2000s
Sept. 5, 2000
The American Legion presents the first “Spirit of Service” Awards to active duty service members for their off-duty volunteer activities.
Aug. 28-30, 2001
The American Legion passes a resolution to rekindle Blue Star Service Banner program.
Sept. 12, 2001
The American Legion reactivates the Family Support Network following terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Oct. 10-11, 2001
The American Legion creates the American Legacy Scholarship Fund for children of military members killed on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
Sept. 11, 2002
The American Legion takes lead in conducting “A Day To Remember” events to mark the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the nation.
November 2002
The Legion launches the national “I Am Not A Number” campaign to identify and document the delays veterans face in obtaining medical care from VA.
Sept 19, 2004
The American Legion launches a national program, the Blue Star Salute, where posts across the country hold public events to recognize troops, their families and local businesses on Armed Forces Day.
August 2005
Delegates at the 87th National Convention in Honolulu unanimously voice their support for the global war on terrorism with Resolution 169.
September 2005
The American Legion National Emergency Fund disburses more than $2 million grants to provide relief after Hurricane Katrina.
May 2007
Operation Landstuhl is launched after National Commander Paul Morin finds broken televisions and inadequate comfort items for U.S. troops recovering from wounds at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany; the campaign raises $257,000 in less than six weeks to purchase the items.
Oct. 17-18, 2007
American Legion Riders becomes a national program of The American Legion.
June 30, 2008
President George W. Bush signs into law the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, a next-generation GI Bill strongly supported by the Legion.
December 2008
Operation Landstuhl expands to help recovering troops at military facilities elsewhere and is renamed Operation Comfort Warriors.
Oct. 22, 2009
President Obama signs the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform Act of 2009, guaranteeing “advance funding” for VA appropriations, a formula that The American Legion has strongly supported for many years. The new law sets funding for VA one year in advance.