Last week we learned that in August 2017, Denise Rohan of Wisconsin was elected national commander, the first woman to hold the role in the Legion’s history.
Then on January 31, 2019, The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance Program completed a record-breaking month of cash-grant disbursements of $1,030,163. Most is distributed to U.S. Coast Guard families with children at home who were affected by the 35-day federal government shutdown.
In March 15-17, 2019, The American Legion celebrated its 100th birthday in Paris, France, throughout the United States, and around the world.
Paris was chosen because it was the birthplace of The American Legion when members of the American Expeditionary Force convened for their first caucus.
This week we found that in June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of The American Legion in its case to allow a 40-foot crossshaped memorial in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to stay on public property.
The memorial was erected in 1925 by The American Legion and Gold Star Mothers to honor 49 servicemen who gave their lives fighting in World War I. The Supreme Court heard the case after the American Humanist Association filed suit to have it removed, claiming its presence on public property violated the Constitution.
In July 2019, President Trump signed the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service — the LEGION Act. This extended recognized wartime service to cover previously unrecognized periods of U.S. military conflict, back to World War II.
More than 1,600 Americans were killed or wounded in armed hostilities during periods not previously recognized as wartime. The act also opened the door for more than 6 million veterans who served outside the previously designated war era access to join The American Legion programs and services.
Next week we finish up this series of The American Legion History as we move into the 2020’s era. Please continue to pray for our military serving around the globe, especially those in harms way.
