About the Sons of American Legion
About the Sons of American Legion
The Sons of the American Legion (SAL) is the official male youth and family affiliate of The American Legion, open to boys and men of all ages who are direct descendants (sons, grandsons, adopted sons, stepsons) of Legion-eligible veterans. SAL members support the Legion’s mission through service projects, patriotism, youth mentorship, and veteran advocacy.
National History
The SAL was officially established on September 15, 1932, at the 14th National Convention of The American Legion in Portland, Oregon. It was created as a non-political, non-sectarian program within the Legion to involve the sons and male descendants of World War I veterans in patriotic service and to prepare them for future leadership.
Membership eligibility later expanded to include descendants of veterans from World War II onward. The organization grew steadily, reaching peaks of over 350,000–400,000 members nationwide. SAL squadrons operate at the local post level, detachments at the state level, and a national organization coordinates programs such as color guards, scholarship funds, community service, youth sports, and support for Legion initiatives like Boys State and veterans’ causes.
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP)
SAL squadrons in the UP have been active alongside Legion posts for decades in the region’s rural and forested communities. Squadrons affiliated with posts such as Greenwood Post 114 (Ishpeming) and Post 349 (Little Lake) participate in honor guards, veteran welcome-home events, youth awards, and local service projects.
UP squadrons join Michigan Detachment activities, including the annual Fall Legion tour (which has brought national SAL commanders to the UP), Vietnam veteran honors, and youth recognition programs such as the “Young Son of the Year Award.” They focus on patriotic education, color guard duties, and supporting military families across the vast Upper Peninsula.
Today, the Sons of the American Legion remain a vital part of the Legion Family — preserving heritage, mentoring the next generation, and serving veterans in the spirit of God and country.