American Legion
The American Legion ( Engl. American Legion ) is a veterans organization of the United States Armed Forces , based in Indianapolis , Indiana, United States. Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. , the eldest son of the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt , is named as the founding father of the American Legion .
history
The first national meeting of the American Legion held from 10. bis November 12, 1919 in Minneapolis ( Minnesota instead). The current number of members is given as 2.4 million. The Legion was actively involved in J. Edgar Hoover's data collection , which resulted in the Palmer Raids .
In the 1930s, some of its leading members are said to have secretly planned a fascist coup against the US government. However, this was vehemently denied.
At a meeting of the American Legion in Philadelphia in 1976, 221 out of 4,500 participants fell ill with a hitherto unknown infection of the respiratory tract . 34 “legionaries” died. Without the pathogen to know they called the disease "Legionnaires 'Disease" ( Legionnaires' disease ). 1977 succeeded Joseph E. McDade , gram negative rod bacteria to be identified as pathogens. These had populated the cooling water systems of a hotel's air conditioning system. Their scientific name is now Legionella spp.
aims
In addition to commemorative and social events, the American Legion is active in US politics . One focus is on lobbying for the interests of veterans , in particular social security, e.g. B. Pensions and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs hospital system . She also supports other patriotic causes such as respect for the American flag . The organization supported a proposal to amend the American constitution , according to which the burning or desecration of the American flag should be prohibited.
The organization supported the Boy Scouts of America scout organization in their endeavors to prevent gay membership . The Legion runs a sports program for amateurs, e.g. B. American Legion Baseball and takes care of wounded soldiers and their families in their program "Heroes to Hometowns".
membership
To become a member, the applicant must serve or have served in an area of the United States Armed Forces at a certain point in time (table). An exception is made for veterans of the US Merchant Marine who served during World War II , more precisely from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946. This non-military group also has the right to membership.
| Period | Operations | |
|---|---|---|
| August 2nd, 1990 to date | Operation Desert Shield / Storm , Operation Enduring Freedom , Iraqi Freedom , War on Terror | |
| December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990 | Operation Just Cause in Panama | |
| August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 | Lebanon War / Grenada | |
| February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 | Vietnam War | |
| June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955 | Korean War | |
| December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 | Second World War | |
| April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 | First World War |
See also
Web links
- www.legion.org American Legion (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ General Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Founding Father of the American Legion.
- ^ Jones, A History of the American Legion, pg. 349.
- ↑ Number of members of the American Legion
- ^ A People and a Nation: A History of the United States, Volume II, by Carol Sheriff, David M. Katzman, David W. Blight, Howard P. Chudacoff, p. 677.
- ↑ George Wolfskill, The Revolt of the Conservatives: A History of the American Liberty League, 1934-1940 (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1962), pp 81-101.
- ↑ Heroes to Hometowns program
- ↑ Requirements for membership in the American Legion