No one, single activity or program defines The American Legion Riders, but several key issues have been given national attention largely because of the efforts of individual chapters, and even individual Riders.

The “Patriot Guard” organization, famous nationally for providing escort at funerals and memorial services out of profound respect for the families of our fallen military members, grew out of the efforts of the Kansas American Legion Riders from an American Legion post in Mulvane Kansas in August of 2005. Originally developed for Legion Riders and other veteran motorcyclists to shield the families from the sight and sound of protestors, the Patriot Guard idea continues today to pay tribute to all our fallen warriors at the request of the stricken families.

The Heroes to Hometown Program is yet another way for Riders to assist with one of the Legion’s oldest missions—to help recover the wounded from our battlefields. The Heroes to Hometown is a new partnership between the Pentagon and the Legion—one that will unfortunately need to continue for many years as our severely wounded combat veterans return home.

There are many other issues and programs that Riders have only started to address. If you have a concern or see an issue not addressed on these pages, please contact The Legion Riders.

Heroes to Hometowns

Members of The American Legion Riders often hear of, or come into direct contact with, severely injured servicemembers or their family members, friends, and associates. If you know of a servicemember or veteran who has been severely injured in the War on Terror, you should immediately contact:

The American Legion -Heroes To Hometown
Military Severely Injured Center (Pentagon Detachment)
Phone: 703 908 6250
Contact Heroes To HomeTowns Program

Your Riders Chapter can be a vital factor in helping a severely injured warrior recover from his wounds—even beyond that first smile, handclasp, and gently spoken “Welcome home”. The "Heroes to Hometowns" transition program will help your Riders set up a support network and can help coordinate resources even before a servicemember returns home. Child care, temporary housing, errand-running, adapting homes or vehicles, spiritual support, government claims assistance and financial aid are just some of what The American Legion Riders Chapters and their sponsoring posts, SAL squadrons, and Auxiliary units may provide.

(If you are not severely injured but are in need of general transition assistance or support, you may also contact your American Legion Department Service Officer (DSO) or local American Legion post.)

Learn more about Heroes to Hometowns

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship

As an unfortunate consequence of Operation Iraqi Freedom and America's war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families. In most cases, this also means their chances to attend college have greatly diminished. Children of military personnel killed on active duty are entitled to receive money toward a college education. But it's not enough.

We are raising funds to ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families. Providing for the children our military personnel left behind is our civic duty. An education is a powerful way to show our thanks. That is why we have established the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. But we need your help.

A Critical Gap

The American Legion fights to see that our active-duty military personnel and their families are looked after. But despite our efforts, recent years have seen a significant shortfall in dollars allotted by our government. The educational benefit provided to surviving children is one of these critical gaps.

The total survivor benefit for these children is slightly more than $37,000 to be used for a college education. In today's dollars, this benefit will pay little more than half of what a college education costs in the most affordable situation. This gap widens when considering the cost of a college education in the future. The most conservative estimate is that costs will increase by 5 percent per year, meaning that in 16 years, the most affordable college education will be $105,800. Military compensation will not keep up with these dramatic increases.

Join Our Effort

Money provided by law simply has not kept up with what a higher education costs today, let alone what college will cost in years to come. Remember, these children are the direct descendants of people who died protecting our country. Their parents made the ultimate sacrifice. The least we can do is make sure they are provided for.

We need your help to make The American Legion American Legacy Scholarship a reality. Too many men and women in uniform have died in the fight to preserve our nation's freedoms. Together, we can make sure their children have the opportunity these parents were unable to provide. We encourage you to give generously to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Help us to bridge the gap and restore the faith of these special children.

Send your Tax-Deductible Contributions To:
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206

Eligibility:

Child/Children, or legally adopted child/children, of active duty United States military and Guard, and Reserve personnel who were federalized and died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Must be a high school senior or high school graduate to apply for the scholarship. Scholarship is for undergraduate study at a U.S. school of higher education.

Aid Offered:

The amount and number of awards depends upon the income derived from the trust. Scholarship recipients may reapply for the award.

Application:

Click here to obtain an application click here.

Deadline:

Application must be post marked not later than April 15th. For information about additional American Legion scholarships and college financial aid click here.

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund

Our Civic Duty: Providing For the Children Left Behind

Bob Caudell, Program Coordinator
(317) 630-1212, Contact Bob Caudell

Donate to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund and get a limited edition Ruptured Duck" Lapel Button for a donation of $10.00 or more.

The American Legacy Scholarship Fund Corporate Sponsors:

Legion Family Members helping Legion Family Members

Our Preamble to The American Legion Constitution says it best, "…devotion to mutual helpfulness." This phrase is more than just mere words on paper; it’s our pledge of support to our distressed comrades. Since the early 1920’s, The American Legion has been actively involved in meeting the needs of both the community and individual Legion family members in the wake of disaster.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires…The American Legion National Emergency Fund was born out of natural disasters to compassionately heal the wounds of catastrophe and help save their homes. A major disaster could happen to any Legionnaire in any town at anytime and make them homeless.

The National Emergency Fund has provided over $3,000,000 in direct financial assistance to Legion family members and posts. The National Emergency Fund has kept posts from closing and enabled Legion family members to begin to rebuild their homes and their lives.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Eligibility open to Legionnaires, Auxiliary ** and Sons members (up to $1,500) Legion posts (up to $5,000). (** If Auxiliary membership is less than 5 years continuous. Otherwise, will be forwarded to the National American Legion Auxiliary for consideration.)
2. Not meant to replace or repair items, only to meet most immediate needs (i.e., temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.)
3. Membership must be active at time of disaster and the time of application

How To Apply

1. Application must be received within 90 days of disaster.
2. Disaster must be a “declared natural disaster" by Federal, State or local government authorities.
3. Supporting data (photos, repair estimates, etc.) should be included if at all possible or statements (testimony) from post/district/department officers attesting to damages.
4. Only one grant per household.
5. Not designed for insurance compensation, loss of business, outbuildings on your property (barns, tool sheds, silos, etc.), equipment (tractors or other farm vehicles), or any type of automobile.

Members must complete a National Emergency Fund Grant Application. Applications may be obtained by contacting your department headquarters or by calling The American Legion national headquarters at (317) 630-1321. You can also download a grant application by clicking here.

Application is properly completed by applicant then sent to the department headquarters for approval.

If everything is in order, department will forward to national. Upon approval at the national level, a check will be sent to the department headquarters for delivery to the Legion Family member or post in distress.

How You Can Help

We have an obligation to assist those less fortunate members when the need arises, and we do – through our donations to the National Emergency Fund. All contributions made to this fund are deposited in a special account and are used exclusively to meet our member’s most urgent needs. Not one single contribution dollar is used for fundraising, administrative costs or fulfillment.

The money in the fund comes by way of generous donations from Legionnaires, American Legion Auxiliary members and Sons of The American Legion members.

Send your tax-Deductible Contributions To:

The American Legion
National Emergency Fund
P. O. BOX 6141
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206