Membership - TriLakes Post 9-11

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. The American Legion Tri-Lakes Post 9-11 is a registered 501(c)(19) patriotic Veteran Organization committed to serving our Nation.

The American Legion is the nation’s most influential, effective and dependable advocate of veteran affairs fighting for better active-duty pay, improved housing for active-duty families and helping to ensure that the VA’s medical system can properly care for veterans.

In order to protect America, troops and their families must have support. The American Legion plays a vital role in supporting those who protect our freedoms. American Legion posts adopt military units, deliver care packages, provide support for families of deployed service members and welcome the troops home.

Frequently Asked Membership and Eligibility Questions

Current Members

Your membership is not based on the day you joined, but the calendar year, regardless of the day you signed up. Ensure you renew your membership before it expires at the end of the calendar year. This will allow us to continue working our great programs with the increased per capita received, and our voice on Capitol Hill grows even stronger than it is today.

New Members

Eligibility Requirements
Any person shall be eligible for membership in The American Legion who have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941 as a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, or the Space Force of the United States (this includes the Reserves, National Guard, & Merchant Marines) and were honorably discharged or you are currently serving active military duty honorably.

Application Process
Eligible veterans applying for first time membership must submit the following information to the Tri-Lakes Post 9-11 Membership Committee:
1. Print and complete The American Legion membership application CLICK HERE

2. Prepare an annual dues check for $45.00 payable to American Legion Tri-Lakes Post 9-11.

3. If you are currently on Active Duty, present your valid military identification card (Common Access Card) at the Post, otherwise, provide a copy of your DD214 to ascertain membership eligibility. Please black-out your Social Security Number on the copy.
  Mail the application and dues to:
    American Legion Tri-Lakes Post 9-11
    PO Box 2308
    Monument, CO 80132
Acceptable Proof of Service Documentation
•     Form DD214 (Official Release or Discharge from Active Duty certificate)
•     Form DD256 (Official “Honorable Discharge” certificate) must indicate a period of active duty service dates
•     Current or former military ID card

4. If the information is correct, membership will be approved and then a membership card will be provided to you.

Transfers

Requirements
Veterans applying for transfers from their current Post to Post 9-11 must get approval prior to submission of the following:
1. Completed Member Data Form
2. Copy of your DD 214 (SSN blocked out)
3. Copy of your current Membership Card
4. The annual membership dues for American Legion Tri-Lakes Post 9-11 is currently $45.00. Send Membership Dues payment if the current year’s dues have not been paid. If the current dues have been paid, please pay dues for next year’s membership.
Please send email to all 3 addressees:
MikeC@Tri-LakesPost9-11.org
Terri@Tri-LakesPost9-11.org
MikeH@Tri-LakesPost9-11.org

Paid Up For Life – PUFL

To find out how much it would cost for you to become a PUFL member, visit www.legion.org/pufl to get a personalized quote. You can print an application to mail in, or just complete and submit your application online!

Join the The American Legion Auxiliary

If you know which unit you would like to join, go HERE.

Obtain proof of your eligibility.

Note: If the person who provides your eligibility is living, they must be a current member of The American Legion and eligibility documentation is likely not necessary; however you do need to provide his or her American Legion member ID number and Post information on your application.

If the person who provides your eligibility is deceased, acceptable eligibility documents include:

a. DD-214 Discharge Papers (not issued until after the Korean War)
b. Official Military Orders
c. Official Military Service Citations/Awards
d. Letters related to the veteran’s military service. Must be on official government letterhead
e. Certificate from the VA records center in St. Louis
f. Data from the back of older discharges
*DD-214 Discharge Papers can be requested online by visiting www.archives.gov

Join Sons of The American Legion

Tri-Lakes Post 9-11 does not currently have a Sons of The American Legion division. You may still find one in the area by contacting the SAL National Headquarters below. If you would like to be put on a list of people to contact when reinstated, email Terri@Tri-LakesPost9-11.org.

Eligibility Requirements

All male descendants adopted sons, and stepsons of members of The American Legion, and such male descendants of veterans who died in service during the period of April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918, or any time from December 7, 1941, to date, who served honorably, as set forth in Article IV, Section 1, of the National Constitution of The American Legion, or who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service, shall be eligible for membership in the Sons of The American Legion.

Print an application »

* Membership applications can be delivered to an American Legion Post near you. There is a good chance that Post will have its own Squadron. If not, someone at the Post should be able to tell you where to find a Squadron near you. You can always contact SAL National Headquarters for information about finding a nearby Squadron.

Membership and Eligibility FAQs

To be eligible for membership in The American Legion, you need to have been assigned to at least one day of federal active duty service at any time during the eligibility periods as determined by U.S. Government and received an honorable discharge/discharge under honorable conditions or currently serving in one of the U.S. Armed Forces. Are you eligible? Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding American Legion eligibility. For any other eligibility questions, contact National Headquarters at membership@legion.org or 317-630-1321.

I'm currently on Active Duty. Am I eligible?

Yes. The current eligibility period is from August 1990 to the present and includes the current war campaigns. All current active duty military are eligible for membership at a discounted annual membership rate.

