1	DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA
2	THE BEGINNING The American Legion was born at a caucus of the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) in Paris, France, March 15-17, 1919.
3	THE AMERICAN LEGION CALLED FOR: BETTER BENEFITS FOR VETERANS More rehabilitation assistance for disabled veterans New agencies to help veterans get jobs and receive overdue pay from the government Equal disability pay for all veterans, whether in the National Guard, the National Army or the Regular establishment.
4	Veterans Helping Veterans
5	MEANING OF AMERICAN LEGION EMBLEM
6	AMERICANISM ……...Americanism begins in the home.
7	ENDORSEMENT Lyndon B. Johnson U.S. Senator from Texas, 1960 “The American Legion is composed of men who did not stop serving their country when they took off their uniform. You realize that freedom up to this point has never been won by a single struggle; we must also have The American Legion alert so that it can keep the country awake.”
8	GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMICS
9	NATIONAL SECURITY
10	VETERAN AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION
11	CHILDREN AND YOUTH
12	AMERICANISM
13	LEGIONNAIRE AUXILIARY SONS OF THE LEGION POST DISTRICT AREA DEPARTMENT NATIONAL
14	Straight Talk
15	“I’m too busy” You belong to organizations because:
16	“I don’t have the time.” Attendance at meetings are not mandatory.
17	RECRUITMENT
18	RECRUITMENT
19	ENDORSEMENT Douglas MacArthur Former Supreme Commander for Allied Powers in Japan, 1952 “……... The American Legion, composed of men who know and detest war for the scourge that it is, is peculiarly well-fitted to stand guard over our heritage of American liberty. It must exercise unrelaxed vigilance. It must ensure that neither political expediency, nor foreign infatuation influence the expenditure of the vast sums now under contemplation for freedom’s defense.”
20	WHAT BEING A VETERAN MEANS
21	PATRIOTIC HALL
22	ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1921- The U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of the Veterans Administration 1923 - “Flag Code” drafted during conference called by The American Legion. Code adopted by Congress in 1942. 1944 - GI Bill of Rights is signed by President Franklin Roosevelt
23	ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1946 - $50,000 grant from The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary presented to a small, struggling organization, The American Heart Association. 1950 - Funds contributed to the field of mental health with the provision that the three major organizations form into one - The National Association for Mental Health.
24	ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1954 - Child Welfare Foundation is formed 1972 - Halloween safety program remains the only national program of its kind. 1982 - $1,000,000 given to the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund
25	ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1989 - Department of Veterans Affairs elevated to cabinet-level status 1990 - The American Legion sues the federal government for failure to conduct study of the effects of Agent Orange 1990 -“Family Support Network” is formed
26	ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1991 - The American Legion continues to press for improved educational and medical benefits for Gulf War Veterans