Join the Michigan American Legion Auxiliary

How do I Join The American Legion Auxiliary?

1. Print off and complete the American Legion Auxiliary Membership Application: Application for Membership.
2. Obtain proof of your eligibility.

Membership in The American Legion Auxiliary shall be limited to the following:

(1) Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, daughters, granddaughters, and adopted daughters of members of The American Legion; and

(2) Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, daughters, granddaughters, and adopted daughters of all men and women who served in either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918 and any time after December 7, 1941 who, being a citizen of the United States at the time of their entry therein served on active duty in the Armed Forces of any of the governments associated with the United States during either eligibility periods and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge;

(3) Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses, daughters, granddaughters, and adopted daughters of all men and women who were in the Armed Forces of the United States during either of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918; and any time after December 7, 1941, who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States during either eligibility periods and died in the line of duty or after honorable discharge; and

(4) to those women who, of their own right, are eligible for membership in The American Legion.*

* A woman eligible for American Legion membership is eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary regardless of whether or not she is a member of The American Legion. However, the eligibility of her female relatives (sister, mother, direct descendants) and/or spouse depends upon her membership in The American Legion.

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. It must be on official government letterhead.
e.    Certificate from the VA records center in St. Louis
f.     Data from the back of older discharges

Where to obtain military records?
Information on a veteran’s service record can be obtained by contacting:
National Archives and Records Administration
Visit: www.archives.org/veterans
Telephone: 1-866-272-6272

3.    Do you know of an American Legion Auxiliary Unit in your community that you would like to join?
a.    If yes, contact a Unit member to submit your membership application & eligibility documentation, if required. Unit members can inform you of their programs, mission activities, events, and annual dues.
b.    If no, contact the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan contact information.

4. Once your membership application has been accepted, submit your annual dues payment to your local American Legion Auxiliary Unit.

Thank you for submitting your membership application. We appreciate your desire to help veterans and their families.”

Why Join?

Advocate for Veterans

Every day, hundreds of thousands of service members are fighting for our freedom across the globe. At the Auxiliary, we never stop thinking about what they face while deployed and what they will need when they return home. As advocates for our veterans, we encourage our members to contact their elected officials by phone, email, or letter to implore them to keep the needs and sacrifices of our military and their families front and center as they go about their legislative work on behalf of their constituents – that’s all of us!

The American Legion Auxiliary supports the legislative priorities adopted by The American Legion. The American Legion’s Legislative Division in Washington, D.C., keeps abreast of current legislation related to veterans’ benefits, national security, and children and youth. Auxiliary members are encouraged to subscribe to the Legion’s legislative e-bulletins to keep the Legion Family aware of legislative issues and the official positions of The American Legion on those issues.

Find your National, State, and Local Officials: https://www.usa.gov/agencies

Michigan’s Legislature Activity http://legislature.mi.gov

Congress Activity https://www.congress.gov/

Don’t have a unit at an American Legion Post near you? Start a new unit.

The Unit

The basic organization of the American Legion Auxiliary is the local unit. All Auxiliary members must hold membership in a local unit, which implements the work of department (state) and national programs. Through local units, the Auxiliary develops volunteers for the ALA’s mission of serving veterans, the military, and their families and supporting The American Legion Family and the community. The primary purpose of an Auxiliary unit is to aid the American Legion post, which is attached to accomplishing American Legion Family projects in the community. The unit is an auxiliary to The American Legion post and takes its name, location, and number. A unit can be organized only at the request of and in connection with an American Legion post. However, if a post is no longer active, a unit may continue to function as a “widow unit,” In such instances, the department adjutant of The American Legion should make certification, which a Legion post officer would otherwise make.

How to Organize a New Unit

The first step in organizing an American Legion Auxiliary unit is to create interest among community members who are eligible for Auxiliary membership and secure authorization to create an Auxiliary unit from a local post. Charter application forms, individual membership applications, suggested Constitution and Bylaws, and any other supplies or information may be obtained from department headquarters. Department and District Officers are always ready to assist in installations and provide expertise when needed.

Volunteer

American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) members and volunteers step up to advance our mission of service to veterans, the military, and their families! On average, each year, ALA members and volunteers:

Volunteered over 8 million hours in mission service, with 6.6 million hours dedicated to serving veterans at home, in hospitals, and in shelters; helped 324 million active-duty military families.
Raise and donate nearly $36 million for mission service, with more than $5 million raised from Poppy Program donations, nearly $3 million awarded in scholarships, and $1.8 million spent aiding military families.

Making our communities better places in which to live is another core value put into action by American Legion Auxiliary members every day across the country. Whether hosting a stand down to bring vital health and support services to homeless veterans or coordinating a send-off or welcome-home event for a deployed military unit, ALA members and volunteers are continuously at work in their communities, demonstrating the compassion and heart we have for those who serve our country and protect our freedoms.

When you volunteer, you join other like-minded women who deeply care about our country. The volunteer opportunities are flexible, so you do what you can when you can. And, along the way, you just might make some new friends.

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form below, and a member will contact you.