About The Sons

Mission Statement:

The Sons of the American Legion Post 347 strive to strengthen and support the Four Pillars of the American Legion. By doing so, we honor our Fathers and Grandfathers who served our country during the great wars and conflicts.

The Four Pillars of the American Legion:

I. Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
II. National Security
III. Americanism
IV. Children and Youth

Purpose

Founded in 1932, The Sons of The American Legion was created as a way to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires, specifically members' parents and/or grandparents.  S.A.L. members include males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership.

Preamble to the Sons of The American Legion National Constitution

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 associations of our members and our forefathers in the Great Wars;
- To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;
- To combat the autocracy of both the classes and 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.

Meaning of Our Emblem

The Sons of the American Legion Emblem. It is your badge of distinction, honor and service. It stands for God and Country, and the highest rights of men and women. The design of our emblem was taken from the emblem of our parent organization, The American Legion. But our emblem is oval in shape so as to be easily distinguished. The star in the center represents our country, and the five points of the star represent the five-point program of The Sons of The American Legion. The sun in the background represents The Sons of The American Legion and the rays represent the loyalty of its membership. The blue of the emblem, like the blue of our flag, stands for justice. The two stars in the blue border stand for freedom and democracy. The wreath below the star is in memory of our comrades; and those of our fathers who willingly gave their lives for their country. The ten points of the emblem represent the ten ideals of every Legion son. Wearing the emblem should always remind us of the sanctity of the home, our Country and its free institutions.

Organization Information

• The Sons' organization is divided into Detachments at the state level and Squadrons at the local level.  A Squadron pairs with a local American Legion Post; a Squadron’s charter is contingent upon its parent Post’s charter.  However, Squadrons can determine the extent of their services to the community, state, and nation.  They are permitted flexibility in planning programs and activities to meet their needs, but must remember S.A.L.’s mission: To strengthen the four pillars of The American Legion.  Therefore, 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.
• Founded in 2007, Squadron #347, Lady Lake, Florida operates under the auspices of The American Legion Veterans Memorial Post #347 in Lady Lake, Florida.  Squadron #347 has it's own Constitution and By-Laws, and Standing Rules, but also falls under the organizational structure of the local Legion Post; the Sons' state organization: The Sons of The American Legion Detachment in Orlando; as well as the Sons' national organization located in Indianapolis, IN.
• Squadron #347 abides by the methods and procedures described in the Sons of The American Legion Handbook.

The Ten Ideals of The Sons of The American Legion

1. PATRIOTISM:
   Turn out for Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day parades and ceremonies.
   Learn the proper display of the flag.
   Learn the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. HEALTH:
   Write an essay on how to maintain sanitary conditions to promote health in your home, the post home and/or in camps and outdoors in general.
   Explain what you do daily to keep fit.
3. TRAINING:
   Become a squadron officer, or assist a squadron officer(s) during and between meetings and activities.
4. KNOWLEDGE:
   Maintain good grades in school. Know the instructions for the Ten Ideals and Five Points of service.
   Explain what each individual part means.  Know what the S.A.L. emblem stands for.  Explain orally what each part of the emblem represents.
5. HONOR:
   Display honorable service in the squadron over a period of six months by being truthful and honest with your actions.
6. FAITH:
   Demonstrating good conduct and willingness to obey instructions over a period of six months will earn you the squadron’s recognition of your faith in its leadership and ideals.
7. HELPFULNESS:
   Develop reasonably consistent attendance at meetings and other functions.  Volunteer for tasks for the good of the squadron and be reliable in carrying out your part.  Help promote your squadron by signing up at least one new member, and help collect dues from existing members.
8. COURTESY:
   Apply yourself diligently to show you are polite and respectful to your comrades, officers, Legionnaires and others.
9. REVERENCE:
   Show that you are a member of a religious organization.  Aid in placing markers and flowers on veterans’ graves.
10. COMRADESHIP:
    Show the tie that binds you to the squadron and to the Legion Family by helping in the annual Poppy Sale, thus aiding disabled veterans.  Help cheer up a veteran in a hospital or in his/her home.

A national award of recognition may be presented to those who have completed the Ten Ideals Program. This medal is available through National Emblem Sales, The American Legion, P.O. Box 1050, Indianapolis, IN 46206.  More information is available at www.legion.org/sons or www.emblem.legion.org

Five-Star Program of Service

1. PATRIOTISM:
   Love of flag; love of country.
2. CITIZENSHIP:
   Individual obligation of citizenship.
3. DISCIPLINE:
   Respect for and obedience to rules.
4. LEADERSHIP:
   Participation in group activities.
5. LEGIONISM:
   Knowledge of The American Legion.

More about the Five-Star Program of Service can be found in this presentation.

Sons' Squadron #347 Website Dedication

The inspiration and motivation for creating this updated website for The Sons of The American Legion Squadron #347 in Lady Lake, FL came from my good friend Joe Francis.  Joe, who was transferred to The Everlasting Squadron in May of 2016, recruited me to join The Sons' and to promote an upgrade of their website.  It is due to Joe's guidance and spirit that myself and others have spent many hours designing and building this much improved presentation of our organization, it's purpose, and its accomplishments for veterans and their families, and our community's youth.  Thanks Joe, and GO Army!

Doug White - Adjutant, Sons of The American Legion Squadron #347, Lady Lake, FL

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