Calendar

The American Legion is looking for volunteers to help with the 2024 National High School Oratorical Contest Finals in April in Indianapolis. Needed volunteer positions include judges, escorts, and holding room and assigned topic room monitors. The National Oratorical Contest brings more than 53 high school youth from across the country deliver a speech on the U.S. Constitution. The support of many volunteers is needed to conduct the contest, which will provide more than $203,500 in college scholarships.

Operation HEAL*ARIOUS FINALE. The winners from their respective cities in Season 1 and Season 2 compete for the title of America's Funniest Veteran or Military Spouse. For event details, click here.

Election Day is Nov. 8, a time when American Legion Family members and other voters will head to the polls to uphold a constitutional right and civic responsibility. The American Legion’s Get Out the Vote program encourages all Americans to register and vote in each election, as well as for Legion Family members to be involved in the electoral process.

Nov. 10 is the birthday of the Marine Corps, first formed as the Continental Marines in 1775 during the Revolutionary War. Here are some things you may not know about the service branch.

Download the Buddy Check Toolkit to help you connect with Legionnaires and veterans in your community. As a way to reach out to members and former members who may need help, the National Executive Committee passed Resolution 18 during Spring Meetings in May 2019. The resolution calls for Buddy Checks to be conducted Legion-wide on the weeks of The American Legion’s birthday, March 15, and Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918, and today a holiday to honor all veterans. American Legion posts, districts and departments observe Veterans Day by participating in or hosting parades, luncheons, ceremonies and more. A guideline Veterans Day speech is available for use during American Legion events honoring all military veterans. Download the Veterans Day speech.

The 2023 National American Legion College (NALC) is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in Indianapolis at American Legion National Headquarters. Visit legion.org/college/application to download a fillable student application. All applications must be endorsed by your respective department and submitted to National Headquarters by July 31.

Nov. 13-19 is American Education Week. This week is a time when all who work in public schools – teachers, administrative staff, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, substitute teachers and many others – are recognized for providing quality education and support to today's youth. The National Education Association website has ideas on ways American Legion Family members can celebrate each day.

For more than 45 years, the week of Thanksgiving has been proclaimed National Family Week. A guiding principle of The American Legion’s Children & Youth programs is maintaining the integrity of the family. Nov. 19-25 will mark this year's National Family Week where the American Legion Family is encouraged to promote and celebrate healthy families and communities.

The American Legion’s annual Holiday Blood Donor Drive is Nov. 23 through Dec. 31. During this time, American Legion Family members are encouraged to give blood and host blood drives as part of the American Legion Blood Donor Program – an organizational effort that has existed since 1946 to help a lifesaving cause. Learn more at legion.org/security/blood.

More than 92,000 units collected by posts during 2021-22 membership year, the biggest in 15 years.