Here’s a piece of Oregon history most Oregonians don’t know: the Sons of The American Legion was created at the Legion’s 1932 National Convention — held in Portland. The organization that now has squadrons in all fifty states was authorized about 80 miles up the road from Lebanon.
Nearly a century later, S.A.L. Squadron 51 meets at Post 51. Here’s what the Sons actually do, where the organization came from, and why it exists at all.
Why a Separate Organization for Descendants?
The American Legion was founded in 1919 by veterans, for veterans. By 1930 a question had become unavoidable: what about their sons, who grew up in the Legion’s orbit, absorbed its values, but would never be eligible to join it?
The Legion’s 1930 National Convention appointed a committee to study creating a junior organization. Two years later, at the 1932 convention in Portland, Oregon, the Sons of The American Legion was authorized. The following year’s convention formalized the name, adopted the “S.A.L.” abbreviation, and set national dues at 25 cents a year.
The first squadron was chartered at a post in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the first membership card went to a young man named John P. Ragsdale — whose two brothers received cards two and three.
What the Sons Actually Do
The S.A.L. mission rests on three pillars, and the work is concrete rather than ceremonial.
| Focus Area | What It Looks Like in Practice |
|---|---|
| Supporting veterans and families | VA hospital and veterans home volunteering, fundraising for patient needs, assisting the parent post’s programs |
| Promoting patriotism and Americanism | Flag ceremonies, community observances, civic education |
| Youth programs | Supporting Legion youth activities and the Child Welfare Foundation |
The volunteer numbers are substantial. Nationally, S.A.L. members have contributed more than 1.3 million hours in VA hospitals and raised over $2.5 million that went directly to VA hospitals and veterans homes — funding televisions, radios, medical equipment, and clothing for patients.
The Child Welfare Foundation: The Sons’ Signature Cause
If the S.A.L. has one hallmark program, it’s the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation — and the Sons are its largest contributor, ahead of every other part of the Legion Family.
The Foundation awards grants to nonprofits serving children. Recent grant cycles have funded organizations that transport critically ill children to distant treatment, support kids with cancer and autism, cover organ transplant expenses, provide equine therapy, teach visually impaired children to read, and send military children to camp alongside their peers.
The scale is meaningful for an organization made up of volunteers: S.A.L. detachments contributed over $320,000 in a single recent program year, and the Foundation awarded more than $850,000 in grants across the Legion Family’s combined giving.
Why Grants Instead of Direct Services?
The Foundation deliberately funds other organizations rather than running programs itself. That choice lets a volunteer-driven fundraising effort reach specialized needs — pediatric oncology support, therapy programs, assistive technology — that no single veterans organization could staff on its own.
Where the S.A.L. Fits in the Legion Family
The Legion Family has four branches, and people mix them up constantly. Here’s the distinction in one line each.
| Organization | Founded | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| The American Legion | 1919 | Veterans themselves |
| American Legion Auxiliary | 1919 | Female relatives of eligible veterans |
| Sons of The American Legion | 1932 | Male descendants of eligible veterans |
| American Legion Riders | 1993 | Members of the above three who ride motorcycles |
The Ten Ideals and the Five-Point Program
The S.A.L. runs an internal development program that reflects its origins as a junior organization — and it’s unusual enough to be worth knowing about.
The Ten Ideals covers patriotism, health, knowledge, training, honor, faith, helpfulness, courtesy, reverence, and comradeship. Members who complete it become eligible for the Five-Point Program of Service: patriotism, citizenship, discipline, leadership, and legionism.
It’s a structured path rather than a membership formality, and it distinguishes the S.A.L. from a simple auxiliary body.
How Squadrons Are Organized
The structure mirrors the Legion’s own, one level down:
- Squadron — the local unit, paired with a specific American Legion post. Post 51 hosts Squadron 51.
- Detachment — the state-level organization.
- National — the overall S.A.L. organization, operating as a program of The American Legion.
One structural detail matters: a squadron’s charter depends on its parent post’s charter. The Sons are not an independent organization that partners with the Legion — they exist as part of it. That’s also why Legion Riders membership accepts S.A.L. members: within the Legion Family, S.A.L. standing counts.
What Joining Actually Involves
People considering the S.A.L. usually want to know what they’re signing up for week to week. The honest answer: less than most expect, and entirely up to you.
- Meetings are monthly, not weekly, and squadrons typically break over summer and December.
- Participation is voluntary per activity. Some members work every fundraiser; others contribute dues and turn up for a few events a year.
- There’s no physical or service requirement. Unlike the Legion itself, S.A.L. membership rests on descent, not on your own military record.
- Dues are modest and set locally — the national baseline started at 25 cents in 1933 and remains among the more accessible memberships in organized veteran-family life.
Squadron 51 in Lebanon
S.A.L. Squadron 51 holds its general meeting on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM in the Post meeting room, with no meetings in July, August, or December. E-board meetings are called separately by the Squadron Commander.
The squadron maintains its own officer roster and by-laws, and works alongside the Post’s other programs — the Honor Guard, the bingo fundraising, and the Memorial Day observance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sons of The American Legion?
A program of The American Legion for male descendants of eligible veterans, founded in 1932. Members support veterans, promote patriotism, and fund youth programs — most notably the Child Welfare Foundation.
When and where was the S.A.L. founded?
It was authorized at The American Legion’s 14th National Convention in Portland, Oregon, in September 1932. The following year’s convention formalized the name and the “S.A.L.” abbreviation.
Is the S.A.L. only for young boys?
No. Despite its origins as a junior organization, the S.A.L. includes members of all ages — sons, grandsons, and older descendants alike.
What is the Child Welfare Foundation?
An American Legion foundation that awards grants to nonprofits serving children. The Sons of The American Legion is its largest contributing organization.
When does Squadron 51 meet?
First Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM in the Post meeting room, with no meetings in July, August, or December.
How do I join Squadron 51?
Contact Post 51 at (541) 451-1351. Eligibility is based on descent from a veteran who meets American Legion membership requirements.
A Legacy Worth Continuing
If your father or grandfather served, the Sons is the door built specifically for you. Our Lebanon membership guide covers eligibility across all four Legion Family paths, or call (541) 451-1351 to ask about Squadron 51 directly.