American Legion Research Paper

The American Legion, chartered by Congress in 1919, was created as a patriotic veterans’ organization. The men and women who run this organization have been devoted to helping the men and women in the armed forces and their families for 96 years. The American Legion is a non-profit and nonpartisan organization and has been standing behind the issues that are most important to veteran communities in the nation. Being part of a military family isn’t glamorous, I know from experience. My father just retired from the U.S. Air Force last year, and my brother is in the Air Force and is currently deployed in Turkey. Military families sacrifice so much for our country. The American Legion is doing their part to support these families for their sacrifice.

My little sister and I were taught to stand up for what’s right and to respect ourselves. We were taught to respect our parents and to never let the good ol’ American flag touch the ground. I’m blessed to have been raised in a military home. It has made me into the person I am today. Military brats, that’s what many call us, the children who are raised in military families. My father, Jason Swartout, entered the United States Air Force when he was 18 and my mother was 16. He and my mother were just kids. They suffered through the hard times and the distance between the three of them. My mother was living with her parents in North Carolina, with my oldest brother Andrew, he was then just a baby, while my dad was stationed at the Delaware Air Force base. Later, my second brother Austin was born, then I came into the picture on January 22, 1999. I was born on Fort Bragg Army Base, in North Carolina. My dad and I were and still are two peas in a pod. Both very stubborn, yet gracious and caring. We are both emotional when it comes to family and our amazing country. I always knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps in some way. I hope to make him

We are quite the bunch, all strong willed and very determined. After the terrorist attack on 9/11, my dad was gone all the time. He was still serving, and was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My father loaded cargo plans, it doesn't seem like much, but it can be dangerous on its own. I can remember the day that my dad was leaving to go serve overseas for the second time in my lifetime. We were standing in the hanger, and the C130 was waiting to load all the men and women. My dad said goodbye to us and that he will see us very soon, but we all knew that it would be a grueling year until we would see him again. As I watched my dad throw his pack over his shoulder and walk towards the plane, my heart had broken. I was just a little girl, who had to be without her daddy for what seemed like eternity. There are thousands of other little girls and boys, feeling the heart-rending pain of missing their fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. I miss my brother terribly, along with my sweet nephew, Jayce and my sister-in-law. They are a young military family and I’m sure once they are back in the U.S., they will be participating in many American Legion programs to help them with daily life. I hope that Jayce will be strong and be proud of his father for the change he is bringing into the world every single day. I know I am so proud of my brother and my father for the amazing things they do and have