In the News
Local Legion posts see growth post LEGION ActThe Northern Virginia Daily
Washington, DC,
November 10, 2019
|
By Donald Lambert
This year marks the centennial anniversary of the American Legion and the organization celebrated it with a major legislative victory. The nonprofit has worked to give membership in the American Legion to military personnel who served in non-combat conflicts, like the Cold War and the Iranian Hostage Crisis, with the LEGION Act - which stands for Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service. Previously, only combat personnel who served in wars that were recognized by Congress, including World War II and the Vietnam War, could be members. According to the American Legion website, 1,600 military personnel were killed or wounded during previously undeclared periods of war. The LEGION Act, which was introduced in the Senate in February by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, and a companion bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ben Cline, R-Lexington, and Lou Correa, D-California, were signed into law on July 30 by President Donald Trump. |