Title 36 — Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73
§170103 Membership
Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Patriotic and National Organizations › Part Part B— - Organizations › Chapter CHAPTER 1701— - PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA › § 170103
Summary
Allows U.S. citizens to join if they meet four rules. They must have served on active duty in the U.S. or an ally’s military, been separated not dishonorably (or must still serve), and have a spinal cord injury or disease, whether or not it came from service.
Full Legal Text
Title 36, §170103
Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
An individual is eligible for membership in the corporation if the individual—
(1)is a citizen of the United States;
(2)was regularly enlisted, inducted, or commissioned, and was accepted for or on active duty, in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard of the United States or an ally of the United States;
(3)(A)was separated from service in the Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonorable; or
(B)is on active duty or must continue to serve after the cessation of hostilities; and
(4)has suffered a spinal cord injury or disease, whether or not service connected in origin.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 17010336:1157.Aug. 11, 1971, Pub. L. 92–93, § 7, 85 Stat. 318. In clause (1), the words “citizen of the United States” are substituted for “American citizen” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. Clause (3)(A) is substituted for “Service with the Armed Forces must have been terminated by discharge or separation from service under conditions other than dishonorable” to eliminate unnecessary words. Clause (3)(B) is substituted for “Provided, however, That persons otherwise eligible for membership who are on active duty or who must continue to serve after the cessation of hostilities are also eligible for membership” to eliminate unnecessary words.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see section 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
36 U.S.C. § 170103
Title 36 — Patriotic and National Observances
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73