Together we stand for Veterans
Founded in 1932, the Sons of The American Legion (SAL) exists to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires.
The Sons of the American Legion exists to honor the service of U.S. military veterans while supporting community programs, promoting patriotism, mentoring youth, and assisting veterans and their families.
The Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion. The S.A.L. is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion. Together, members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, The Legion Riders and the Sons of The American Legion make up what is known as The Legion Family. All four organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation’s children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship. The SAL Handbook can be downloaded from this link.
Mission and Goals
The Sons of the American Legion (SAL) was founded in 1932 as part of The American Legion family, composed of male descendants of veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. Its primary purpose is to support veterans, active-duty military, and their families through volunteerism, fundraising, and community service. SAL members also promote patriotism, uphold American traditions, and teach good citizenship, ensuring that the legacy of service and sacrifice is preserved across generations.
Key Activities
SAL squadrons assist in a wide range of programs, including:
- Veterans support: Volunteering at VA hospitals, providing emergency assistance, and helping disabled veterans.
- Youth mentorship: Sponsoring scholarships, youth sports, and leadership programs
- Community service: Organizing local initiatives, fundraising for child welfare, and supporting active-duty families during deployments.
- Patriotism and civic education: Teaching the Ten Ideals (patriotism, health, knowledge, training, honor, faith, helpfulness, courtesy, reverence, and comradeship) and the Five-Point Program of Service (patriotism, citizenship, discipline, leadership, and legionism)
Organizational Role
SAL operates as a non-political, non-sectarian organization within the American Legion Family, which also includes The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. Members are organized into squadrons, districts, and detachments, allowing them to coordinate local, state, and national programs. This structure enables SAL to extend the reach of The American Legion’s mission, ensuring that veterans’ needs are met and that community programs are effectively implemented.
Heritage and Values
Membership in SAL is rooted in heritage, honoring fathers, grandfathers, or other relatives who served in the U.S. military. The organization emphasizes mutual helpfulness, respect for veterans, and devotion to community, combining tradition with active service to make a meaningful impact in the present.
In summary, the purpose of the Sons of the American Legion is to continue the legacy of military service by supporting veterans, mentoring youth, promoting patriotism, and engaging in community service, all while preserving American values and traditions
The SAL has study programs recommended for younger members.
One such program, called “The Ten Ideals,”
patriotism
health
knowledge
training
honor
faith
helpfulness
courtesy
reverence
comradeship.
If a member completes the Ten Ideals program, he is eligible to continue with another program called the “Five-Point Program of Service.”
This program covers:
patriotism
citizenship
discipline
leadership
legionism.
Join The Sons of the American Legion
Join the American Legion Family in our efforts to end veteran suicide
Preamble
Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of veterans of all Wars, associate ourselves together as “Sons of The American Legion” for the following purposes:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America
To maintain law and order
To foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism
To preserve the memories of our former members and the association of our members and our forefathers in all wars
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the Community, State and Nation
To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses
To make right the master of might
To promote peace and good will on earth
To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy, to consecrate and sanctify our friendship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness
To adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which The American Legion stands
and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.
