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.

Howard Keith Brown was born in Wheeling, WV and raised in Beech Bottom, WV, a small community in the Northern Panhandle of WV.

He attended Brooke County Schools, graduating from Brooke High School in 1970.

In 1971 Keith enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on the delayed entry program, leaving for Boot Camp in December. After graduating from boot camp he attended infantry training and his MOS School. Keith was assigned to 2nd Force Service Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC. Later in his 7 1/2 years in the Marine Corps he was assigned to 3rd Bn 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division. Keith later enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, serving 25 years. During this time he went on multiple State Deployments and Federal Deployments. Keith was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom serving in Germany and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During deployment to Iraq he was attached to Special Operation Command performing Combat Service Support for Special Operations. Keith retired from the U.S. Army in 2012, obtaining the rank of E-8 First Sergeant.

Keith was a Wheeling Police Officer, retiring after 25 years with his final assignment as an Investigator for 15 years, with 3 years spent with the Joint Terrorism Task Force working with the FBI out of Clarksburg, WV. He then worked for the WV Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for 8 years before retiring.

During his American Legion career he served as Post Adjutant, Vice Commander, and Commander. At the district level he served as the 1st District Adjutant and Service Officer. At the Department level he served as Sergeant at Arms, Department Vice Commander, Department Assistant Membership Chairman, and currently Department Membership Chairman.

Keith has two sons, a daughter, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Keith currently lives in Wheeling.