Columbia American Legion Post 581’s new organization, Sons of the American Legion, received its charter on Sept. 8.

Representatives from the Illinois Detachment presented the charter in person. There were 18 member names included in the organization’s charter.

The Sons of the American Legion is an organization of the American Legion and consists of male descendants of U.S. military veterans. There are more than 15,000 members in Illinois and more than 350,000 members nationally. They are committed to maintain the high ideals and Four Pillars of the American Legion.

Founded in 1932, Sons of the American Legion exists to honor the service and sacrifice of legionnaires. Members include males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership. Although Sons of the American Legion has its own membership, the organization is not a separate entity. It is a program of the American Legion and many legionnaires hold dual membership.

If interested in joining the Sons of the American Legion contact Mike Nowak at 281-3420. Squadron 581 of the Sons of the American Legion meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbia American Legion Hall.