July 31, 2019
Congress and the White House agree to expand definition of war eras to include all who served since Dec. 7, 1941.
More than 1,600 members of the U.S. Armed Forces were killed or wounded in periods of time not designated as war eras since the end of World War II. The newly signed Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act of 2019 – The LEGION Act – honors those veterans, their spouses and descendants, extending membership eligibility in The American Legion Family to hundreds of thousands who had previously been excluded.
The LEGION Act offers American Legion membership eligibility to any U.S. military veteran who served at least one day of active military duty since Dec. 7, 1941, and was honorably discharged or is serving now. The act also affects membership in the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, expanding eligibility for those groups, as well.
Local area veterans wishing to join the American Legion should contact the Post Adjutant, Elissa Nyer (240938-3722 or e-mail: elissatn@yahoo.com or post517@comcast.net for additional information. Membership dues are $40.00 annually. Auxiliary and Sons of the American legion are likewise welcomed. The legion post also has a social membership program whereas anyone age 21 or more without any military background can join the Post 517 Home Association. There is no discrimation in our dues structure; all dues for all categories of membership are $40.00 annually and renewals are payable on or before Dec 31st of each year. Application information for all categories can also be viewed at www.papost517mercersburg.org