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How Belonging Benefits You
Choosing to become a member of The American Legion, Department of Florida will make a difference in your life and your fellow veterans.
America’s largest supporter of veterans
You served, now what? How will you transition? The American Legion has you covered. We have endless resources and programs to serve you. We can help you navigate your military benefits and secure them for the future. Do you want to continue to serve? We want you to be a part of our legacy.
The Legion’s services can be classified under the organization’s four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation; National Security; Americanism; and Children & Youth.
I. Veteran’s Affairs & Rehabilitation
For more than 100 years, The American Legion has acted as the nation’s leading advocate for proper healthcare, economic opportunity and legal benefits for U.S. military veterans. We continue to aggressively lobby for adequate funding of the VA health care, timely access to facilities, fair rulings on benefit claims and economic opportunities for those who have come home changed by their military experiences.
We offer a network of Post Service Officers who work diligently to assist veterans like you, in pursuit of benefits and care that you’ve earned and deserve.
Here is where we can help you claim what you’ve earned and deserve:
- Determine eligibility
- File for benefits
- Healthcare for you and your family including counseling
- Veterans Crisis Line
- VA Caregiver Support
- OEF/OIF/OND Office
- Women Veterans Healthcare
- Homeless Veterans prevention and aid
- Employment Opportunities
- Vocational training
- VA Loans and Insurance
- Beneficiary travel
- Nonservice-connected pension
- Dependency and indemnity compensation
- Education benefits
- Burial benefits
- Correction of military records
- GI Bill for a New Century
II. National Security
The American Legion has strong positions on national defense, homeland security and quality of life for you, the service member, and your family. We support a strong national defense, and closely monitor issues relevant to our nation’s vital security interests. The Legion works closely with each branch of the U. S. Armed Forces to stay well informed about issues that affect our troops and our military families.
The American Legion has made the following issues legislative priorities:
- Military Pay and Pension
- Military Quality of Life
- Operation Comfort Warriors
- Increase size of Armed Forces
- Homeland security
- Foreign relations
- Quality of life for service members, retirees, and military families
- Full accounting of POW/MIAs
III. Americanism
Americanism is an unfailing love of country, loyalty to its institutions and ideals, eagerness to defend it against all enemies, individual allegiance to the U.S. flag and a desire to secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
Our activities acknowledge and preserve our heritage, recognizing the rights of all.
These programs support our Americanism mission:
- Baseball
- Scouting
- Youth Law Cadets
- Junior Shooting Sports
- Boys State and Nation
- High School Oratorical
- The Pledge of Allegiance
- Establishment-Clause
- U.S. Flag protection and education programs
- School awards and scholarships
- Legacy Run
- Recognition of Educators and First Responders
- Citizenship Outreach, voter encouragement, and Immigration issues
IV. Children & Youth
The American Legion is focused on the welfare of our country’s children and the issues facing young people. As our youth is our future, we are committed to serving the nation’s veterans by caring for their children and our nation’s children.
We prioritize our Children & Youth:
- Family Support Network
- Temporary Financial Assistance
- Child safety: drugs, youth suicide, Halloween safety, missing children
- Child abuse, disabilities and illnesses
- Child Welfare Foundation
- Endowment Fund
10 Ways it Pays to be a Member
- Veterans Education
We can help you go from military to civilian life, by providing resources for careers, education, child care and more. - Service Officers
These specially trained experts assist veterans and their families, free of charge. The majority of their work involves claims for VA disability benefits, referrals and resources. They have exactly the knowledge and experience you need without the lawyer fees. - Employment and Business
We can help place you in job-training programs, working with veterans and numerous agencies. - Legislative Action Center
We keep you up to date on congressional action related to American Legion resolutions and programs, with frequent alerts and information. - Financial and Insurance Services
You’ll have access to a full range of financial and insurance services, from our partnership with USAA and LIT. - Family Support Network
If you are called to active-duty, our members and volunteers can be connected with your family to help with child-care services, yard work, car repairs and other forms of personal help. A peace of mind while you are away. - National Emergency Fund
We provide direct financial assistance to you and other American Legion Family members and posts affected by natural disasters. - PROJECT: VetRelief
When you’re faced with a life emergency, PROJECT: VetRelief can support you and your family with immediate financial assistance. - Scholarships
We can provide you and your children, access to dozens of scholarships and education programs, at the national, state, and local levels. - Member Discounts
You will be eligible to numerous discounts at participating businesses in automobile rental with auto insurance, home services, financial and home insurance, medical, moving and relocation, travel and other industries.
About Our Family
For over a century, The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion (SAL) have worked steadfastly, side by side, promoting patriotism and national security while supporting youth and advocating for veterans and active-duty military personnel and families. From the drafting of the original GI Bill to the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion Family is the most influential voice for America’s veterans.
The Florida Legion Riders (floridalegion.org/riders), is one of our most prominent programs. Members of the American Legion Riders are involved in many diverse programs. Membership is open to all active members of The American Legion, The Sons of The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary.
While members of The American Legion Family are individually unique, collectively we are a multi-million member powerhouse of caring advocates dedicated to service. You’ll find that getting connected to The American Legion Family is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.