I didn't retire from the military but was on active duty during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?

Yes. You are eligible for membership if you have served at least one day of federal active duty during any qualifying period.

I served during one of the qualifying periods but was never in a combat zone. Am I eligible?

Yes. The location of active duty service is not a consideration for membership.

I am currently in the National Guard / Reserve. My unit was activated under Title 10 orders during a qualifying period. Am I eligible?

Yes. The Secretary of Defense issues Title 10 orders and therefore are federal orders.

My National Guard unit was activated for crowd control under Title 32 orders during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?

No. Title 32 orders are issued under a governor’s authority, whereas the Secretary of Defense issues Title 10.

I am currently a cadet at one of the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, or Coast Guard Academies. Am I eligible?

Yes. The American Legion has considered service in the military academies eligible for membership since WWI.

Can I be an honorary or social member of The American Legion?

No. Per National Constitution and By-laws, no form or membership class is authorized except regular active or paid up for life.

I served my entire military career in the National Guard / Reserves, and I only have a DD-214 from my Active Duty for Training that I was in during one of the qualifying dates. Am I eligible?

Yes. In the mid-1960s, all basic and occupational training schools were considered federal active duty service.

I served active duty as a SPAR, WAC, WASP, or WAVES during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?

Yes. Even though women served separately from men, their service was equal.

I served with Allied military forces during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?

Yes, only if you were a U.S. citizen at the time of entry.

I served with the Civil Air Patrol / Civilian Technical Corps / USPHS as a civilian during two qualifying periods. Am I eligible?

No. Eligible members must have federal military service during a qualifying period and receive an honorable discharge under honorable conditions.

I enlisted and went to basic training but received an uncharacterized discharge due to a medical condition. Am I eligible?

Yes. Uncharacterized discharges are assumed to be under honorable conditions unless expressly stated otherwise.

I am eligible for The American Legion but do not have a copy of my DD-214 to show as proof of eligibility. How can I get one?

You can go to www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records to request another copy of your discharge papers. A copy of orders putting you on federal active duty can also be used as proof of eligibility.

I need my 9-digit Member ID number to take advantage of member benefits or access some online features. If I don't know my number, where can I find it?

Once you join The American Legion, you’re assigned a permanent 9-digit Member ID number that will remain yours as long as you’re a member. (If you ever transfer to another post, always provide your original Member ID Number). You’ll find the I.D. number on your membership card and the first nine digits shown above your name on our magazine labels. (It always starts with a 1 or 2.)

Can I submit an address change online?

You can change most of your record information, including your address, on our website at www.legion.org. Select the MEMBERS option from the menu bar, then, under Quick Links, select Manage Your Membership to access a domestic address change form. Or go directly to the form at www.legion.org/membershipmanagement. We can also take your address change over the phone at 1-800-433-3318. One of our Customer Service Agents will be happy to help you. (Normal business hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST) Members moving to a foreign address should submit their address changes via email to cs@legion.org and include their name, Member ID number, current address, and new address.

You can also set up a myLegion account and manage your membership information anytime. The myLegion site allows members to see their information on file at National Headquarters, view messages and events published through the Department and post myLegion sites, and even network with other myLegion members using networking tools. Go to legion.org and look for the myLegion.org link to get started.

I submitted an address change a month ago, but my latest magazine issue went to the old address. What happened?

Although address changes are immediate when your record is updated, the preparation for mailing each magazine issue begins about six weeks before the mailing. This is simply because of the time it takes to prepare a large mailing. So, for example, if you’re moving to your new address effective July 1st, you would need to notify National Headquarters in early May for the July issue to be sent to the new address. If you can’t let us know that far in advance, and assuming you’ve notified them, the USPS will forward your magazines until the address change catches up with the magazine production.

I belong to a local post and renewed my membership online. When will I get my membership card?

Thanks for taking advantage of the online renewal option! Hopefully, you should have received and printed the acknowledgment form showing your new membership card since it will confirm that your dues are paid. National Headquarters usually updates its records within 24-48 hours to reflect the dues payment. Your Department Headquarters is also notified, and your Post Adjutant receives notification through the Post Officers’ version of the myLegion website. Your pre-printed annual membership card is at your Post and should be forwarded to you after they review your renewal notification. If you don’t receive it in a timely manner, contact your Post Adjutant for assistance.

I received a membership invitation in the mail saying I can join online at a website shown on the application. If I join online, will I still get my membership card and the gift mentioned in the letter?

Yes, as long as you apply from that website, you’ll get your membership card and any gifts mentioned in the letter. You should receive your new member packet, including your membership card and gift, approximately 4-6 weeks after you submit your application. However, if you decide to go ahead and mail your application to us, it would take about 4-6 weeks after we receive your application at National Headquarters. (Applies only to new members who join through National.)

If I join online or submit a membership application to National Headquarters, will I belong to a local Post?

When you first join The American Legion through National Headquarters, your membership will be assigned to your state’s Department (State) Headquarters Post. The H.Q. Posts are administrative posts only, and there are no meetings or activities. However, you’re entitled to the same membership benefits as anyone else and can visit the local posts as a guest. Of course, you can choose to remain in the H.Q. Post, but we recommend that you visit Posts in your area, and if you find one you like, you’re free to apply for transfer (it’s easy) talk to one of the officers to get it started). It’s a great way to get involved with your local community.

