By Matthew Griffis
The American Legion is celebrating a century of patriotic service. Since it was chartered in 1919, the American Legion, District 2, Department of Arizona in Tucson has been making our community a better place. This year, The American Legion celebrates its 100th anniversary, and American Legion District 2, wants to share it with you.
Join us for our Celebration at The Tucson Greyhound Park, 2601 S. 3rd Avenue, Tucson, 85713 at 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Saturday, May 11th. Come share the legacy, be part of the vision.
POST 109 members who are also members of the Vail community will be actively participating in this once in a life time celebration. This is open to the public! No charge to get in, bring your American Flag and plan to come down and enjoy the festivities, live bands, vendors, car and motorcycle shows, food and drink and kid activities!
The American Legion wishes to call to the attention of the American people the record of achievements that have been accomplished by The American Legion during the 100 years since its founding, to emphasize the impact the organization has had upon the American society, and the extent of its contributions to the national security and the welfare of military veterans, their families and their communities.
The American Legion was founded in March 1919 in Paris, France, by U.S. World War I military personnel stationed there who were dedicated to four pillars of service and advocacy: veterans, military personnel, youth and patriotic values.
The American Legion today consists of 55 “departments” in each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, France, Mexico, the Philippines and Puerto Rico. There are approximately 13,000 local posts worldwide.
Current national membership is about 2 million. Combined with the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion, membership in what is known as the American Legion Family exceeds 3 million. American Legion membership is open to military personnel and veterans who have served their nation on active duty during wartime. Eligibility has been open to all who have served on active duty since Aug. 2, 1990, the beginning of continuous U.S. armed conflict in the Middle East and other locations around the planet.
The Legion has been instrumental in the creation of a number of major institutions of American society, including formation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, creation of U.S. Flag Code, passage of the GI Bill and more.
American Legion posts annually: Donate more than 3.7 million hours of volunteer service in their communities; provide assistance on more than 181,000 VA benefits claims and cases; donate more than 80,000 pints of blood to collection centers nationwide, (which makes the Legion the nation’s single largest blood donor); awards more than 8,000 medals to Junior ROTC students; sponsors more than 2,500 Scouting units serving more than 64,000 young people; and awards more than $4 million in college scholarships.
The American Legion will mark its 100th anniversary with a 15-month celebration running from its national convention in August 2018 through Veterans Day 2019.
For more information about the American Legion McCulloch-Wagner POST 109 located at 15921 S. Houghton Road. You can visit our website at www.POST109.org
