Walton F. Hoffmann Memorial Post 179

Sons of the American Legion

Formed September 15 December 1932

The Sons of the American Legion is a legally constituted program of the American Legion, instituted and recognized by official action of the American Legion’s National Executive Committee.

The Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) exists to honor the service and sacrifice of its members' parents and grandparents who served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership.

The mission of the S.A.L. is to serve veterans, the military, and its families. This mission is accomplished through hundreds of outreach programs delivered by S.A.L. members and volunteers, and the S.A.L. National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

All male descendants, adopted sons, and stepsons of members of the American Legion, and such male descendants of veterans who died in service during World War I, and December 7, 1941 to date, 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, are eligible for membership in the Sons of the American Legion.

Although the S.A.L. has its own membership, the organization is not a separate entity. Rather, the S.A.L. is a program of the American Legion. Many Legionnaires hold dual membership in S.A.L.

The organization is divided into detachments at the state level and squadrons at the local level. A squadron pairs with a local American Legion post. Squadrons' campaigns place an emphasis on preserving American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation’s children, caring for veterans and their families, and teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.

The S.A.L. has a program called The Ten Ideals which teaches the elements of patriotism, health, knowledge, training, honor, faith, helpfulness, courtesy, reverence, and comradeship.  Any member who completes this program becomes eligible to continue with the advanced program called The Five-Point Program of Service which instructs members on patriotism, citizenship, discipline, leadership, and Legionism.

Each Sons of the American Legion squadron can be a source of pride for its members and the sponsoring American Legion post. The squadron should serve as volunteers to assist older veterans and participate in patriotic holiday observances and other civic functions, not only to help expand the post’s representation but to also develop an awareness of the squadron’s purpose “to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism.”  Examples of how squadrons fulfill these missions include:

1. Volunteers – S.A.L. members find it rewarding to serve as volunteers at a hospital or medical center in the VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) program.
2. Leadership – As the S.A.L. member becomes older, his experience and talent should be utilized in leadership and instructional capacities within the squadron. Older S.A.L. members who have had Boys State experience can provide junior counselor service to the American Legion in this annual program.
3. Marksmanship – The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports program combines basic marksmanship, qualification awards, and air rifle competition to participants through age 18. USA Shooting (the national governing body for Olympic shooting) and the National Rifle Association recognize this program as one of the premier youth marksmanship events in the country.

Legionnaires on the supervisory committee serve primarily as counselors for the squadron’s leadership.

According to the Squadron Handbook of the Sons of the American Legion, there are 285,000 members in 6,148 squadrons in all 50 states, France, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Mexico. There are more than 6,700 members of the Sons of the American Legion in Texas.

One may follow current programs and events through the S.A.L. Facebook social media page, or the Post 179 monthly newsletter, the Post Citizen.

The Preamble to the Constitution of the Sons of the American Legion

“Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of veterans of the Great Wars associate ourselves together as Sons of the American Legion for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism; to preserve the memories of our former members and the association of our members and our forefathers in all wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the Community, State and Nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on Earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our friendship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness; to adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which the American Legion stands; and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.”

For more information or to join the S.A.L., visit the website.
 

John Jellison, Brad Henderson, and State Commander Eddy Seegers, in his dual role as Commander of Squadron 179, showing the Proclamation presented by the mayor of New Braunfels proclaiming Sunday, September 15th, 2019 as Sons of the American Legion Day in the city. The Proclamation honors the 87th Anniversary of the formation of the Sons.

Squadron 179 Officers