How do I transfer my membership to another Post?

The transfer process is straightforward. All you need to do is call or visit the Post you’re interested in joining and speak with an officer. Each Post has its simple process; you’ll need to provide your 9-digit Member ID Number, and you should also be prepared to give a copy of your DD-214 (or similar) to verify your eligibility. After acceptance of your membership, he/she will submit the necessary paperwork to notify the Department (State) and National Headquarters of your transfer.

Why doesn't my membership card reflect the total number of years I've been a member?

The annual card reflects your continuous years of membership. Continuous being the key word here. If you miss even a single year of paying dues, your continuous years start over at one. However, if you think there’s a mistake, contact your Post Adjutant and if it’s confirmed there is an error, he / she can submit a request to correct your record.

How much does renting a Post for a special event, like a birthday or reception cost?

You’ll need to contact the Post you’re interested in renting. Each Post runs its business affairs, including whether or not the facilities can be rented, and National Headquarters isn’t involved in any way. If you’re looking for an American Legion Post in your area, you can visit (www.legion.org/posts) to use our post locator.

When does my membership expire?

Your membership expires on December 31st of the paid year shown on your card. It can be a little confusing sometimes because your annual dues are supposed to be paid by January 1st each year, so National starts accepting dues for the upcoming year on July 1st. The goal is to have everyone renewed for the new year by January 1st when it begins.

I paid my dues a while ago, so why did I get another renewal notice?

Renewal notices are mailed from National Headquarters based on the information on our records at the time the notices are printed. So, although you may have paid your dues a month ago or even longer, the National portion of your dues may not have reached our offices yet. Briefly, when you pay your dues to the Post, they process your payment and keep a portion for the Post; the balance is sent to your Department Headquarters with your membership card; and finally, the Department deducts its portion of your dues and then forwards the remaining balance and your membership card to National. Once we receive your dues and card, we usually have renewals processed within 48 hours of receipt. (New memberships take a little longer since they have to be hand-processed.)
If you look at the bottom right-hand corner of the renewal notice, you’ll see there is an “as of” date, which tells you when the notice was printed. If you paid your dues sometime around that date, your dues and the renewal probably just crossed in the mail, and you shouldn’t receive another one for that membership year. But, if you paid well in advance of that “as of” date, then you should contact your Post Adjutant to verify the status of your renewal payment.

Are there any death benefits available from The American Legion?

There are no death benefits simply by your membership; however, if a member passes away, the family should check to see if he/she holds a life insurance policy with any of our benefit partners. (National Headquarters doesn’t have this available on its records since this is protected information.) Family members can contact our insurance providers at the numbers listed below to see if the member has an active policy:
Hartford Life
1-800-542-5547
Union Fidelity
1-800-523-5758
Globe Life
1-800-654-5433
Additionally, some Departments (States) offer a free $1000 accidental death benefit with a paid membership, which is also separate from the National Organization. You need to contact the member’s Department Headquarters to inquire about a possible death benefit; you can find a listing of the Department offices on our website at www.legion.org/membershipmanagement.
You should also contact the Veterans Administration at 1-800-827-1000 to see if there would be a death benefit due to the veteran’s military service.

How can I get help with my V.A. claim?

The American Legion Department Service Officers are specially trained to provide information and assistance relating to the V.A. and other veterans’ issues. You can call our Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division in our D.C. office at 202-861-2700 or email them at VAR@legion.org. You can also find a listing of American Legion-certified Service Officers on our website at www.legion.org/serviceofficers. Or, if your cell phone service permits it, you can also download The American Legion Claims Coach, our mobile application; it contains information, directories, and other valuable resources for veterans.

How can I find a local post?

It’s easy! Visit the National website at www.legion.org/posts to search for posts by city or zip code using the post locator.

How much is a lifetime membership?

Our life membership program is called Paid-Up-For-Life (PUFL). To learn how much it would cost to become a PUFL member, visit www.legion.org/pufl for a personalized quote. You can print an application to mail in or complete and submit your application online!

I never served in the military, but can I still join? I served on active duty, but my dates of service don't appear on your membership application. My family member served on active duty, so can I join under their service?

Congress chartered the American Legion in 1919 as an organization for wartime veterans. Membership is open only to men and women who served active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during specific periods designated as “war time” by the U.S. Congress and who have received an honorable discharge or are still serving honorably. Eligible veterans could provide a Form DD-214 (or similar) to verify their eligibility. If you don’t meet these requirements, we’re sorry, but you’re not eligible for membership.

You may be able to join one of the other organizations in the “Legion Family.”– The Sons of The American Legion (SAL) is comprised of male descendants, adopted sons, and step-sons of American Legion members. (There are no age limitations.)
– Our sister organization is the American Legion Auxiliary. Eligibility is open to mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, or grandmothers of members of The American Legion or of deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the listed war eras. (Women eligible for membership in The American Legion are also eligible to join the Auxiliary.)