Eligibility and Membership Information

Eligibility

One of the most important changes in American Legion history took place several months ago when Congress passed the LEGION Act which changed the dates for membership in the American Legion. Membership is now open to veterans who served honorably in the time period from December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day) until the current date (Merchant Marines eligible only from Dec. 7, 1941 to Aug. 16, 1945.) The reason that congressional legislative action was required to change membership requirements is that the American Legion was created by an Act of Congress on September 16, 1919 therefore, subsequent changes to our federal charter must be approved by legislative aproval. The passage of the LEGION Act legislation opened the door for hundreds of thousands of veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.

If you are or know of a veteran who is now eligible to join the Legion because of the new eligibility rules, see “How to Join” below.

Membership is the life blood of Greenbelt Post 136. Therefore increases in the number of memberships are needed for the Post to continue with the activities and events throught the year, serve our veterans and nearby communities and maintain our excellent restaurant. We urge all members of the Greenbelt Post 136 Legion Family to join in our new membership drive.

How to Join

To join, please pick up a membership form at the Post 136 Manager's office or from a Post Officer or one of the on-duty bartenders or click on the link below for a printable version of The American Legion Membership Application, fill out the form and mail with $40.00 for dues and a copy of your DD-214 to:

The American Legion Post 136
6900 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 20770

Print an application

For more information, call:
(301) 345-0136

If you are not from the area, and are interested in joining another post somewhere else, click here.

Information on a veteran's service record can be obtained by contacting:
National Archives and Records Administration
1 (866) 272-6262
www.archives.gov