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Minneapolis/Richfield Post 435

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Legion State Headquarters

American Legion Department of Minnesota

About The American Legion

Minnesota

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.

Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation's most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Heroes to Hometowns program connects local Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities. The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities.

The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.


The American Legion's State headquarters is in St. Paul, with an additional claims office at the Federal Building at Ft. Snelling.

Membership eligibility in The American Legion is based on honorable service with the U.S. Armed Forces between:

April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918 (World War I)
December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946 (World War II)
June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955 (Korean War)
February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
August 24, 1982 and July 31, 1984 (Lebanon/Grenada)
December 20, 1989 and January 31, 1990 (Operation Just Cause - Panama)
*August 2, 1990 until the date of the end of hostilities as determined by the government
of the United States (Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm).

*Because eligibility dates remain open, all members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion at this time.