11/10/2025
Commander's Message: Veterans Day
As we gather to honor our nation’s veterans, we stand united by a simple but powerful truth: freedom is not free. It has been earned – and continually defended – by the courage, sacrifice, and steadfast commitment of America’s servicemen and women. On this Veterans Day, we pause to remember their service and renew our promise to never forget it.
But remembrance alone is not enough. The spirit of service that brought our veterans together in uniform does not end when the uniform comes off. It continues – in our homes, our towns, and in organizations like the American Legion.
For more than a century, the American Legion has been a home for veterans of every generation – a place where camaraderie, community, and purpose thrive. Founded in 1919 by those who had seen the horrors of the First World War, the Legion has grown into one of the most powerful voices for veterans and their families in the United States.
Being a member of the American Legion means more than belonging to an organization – it means belonging to a family. It means standing shoulder to shoulder with others who understand what it means to serve. It means having a place where your experience matters, where your voice can make a difference, and where your service continues in new and meaningful ways.
Through the Legion, veterans help one another navigate the challenges of civilian life – from accessing health care and education benefits to finding employment and building community connections. Legionnaires mentor youth through programs like Boys State and Girls State, support active-duty service members, and honor those who never made it home. They organize blood drives, food pantries, and scholarship programs. They are the quiet heroes who continue serving their country long after their military service ends.
In every community across this nation, the American Legion stands as a living reminder of the values that make America strong: duty, honor, sacrifice, and service. Membership is not just a way to give back – it’s a way to keep the flame of patriotism burning bright for future generations.
So today, as we salute all who have worn the uniform, let us also recognize the power of what veterans can do together. If you are a veteran who has not yet joined, I encourage you: come be part of something greater. The Legion needs your experience, your leadership, and your voice – and you will find friendship, support, and purpose in return.
On this Veterans Day, let us honor those who served – and let us commit to carrying forward their legacy through continued service to our nation, our communities, and to one another.
Thank you, God bless our veterans, and God bless the United States of America.
Darrin Alderson
Department Commander
G.R.O.W. Goals Reality Options Willingness
