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The American Legion was founded in 1919 in the immediate aftermath of World War I. It originated as a grassroots effort to boost the morale of homesick troops awaiting passage back to the United States and to establish a unified, non-partisan organization dedicated to veterans' welfare, patriotism, and community service.
The primary visionary behind the organization was Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (son of the former president), who proposed the idea to a group of American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) officers in February 1919.
Key Congressional Acts and Amendments
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Original Incorporation Act (1919): Established The American Legion as a federally chartered corporation following World War I to support veterans, promote patriotism, and advocate for a strong national defense.
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Public Law 95-346 (1978): An act passed by the 95th Congress to amend the original charter and redefine membership eligibility requirements.
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The LEGION Act (2019 - Public Law 116-35): Signed into law on July 30, 2019, the LEGION Act (S.504) expanded membership eligibility to include any honorably discharged veteran or active-duty servicemember who served anytime from December 7, 1941, through the present, removing prior restrictions that required service strictly during specific officially declared wartime eras. It also prohibited staff discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
The Department of Arkansas American Legion holds the distinction of being the first officially incorporated department of The American Legion in the United States.
History and Founding
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First Incorporation: Following the founding caucus in St. Louis in May 1919, Arkansas delegates returned home and filed a petition in the Pulaski County Circuit Court. They incorporated "The American Legion" on May 12, 1919, preceding national congressional chartering later that year.
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Early Leadership: J. J. Harrison served as the first Department Commander of Arkansas and was a signer of the original American Legion Congressional Charter.
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Early Milestones: Arkansas was the first department to launch its own weekly newspaper, the first to create a state-supported Veterans Service Bureau, and an early achiever in hitting 100% membership quotas across all state posts by 1939.
Background and Mission
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Core Pillars: Operating under the national organization's four pillars—Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth—the Arkansas department supports thousands of members across nearly 150 local posts.
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Programs: The department runs prominent youth programs like Arkansas Boys State, mentoring young people in leadership and state government operations.
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Advocacy: The organization remains active in grass-roots legislative advocacy, supporting veterans' benefits, healthcare access, and community betterment projects statewide
The Post is named after Leland Otho Criswell and Ross H. Robinson, both WW1 veterans who lived in the area. Ross Robinson's brothers, who were also WW1 vets, were part of the charter members who started the Post and are listed on the charter documents.
Leland Criswell was a Pvt. in the SATC (Student Army Training Corp) at St Louis, MO and as far as we know, he never left the college for war. He died in 1927 at a VA Hospital in Kentucky from complications of Tuberculosis.
Ross Robinson was a Cpl in Co. B, 508th Engineers, American Expeditionary Forces and died in 1918 in France from disease. He was originally buried in France and later re-buried in the U.S. in 1921.
We aren't sure why Criswell's name was used, but we are still researching the history of these two men.
The Criswell-Robinson American Legion Post was given its charter on January 19, 1938.
Post 71 is meant to be a place for you, The Veteran to have a place to come when they want to sit, talk, drink coffee, a soda, work on a puzzle, read a magazine, and enjoy the company of other Veterans that have been where you have been. Take pride in your membership. Get involved with the post and you will see that it can be fun, and fulfilling as well. The post has so many things that we offer and committees and events that can use folks for these events.
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