American Legion launches Legiontown, Legion Day Web site

INDIANAPOLIS (September 14, 2009) - The nation's largest veterans organization has launched a campaign and Web site to increase the visibility and local activities of posts in communities throughout the United States and even overseas.
     "American Legion posts have been serving their communities since the founding of our organization in 1919," said American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill. "By highlighting the accomplishments and activities of our volunteers, our programs will only grow stronger and be able to do even more. That is the purpose behind Legiontown and American Legion Day. We invite posts and Legion family members to tell us their stories by posting blogs and photos on www.legion.org/legiontown ."
     The National Headquarters has recently published a full-color, 32-page booklet highlighting various American Legion activities titled "Legiontown, U.S.A." Hill said it is the goal of the organization to make every town in America a "Legiontown."
     "There are two posts in Louisiana that run community hospitals. One American Legion post in California operates an ambulance service, and another in Virginia sponsors four American Legion Baseball teams," Hill said. "It is impossible to list the many accomplishments and programs of our 14,000 posts in a single booklet or even on a Web site, but we still want to hear examples about American Legion posts performing service to youth, service to veterans, service to troops and service to community."
     American Legion officials are also encouraging community leaders to recognize September 16, the anniversary of the organization's congressional charter, as American Legion Day.  "Community gatherings, civic proclamations, and celebrations are wonderful and we are encouraging communities to do that but it is not what this is all about," said American Legion Internal Affairs Chairman Larry J. Besson. "Most successful programs do not revolve around a single day or an event. They are ongoing. Some posts may choose to use American Legion Day as a kick-off for a series of events that bring together veterans and their communities. There are events that posts could be organizing for every season."
     The new Web site also includes information about Community Covenant ceremonies, in which Legion, civic, and military officials reiterate in writing The American Legion's complete support for the troops.
     Such events are opportunities to educate and activate the public about American Legion programs and initiatives.
     "We award hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to young people every year. We purchase recreational and comfort items for troops in military hospitals around the world," Hill said. "We also run the top speech contest in the country for young people and have a first-rate shooting sports competition. The American Legion family offers something for everyone."
     On a national level, The American Legion is the most effective veterans advocacy organization in Washington. The American Legion wrote the original draft of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, more famously known as the GI Bill. The organization released a booklet called "The Four Pillars of The American Legion," which highlights The American Legion's national accomplishments and programs. To order a copy of The Four Pillars or Legiontown, e-mail pr@legion.org or call (317) 630-1253.
     With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.