ABOUT THE SONS
The Sons of The American Legion (SAL) was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion. The SAL is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion. Together, members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion make up what is known as The Legion Family. All three organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.
Sons have always assisted Legionnaires with Legion Family programs. Our Family boasts a combined total membership of nearly 4.2 million members. Just as each Legion post determines the extent of its service to the community, state and nation, each S.A.L. squadron is permitted flexibility in planning programs and activities to meet its own needs.
Sons focus on much more than just membership. At all levels, Sons support The American Legion in promoting a wide variety of programs. Sons assist their posts in other activities such as Veterans programs, Veterans Administration home and hospital volunteerism, Children Youth projects and fundraising. Since 1988, The Sons have raised more than $6.9 million for The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. Members have volunteered over 1.3 million hours to date in Veterans Hospitals throughout the country and raised over $2,500,000 that has gone directly to VA hospitals and VA homes for a variety of items including TVs, radios, medical equipment and clothing for the patients.
There are many men who are members of both The American Legion and the Sons of The American Legion. Often, these individuals started out as young members of the Sons. Then, when they were old enough to serve the military, they also became eligible to join The Legion. Such individuals are known within our organization as dual members. The Sons of The American Legion is one of many organizations that sponsors and supports the Citizens Flag Alliance, a coalition formed to secure flag protection legislation through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. SAL volunteers work to establish local networks by having petitions available and handing out informational material. They alert their communities to the importance of respect for the flag and they encourage flag education programs in schools and other local organizations.
If you meet the eligibility requirements and want to become a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Post 38, please stop by the Post to complete an application. Or you can download & print the application , complete it and mail with a copy of DD-214 with your check made out to Americal Legion Post 38, 500 Enterprise Dr., Somerset, KY 42501
You must have a copy of DD-214 of the American Legion member or deceased veteran you qualify under. Yearly membership dues is $30.
Eligibility Requirements
All male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of members of The American Legion, and such male descendants of veterans who died in Service during World I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf War and the War on Terrorism, during the delimiting periods set forth in Article IV, Section 1, of the National Constitution of The American Legion, or who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service, shall be eligible for Membership in the Sons of The American Legion. There shall be no forms or class of membership except an active membership.
Now that the Legion Act has been signed, The American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from seven war eras to two:
April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918 (WWI) or
served after Dec. 7, 1941 (until a time later determined by the federal government)
NEW MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
A new law called the Legion Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) was recently passed and signed by President Trump on July 30, 2019. Effective immediately.
The Legion Act also opens the doors for spouses and descendants, extending membership eligibility in The American Legion Family to hundreds of thousands who had previously been excluded, meaning military veterans who served in what were previously considered periods of peacetime between wars are now eligible for membership.
Any questions about eligibility, contact the Post 606-678-9808