Last week we learned 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 cross-shaped 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.
Then in July 2019, President Trump signed the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service — aka 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. This week we found that in March 2020 The American Legion National Headquarters staff began a period of social distancing and work-from-home procedures amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic. American Legion posts, departments and facilities worldwide were forced to close their doors to members and the public. The organization responded with hundreds of “Buddy Check” activities to assist older veterans; dozens of blood drives as need increased; food-delivery services; supplies for parents suddenly forced to home-school their children; protective mask making and distribution; and hundreds of other acts of community support.
The pandemic led to cancellation or postponement of national meetings, including the 101st National Convention, American Legion Baseball World Series, and American Legion Boys Nation.
