American Legion National Programs - Changes Lives!

We help families and children in need through youth mentoring, veterans’ assistance and advocacy from the local community.

Boys State
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. It is a participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county, and state government.  At Texas Boys State, citizens will gain hands-on experience to leadership by taking part in the political process through role-play civic exercises.

JROTC
The American Legion is a strong supporter of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs across the country.

Blood Donor Program
The use of the blood of one human being to save the life of another is one of the world’s greatest medical achievements. Thousands of people are alive today – happy children, young mothers, accident victims, the elderly – who have survived major operations because blood and blood components were available to combat many types of diseases and other medical problems.

Baseball
American Legion Baseball has taught hundreds of thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship. The program is a promoter of equality, making teammates out of young athletes regardless of their income levels or social standings.

Oratorical
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.

Homeless Veterans
The American Legion supports the efforts of public and private sector agencies and organizations that aid homeless veterans and their families. Additionally, the Legion supports legislative proposals to provide medical, rehabilitative and employment assistance to homeless veterans and their families.

School Medals Program
The American Legion School Medal Award Program is designed to place emphasis on the development of the qualities of COURAGE, HONOR, LEADERSHIP, PATRIOTISM, SCHOLARSHIP and SERVICE. We strive to help develop these ideals of Americanism to our youth to make them citizens of the highest caliber.  Our goal is to give recognition to the boys and girls who have demonstrated the highest qualities of citizenship and true Americanism.

Women Veterans
The main goal for The American Legion Dept of Texas Women Veterans Chair is to assist all veterans, especially our female veterans, who have served.  We seriously sympathize that it’s very difficult to discuss personal matters for female veterans. Transitioning from active duty to veteran status includes many physical and mental health issues and we are here to support you.

Youth Law Cadet Academy
The American Legion, Department of Texas and the Texas Highway Patrol have teamed together to create the Youth Law Cadet Academy. This is a week long program that provides a hands on learning experience with insight into the operations of law enforcement agencies. The program allows these highly motivated young people the opportunity to consider law enforcement as a potential career choice.

Special Olympics
The American Legion, Department of Texas has partnered up with Special Olympics Texas to help support our children and youth from all walks of life.  Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

POW/MIA Accountability
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is an agency within the United States Department of Defense whose mission is to recover missing personnel who listed as Prisoners of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), from all past wars and conflicts and from countries around the world

Law and Order Program
In the Preamble to the American Legion Constitution, which we recite at the beginning of every meeting, we pledge ourselves to ten purposes, among which are:

  • Uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
  • Maintain law and order
  • Foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
  • Inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation
  • Promote peace and good-will on earth.

With that in mind, we honor those “unsung heroes” of our lives – law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMT’s, and paramedics – who put their lives on the line, so that we have freedom and protection from harm.

Junior Shooting Sports Program
The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program is a gun safety education and marksmanship program that encompasses the basic elements of safety, education, enjoyment and competition. Shooters use the .177 caliber air rifle. Both males and females can participate.

Employer Award Program
The first American Legion employer award was established in 1947, and recognized employers across the country that had established outstanding records in the employment and retention of workers with disabilities. Later, other award categories were added to recognize outstanding employers of older workers and of veterans.

OUR LOCAL PARTICIPATION

Scholarships
The American Legion, Department of Texas offers many scholarship opportunities for High School Students, which are focused on Veteran and Military influences.  A few of the scholarships available are:  General Scholarship.

Veteran Outreach Program
We locally participate in the Veterans Outreach Program and Extended Care Facilities, where we visit our local veterans at these facilities.