ELEMENTS OF OUR EMBLEMS

The American Legion Emblem. It is your badge of distinction, honor and service. It stands for God and Country, and the highest rights of men and women. Of its several parts, each has a meaning. “The rays of the sun that form the background stand for the principles of The American Legion—for Loyalty, Justice, Freedom and Democracy will dispel the darkness of violence, strife, and evil.“The two gold rings around the field of blue, bearing our name, typify two of our four main objectives—rehabilitation of our sick and disabled veterans, and the care for the children and youth of America. Within the rings is placed a wreath for remembrance of those who died that liberty might live. Upon the wreath is set a star reflecting the glory of victory and promising to the world the perpetuation of the cardinal principles of The American Legion.“Set upon the star are two bronze rings which represent the other two of our main objectives—a deep and abiding spirit of Americanism, and service to the community, state and nation. “The inscription demands that the wearer shall ever guard the sanctity of home, of country, of free institutions.”

The American Legion Auxiliary Emblem.  The emblem of the American Legion Auxiliary is your badge of distinction and honor. It stands for God and Country and the highest rights of man. It consists of several parts, and each part has a meaning. The rays of the sun that form the background stand for the principles of the American Legion Auxiliary,  for Loyalty, Justice, Freedom and Democracy; dispelling the darkness of violence, strife and evil. The unbroken circle of blue represents unity and Loyalty. The field of white exemplifies the hope of Freedom. The star of blue is the emblem of service in war; it is no less the emblem of service in time of peace. The emblem of the American Legion Auxiliary is the emblem of Americanism. As members of the American Legion Auxiliary, we must preach and teach principles of Americanism. Let us not forget that to each generation comes its patriotic duty and that upon your willingness to sacrifice and endure as those before you have sacrificed and endured, rests the hope of the nation.

The Sons of the American Legion Emblem.  It is your badge of distinction, honor and service.  It stands for God and Country, and the highest rights of men and women.  The design of our emblem was taken from the emblem of our parent organization, The American Legion.  But our emblem is oval in shape so as to be easily distinguished. The star in the center represents our country, and the five points of the star represent the five-point program of The Sons of The American Legion. The sun in the background represents The Sons of The American Legion and the rays represent the loyalty of its membership. The blue of the emblem, like the blue of our flag, stands for justice. The two stars in the blue border stand for freedom and democracy. The wreath below the star is in memory of our comrades; and those of our fathers who willingly gave their lives for their country. The ten points of the emblem represent the ten ideals of every Legion son. Wearing the emblem should always remind us of the sanctity of the home, our Country and its free institutions.

Community projects: 

Sometimes we lose sight of what the American Legion is all about. Here is a partial list of community activities, charities and functions the Post 152 family is involved in. See your Commander or President if you are interested in helping support these efforts. 

Boys State – an American Legion sponsored program which teaches boys for an intense week about government, held in Tallahassee. Held in the Capital building and recognized by the governor.  

Girls State – an American Legion Auxiliary sponsored Program which teaches girls for an intense week about government, held in Tallahassee. Held in the Capital building and recognized by the Governor.  

Faces of Courage – nonprofit cancer patient support organization with a primary goal of helping the cancer patient navigate their way through the treatment process and to thrive as a survivor.

Honor Flight - Providing War-era Veterans free Honor Tours to their memorial in Washington, D.C.  Conducted fundraisers and donated several thousands of dollars.  

Sponsor Boy Scout Troop #246

The National Child Welfare Foundation - The Auxiliary and SAL donate annually.

St Francis House – a Catholic organization that helps individuals and families through the AIDS crisis.

Alpha House – a home for pregnant teenagers helping them through their pregnancy and placement of child if desired.

Hope Children’s Home – home for physically, mentally and sexually abused children. The ALA help them financially and with supplies for the home.

Tools for Hillsborough Schools – warehouse of supplies for teachers to pick supplies for underprivileged children.

Ronald McDonald House – a house for parents and relatives to stay while children are being treated and cared for during hospital stays.

Angels Unaware – a home for mentally challenged children and young adults.

Paws for Patriots – help with funding and training of Guide Dogs for disabled veterans.

Freedom Foundation – a government learning experience in Pennsylvania. Chosen by submitted essays about America.

Thanksgiving dinner – held at the Post for veterans and other members of the community.

Support 7 VA Clinics – Fort Myers, Sarasota, Daytona, Oakland Park, Tallahassee, New Port Richey and Jacksonville. Fund the representative of the American Legion Auxiliary at each facility.

Support 8 VA Medical centers – Bay Pines, Lake City, Miami, Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach and Gulf Cost (Pensacola). Fund the representative of the American Legion Auxiliary at each facility.

Support 6 VA Nursing Homes – Daytona, Lake City, Land ‘O Lakes, Port Charlotte, Pembrooke Pines and Springfield. Fund the representative of the American Legion Auxiliary at each facility.

Fisher House – Fund 7 including West Palm Beach, Bay Pines, Orlando, Ft Walton Beach, Gainesville, Miami and Tampa. Fund the representative of the American Legion Auxiliary to buy needed supplies.

Special Olympics – Officiated some of the events and sent $4,000 donations last year.

4 Children’s Hospitals – fund All Children’s Hospitals, Northview Community Center, Mailman Center, Florida State Hospital and Northeast Hospital. Funding is sent to help the American Legion Auxiliary representative projects and programs.

Creative Arts Program – fund supplies for VA hospital for Recreational therapy used to bring veterans back into the main stream or life.

Stand down for homeless Veterans - includes medical exams, food, bus passes to get to local VA Hospitals, counseling and clothing.

Christmas Baskets - for needy families. Last year over 300 families were provided with Christmas dinner and other staples.

Purchase Spinoza bears - to donate to sick children. Sick children will not tell an adult all of their problems because they blame themselves. These bears have a recorder, the children can play the recorder and the bear talks to them or it records what the child tells it. The doctors can listen to the recordings and learn a lot that the child will not tell him.

Supply the V. A. Medical Centers with lap robes and ditty bags (carry personal items to and from bathroom).

MEMBERSHIP:

I am sure you have heard varying excuses for not renewing your dues…..i.e.: I don’t go there much anymore. I’ve lost interest. I don’t know any of the members, etc. But, what Legionnaires fail to realize is that there are 3 reasons for paying your dues.

1. Dues support programs of the American Legion such as Children and Youth, Americanism, Flag Education and other.

2. Dues afford benefits for Legionnaires such as Travel Discounts, Free Insurance, Medical and Dental Insurance and others.

3. Perhaps the most important of all is the fact that by paying your dues every year, Washington politicians can’t cut the VA Budget and decrease veterans’ benefits. We need to hold steady or increase our 2.7 million membership.

I thought you ought to know.

Yours in Service,

Bill Seemann

Past Commander