The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. Legions can answer questions about flag etiquette.

Provides various programs for catastrophically disabled veterans and other people with disabilities. Services include, but are not limited to the following areas: - Service to veterans - Veterans service officer - who is able to assist in obtaining benefits - Advocacy programs for veterans and people with disabilities - Legislation - Peer counseling - for persons with physical disabilities and especially new spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis. - Sports and recreational activities - Assists veterans that have physical disabilities with getting involved in sports activities such as bowling, lacrosse, boccia ball, fishing, skiing, trap shooting, and hunting. Also open to individuals with disabilities. - Equipment lending - Technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Alliance consists of three key allies: veterans, active military service members, and the at-large community. The Alliance includes veterans, led by the American Legion and VFW, active military service members and their families, civilians, elected officials, business leaders and other key individuals and resources from our communities in South Dakota. Services/Events include: - Patriot Grill (discounted $6.00 lunch specials every day) - Club Lobo - Gun Range/Armory - Event Center - Meeting/Conventions - Mental/Physical Health - Veteran Service Organizations Also, has a recepticle for proper disposal of US flags in the parking lot, near the front door.

Veteran Service Organization that is focused on assisting Veterans and their families, supporting youth activities, and providing services to various other community service projects.

A Veterans organization that provides support to Disabled Veterans and their families. Primary focus in Brookings is to provide free transportation for veterans that have medical appointments with the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital. The program is not part of the VA but this group does support them by running the DAV Transportation Network with them. This organization is always looking for volunteers that have the time to drive for the DAV Transportation Network. Questions about driving the van or catching a ride to a medical appointment can be directed to the Brookings County Veterans Office.

Established in 1932, the Rushmore VFW is a proud member of our community and open to the public. Camaraderie, meals, darts, karaoke and much more for all generations to enjoy. Membership not required. VFW Eligibility If you have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay, then you're eligible to join our ranks. Member Benefits As a member of the VFW you are eligible to receive discounts on a wide variety of merchandise and services. Click on this link for details: www.vfw.org/MemberBenefits

A non-profit Veteran's Organization. We support veterans and active military families in applying for benefits and any needs they may have. Legions can answer questions about flag etiquette and go to schools and organizations to perform raising and folding of the flag demonstrations. Also, has information about Blue Star Flag Program where families with deployed military service men or women would hang the Blue Star Flag in their window.

Develops statewide, intelligent, aggressive and serviceable Council for the purpose of promoting all activities found to be for the good of all veterans and their dependents. Provides a means of contact and communication among the members of the Council and veterans organizations. Does any and all things necessary or proper for the accomplishment of the foregoing business and objects of the Council, including, for such purposes, to contract and pay for personal and other services, to contract for, buy, take by deed, gift or devise, hold, posses, manage, borrow, rent, lease, loan, assign, convey, sell and dispose of in any manner real and personal property, and to act as trustee, or be a beneficiary of a trust. Provides a practical means by which veterans organizations throughout the state may effectively contribute to the betterment of all veterans in three principle phases, as follows: Legislation affecting veterans and their dependents. Concern for the general programs for all veterans and their dependents and all veterans' organization, principally hospital, labor and social. Make public information in behalf of all veterans and their dependents and veterans organizations represented and establish a system of public relations for this purpose.

Provides up to $3,000 for qualified Legionnaires or Sons of The American Legion, and up to $10,000 for qualified American Legion posts that have been affected by natural disasters. Applicant must have been displaced from their home due to damage sustained during a natural disaster. If emergency/disaster shelters are available, and applicant chooses not to stay at shelter, then they need to provide a reason why they did not stay in shelter. The online application only covers most immediate needs (e.g. temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.) during the period after the disaster happens.

Available to Legion family members who have been displaced from their primary residence due to damage sustained during a declared natural disaster.

If eligible, temporary emergency financial assistance is available for children's needs of up to $1,500. All other avenues must be exhausted before applying for assistance.

Dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. Accomplished by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America's injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. Providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies of government; Providing outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their families specifically; Representing the interests of disabled veterans, their families, their widowed spouses and their orphans before Congress, the White House and the Judicial Branch, as well as state and local government; Extending DAV's mission of hope into the communities where these veterans and their families live through a network of state-level Departments and local Chapters; and Providing a structure through which disabled veterans can express their compassion for their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer programs.

A national grant assistance program that provides financial assistance to eligible American Legion Auxiliary members who are impacted by a natural disaster or in a time of financial crisis. Disaster Assistance: Applicants must either received damage to their primary residence, been displaced/evacuated from their residence or experienced basic out-of-pocket emergency expenses. Hardship Assistance: Applicants have to have past due expenses related to their primary residence and/or basic household utilities. Grants are awarded for $3,000 per grantee and one grant (disaster or hardship) will be awarded in a 12-month period.

Veterans benefits experts, called National Service Officers and Chapter Service Officers, work to get veterans all the benefits to which they are entitled. These Service Officers provide counseling about compensation, pension, educational and job training programs, VA health care, burial benefits, survivors benefits, and more. South Dakota has the following chapters: Chapter 1 - Sioux Falls Chapter 3 - Rapid City Chapter 6 - Watertown Chapter 11 - Sturgis Chapter 13 - Aberdeen Chapter 18 - Pierre Chapter 19 - Milbank Chapter 22 - Brookings Chapter 27 - Mitchell