A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families
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Join The American Legion Family in proudly flying the flag of the United States of America on Flag Day: Wednesday, June 14. ALA units and Legion posts nationwide will also conduct proper flag-collection and retirement ceremonies, host flag education sessions, and encourage all Americans to fly the U.S. flag this day and throughout the year.
Government and businesses can buy flags/equipment from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales, an approved entity that can sell flags and flag display equipment to government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. American Legion Family members can help raise awareness about the American Legion Auxiliary and generate revenue for the Legion Family by encouraging government and businesses to buy USA-made flags and flag equipment from Emblem Sales. Any VA facility, company, church, civic organization, or the public can buy flags and flag items from Emblem Sales.
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June 27 is PTSD Screening Day | |
You can help the VA’s National Center for PTSD share important information. June 27 is PTSD Screening Day. If you are concerned that someone you care about might be experiencing PTSD, encourage them to take the self-screen. You can also help by spreading the word on your social media accounts and using #PTSDScreeningDay. Learn more. | |
Mark your calendars for our biggest event! | |
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ALA National Headquarters staff and volunteer leadership are busy preparing for our organization’s 102nd National Convention. This year, we’ll gather in Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 25-31.
Be prepared by giving us a follow and bookmarking us now through @ALAforVeterans on social media and www.ALAforVeterans.org for the event livestream. If you’ll be in Charlotte for convention, take pictures and post on social media! Tag National Headquarters @ALAforVeterans and use the hashtags #AuxCon23 and #AmericanLegionAuxiliary. Keep an eye on our socials for more information in the coming weeks.
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Newly updated: ALA Junior Patch | |
The membership patch has been updated to match the new ALA branding. It was time to restock, so the new order included the ALA word mark. American Legion Auxiliary Junior members and young Sons of The American Legion members can be active participants of the ALA Patch Program. Learn more about the program and the list of activities youth do to earn patches. | |
Recently added: DEI course | |
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The ALA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion course was created to: help our members recognize biased language and performance bias and implement strategies to overcome them; identify and properly use interrupters to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all; and demonstrate the ability to coach others on the importance of inclusion and equity within ALA.
Before you begin, please familiarize yourself with these definitions, which are used throughout the course:
Diversity is the presence of differences that may include race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, ability, and age (among others). Diversity is about taking account of the differences between people and groups of people and placing a positive value on these differences.
Equity looks to ensure people have access to the same treatment, opportunity, and advancement, with an emphasis on identifying and removing barriers that prevent participation from some groups.
Inclusion ensures that those who are diverse actually feel and are welcomed by a group.
A bias includes words, phrases, and/or sweeping generalizations that do not fairly represent all individuals within a group.
A stereotype is an assigned generalization or preconceived characteristics attributed to a certain set of people. They can include oversimplified generalizations that may be untrue or only partially true.
This 30-minute course will lead you and your ALA unit to a more diverse organization, allowing the Auxiliary to help more veterans — creating a larger volunteer pool and improving community engagement and outreach.
Sign up here to take the course.
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Deadline alert! Applications for American Legion Auxiliary Foundation grants are due June 20. Apply for a Veteran Projects Fund grant or Veterans Creative Arts Festival grant. You can also apply for a sub grant, which doesn't have a deadline. If you have questions, please contact ALAF@ALAforVeterans.org. | |
Have you been affected by a natural disasater? Are you facing financial hardship and unable to afford food, housing, or utilites? The Auxiliary Emergency Fund can help! Apply for a grant up to $2,400 today and take advantage of the best member benefit the American Legion Auxiliary has to offer. We’re here to help! You do not need to go through your unit or department. Apply directly here: www.ALAforVeterans.org/AEF. | |
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Summer savings reporting for duty! The weather is heating up and so are the travel savings through Armed Forces Vacation Club. Now through June 21, join and get $75 off* R&R and High-Demand resort stays. Find shade in spacious 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom suites with full kitchens and luxurious amenities. Click here to join now and explore your savings.
*Must book by June 21 at 11:59 PM ET to take advantage of offer. This offer applies only to select 7-night R&R stays and select 7-night High Demand stays. Pricing reflects discount where applicable. Premium Membership discount not applicable. See Premium Membership Rules. Additional terms and conditions apply for some benefits.
