American Legion
From Freepedia
The American Legion is a organization of veterans of the United States armed forces who served in wartime, seen by many to be conservative. The group boasts nearly 3 million members. In addition to organizing commemorative events and volunteer activities, the American Legion is active in US politics. Its primary political activity is lobbying for the interests of veterans, including support for veteran's benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Affairs hospital system; in addition, it promotes other causes such as support for a Flag Burning Amendment. The organization has also recently supported the Boy Scouts of America in their efforts to refuse membership to gays. In addition, the American Legion is a firm supporter of religion and anti-atheism. While some members believe it to be unamerican to criticize the US government during any sort of conflict, the Legion has done so in the past in their open criticism of Operation Allied Force in Kosovo (see below.)
The state American Legions run an annual civic training event for high school juniors called Boys State. Two members from each Boys State are selected for Boys Nation. The American Legion Auxiliary runs Girls State and Girls Nation.
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1910s
The first national convention of the American Legion was held from November 10-12, 1919 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1920s
At its January 1923 Convention, Commander-in-Chief of the American Legion, Alvin Owsley endorsed Benito Mussolini and Fascism. Saying "If ever needed the American Legion stands ready to protect our country's institutions and ideals as the Fascisti dealt with the destructionists who menaced Italy."
Asked whether that meant taking over the government, he replied "Exactly that. The American Legion is fighting every element that threatens our democratic government-Soviets, anarchists, I.W.W., revolutionary socialists and every other Red ... Do not forget that the Fascisti are to Italy what the American Legion is to the United States."
Owsley also invited Mussolini to speak at almost every yearly convention of the Legion during his time at its helm.
1930s
According to congressional testamony in the 1930s several of the American Legion's leaders, including its original bankroller Irénée du Pont, plotted a fascist coup against the Government of Franklin D. Roosevelt called the Business Plot. According to testimony the plot was averted because Major General Smedley Butler warned Roosevelt of the plan.
1940s
The American Legion was active in campaigning for the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II in relocation camps. [1] [2]
1950s
The American Legion asked for a congressional investigation into the ACLU for their petitioning to end loyalty-oath laws for public workers such as school teachers during the red scare. [3]
1970s
In 1976, there was an outbreak of bacterial pneumonia among those attending a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. This form of pneumonia became known as Legionnaires' disease or Legionellosis. The bacterium that causes the illness was later named Legionella.
1990s
In a letter to U.S. President Bill Clinton in May of 1999, the American Legion urged the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia. The National Executive Committee of The American Legion met and adopted a resolution unanimously that stated, in part, that they would only support military operations if “Guidelines be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy and“That there be support of the mission by the U.S. Congress and the American people”. [4][5]
2000s
On August 30, 2005, Thomas P. Cadmus, National Commander, stated in an address to the Legion's National Convention that protests against the occupation of Iraq should be suppressed "by any means necessary".[6], raising concerns from civil-rights and anti-war groups.
External link
- American Legion web site
- Edict against the Enola Gay exhibit
- Story of the American Legion by George Seay Wheat (1919)
