Calendar

On the first day of every month, Legion Family members are encouraged to wear a Be the One item to show their commitment to reducing the stigma around mental health issues among veterans and servicemembers. And to start a conversation about what Be the One is and how to save the life of a veteran. Legion posts should also promote Be the One on the first day of every month. Visit legion.org/betheone. 

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) accepts funding proposals from nonprofits for projects that contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children. Grants are only given to entities that help U.S. children in a large geographic area; they are not awarded for day-to-day or special operating expenses. Learn more at the CWF website.  

Sons of The American Legion leadership will meet in Indianapolis May 3-5.

Members of The American Legion's National Executive Committee (NEC), along with American Legion commission and committee members, will convene in Indianapolis for the organization's annual Spring Meetings. Commission and committee meetings are May 6-7; the NEC meet May 8-9. Members of the various commissions and committees will meet at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel in downtown Indianapolis to prepare reports that will be delivered to the NEC. The NEC will meet in the NEC Room at National Headquarters to review the reports and vote on resolutions.

Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day, is when Germany surrendered to its Allies in World War II.

This target date is worth 10,000 points for meeting the 100% target (not including DMS totals). Transmittals must be received and fully processed at National Headquarters during normal business hours on or before the May target date.

Department housing at the national convention will be determined by transmittals received at National Headquarters during normal business hours on or before the May target date.

Any department commander who meets or exceeds the 100% goal by the May target date will receive a framed certificate, presented by the national commander at the national convention. This award does not include a trip to the national convention.

Each American Legion post will have the opportunity to submit the name of the recruiter from that post who has signed up the highest number of new members for the membership year by the May target date. Department headquarters will supply certification forms to be completed by the post commander or adjutant and submitted to department headquarters by the May target date plus one week.

District commanders who create new American Legion posts in their respective districts and have the new post’s temporary charter application on file at National Headquarters by the May target date will receive a framed certificate (National Membership Awards Points Manual).

All district commanders whose May target date membership exceeds the previous year’s membership by at least the number of posts in that district will be awarded the District Commander Achievement Award framed certificate. In addition, the district will receive a District Honor Ribbon for its district colors (National Membership Awards Points Manual).

This award recognizes posts for their ability to renew their previous year’s membership. To qualify, the post must have at least the minimum number of members to maintain their post charter within their designated department and retain at least 90% of their previous year’s membership by the May target date. The accompanying certificate for this award will reflect retention categories of over 90%, 95% and 100% (Membership Awards Points Manual).

The American Legion National Oratorical Contest, a high school speech contest on the U.S. Constitution, awards $203,500 in scholarships each year at the national contest. For the first time, the contest will be held in Hillsdale, Mich., May 17-19. The contestants will present a rehearsed eight- to 10-minute oration on an aspect of the Constitution in front of judges, as well as a three- to five-minute speech on an assigned topic discourse — a phase of the Constitution selected from its Articles and Sections.

American Legion Family members celebrate Armed Forces Day to honor the men and women who serve in the United States military.

The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. On Sept. 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion Family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion. Read more about the poppy.

On Memorial Day, the American Legion Family honor the more than 1 million men and women who have lost their lives defending America since the Revolutionary War.

The current CWF program year began June 1, 2023, and runs through May 31, 2024. Departments, posts, detachments and squadrons that wish to donate and receive credit for the 2023-2024 program year should ensure donations are received at National Headquarters no later than Friday, May 31, 2024, or donations can be made online a mylegion.org.

The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF) delivers needed aid for military and veteran parents who face unexpected financial hardships that threaten the stability of their homes. These one-time Temporary Financial Assistance grants are used to cover housing, utilities, food and other basic needs for families with minor children at home.