Who We Are?
Our Mission
The American Legion is a non-profit organization in the United States that focuses on veterans’ services, national security, and community involvement. Its mission is multifaceted, and key aspects include:
- Veterans Services: The American Legion is dedicated to providing various services to veterans, including assistance with VA benefits claims, support for veterans in need, and programs to address the unique challenges faced by military veterans.
- Community Involvement: The American Legion is deeply involved in local communities. Posts (local units) often engage in community service projects, youth programs, and events that contribute to the well-being of the community.
- Youth Programs: The organization runs various programs aimed at the development and well-being of youth, such as the Boys State and Girls State programs, scholarships, and other initiatives.
- Advocacy: The American Legion is active in advocating for the interests of veterans and their families at both the state and national levels. This includes lobbying for legislation that benefits veterans.
Extraordinary Experiences
So, just who are we, the members of the American Legion? We are your neighbors. We are part of the one percent of Americans who have served in the armed forces of these United States. We are men and women, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. We now represent more of small town America than the big cities.
We are Army, National Guard, sailors, airmen and marines. We are high school sweethearts who have gone off to war, but have now returned to do our part to build our town.
We are part of the 792,000 veterans who call North Carolina our home.
We are students at a nearby college. We are firemen, police officers, engineers, writers, bakers, welders, and shop keepers. We may be your surgeon, your dentist, or your neighbor next door. We put away our weapons and armor and now quietly serve others in our community.
Maybe you, too, are eligible and are taking a peek at what we do and who we are. Maybe you are a student and wonder about veterans in your town. There is much to learn about your local veterans and we invite you to take a look at the American Legion and our contributions to our town, our state, and our country.
We are the American Legion, Still Serving America
Our Core Values
Post bylaws and constitutions draw from the American Legion Charter for a war veterans organization.
The national office is governed by American Legion National Constitution and Bylaws. Our American Legion Department North Carolina also has both a Constitution and State Department Bylaws. You can download them from the Department website.
How do they affect us? Well, we operate under a Post Constitution and Post Bylaws. Posts update them periodically, because they exist to show local compliance to Department and National Bylaws and Constitutions. No post may function or operate in a manner not in compliance with Department Bylaws.
When national regulations are changed, it affects the state departments and, thereby, the posts within the state.
Post bylaws and constitutions, when changed, must be submitted to the Department Judge Advocate (via the Department Adjutant) for review and approval. He will compare changes to existing file copies and the current national and department constitution and bylaws. If in compliance, he will approve them. If not, they have to be rewritten to comply.
