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Adopt and present a resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary (Supervisor Vasquez)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Vasquez requests that the Board adopt and present a resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of the American Legion.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The American Legion was founded in March 1919 in Paris, France, by U.S military personnel in the wake of World War I. It was federally charted September 1919 and has since become an influential entity on the national, state and local levels on issues related to our veterans, national defense, youth and patriotism. In the year following its founding, 5,400 local posts had been chartered, including Vacaville's American Legion Post 165, chartered Dec. 30, 1919.
Today there are more than 13,000 posts around the world with more than 2.2 million wartime-veteran members. Among the American Legion's contributions to society include creation of the U.S. Flag Code, helping to start the Veterans Administration, the G.I. Bill and help for veterans to receive benefits for health conditions that arose from their honorable service, including the acceptance of Agent Orange exposure as service-connected. Beyond advocacy for veterans, American Legion posts locally and across the nation contribute to their communities through operation of a nationwide baseball program, a speech contest and leadership program for youth, creation of parks, swimming pools, manage ambulance systems and lead Boy Scout units. This focus on education, fitness and understanding of U.S. democracy was born from the experiences the founders encountered during World War I and the realization that America needed to be stronger. Also in 1919, during the National Convention of the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary was founded to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enh...
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