Post History

Since our charter in March 15, (1919), our American Legion Post has been welcoming VETERANS from all branches of our Armed Forces, with its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

              The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at over 1.6 million in more than 12,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Latin America and the Philippines.

            Over the years, the Legion has built its identity by achieving hundreds of benefits and services for veterans, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and instilling the values of responsible citizenship among young people. From the nation-changing of The American Legion-drafted GI Bill to relief for veterans exposed to toxic contamination in the service, veterans of The American Legion have worked for over a century to improve and strengthen the nation they swore with their lives to defend.

March 15-17
Members of the American Expeditionary Force convene in Paris for the first American Legion caucus.

May 8-10
At its stateside St. Louis Caucus, The American Legion adopts its official name, and the preamble to the organization’s constitution is drafted.

June 9
The National Executive Committee adopts The American Legion emblem.

Sept. 16
Congress charters The American Legion.

Nov. 10-12
Minneapolis is home to the first American Legion National Convention, attended by about 15,000. Membership at this point exceeds 684,000. Among the delegates are 140 women veterans of World War I, and The Constitution and Preamble are adopted. Delegates consider 350 resolutions but approve only 50, including equal treatment for women who served in the war, employment programs for veterans, fair government benefits for those who came home disabled from service, support for the Boy Scouts, mandatory patriotic exercises in schools and the establishment of an air branch of service.