Armed Forces Celebration Day

07/08/2023

09/03/2022

Please join us for our sixth annual Armed Forces Celebration Day. The event is a collaboration between the American Legion, VFW and Navy Marine Club in Peoria Heights. We are excited that we will again be raising money for Freedom Paws Service Dogs, they provide a service dog to a veteran or first responder diagnosed with PTSD at no charge.

11/26/2020

08/07/2020

Latest update from National Commander Oxford.
Dear American Legion Family,
All military service requires some sacrifice but within our community of veterans is a special group. This group consists of the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart. Originally created as the Military Badge of Merit by Gen. George Washington in 1782, the Purple Heart is the oldest award given by the U.S. military. To earn a Purple Heart, a U.S. veteran must have been wounded or killed in combat.
It is always appropriate to thank veterans for their service. But today is , a perfect time to thank this select group of heroes for their special sacrifice. The American Legion will always be grateful for your service.
Bill Oxford
National Commander

03/10/2020

On his 80th birthday, today’s is Air Force Veteran Chuck Norris, who served as air police before becoming a karate champion and movie star.

02/26/2020

02/24/2020

75 years ago, Marines raised our flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Two of the Marines depicted in Joe Rosenthal's famous photo of that day rest at Arlington: Sgt. Michael Strank and Cpl. Ira Hayes.

Strank was killed in action only a week later. Hayes returned home from the war and passed in 1955. Strank is interred in Section 12, and Hayes rests in Section 34.

We honor their service.

02/19/2020

75 years ago, U.S. armed forces hit the beaches of Iwo Jima. Among them was Medal of Honor recipient GySgt John Basilone. Basilone earned his Medal of Honor for heroic actions at Guadalcanal. He chose to return to combat after supporting a war bond tour stateside. On February 19, 1945, he led his platoon up the steep black sand of Iwo Jima. After destroying a Japanese blockhouse, he and four of his Marines were killed by an enemy artillery shell. Basilone was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions at Iwo Jima. He is laid to rest in Section 12. We honor his service.

02/05/2020

Fantastic News!

The U.S. House has just approved a bill that would expand opportunities for veterans to get involved with training and adopting service dogs, leading to better lives for both the animals and the people helping them. The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, H.R. 4305, will