While some may have wondered why The American Legion’s top leader chose to be in Charles Town, W. Va., during the 100th anniversary of the first meeting of his organization, National Commander Brett Reistad had a quick explanation.
“We could have had an elaborate ball in Washington, D.C., or perhaps a ritzy celebration in Paris, but that’s not what The American Legion is all about,” he said at a March 15 gala held at Post 71. “The heart and soul of The American Legion is found in our community posts. Places like West Virginia. Or Kansas. Our coasts. And, yes, our veterans communities overseas. Our work in Washington and internationally is of enormous importance. But 99 percent of our Legionnaires reside in communities such as this.”
It was a visit that was appreciated by the local American Legion.
“The chances of having the national commander here, on the day we officially turned 100, are one in a million,” said Don Chandler, a department vice commander of West Virginia who has been a member since 1970. “When you think of all of the people who belong to The American Legion and all of the places that the commander could be, it’s amazing that he chose historic Charles Town.”
Although chartered in January 1920, Jackson-Perks Post 71 began organizing in 1919. It was named in honor Wade H. Jackson and Joseph W. Perks, the first two county residents killed in World War I.
It was with fallen heroes such as Jackson and Perks in mind that Reistad acknowledged the history that The American Legion has in honoring military veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“The American Legion honors fallen veterans as much as we serve the living,” Reistad said. “It was The American Legion that stood alongside the president of the United States during the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a dedication that probably would not have happened if not for the advocacy of founder Hamilton Fish, who also happened to be a powerful member of Congress.”
In addition to covering milestones of American Legion history, Reistad emphasized that The American Legion doesn’t only serve veterans but all Americans, especially young people. “The American Legion serves the youth of America with outstanding programs such as America Legion Baseball, Junior Shooting Sports, Boys State and Boys Nation,” he pointed out. “The American Legion has supported the Boy Scouts of America since 1919 and today sponsors 2,400 Scouting units comprising more than 63,000 young men and women.”
It is that dedication to youth that attracted perhaps the youngest Legionnaire at the birthday celebration. Donald Lambert, 22, is commander of Post 29 in Elkin, West Va., and a district adjutant. It was his local post that sponsored his Boy Scout unit. “That post then sent me to Boys State in 2013,” Lambert said. “As soon as I finished basic training in the Air Force, I joined.”
While Reistad is certainly glad to have Lambert’s membership and emphasizes the need for growth, he lamented the need for an American Legion. “World War I was so horrific, it was supposed to be the war to end all wars. Sadly, we all know it wasn’t. Now this wasn’t in any way a failure of our military veterans. It was a failure of world diplomacy,” he said before adding that the legacy of the last Legionnaires could have been continued by the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.
“But war continued. And as long as America fights wars, both declared and undeclared, America will always need a strong American Legion,” Reistad said.
Of the Legion’s founders, Reistad said, “They surpassed all expectations. Legionnaires continue to do so today, with a vision for tomorrow. That vision will continue on because we will renew our dedication for and our membership in the greatest veterans organization that the world has ever seen. We will recruit new members and retain existing ones. We will check on our buddies and continue to advocate for a strong America.”
