The success of Kiwanis International is largely due to the strong, effective, and active service of thousands of Kiwanians, many of whom have achieved more than 25 years of membership. These dedicated individuals deserve recognition for having helped make Kiwanis the great organization it is today. The Legion of Honor award of Kiwanis International has been created to assist in extending a token of appreciation to these Kiwanians, recognizing members with 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 years of service. The lapel pins are rhodium plated (with the exception of the 50-year pin, which is gold plated), and are of special design to denote the highest office held by the recipient (member, past president, past secretary, past treasurer, past lieutenant governor, past district officer, past governor or past international officer), with the exception of the 60-year pin which is available with the designation of member, past president, or past secretary; the 65, 70, and 75-year pins are available with the designation of member only. Accompanying the lapel pin is a personalized certificate for the appropriate number of years, signed by the President and the Executive Director of Kiwanis International with provisions for the signatures of the recipients club president and secretary.

Every Kiwanis club should consider it a privilege to recognize its eligible members with the Legion of Honor award. Eligibility is based upon a Kiwanian having at least 25 years of membership, not necessarily consecutive, in one or more clubs. Having been recognized for 25 years of service, a member is again eligible to receive the Legion of Honor award when the individual achieves 30 years of membership, again at 35 years, and so on. A member is considered eligible if he or she is within six months of the required number of years.