Sons of The American Legion (SAL).
Detachment of Arizona, Oro Valley Squadron 132.
History:
The Sons of The American Legion (SAL) was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion. The SAL is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military. Together, members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion make up what is known as the Legion Family. All three organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation’s children, caring for veterans and their families, and teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.
Eligibility:
- All male descendants, which include adopted sons, and stepsons of members of The American Legion, and such male descendants of veterans who died in service any time from December 7, 1941, to the present, or such male descendants of veterans who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service, and who were eligible to join the American Legion, shall be eligible for membership in the Sons of The American Legion. Legion members may hold dual membership in an SAL Squadron and a Legion Post.
- Members of the SAL, independent of veteran status, are welcome members of the American Legion Family and can attend Post meetings, serve on Legion committees, and participate as members of the Post’s honor guard.
Mission:
- To honor the military service and sacrifice of a parent or grandparent.
- To support American Legion programs which provide care and assistance to veterans and service members in need and their families, that promote American traditions and values, and which enhance the quality of life of the youth of the community.
- The SAL is a chartered program of The American Legion.
Reasons to join:
The reasons for joining the SAL are varied. For many, membership in the SAL allows them to become involved in American Legion programs alongside their parents and grandparents. Others belong out of respect for their parents and grandparents’ military service to our country. Many younger members get involved and learn valuable leadership and interpersonal skills. Membership in our organization also provides individuals with opportunities to forge lifelong friendships with people who share a common bond.
Organizational description:
The Sons of The American Legion is divided into detachments at the state level and squadrons at the local level. A squadron operates under the auspices of a local American Legion Post. Members do, however, draft their own constitution/bylaws, elect officers, decide on which American Legion programs and activities they will focus on, do their own fundraising, and make financial donations as approved by the membership. The primary focus of the SAL is to strengthen the guiding principle upon which the American Legion was founded.
Contact:
Commander, Ed Davis, phone (520) 229-1064 or email [email protected].
Preamble to the SAL Constitution:
Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of veterans of all Wars, associate ourselves together as “Sons of The American Legion” 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 true spirit of Americanism; to preserve the memories of our former members and the association of our members and our forefathers 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 friendship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness; to adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which The American Legion stands; and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.
