The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Heroes to Hometowns program connects local Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities. The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.
Find out more information about our organization on https://legion.org.
2020-2021 Department Officers
Department Commander John Powell
John joined the U.S. Navy, after high school and spent the next 20 years on active duty as the Rank of Chief Petty Officer. During his 20-year career John spent 14 of those years stationed aboard ships. Those ships included the USS Nassau (LHA-4), USS Preble (DDG-45), USS George Washington (CVN73) and the USS South Carolina (CGN 37). Throughout his Naval Career his primary job was Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigation and Anti-Terrorism. After retiring from active duty John took a job with the Isle of Wight County Virginia Sheriff's Office as a Patrol Deputy. The final year there he was assigned to an undercover position with the Virginia State Police Drug Task Force. In the spring of 2001, he accepted a position with the Police Department at the U.S. Naval Academy. While there he held the rank of Major and was third in Command of the Police Department. In April 2005, his accomplishments were recognized when he was asked to join one of the White House Cabinet Members Protection Details. As a Special Agent / Special Deputy U.S. Marshall he was assigned to protect the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. In February 2007, he resigned his position and elected to return home to marry his wife, Michelle. Since transferring his American Legion membership to Wheeling Post #1 he has held the offices of President of the Home Corporation, 1st Vice Commander, Director of the Legion Riders and Commander. Under his leadership the Legion Riders has raised in excess of $12,000 in support of local veterans and the Legacy Fund. He has grown the Legion Riders from just two people in the beginning to as many as 25 and encompasses four Legion Posts in the 1st District. As 1st Vice Commander and Post Commander he has helped grow the membership from 150 members to a high of 285. As Commander he instituted a "Membership Engagement Plan" that has resulted in attendance at meetings with an increase from 7 to 10 members to averaging 25 members at each meeting. He is entering his 21st year as a member of the American Legion and is a 2018 Graduate of the National American Legion College.
