Our Mission

The American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore with their lives to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge, as veterans in service to community, state and nation.

In times of crisis, The American Legion steps into the turmoil and fights to provide needed assistance for others.

Young people who seek positive opportunities turn to The American Legion, which has mentored generations into responsible citizens.

Veterans in need of advocates to help them achieve meaningful careers, educations, health-care services, friends and stable homes are supported every day, free of charge, by The American Legion.

Active-duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel have dedicated supporters in The American Legion. A strong and well-resourced national defense is, and has always been, a central purpose of the organization. As former troops, Legionnaires understand the importance of home-front support.

Legionnaires constantly remind communities that freedom and prosperity come with a price, a price often paid in blood. They know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. They raise the money, put in the hours and bring into existence monuments and memorials to “preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars.”

The American Legion salutes the flag and asks all others to show respect for the unity, freedom and hope it represents.

Among American Legion members, there is no rank or prejudice, only purpose. A veteran is a veteran. And the purpose of veterans in The American Legion is to strengthen the United States of America through programs, services, compassion and actions that have proven vital, timeless and life-changing for over a century.

The American Legion's mission statement, as adopted by the National Executive Committee in October 2020, is:

To enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. The American Legion's vision statement is "The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America.” The American Legion's value principles are as follows:

A VETERAN IS A VETERAN - which means The American Legion embraces all current and former members of the military and endeavors to help them transition into their communities.

SELFLESS SERVICE - which means The American Legion celebrates all who contribute to something larger than themselves and inspires others to serve and strengthen America.

AMERICAN VALUES AND PATRIOTISM - which means The American Legion advocates for upholding and defending the United States Constitution, equal justice and opportunity for everyone and discrimination against no one, youth education, responsible citizenship and honoring military service by observing and participating in memorial events.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - which means The American Legion meets the unique needs of local communities.

ADVANCING THE VISION - which means The American Legion educates, mentors and leads new generations of Americans.

HONOR THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US - which means The American Legion pays perpetual respect for all past military sacrifices to ensure they are never forgotten by new generations.

The American Legion's motto is "Veterans Strengthening America."

Community Service Activities

  • (VA Medical Centers at Sepulveda and W. Los Angeles). One of our Post’s major continuing efforts is active support provided to Veterans hospitalized at Sepulveda and WLA facilities. The Post provides about $7,000 and literally thousands of volunteer service hours each year in directed support to Veterans being treated at these facilities. Much of the Post’s support focuses on providing hospitalized Veterans with the amenities of daily life (e.g., tooth brushes, tooth paste, wash cloths, mouth wash, etc.) which are in short supply from the VA, and in donating on-site Canteen booklets (for use in purchasing food items) to Veterans spending the entire day at the VA for testing and treatment.

  • Troop 462. The Troop has 25-30 scouts, typically qualifies three to four of its members as Eagle Scouts each year, and is very active in the Scout community. The Troop’s Court of Honor Ceremonies are held quarterly at the Post hall.

  • Active sponsorship and involvement with the Woodland Hills West American Legion Baseball Team. The team, with players from nearby El Camino, Canoga Park, and Calabasas High Schools, won the World Championship in 1989 (best of 5,000 teams nationwide) and nearly repeated in 1990 by winning the State Championship. The WH West team has proven to be routinely competitive and has consistently reached the playoffs each year for 13 of the past 15 years.

  • Sponsorship of local high school students to the American Legion’s Boys’ State program. This has been a long-standing effort on behalf of our Post, with five to six students chosen and financially supported to attend this nationally recognized program each year. Some of the local high schools sending students include Taft, El Camino Real, Canoga Park, Faith Baptist, and Chaminade.

  • Sponsorship of local high school students in the American Legion’s Oratorical contest. Another of our Post’s long-time commitments, high school junior students have been sponsored almost every year for the past 25 years. Students speak on the U.S. Constitution, and have the opportunity to compete at the District, State and National American Legion levels for prizes totaling more than $25,000.

Law and Order Dinner

  • Each year for the past 21 years, Post 826 has hosted its Annual Law and Order Dinner. The Dinner’s purpose is to provide a statement of formal recognition and community support for five (5) of the best of the following groups: A Police Officer from LAPD’s West Valley Station, a Deputy Sheriff from LACSD’s Malibu/Bell Canyon station, a Fireman from the LAFD’s Station 105, and a Highway Patrolman from the West Valley CHP Station. This is one of the Post’s stellar community events of the year, and we typically see the LA Chief of Police, LA City Councilperson and US Congressman in attendance.

Four Chaplains’ Brunch

  • Another tradition at Woodland Hills Post 826 is its annual Four Chaplains’ Brunch, typically held in early February, and hosted by a local Rabbi, Catholic Priest and two Pastors. This event is always a complete sell-out, and commemorates an event in 1943 when an American troop ship was torpedoed and lost in the North Sea where four chaplains (a Rabbi, a Catholic Priest and two pastors) gave up their own life vests to save their fellow soldiers. All four chaplains perished in the event, along with many hundreds of their fellow troops.

Flag Day Ceremony

  • Woodland Hills Post 826 has sponsored an annual Flag Day Ceremony at nearby Lockhurst Elementary School. The purpose of this ceremony is to provide students with a sense of history and honor for our country’s flag, and for the sacrifices of service that have been traditionally provided by our country’s Veterans. Post members attending the ceremony are typically invited by individual teachers to come into their respective classrooms and discuss their Veteran’s service with the children.