About The American Legion Department of Louisiana
Our Location
The American Legion, Department of Louisiana
Galvez Building
2nd Floor, Room 226
602 North 5th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5312
MAILING ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 3749
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
(225) 219-1945
FAX (225) 219-1941
www.lalegion.org
Department Headquarters Post 401 (Choppin-Labiche)
Adjutant
adjutant@lalegion.org
Membership
membership@lalegion.org
Administrative
admin@lalegion.org
Map and Directions to Galvez Building
Please click on the button below to view and/or print directions to the Galvez Office Building.
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Read our most recent Newsletter from the American Legion Department of Louisiana.
American Legion, Department of Louisiana Officers for 2026-2027
COMMANDER
COMMANDER
Dennis Hart - Post 225
9216 Grand Prairie Highway
Church Point, LA 70525-4835
337-873-8766 home
337-326-1945 cell
VICE COMMANDERS
VICE COMMANDER
Jinel Sawyer - Post 513
257 Southern Circle
Thibodaux,LA 70301-5915
985-992-6983 cell
VICE COMMANDER
Corey Moore - Post 182
5311 Hollyhock Lane
Bossier City, LA 71112-4919
318-422-8440 cell
JUNIOR PAST DEPT. COMMANDER
JUNIOR PAST DEPT. COMMANDER
Oliver Moore III
10707 Industrialplex Blvd., Apt. 71
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-3925
225-247-8310 cell
DEPARTMENT NEC AND ANEC
NEC
Byron Comeaux - Post 505
16950 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70819
225-266-6354 cell
ANEC
Allen Dunn - Post 350
P.O. Box 1826
Metairie, LA 70004-1826
504-605-7350 cell
ADJUTANT
ADJUTANT/FINANCE OFFICER
Bob Chenier - Post 171
15370 Timberwood Road, Prairieville, LA 70769
225-363-5549 cell
225-219-1943 office
NOTE: ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO DEPT. HEADQUARTERS
ASSISTANT ADJUTANTS
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT
Tony L. Betts - Post 271
810 N. Hebert Avenue, Kaplan, LA 70548
337-652-5072 cell
SECOND ASSISTANT ADJUTANT
Sidney A. Parfait, CPA - Post 285
130 Middle Pearl Drive
Slidell, LA 70461-1528
504-416-4098 cell
JUDGE ADVOCATE AND CHAPLAIN
JUDGE ADVOCATE
William L. Stroud - Post 388
305 McDade Road
Elm Grove, LA 71051-8039
318-752-3335 work
318-591-2816 cell
CHAPLAIN
KEITH FONTENOT - POST 191
1718 Ray Avenue
Bossier City, LA 71112-4134
318-294-0515 phone
HISTORIAN AND SGT-AT-ARMS
HISTORIAN
Jesecca Creger - Post 19
1012 W Division St, Jennings, LA 70546
276-791-2807 cell
SGT-AT-ARMS
John Prince - Post 83
123 E. 3rd Street, LaRose, LA 70373
985-278-0243 cell
COLOR BEARERS
COLOR SERGEANT
Ken Carmouche - Post 504
132 Carolyn Dr, Lafayette, LA 70508
337-504-1183 cell
COLOR SERGEANT
Yolanda Andrews-Mattaur - Post 583
2145 Jake Ln, St Gabriel, LA 70780
225-397-9688 cell
Department of Louisiana Constitution & By-Laws
To view and print a copy of the Department of Louisiana Constitution & By-Laws, please click on the PDF link at right. (Updated - 6/14/26)
Eligibility Requirements
Membership Eligibility Overview
To become a member of The American Legion, you must have served at least one day of federal active duty during a qualifying period (Dec. 7, 1941 – present) and received an honorable or under honorable conditions discharge. Current active duty members are also eligible.
✅ You ARE Eligible If:
- You are currently on active duty (any branch).
- You served at least one day of federal active duty during Dec. 7, 1941 – present (even without combat service).
- You served in the National Guard/Reserves under Title 10 orders during a qualifying period.
- You attended a U.S. Military Academy (West Point, Annapolis, etc.) during a qualifying period.
- Your only active duty was for basic/occupational training during a qualifying period.
- You served with allied military forces during a qualifying period as a U.S. citizen.
- You received an uncharacterized medical discharge (unless stated otherwise).
❌ You Are NOT Eligible If:
- Your only service was under Title 32 orders (state-controlled, not federal).
- You want to join as an honorary or social member (no such membership exists).
- You served only in Civil Air Patrol, Civilian Technical Corps, or USPHS as a civilian.
