History & Programs of the Department of North Carolina
The American Legion is the world’s largest and most respected veteran’s organization. There are over 2.4 million legionnaires in the United States with forty thousand in over 300 posts from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina.
The American Legion was founded in March of 1919 in Paris, France just after World War I. Later veterans returned to their homes in North Carolina and in July of 1919 met in Raleigh to form The American Legion of North Carolina. The main goals of the early members were to provide for the welfare and health of the veterans and to make sure the veteran’s children and their families were provided the necessities of life. This is still one of the prime programs of the American Legion today. American Legion programs of today touch the lives of millions of men, women, and children.
* In 1919, the American Legion adopted the Boy Scouts of America and sponsors hundreds of scout dens and troops. North Carolina gives several scholarships to scouts and leaders to attend national Boy Scout camps.
* In July 1925, The American Legion Baseball program began and today in North Carolina there are around 70 junior Baseball teams and 60 senior baseball teams with State and National tournaments. That is around 2,500 boys playing baseball with moms being their loudest fans. In 2011, Shelby, NC, became the permanent home to the The American Legion Annual Baseball World Series.
*The first American Legion Tarheel Boys State was convened in June of 1935. Today over 300 boys attend Boys State at Catawba College in Salisbury with two boys being elected to Senators and attending Boys Nation in Washington, D. C.
* The first National High School Oratorical Contest was held in June of 1938. Today many posts start oratorical contest at their post in January of each year with State finals being held in March. A winner can receive up to $18,000+ at the National level.
* The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation was formed in July of 1954. As of today, millions of dollars has been distributed for youth programs and projects.
* In 1972 The American Legion launched a Halloween Safety Program, the only national program of its kind.
* The Legacy Scholarship Fund was created just a few years ago. If a military parent is killed in the line of duty during war since September 11, 2001, the child may apply for a scholarship to help pay for each year he or she attends college.
* Six scholarships are awarded to outstanding nurses from the North Carolina Colin Furr Nursing Scholarship Fund.
* North Carolina’s own Student Trooper Program partners with the NC Highway Patrol for a weeklong law enforcement education. Young men and women go through a basic training style course and learn all phases of law enforcement at the Highway Patrol Training Center. Around 40 students graduate from this program each year.
* The ROTC program awards medals to outstanding cadets in high school and college units.
* Other youth programs are flag education in public and private schools and a Junior Shooting Sports (promotes gun safety).
The Sons of the American Legion (SAL) was created for sons of veterans and they have the same purpose to help the veteran.
In 1921, American Legion Auxiliary was formed having the same aims and purposes as the Legion. The Auxiliary provides some services the Legion does not do examples being Girls State and distribution of poppies with monies collected for veterans programs.
In December of 1943, the American Legion acting alone and with no help from any other veteran organization, wrote the most important piece of social legislation enacted in the 20th Century, which educated and made homeowners of veterans, effectively creating the Middle Class in America. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in June of 1944 signed into law the “GI Bill of Rights.” You or a family member have probably gone to college or taken out a loan through the VA.
The American Legion in North Carolina is actively involved in their communities. Although every post is not involved in all the programs, many offer support through various groups and scholarships.
* The Department of N.C. has 1 full
time Service Officer in the VA Regional Office in Winston-Salem with 4 part-time
Service officers in the VA Hospitals in
Asheville, Durham, Fayetteville and Salisbury. They assist the veteran with
service connected disability claims.
* Posts, the Department, and the Auxiliary donate funds to support the USO.
* Posts across the State collect pull-tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Durham. Last year, Legionnaires collected thousands of lbs. of aluminum tabs, netting thousands of dollars, which allows families of children being treated for cancer at the Duke Hospital Children Center to stay at little or no costs for up to three weeks. This Pull Tab Program started in the Department of North Carolina and has been adopted as a National American Legion Program.
* The Department provides services at the four State Veteran Nursing Homes in Fayetteville, Salisbury, Kinston, and Black Mountain.
*The Department lobbies our Legislators in Raleigh and our Congressional Leaders in Washington, DC, on our behalf concerning Veteran Affairs and other issues.
* The Temporary Financial Assistance Program offers help to veteran of hardships with funds up to $1500.
* Posts hold Flag Retirement Ceremonies with proper disposal of U.S. Flags.
* Legionnaires and Posts are involved in small building and renovation projects for the handicapped or disabled veterans.
* Many Posts have a Legion Rider Program for veterans that ride motorcycles.
* Posts and legionnaires participate in Stand Down Programs that help the homeless veterans with clothing, personal items, and counseling.
* Many Posts provide military funerals for veterans.
* Posts across the State participate in numerous fundraisers to help veterans and their families.
Direct benefits that every Legionnaire receives are the twelve monthly issues of The American Legion Magazine. It discusses international, national, and local issues that affect veterans and discusses both sides of controversial issues. There is also a list of veteran reunions.
As a NC veteran, you will receive 4 quarterly issues of the The North Carolina Legion News. Our State newspaper keeps you apprised of issues affecting veterans in our State and important information on upcoming events and other significant activities from Posts across the state.
A $1000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Policy is available free of charge to the Legionnaire member ($5,000 if on official Legion business).
The American Legion Department of NC lobbied the State Legislative to pass into law the designation “VETERAN” on the N.C. Drivers License for all veterans in the state.
The American Legion continues to fight for better VA Medical care of all our veterans. The American Legion in NC can be proud of the way we treat and support the veteran and the family.