2019 American Legion 100th Anniversary

It is the 100^th. Anniversary of the establishment of the American Legion this year. The U.S. mint has released three coins; the $5 Gold coin, the Silver dollar, and the Clad Half dollar in honor of the centenary celebrations of the Legion. This post talks about the efforts of the American Legion in uplifting the lives of the American war veterans and their families.

American Legion – A History

The American Legion came into existence in Paris in 1919 when the American Expeditionary forces were waiting to get a passage back home from Europe. They had just witnessed and been part of a gruesome war that changed their outlook on how America was equipped for a conflict. Most of these veterans were originally part of the “Preparedness movement” before the war. The movement was created to prepare the USA for the eventuality of joining in the First World War. They were concerned that there were no properly trained American forces and after the war they were the first to experience the inept handling of the disabled and unemployed veterans.

Even though the American Legion came into being soon after First World War, the veterans didn’t get much of their benefits from the government. The nation was ill-prepared to handle such vast number of unemployed men. Many wouldn’t get any government benefits even after a wait of nearly 20 years, by which time the Second World War had started.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was determined to do better for the Second World War veterans. The former American Legion National Commander, Harry W. Colmery, was the first to propose the extending of benefits to all veterans, male or female during the Second War. His proposal became the first draft of the G.I. Bill. Some of the most important efforts of the G.I. Bill were; the counseling/placement of veterans with permanent jobs, research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the treatment for it, the means to get funds for college education, unemployment insurance, and housing. This led to the upliftment of many servicemen and created a mass exodus of families to the suburbs and the middle class.

The American Legion takes active participation in making sure National Security is built on strong foundations. The Legion was the first to promote establishment of the U.S. Airforce, universal Military training, the American Legion Blood Donor Program, recovery and repatriation of all U.S. POWs and MIAs. The Legion also works to promote Americanism, children and youth programs and community service.

2019 American Legion 100^th Anniversary coin

The U.S. mint released the $5 Gold coin, the Silver dollar coin and the Clad Half dollar coin on March 14 th of this year to honor the 100 years of service of the Legionnaires.

American Legion $5 Gold coin design

The obverse design commemorates the inception of the American Legion and its mission to serve America and its war veterans. The outer geometric rim design from the American Legion emblem, the Eiffel Tower, and V for victory, represent the formation of the organization in Paris in 1919 at the end of World War I. The reverse design shows a soaring eagle, a symbol of the United States during times of war and peace alike. The American Legion emblem is depicted above the eagle.

American Legion Silver Dollar coin

The obverse design depicts the American Legion emblem adorned by oak leaves and a lily, commemorating the founding of the American Legion in Paris, France. The reverse (tails) design represents the founding of the American Legion in Paris in 1919. Above the crossed American and American Legion flags is a fleur de lis and the inscription “100 Years of Service.”

American Clad Half Dollar coin

The obverse design depicts two children standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the little girl proudly wearing her grandfather’s old American Legion hat. The reverse design completes the phrase from the obverse “I pledge allegiance to the flag… of the United States of America.” The design depicts an American Flag waving atop a high flagpole as seen from the children’s point-of-view from the ground below. The American Legion’s emblem is featured just above the flag.