The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country.

Kent Legion Post 496 was chartered on August 16, 1921, with one hundred twenty-one men and one woman as charter members. Today the post has over 700 members, comprised of American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and Legion Rider Members.