About

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 William Haught

Born and raised in Follansbee in Brooke County, he lived there all his life and attended public schools graduating in 1968 from Follansbee High School. Commander Haught attended West Liberty College for on year then joined the Navy in June 1969. After boot camp he served on the USS Hank (DD 702). Then it was Washington, DC for further assignment. He had to take a complete physical and the eye doctor said he couldn't stay because of a birth defect in his eyes. He was honorably discharged from active duty in August of 1970.

When he got back home, he got a job at Weirton Steel Corporation until he retired with 30 years of service in 2001. Commander Haught also served as the Chief of Police from 1977-1979. Then he joined the Brooke County Ambulance Service as CPR/First Aid driver. Commander Haught retired from there in 2006 after 26 years as a National Registry EMT/Paramedic. Commander Haught also taught the difference aspects of emergency medicine after completing classes at WVNCC and WVU.

Commander Haught's father signed him up as a member and he has held many office in his Post including Adjutant when his father was Post Commander in 1984-1985.

Commander Haught was elected Commander of his Post in June of 2010 and served until July of 2015. Then he served as Finance Officer from July 2015 till July 2021. Commander Haught served 8 years as the First District Adjutant and gave that up this year to become Department Commander.

Commander Haught's goal for his term in office is to bring our Posts and Districts up to 100%. The COVID pandemic has hurt our membership. Now is the time to begin working on getting our membership back up a lot higher than what it has been the last 2 years. The Department membership team, Commander Haught included, District Commanders and Vice Commanders, and Post membership teams need to get on the ball and get our members signed up. Commander Haught has a challenge. 100% in 100 days. This starts October 1st till December 31st. Do "Buddy Checks," phone calls, visits and make sure everyone has a blank membership application. The Department membership team and Commander Haught will be checking how your doing and if you need help.

Department Officers

Commander- William Haught, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
Vice Commanders- Charlie Straley, Jane Lew, WV 26378
Vice Commanders - Jeff Wilsey, Lavalette, WV 25535
Vice Commanders - Theo Chambers, Inwood, WV 25428
Judge Advocate - Richard H. Davison, Aleppo, PA 15310
Historian- Robin Shingleton, Shinnston, WV 26431
Sgt.-at-Arms – Richard Crumm, Moundsville, WV 26041
Asst. Sgt.-at-Arms – Mike Immel - Martinsburg, WV 25404
Asst. Sgt.-at-Arms - John Groves - Jane Lew, WV 26378
Asst. Sgt.-at-Arms - Bob Bragg - Charleston, WV 25361
Membership Chairman – Ellis J. Vest Jr., Beckley, WV 25801
Membership Vice-Chairmen– Tom Willis, Fairmont, WV 26554
Membership Vice-Chairmen - Delbert Brannon, Scott Depot, WV 25560
Membership Vice-Chairmen - Matt Sampson, Morgantown, WV 26508
NEC - William Kile, Petersburg, WV 26847
Alternate NEC - Frank Cooley, Welch, WV 24801
Service Officer - Robbie Robinson, Grafton WV 26354
Asst. Service Officer - Doug Robinson, Grafton, WV 26354
Chaplain - David Bush, Hurricane, WV 25526
Adjutant - Miles S. Epling, Charleston, WV 25332

2020-2021 District Officers

Commanders

First District – Richard Crumm, Moundsville, WV 26041
Second District – Frank Mel lie, Morgantown, WV 2650
Third District – Charlie Straley, Jane Lew, WV 26370
Fourth District – Stuart Bennett, Parkersburg, WV 26101
Fifth District – Shannon Harshbarger, Huntington, WV 25704
Sixth District – Ellis J. Vest Jr , Beckley, WV 25801
Eighth District – Sonja Adkins, Hurricane, WV 25526
Ninth District – Donald Lambert, Elkins, WV 26241
Tenth District – Georgina Smith, Capon Bridge, WV 26711

Vice Commanders

First District – Robert Pope, Newell, WV 26050
Second District – Matt Sampson, Morgantown, WV 26508
Third District – Joe Loureiro, Shinnston, WV 26431
Fourth District – James H. Viers, Washington WV 26181
Fifth District – Gary Johngrass, Branchland, WV 25506
Sixth District – Brian Krabbe, Bluefield WV 24701
Eighth District – Andrea Hammock, South Charleston, WV 25303
Ninth District – Ralph Baumgardner, Belington, WV 26250
Tenth District – Jon Rubenstein, Capon Bridge, WV 26711