The DD-214 is the Defense Department form that
details your separation from active duty service. It will list all of your
pertinent information concerning your time in military service including
your active duty dates.
This form is as important as your birth certificate,
marriage license, social security card, and financial records.
It is strongly recommended that you record your
original DD-214 with the clerk at your local courthouse.
Before you store it, you should make several copies
of it and store one in a plastic sleeve.
Your wife, children, and the executor of your
estate should know where your DD-214 is located. This will be needed for
many things when you die.
If you do not have the original copy or your DD-214,
send your name, service number, and dates of service to: Military Personal
Record Center - 9700 Pace Avenue - St. Louis MO 63132
Contact your funeral director for burial arrangements.
Contact the pastor or your church.
Furnish the funeral director with the Legionnaire's
social security number, Veterans Administration claim number, and a certified
copy of Form DD-214
The funeral director should supply a U.S. Flag
to drape over the casket.
The funeral director should supply the proper
Veterans Grave Marker.
Notify Post Service Officer Rich Seifert.
Contact Post Honor Guard Officer Mary Aiello for
a grave side Military Funeral: Honor Guard Watch, 21 Gun Salute,
and presentation of the U.S. Flag to next of kin.
The official uniform of The American Legion is
The Legion Service Cap.
Although the Service Cap is the only official
uniform, it is recommend that to maintain a "military look" for official
Legion functions the following be worn: White dress shirt, medium gray
trousers, black hose, black shoes, black belt, navy blue tie with American
Legion Emblem, Legion tie tac, navy blue blazer, American Legion pocket
patch worn over heart, appropriate lapel pins i.e., U.S. Flag, membership
pins, Legion awards, etc.
The Service Cap . . . what do all those pins mean?
The hat pins that Legionnaire's so proudly display represent a personal
history. Most are awards officially presented to the Legionnaire for outstanding
service, some are a representation of longevity, and a few represent their
branch of service. If you want to make a Legionnaire's day, just ask them
about their hat pins . . . and be prepared for some good stories.
What's with all the different colored service
caps?
Solid Blue Cap - Worn by Post members. We are
ALL blue caps!
Solid Blue Cap with white piping - Worn by County
Executive Committee members.
Solid Blue Cap with white crown - Worn by District
Executive Committee members.
Solid White Cap - Worn by Department Executive
Committee members.
Solid Red Cap - Worn by National Executive Committee
members.
All members who served in the military or worked
for the Defense Department between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991
are eligible to apply for a Cold War Certificate. This certificate is an
Official Recognition Certificate as authorized by the 1998 National Defense
Authorization Act.
To obtain your certificate you must send a copy
of your DD-214 along with your current mailing
address to Cold War Recognition - 4035 Ridge Top Road - Suite 400 - Fairfax,
VA 22030. You may also fax to 703-275-6749 or 800-723-9262.