What is the American Legion?
About
ABOUT US
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at over 1.6 million in more than 12,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Latin America and the Philippines.
Over the years, the Legion has built its identity by achieving hundreds of benefits and services for veterans, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and instilling the values of responsible citizenship among young people. From the nation-changing of The American Legion-drafted GI Bill to relief for veterans exposed to toxic contamination in the service, veterans of The American Legion have worked for over a century to improve and strengthen the nation they swore with their lives to defend.
"FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER
FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
To maintain law and order;
To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars;
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;
To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
To make right the master of might;
To promote peace and goodwill on earth;
To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy;
To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness."
Biography
1st LT. Dominic Joseph Varnas
02/02/1915 – 01/15/1945
Don Varnas grew up a Lithuanian Catholic in Chicago from the Brighton Park neighborhood where he attended Immaculate Conception elementary school, Lindbloom High School and then local Junior College. After school he became employed as a collections manager by the Standard Federal Savings and Loan Association. With the U.S. entry into WWII, Don enlisted into the U.S. Army in July 1942 and received basic training and was promoted to officer’s candidate school at Fort Benning, GA. He was made an officer and deployed to the European Theater in August of 1944 as a member of the 202nd Replacement Company, 51st Battalion, 1st Army Communications. He fought heroically and was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge January 15, 1944 in Luxembourg. LT. Varnas received the Purple Heart and Army Air Medals.
In February 1946 the Don Varnas American Legion Post #986 was chartered in the memory of LT. Varnas and in 1947 the Post home was at 6816 S. Western Avenue in Chicago. The Don Varnas Post continues to operate today servicing veterans and their families along with the Women’s Auxiliary Unit #986 comprised of the wives, daughters, and granddaughters of veterans and The Sons of the American Legion Squadron #986 comprised of the sons and grandsons of veterans.
The Post participates in numerous veteran and patriotic events throughout the year while still remembering LT. Don Varnas and its Lithuanian roots.
Our mission
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Section 1
Support our veterans and their families, preserve our Lithuanian Heritage and promote patriotism
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Section 2
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Section 3
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Section 4
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What people are saying
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