The American Legion was born at a caucus of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in Paris, France, in 1919. As the weary, homesick delegates assembled for that first Paris caucus, they brought with them the raw materials with which to build an association of Veterans whose pri-mary direction was to God and Country. Due to his unwavering service during these vital times won Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the affectionate title of "Father of the American Legion."

In the minds of those Veterans of the American Expeditionary Force were a number of ideals, uppermost among them being:

1. Creation of a fraternity based upon the firm comradeship born of war-time service, and dedicated to fair and equitable treatment for all Veterans--particularly the disabled, and the widows and orphans whose loved ones paid the ultimate price for freedom;

2. Maintaining National Security for America, including a universal military training program for the prevention of future world conflicts;

3. Promotion of patriotism and the combating of materialistic and totalitarian ideologies that recognize neither the honor nor the dignity of the individual.

When the founders of the American Legion met at the St. Louis Caucus, they recognized that a major concern of the organization would be the plight of the disabled Veteran. Throughout the remainder of the 1920s, and early into the 1930s, the American Legion continued to register Legislative acknowledgment necessary for the care and rehabilitation of disabled Veterans.

Closely allied with its concern for the disabled Veteran is the American Legion's interest in the welfare of the children of deceased and disabled veterans. There is no definite time nor place that can pinpoint the beginning of the American Legion's Children's and Youth Program. Like many of the purposes and principles set forth in the Preamble, the Child Welfare concepts undoubtedly were first formed on the battlefields of France during World War I, where shared dangers and hardships created a deep sense of responsibility for the children of fallen comrades.

In order to finance its Child Welfare and Rehabilitation Programs, the American Legion launched a campaign in 1924 to raise a $5 million endowment fund. This goal was reached in a little over a year. In 1945, the endowment fund was increased to $7 million. This was made possible by such groups as the American Legion Auxiliary and others.

With over 15 million men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II, the American Legion resolved that its past World War I experiences would not be repeated. The painful memories of disabled men wait-ing more than five years for Legislation that would secure their rights to hospital care and compensation inspired American Legion leaders to work for the enactment of the G.I. Bill - - a law described as the most comprehensive piece of social Legislation ever enacted.

The G.I. Bill of Rights embodied all the American Legion had learned dur-ing a quarter century. Its preparation involved many months of careful research, analyzing convention mandates, and exchanging ideas with the military and experts in educational, financial, and employment fields. Invaluable in drawing up this Legislation was the input of the National Rehabili-tation Commission of the American Legion. The drafting of this Legislation has been called the greatest single feat of statesmanship in the his-tory of the American Legion.

Establishment of a women's auxiliary to the American Legion was gran-ted by the First National Convention at Minneapolis (Minnesota) in 1919. By the time the 1920 Convention opened in Cleveland, Ohio, about 1,342 local units had been formed and 11,000 members enrolled under the tentative name of Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion.

The first National Convention of the Women's Auxiliary was at Kansas City, Missouri, in November of 1921, called by American Legion National Commander John G. Emery. The name was changed to the American Legion Auxiliary and a National Constitution, modeled after the American Legion's, was adopted.

The purpose of the American Legion Auxiliary as expressed in the Preamble to its Constitution is "to participate in, and contribute to, the ac-complishments of the aims and purposes of the American Legion."

The Auxiliary participates extensively in the Legion's work for disabled American veterans, children of war veterans, community service, Ameri-canism, and National Security.

The American Legion is organized into 55 Departments, with one operating in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.

The Department Headquarters constitutes the link between the Posts of the American Legion and the National Organization. The Post deals directly with the Department Adjutant. Each Department functions under its own Constitution and holds an annual convention.

The Post is the community service outlet of the American Legion and provides opportunities for social activities and mutual support among the community's Veterans. It is also a viable part of the community it resides in.

Compiled by William Glennen

Bibliography:
American Legion Extension Institute, Lesson Plan I; Publisher: American Legion; abridged by William Glennen