- You have no federal active duty service during a qualifying period.
Proof of Eligibility:
A DD214 or federal active duty orders are required. If you've lost your DD214, request a copy at archives.gov/veterans.
Membership: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a frequently asked questions (from www.legion.org/membership/faq) regarding American Legion eligibility. For additional questions about eligibility contact membership@legion.org or 317-630-1321.
What are the eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion?
I'm currently on active duty. Am I eligible?
I didn't retire from the military, but was on active duty during one of the qualifying time periods. Am I eligible?
I served during one of the qualifying periods, but was never in a combat zone. Am I eligible?
I'm currently in the National Guard/Reserve. My unit was activated under Title 10 orders during a qualifying time period. Am I eligible?
My National Guard unit was activated for crowd control under Title 32 orders during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?
I'm currently a cadet at one of the U.S. Military Academies. Am I eligible?
Can I be an honorary or social member of The American Legion?
I served my entire military career in the National Guard/Reserves, and only have a DD214 from my Active Duty for Training that I was in during one of the qualifying dates. Am I eligible?
I served with allied military forces during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?
I served with the Civil Air Patrol/Civilian Technical Corps/USPHS as a civilian during two qualifying periods. Am I eligible?
I enlisted and went to basic training but received an uncharacterized discharge due to a medical condition. Am I eligible?
I'm eligible for American Legion membership, but I do not have a copy of my DD214 to show as proof of eligibility. How can I get one?
Can I download these questions as a PDF?
Meaning Of The American Legion Emblem
"There shines the Emblem of The American Legion, it is your badge of distinction, honor, and service. It stands for God and Country and the highest rights of man. Of its several parts, each has a meaning."
The Rays of the Sun form the background of our proud Emblem and suggest that the Legion's principles will dispel the darkness of violence and evil.
The Wreath forms the center, in loving memory of those brave comrades who gave their lives in the service of the United States, that liberty might endure.
The Star - victory symbol of World War I, signalizes as well honor, glory, and constancy. The letters U.S. leave no doubt as to the brightest star in the Legion's star.
Two Large Rings - The outer one stands for the rehabilitation of our sick and disabled buddies. The inner one denotes the welfare of America's children.
Two Small Rings set upon the star. The outer pledge loyalty and Americanism. The inner is for service to our communities, our states, and the Nation.
The words American Legion tie the whole together for truth, remembrance, constancy, honor, service, veterans affairs and rehabilitation, children and youth, and Americanism.
All information is copyrighted by The American Legion. Information above is taken from National's website at www.legion.org.
Cap Etiquette
Rules of Etiquette -Uniform Caps
The left side (emblem side) of the cap is reserved only for the Legion emblem, city, district, or state lettering.
If desired, the following items must be placed on the right side of the cap: (A) Additional lettering, restricted to either the name of a Post, or to an officer title (such as "Past Commander"); (B) Cap insignias or badges (For Past or Present officers); (C) Consecutive membership insignia, membership stars, and/or authorized Legion or military services decorations (e.g. a Blue Cap award pin).
Names or nicknames of individual members cannot be used on caps.
The Legion Uniform Cap should be worn only by its members when in attendance at official Legion meetings or ceremonies, or as official guests at patriotic or other civil functions, or by individuals when officially representing The American Legion on public occasions.
A member is considered to be in uniform if wearing an official Legion cap. Therefore, it is not proper to wear the cap while eating a meal at an official Legion or civic luncheon or dinner.
A cap should be worn in a place of worship only by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard and Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard. When returned to and seated in pews, the cap should be removed.
Legion members not in formation will uncover upon entering the place of worship and remain uncovered during the entire service and will cover again after leaving the place of worship.
Legion Posts marching in formation into a place of worship should uncover, at the door, hold the cap with the right hand over the heart until the arrival in the pews and commanded to take seats, remaining uncovered during the entire service. At the close of the service, upon command, the Post shall arise, the members holding the cap with the right hand over the heart will march out of the place of worship, and recover after marching through the door.
When at a funeral, the cap should be held over the heart as one approaches the casket. At the graveside, the cap should be held in the right hand over the heart during the entire service. In cold and inclement weather, the cap should not be worn.
In Legion meetings, the cap should be worn except during moments of the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and when standing in silent reverence in memory of departed comrades, when the cap should be held with the right hand over the heart.
Female members of the Legion should wear their caps in the manner prescribed for female personnel of the armed services.
Please click on the links at right for more information on ordering caps. Caps can be ordered online directly from Emblem Sales at EMBLEM.LEGION.ORG or call toll free 1-888-4LEGION