About The American Legion

Locally

The Smyrna chapter of The American Legion was first organized in November, 1941 and, upon being officially chartered, met as The American Legion, Post 160, Department of Georgia for the first time in January, 1942. In the early years, Post 160 sponsored War Bond Drives and Scrap Iron Drives in addition to supporting local Smyrna sports, the Boy Scouts, and the Girl Scouts.

Proceeds from barbecues, fish fries, and an automobile raffle in late 1946, allowed Smyrna Post 160 to acquire the property for the current Post Home in 1947 and to complete it's construction in 1948/1949. A subsequent addition, which almost doubled the size of the Post, was carried out in 1953/1954. (see "Post History") The basic structure of the Post has remained largely unchanged since that point, but that is about to change. (see "New Post Home")

Today, the Smyrna Post 160 Legion Family offers ongoing support for a number of worthwhile programs, including: Cobb County Special Olympics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia Boys State, Georgia Girls State, City of Smyrna "Shop with a Fire Fighter" Program, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Fisher House Foundation, The Poppy Program, Keep Smyrna Beautiful Adopt-A-Mile, and the Classroom Flag Program.

The Post 160 Legion Family also provides sponsorship, provisioning, and staffing of a Food Bank serving the Legion's Support Our Troops program and those in need throughout the community. (see "Food Bank")

Nationally

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. A community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. These Posts are organized into 55 Departments -- one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.

The American Legion is the Nation's Largest Service Organization for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, including active duty, National Guard, and Reserves, and their families. A powerful voice for veterans in Washington, DC, The American Legion drafted the original GI Bill and was instrumental in establishing the federal agency that today is the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The American Legion's national headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana, with additional offices in Washington, DC. In addition to thousands of volunteers serving in leadership and program implementation capacities in local communities to the Legion's standing national commissions and committees, the national organization has a regular full-time staff of about 300 employees.

Vision - Four Pillars of Service

The American Legion's Vision for a Strong America consists of Four Pillars of Service:

The Legion Family

The Legion Family is comprised of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of The American Legion. The Legion Family of service organizations stand united in patriotism and veterans advocacy.

Eligibility

The American Legion

If you are on active duty today, anywhere in the world, or have served during any of the eligible war eras, you are a veteran and you're eligible to become a Legionnaire! (see "Membership")

Sons of The American Legion

To be eligible to become a member of the Sons of The American Legion, you must be a male descendant (includes stepsons and adopted sons) of a member of The American Legion. You are also be eligible to join the Sons of The American Legion if you are the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of a veteran who died in service during, or a veteran who died subsequent to his or her honorable discharge from service in, any of the eligible war eras.

American Legion Auxiliary

A woman who is eligible for membership in The American Legion is also eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary. You are also eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary if you are the mother, wife, daughter, sister, grand-daughter, great-grand-daughter, or grandmother of members of The American Legion, and deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during any of the eligible war eras. Step relatives are also eligible.