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Receive 25% off Lands’ End labeled merchandise, and 10% off select promotional products when you use promotional code EMTUP25 now through 11:59pm CT on June 30. Excludes face masks, furniture, screen print T-shirts, and other promotional products with existing quantity discounts, excluded styles as marked, logo setup fees, logo application fees, monogramming, gift boxing, program certificates, gift cards, taxes and duties, or other fees. View the full selection to choose from at https://business.landsend.com and you can see their no-minimum order Lands’ End branded gift and promotional items here. | |
ALA Girls Nation is next month! You can follow along on Facebook and Instagram @ALAGirlsNation. This will be the 76th session for this once-in-a-lifetime program! We’d love to hear from alumnae of all ages about your ALA Girls State/Nation experiences and how they helped shape your future. Email us! | |
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Is your local VAMC opening back up for ALA volunteers? ALA members have volunteered at VA healthcare facilities since the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) was founded in 1946. Many of the customary roles have changed in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, some volunteers are getting to return to some of their previous activities. We'd love to hear how volunteer opportunities are opening up in your community. Email us!
Keep an eye out for 2023-2024 ALA Mission Training dates. In these one-day conferences, you’ll be inspired while learning more about working the ALA’s core programs in an interactive and fun environment. BONUS: National Junior meetings are held at the same time and in the same city as Mission Training events. Learn more.
Has your ALA membership expired? You can still renew for 2023 and continue serving veterans, military, and their families. You can renew your membership in three easy ways: by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.
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Request to join the official ALA program and committee groups on Facebook | |
Discover what your fellow ALA members are saying in the committee Facebook groups! These easy-to-access forums provide an arena for organic discussion about your local programs or services and present the opportunity to cultivate brand awareness. Find the list of groups here.
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ALA Junior member Rebeka Avila-Hernandez, California Unit 299, has multiple Junior Activities patches and counting since she began participating in the ALA Patch Program last year. “I earned so many patches quickly because I was able to fulfill some of the requirements through homeschooling, Chino Valley Young Marines as a Young Marine private first class, as a competitor in Jiujitsu, and as an active member in the Auxiliary,” she said. Her interest in the Patch Program began as a desire to be an example to other Junior members, as well as it being fun. | |
The funds raised via a golf tournament organized by ALA Unit 15 in Sioux Falls, S.D., are being used to supply needed items for a specialized community of 25 tiny homes with on-site, wraparound support services designed to equip homeless veterans with the tools needed to return to a stable, prosperous, and independent life. | |
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June – PTSD Awareness Month
June 14 – Flag Day
June 14 – U.S. Army birthday
June 18 – Father’s Day
June 19 – Juneteenth (NHQ offices closed)
June 27 – PTSD Screening Day
July 4 – Independence Day (NHQ offices closed)
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What is your favorite ALA program and why? | |
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“Americanism. There are so many parts of the program you can work, from flag etiquette to the essay contest, from pocket flags to the Pledge of Allegiance.”
— Jane M. McKnight, Kentucky
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Apply for National Convention color guard contest
Applications are being accepted for The American Legion’s National Color Guard Contest at National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. The contest will be held Aug. 25.
There are four classes of competition:
- Advancing/Retiring Colors
- Military
- Military-Open
- Open
To be considered for the National Commander’s Color Guard, units must compete in either Military or Military-Open and Advancing/Retiring Colors. Units can represent any part of the Legion Family or have a combination of members in the unit.
Applications are due to The American Legion National Headquarters by July 21.
Registration open for 2023 Legacy Run
The five-day, 1,100-mile ride will leave Indiana on Aug. 20 and travel through Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee before the final stop at the Hendrick Motorsports campus in Concord, N.C., on Aug. 24.
The annual motorcycle ride raises funds for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Last year’s ride raised a record $1,324,548 — the eighth time the Legacy Run has surpassed $1 million.
Registration deadline is Aug. 9. Learn more.
Be active in advocacy
You can help The American Legion’s advocacy efforts in Congress. It’s easy to join in by going to The American Legion’s Grassroots Action Center. There you can stay informed on the issues and communicate online with your members of Congress.
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Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.
Shop now
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The American Legion Legislative Center
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
Get involved.
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In the spirit of Service Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security.
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