCAR Nextel and Busch series.  Many Post will sponsor race day activities so join in with other veterans to enjoy our team racing for veterans.  Go to the www.legion.org and link to The American Legion Freedom Car (direct link: www.freedomteamracing.com) for more information and team merchandise.

THESE AMERICANS AGREE:

 TOM BROKAW
NBC-TV News Anchorman

In 1957 I had the privilege of being elected Governor of South Dakota Boys State. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my young life.  Even now I can remember the excitement of that week. How we learned how government functioned the challenges and responsibilities of being in public service and the political spotlight.  I can even remember some of the press coverage that I received that week.  Furthermore, I made friends that week that are friends to this day. We have grown and shared together a lifetime of experiences that started with South Dakota Boys State.

A program of government instruction and citizenship training for high school students, American Legion Boys State has been the catalyst for careers in politics or government service for many nationally prominent Americans. NBC-TV news anchorman, Tom Brokaw, was one.

BOBBY RICHARDSON
New York Yankees 2^nd Baseman

It seems like most of my life I have been telling people how I feel about The American Legion Baseball Program.

It can influence your life, whether you’re a player, a coach, a sponsor, a civic leader, or a volunteer who makes the competition  possible. From college scholarships to professional ethics, American Legion baseball is the one program that sets an example for others.  As America continues to grow, and our

society continues to provide a diverse set of experiences for our youth. I believe American Legion Baseball has been and will continue to be among the best programs for grooming all-around leaders.

PROGRAMS

Americanism 

Through the following community and youth-oriented programs The American Legion strives to further a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty.

• American Legion Baseball.  For many years, one of our country’s best-known and most respected amateur athletic programs,  Legion ball has been the training ground for many of our major league stars.  Each year, about 90,000 boys experience the benefits of good sportsmanship and team play.
• Boys State/Boys Nation. American Legion Posts select outstanding high school students to attend Boys State/Boys Nation every year. During the week-long  program participants receive instruction on citizenship and experience first-hand how their state and federal government functions.
•  High School Oratorical Competitions. High school students vie for college scholarships awarded by The American Legion by demonstrating their knowledge of the United States Constitution in public speaking contests on local, regional and national levels.
• Scouting Sponsorships.  Legion Posts sponsor approximately 2,500 Cub Scouts, Boy Scout and venturing crews each year to foster wholesome development of America’s youth.  Annually, The American Legion awards the Eagle Scout of the Year with a college scholarship,

• Flag Education.  Through this program our youth are taught flag etiquette and proper display of the United States Flag.
• Scholarship Information.  “Need a Lift?” is the Legion’s annual publication providing information for high school students on the “how and where” of obtaining college financial aid.  The booklet is distributed nationally to all public and private high schools.  In addition, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program is available for those students who are direct descendants of U.S. wartime veterans.  Scholarships are for undergraduates study are accredited U.S. colleges and universities.
• School Awards.  Posts award local elementary through high school students with special recognition honoring outstanding leadership academic excellence and other character-building qualities
• Junior Shooting Sports.   Local Legions Posts offer youth are rifle competition and basic gun safety instruction.
• Patriotic Holiday Observances.  Since 1919, The American Legion has been our country’s leader in the observance of patriotic holidays, sponsoring marching bands color guards and drill teams.

Children and Youth

 Our Children and Youth program has three main objectives:

(1)   to strengthen the family unit;

(2)   to maintain well-rounded youth programs;

(3)   to support other organizations which serve children and youth.

• National Family Week.  A nationwide program to encourage family activities each day during the week of Thanksgiving in November
• Child Health. Our alliance with Child Miracle Network (CMN)  underscores  The American Legion’s mission and America’s future – its children. CMN affiliated hospitals provide quality health care to all children, regardless of condition or ability to pay.
• Temporary Financial Assistance.  This Legion program started in 1925 and provides cash assistance for needy children of eligible veterans.
• American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.  The Foundation is unique, in that all contributions are awarded in grants to non-profit organizations for projects designed to assist children.

National Emergency Fund

The American Legion is actively involved in meeting the needs of both the community and individual Legion family members in the wake of natural disaster. Any current year paid member of The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion is eligible to apply for temporary finical relief for losses sustained in a declared natural disaster.

Since October 1989, the National Emergency Fund has provided over $4,000,000 in direct finical assistance to Legion family members and Posts.  All contributions made to this fund are deposited in a special account and are used exclusively to meet our members most urgent needs.

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation

The Legion is an organization of veterans serving othe veterans, their widows and widowers, and their orphans.  To this end, the Legion was instrumental in the creation of the Department of Veteran Affairs (formerly the Veterans Administration), and is universally recognized as the orgininator of the G.I. Bill of Rights, and is constantly working to protect and preserve the rights and benefits to veterans through service to their country.

• Board of Veterans Appeals.  The legion operates an Appeals Unit at the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington DC, who specialize in affording representation to veterans and claimants seeking satisfactory resolution of  benefit claim determinations made by local VA regional officers or VA medical Centers
• National Field Services. To insure that veterans receive the quality of medical care they deserve and expect, the Legion’s National Field Services con on-site field visits to individual VA medical centers and to network offices.  The information and data received is used to support VA &R activities in both congressional testimony and personal contacts with Members of Congress.

Legislative

The American Legion is among those organizations that wield the greatest influence on the nation’s Legislative system.  Through strong grassroots lobbying and dedicated professional staff, The American Legion’s “official voice” in the Halls of Congress continues to advance the legislative mandates for veterans and their families.

National Security 

The American Legion has National Security policies in the areas of Aerospace, Energy, Merchant Marine, Defense Civil Preparedness, Law and Order, and Military and Naval Affairs,  Implementation of these policies is accomplished through legislative action and coordination with the Department of Defense, Military Services  and other agencies.

• Junior Cadet Program.  Many Legion Posts, working in conjunction with law enforcement agencies have established programs to introduce high school students to law enforcement and to establish cadet campsd.
• ROTC Recognition Programs.  Post award American Legion ROTC Military Excellence and Scholastic Excellence Medals to outstanding high school and college ROTC students
• Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award Programs.  Presented annually at the American Legion Post, State, Regional, and national levels to recognize Law enforcement officers for extraordinary performance to include superior community service.
• Blood Donor Awards.  As the nation’s largest blood donor organization, The American Legion recognizes States for their individual and collective efforts in donating this “gift of Life”

Employment and Economics 

The American Legion has always been involved in issues that affect veterans economically, These issues included employment, job training, veteran preference, housing, small business and vocational rehabilitation.  The National Economic Commission is responsible for ensuring that American veterans have an opportunity to provide, with dignity and honor, the economic necessities of life for themselves and their families.  The Commission lobbies Congress and works closely with private sector organizations such as the Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the Veterans Organizations Homeless Council and the  Senior Corps of Retired Executives.

The American Legion Magazine

As a Legion member you receive a yearly subscription to The American Legion Magazine at no additional cost. This colorful monthly issue is packed full of general-interest features and updates on veteran’s benefits to keep you informed of changes that affect you as a veteran.

Special Members Benefits

Membership in The American Legion brings with it special benefits that not only provide protection for your family but substantial money-saving discounts.

To download this Pamphlet and a Membership form click this pdf File.

 If you have any questions go to our Post 300 / Contacts Page  and anyone

of the contacts will be more than happy to answer them.

 http://www.american-legion-post.us/300

             post300@american-legion-post.us

          LOOK FOR NEW BENEFITS AT

     www.legion.org

         The American Legion National Headquarters
      PO Box 1055
         Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055

• Post 300 Home Page
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