Last week we learned how the American Legion National Commander Harry W. Colmery wrote the first draft of what would become the “GI Bill of Rights,” which has been considered the Legions’ single greatest legislative achievement.
In June 1944, President Theodore Roosevelt signed into law the GI Bill of Rights, or it’s legal name of Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, ushering in monumental changes in U.S. Society. More than 8 million veterans have gone to school on the GI Bill, gotten better jobs, bought houses, and raised families. For every dollar spent on educating veterans, the U.S. economy gets $7 back — a rather good investment.
We also discovered that in 1946 the American Legion and it’s Auxiliary donated $50,000 to a little known struggling non-profit organization called The American Heart Association. The grant inaugurated a nationwide program for the study, prevention, and treatment of rheumatic heart disease.
On May 4, 1950, The American Legion voted to contribute funds to the field of mental health with the provision that the three major mental health organizations then in existence be combined into one. They accepted this provision, and the National Association for Mental Health was born.
Established in 1954, The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation was developed as a repository of funds from individuals who wished to contribute to the betterment of children in this country. Our foremost philanthropic priority is to contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children and youth by aiding progress in the field of child welfare through dissemination of knowledge about research, studies, surveys, projects, or by supporting programs and activities benefiting the welfare of children and youth.
Not all American children grow up inside the comfortable definition of normal childhood development. For thousands, each day is a challenge marked by pain, prayer, and perseverance. Many of these children require specialized care. To overcome their obstacles, they need help from you and The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.
For more information go to The American Legion link, www. cwf-inc.org.
Next week we move into the 1960s and 1970s which ushers in the Vietnam War and other significant dates in the history of The American Legion.
