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Show Origin ol Am. 'Leegion Explained llij Commander The American Legion is the only major American Veteran's organization organiz-ation to be founded overseas by fighting men, "Commander Nielsen said, "It was born at a caucus in Paris, France, March 15 to 17, 1919 of more than 1000 representatives of divisions and other units of the first AEF. "Tbi P.ir'c "srnn at which the framework of the American Legion Leg-ion was drafted and a name decided decid-ed upon was followed by a caucus in the United States in St. Louis, Mo. May 8 to 10 in 1919 at which the organization was perfected. "The first National Convention was held at Minneapolis, Minn. No vember 10 to 12, 1919 at which the work of the Paris and St Louis caucuses was ratified, a constitution constitut-ion approved and the first national officers elected. The founders of the American Legion realized that men and women wom-en who served in the armed forces during time of war had no choice where :hey would serve. Accordingly Accord-ingly they made all honorably discharged dis-charged veterans eligible for membership. mem-bership. American Legion membership has grown from 684,000 at the time of the Minneapolis convention to a new current high of 3,326,556 in 15,975 Posts. |