The Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as a program of The American Legion. The S.A.L. is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion. The Sons of The American Legion is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization comprised of direct male descendants of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served honorably during American Legion eligibility periods. There are more than 250,000 members of the Sons of The American Legion throughout the United States and in foreign countries. Currently, there are nearly 5,000 Squadrons throughout the United States, and in 4 outlying Detachments in foreign countries.
The local unit of the Sons of The American Legion is a Squadron, attached to a Post of The American Legion, which sponsors the Squadron. Independence Squadron 275 received its Squadron Charter from National Headquarters on May 9th, 2002. Our Squadron is attached to Moon Brothers Post 275 of The American Legion, in Independence, Kentucky. We have nearly 50 members from throughout Boone and Kenton counties in Kentucky, and Hamilton county in Ohio. Membership in the Sons of The American Legion exists through membership in a Squadron. Eligible applicants may join any Squadron, regardless of the location of their Legion parents' membership.
The S.A.L. Preamble
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.
Squadron 275 Officers/2003-2004
Commander, Bryan Meade
Sr. Vice Commander, John Dietz
Jr. Vice Commander, Brandon Holbrook
Adjutant, Todd Skaggs
Finance Officer, Kevin Heupel
Chaplain, Mike Marino
Historian, Bob Snow
Sergeant at Arms, Andrew Norwood
Advisor, Charles Menke
The Sons of The American Legion place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship. S.A.L. Squadron activities are stressed which help to develop worthwhile American citizens with the strength and courage to face the responsibilities and challenges of life in an increasingly complex world. Membership and active participation in the S.A.L. serves the purpose of complementing other existing worthwhile programs and serves to enhance the individual memberŐs scholastic, professional, civic, and extracurricular endeavors.
Throughout our nation, Sons support The American Legion in promoting a wide variety of programs. In just the past ten years, Sons have raised more than one million dollars for The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, which provides grants for medical research and educational information about issues affecting children. In 2001, S.A.L. members volunteered more than 170,000 hours in Veterans Hospitals throughout the country and raised over $700,000 that went directly to VA hospitals and VA homes for a variety of items including TVs, radios, medical equipment, and clothing for the patients.
Since membership eligibility for the Sons of The American Legion begins from date of birth, activities and programs of any Squadron are determined by the age groups of members, the needs of Squadron members, needs of the community for the programs and activities which can be provided by the S.A.L., and the abilities of those serving as leaders and advisors.
Veterans Grave Decoration Project . . . .
Our Squadron's premier program is the Veterans' Grave Decoration Project. Each year on Memorial Day weekend, members of The American Legion and Sons of The American Legion, along with volunteers from the Dan Beard Council Boy Scouts, the Masons, the Civil Air Patrol, Jobs Daughters, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other organizations decorate veterans' graves in seven Kenton County cemeteries in observance of Memorial Day. More than 5,000 veterans' graves in Floral Hills Cemetery, Saint John's Cemetery, Saint Mary's Cemetery, Mother of God Cemetery, Independence Cemetery, and Saint Cecilia's Cemetery are decorated annually. We recycle approximately 80% of the flags used each year, however we purchase additional flags to replace flags lost to deterioration and weather and to decorate new veterans' graves.
All donations will be used towards the expenses incurred for the decoration of Veteran graves each Memorial Day. Simply mail make your check payable to Sons of The American Legion and mail it to Sons of the Americal Legion P.O. Box 18791 Erlanger, KY 41018-0791. We will mail you a donation letter for tax purposes as all donations are tax deductible.
What Is It? The John Keys Kentucky Sons of The American Legion Scholarship Fund. Program rules allow applicants to attend any post-secondary school (public or private) in Kentucky or in any bordering state. Scholarship awards are to be used solely for tuition at the applicant’s institution. Scholarship awards are made in the form of a check made payable to the applicant’s institution. The amount of individual scholarship awards is not pre-set, but is determined based on the total amount of contributions received by the program each year. By official action of the Detachment Executive Committee in October 2005, the operation and management of the Scholarship Fund is the responsibility of the Sons of The American Legion, Independence Squadron 275 which administers the Scholarship on behalf of the Kentucky Sons of The American Legion. Who can apply? Applicants must meet at least one (1) of the following requirements:
Click here to download the scholarship application form
Our thanks to the 2006 Veterans Grave Decoration Project donors:
Dianna Delgado-Mullen
Bobbie & Dianah Isaacs
Gertrude Smith
R.C. Durr
Kelly Furnish VFW Post 7099
Leonard Spegal
Marty Nie
Allison & Rose Funeral Home
J. Kevin & Kathy England
Jim & Helen Kudera
Donald & Constance Megison
William & Mary Hull
Mary Elizabeth Tounge
Colonel Clay Lodge #159, F. & A.M.
Dominick & Mildred Cordelli
Earl Jenkins
Charles L. Williams
William J. Kerl
Ed Bach
Randall & Patsy Wagner
Robert E. Wade Sr.
Reverend Celtus Griese
Orville & Lisa Spencer
Who is eligible for membership in the Sons of The American Legion?
- All direct male descendants (sons, grandsons, great-grandsons), adopted sons
and stepsons of members of The American Legion;
- Male descendants (direct descendants such as sons, grandsons,
great-grandsons, and adopted sons and stepsons) of U.S. Armed Forces veterans
who died in service during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the
Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Persian Gulf War, during the
Legion membership eligibility periods shown below;
- Male descendants (direct descendants such as sons, grandsons,
great-grandsons, and adopted sons and stepsons) of U.S. Armed Forces veterans
who served during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War,
Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Persian Gulf War, during the Legion membership
eligibility periods shown below died subsequent to their honorable discharge
from such service.
There are no honorary members permitted in the S.A.L. or Legion, so all members must meet eligibility requirements. Applicants must provide proof of eligibility, such as a copy of the veteran's Honorable Discharge Certificate, the veteran's DD214 form (Discharge/Separation form), and/or a copy of the veteran's Legion membership card for the current year.
THE AMERICAN LEGION ELIGIBILITY DATES
Persian Gulf War: Aug. 2, 1990 until cessation of hostilities as by
determined the U.S. Government
Panama: Dec. 20, 1989 to Jan. 21, 1990
Lebanon & Grenada: Aug. 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984
Vietnam War: Dec. 22, 1961 to May 7, 1975
Korean War: June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955
World War II: Dec. 7,1941 to Dec. 31,1946
World War I:
April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918
If you are eligible and would like to join the Sons of The American Legion, Independence Squadron 275, please contact the Squadron at SAL275@fuse.net .
If you are a veteran and are eligible to join The American Legion, Independence Post 275, please contact Lee Myers leem@one.net .
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Please email any questions to SAL275@fuse.net .
Membership Dues Rates
-Senior Members (Age 18 and over) $10.00/year
-Junior Members (below Age 18) $ 8.00/year
-Dual Members (Legion Members) $ 5.00/year
The Membership Year in the Sons of The American Legion extends from January 1 through December 31 each year. Dues are payable between August 1 and December 31 each year for the ensuing (next) membership year. Checks must be made payable to Independence Squadron 275, S.A.L. and mailed to:
Sons of the American
Legion Squadron 275
P.O. Box 18791
Erlanger, KY 41018-0791
Last Update: 060720
