DISTRICT 21 PROGRAMS

American Legion Riders American Legion Riders chapters are often well known for their charitable work, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children's hospitals, schools, veterans homes, severely wounded servicemembers and scholarships. Since 2006, Riders nationwide have participated in the Legion Legacy Run, to annually raise money for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, established to provide scholarships to children of U.S. military personnel killed since Sept. 11, 2001.

Americanism We endeavor to realize in the United States the basic ideal of this Legion of 100 percent Americanism through the planning, establishment, and conduct of a continuous, constructive educational system

Baseball Since 1925, American Legion Baseball has taught hundreds of thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship. The program is also a promoter of equality, making teammates out of wealthy bankers’ and industrial workers’ sons, and erasing any social divide between them. Most importantly, American Legion Baseball has been, and continues to be, a stepping stone to manhood for millions of young men who have gone on to raise families or play the sport at the highest level.

Boy's State American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high-school students. A participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government, Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps.

Child Welfare Foundation CWF accepts funding proposals from nonprofit organizations for projects that contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children. Grants are only given to entities that help U.S. children in a large geographic area; they are not awarded for day-to-day operating expenses or special operating expenses.

Community Service The American Legion recognizes that the community is an important part of our American way of life. Legion Posts have, for many years, made American communities better places in which to live. Community service projects often place special emphasis on the organization of safety-first campaigns, the elimination of fire hazards, establishment of playgrounds and the erection of living memorials. More than 200 different types of projects, designed for the betterment of communities, are sponsored by more than 14,000 Posts each year.

Counter Subversive Act The National Americanism Commission was established in 1919 at the first Annual Convention of the American Legion. The objectives of the Americanism Commission, of course, lie in the area of teaching Americanism, the positive variety, to the youth of our country. At the same time, the National Americanism Commission has made sure that proper emphasis is placed upon the Counter-Subversive Program and, in order to do this, Posts, Counties, Districts, and Departments are called upon to perform service in this very vital area.

Junior Shooting The American Legion sponsors a program of marksmanship and gun safety education for high school age youth. As part of the program, The American Legion conducts a Junior Position Air Rifle Tournament, which provides competitors an opportunity to test their marksmanship ability in competition with other junior competitors throughout the nation.

Legislative The purpose of the legislative program is to maintain communication between the American Legion and our elected officials on the State and National levels and to furnish information to them and to our members on important issues concerning, but not limited to veterans’ benefits, health care, family issues, child welfare, and rehabilitation for the disabled.

NEF The American Legion's National Emergency Fund is set up to aid Legionnaires and SAL members and their families during a disaster to provide immediate assistance for food, clothing and shelter.  The Departments of Louisiana and Texas are currently experiencing such a situation.   To be eligible, our Legion and SAL members must be current on their membership and in an area which was mandatorily evacuated by a government agency.

Oratorical A CONSTITUTIONAL SPEECH CONTEST The Oratorical Scholarship Program in Texas will begin in November, 2009 when high school students will enter competition to qualify for the National Oratorical Program, with an ultimate award of $160,000 in scholarships. Posts and schools may hold local contests during the Fall of 2009 if they so desire.

Scouting Based on the principle of duty to God and country, the Scouting program serves youth, ages 6 through 21, regardless of ethnic background, creed or physical or mental ability. In cooperation with organizations like the American Legion, Scouting offers a way for you and other dedicated volunteers of your post and the community to bring fun, adventure, and leadership skills to young people, and to provide effective character building, citizenship training, and personal fitness opportunities for youth.

Training As everyone knows training is the lifeblood of any organization. There are study courses for The American Legion as well as specialized training. It is recommended that every District and Division have some training at every Convention. The Department Adjutant and The Director of Internal Affairs can conduct Training on Legion procedures, programs, or whatever is needed.

VA&R The American Legion's Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) program provides a comprehensive network of American Legion Department Service Officers (see below) at the Department level to help veterans, their dependents and survivors apply for any Federal or state benefit to which they may be entitled. These are the individuals who should be consulted when any question arises regarding veterans' benefits or claims for these benefits.

VAVS The VA Under Secretary for Health has stated that The American Legion has been one of the most active organizations in working at the national level for a purposeful program of volunteer activities in, and beyond, the medical facility. Volunteer activity is premised on its therapeutic value to the patient. The medical facility patient care program is developed by the treatment staff, and is under the control of physicians.