The American Legion

The American Legion is a congressionally chartered mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by the United States Congress.

In addition to organizing commemorative even ts and volunteer veteran support activities, the American Legion is active in issue U.S. politics. Its primary political activity is lobbying on behalf of the interests of veterans and service members, including support for veterans benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Affairs hospital system. The Legion ha

s also been involved as a conservative voice in more general political and cultural issues.

At the state level, the American Legion is organized into "departments", which run annual civic training events for high school juniors called Boys State. Two members from each Boys State are selected for Boys Nation. The American Legion Auxiliary runs

Girls State and Girls Nation. The American Legion also hosts many social events.