Welcome from the
NATIONAL COMMANDER
For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
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This year, Congress passed the most comprehensive veterans health-care legislation in decades. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act will benefit up to 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits, radiation and other toxins. It puts substance behind the phrase “thank you for your service,” by assisting those sickened by the poisons of war. It will save lives. And it also would not have passed Congress without the hard work and advocacy of countless American Legion Family members encouraging their elected leaders to do right by America’s veterans. It has also been a year in which The American Legion has focused on a number. That number is one, as in “Be the One.” The truth is that statistics regarding suicide among veterans vary. But the important point is that YOU can be the one to ask veterans in your life how they are doing, to listen to veterans when they need to talk and to reach out to veterans when they are struggling. Buddy Checks work and we know of cases in which these interactions have saved lives. The American Legion was one of the first veterans organizations to pass a formal statement calling for a peaceful conflict resolution in Ukraine. While we do not support the deployment of U.S. troops to defend non-NATO member countries without certain conditions being met, we cannot help but be inspired by the commitment and bravery shown by the Ukrainians in their defense against unjustified Russian aggression. Defense is something with which Legionnaires are familiar. Legionnaires have served in wars around the globe and, as a result, have seen the sacrifice, valor and dedication that define America’s veterans. They understand the pride veterans take in saluting the flag, assisting their comrades and serving their communities. The American Legion once again prevailed after filing an amicus curiae brief in an important U.S. Supreme Court case granting a high school football coach the right to pray on the field after games. This victory comes just three years after the Legion successfully defended a veterans memorial in Bladensburg, Md. We were also pleased by another Supreme Court ruling that allows veterans to sue state governments if their agencies fail to respect the employment and re-employment rights of veterans returning from military service. These decisions send a strong message that those who defend our constitutional rights will also have their rights protected. Finally, I want to thank the thousands of American Legion Family members I have encountered during my travels as national commander. The departments provided exceptional hospitality, and I witnessed firsthand how posts everywhere have delivered on my theme of “No Veteran Left Behind.” It is truly an honor representing the greatest veterans organization in the world.
Paul E. Dillard National Commander, Texas
legion.org/convention