PUBLIC LAW 105-225—AUG. 12, 1998 112 STAT. 1297 §21701. Organization (a) FEDERAL CHARTER. — The American Legion (in this chapter, the "corporation") is a federally chartered corporation. (b) PERPETUAL EXISTENCE.— Except as otherwise provided, the corporation has perpetual existence. §21702. Purposes The purposes of the corporation are— (1) to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States; (2) to promote peace and good will among the peoples of the United States and all the nations of the Earth; (3) to preserve the memories and incidents of the 2 World Wars and the other great hostilities fought to uphold democracy; (4) to cement the ties and comradeship born of service; and (5) to consecrate the efforts of its members to mutual helpfulness and service to their country. § 21703. Membership An individual is eligible for membership in the corporation only if the individual— (1) has served in the Armed Forces of— (A) the United States at any time during any period from— (i) April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918; (ii) December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946; (iii) June 25, 1950, through January 31, 1955; (iv) December 22, 1961, through May 7, 1975; (v) August 24, 1982, through July 31, 1984; (vi) December 20, 1989, through January 31, 1990; or (vii) August 2, 1990, through the date of cessation of hostilities, ag decided by the United States Government; or \ (B) a government associated with the United States during a period referred to in subclause (A) of this clause and was a citizen of the United States when the individual entered that service; and (2) was honorably discharged or separated from that service ' or continues to serve honorably after that period. §21704. Powers The corporation may— (1) adopt a constitution, bylaws, and regulations to carry out the purposes of the corporation; (2) adopt and alter a corporate seal; (3) establish and maintain offices to conduct its activities; (4) establish State and territorial organizations and local chapter or post organizations; (5) acquire, own, lease, encumber, and transfer property as necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation; (6) publish a magazine and other publications;
- (7) sue and be sued; and
(8) do any other act necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of the corporation.
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