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Dan Wiley Elected 2025 - 2026 National Commander
Newly elected National Commander Dan K. Wiley pledges to continue highlighting Legion’s veteran suicide prevention mission, calls for teamwork among American Legion Family.
Upon being elected 2025–2026 American Legion National Commander on Aug. 28, Kansas Legionnaire Dan K. Wiley took the stage at the organization’s 106th National Convention and thanked all of those who helped him get to this day.
And then he told a story.
It was the story of a young attorney in Wiley’s hometown who, due to various circumstances, was going through a difficult time – one he thought was just physical.
When the attorney went to his doctor for some cold medicine, the doctor noticed a difference in his patient and began asking questions: “Do you value your work? Do others value your work? Do you think you are doing good work?” The attorney said he just wanted his cold prescription, but the doctor didn’t let it go. He asked the attorney if he was considering self‑harm and offered to provide some medication to address that.
After a week, the attorney admitted he could not think clearly. “It’s like I’m driving a car, and it is foggy, and I cannot get the defroster to work. I can stay on task and get things done, but I can’t see ahead.” He agreed to take the prescription for 30 days, which improved his condition considerably, and was advised to continue the medication for one year.
But a few months later, the attorney decided to apply for a vacant judgeship – but then realized that the application called for disclosing current medications taken, but not past medications.
“Well, you can see this train wreck coming,” Wiley said. “It’s the most attorney thing ever: ‘I’m going to stop taking the medication, and then when I sign that form in 30 days, I don’t have to disclose it." “It’s the stigma, right? It’s the stigma of mental health that we’re combating. Trying to let people know it’s OK not to be OK.”
The attorney called his doctor to inform him he was going to stop taking the medication. But the doctor wasn’t hearing it, telling the attorney that those reviewing the application would judge the attorney based on his ability and character, and would see it as a positive as someone helping himself. Then the doctor explained that roughly 20 percent of the population will have a depressive episode in their life.“You are not alone,” said the doctor.
The attorney agreed, continued to take the medication and ended up becoming a state court judge. But that career now has come to end. Kansas Circuit Court Judge Dan K. Wiley is now American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley. “That’s why the Be the One mission is important to me. It’s personal,” Wiley told convention delegates. “I can’t tell you that Dr. Richard Whitlow saved my life. I can tell you he made a difference in my life. He made it better.”
Continuing Be the One, the Legion’s suicide prevention program, is one of Wiley’s priorities for the upcoming. The others are his slogan “Better Together”, The American Legion legislative agenda; the Veterans and Children Foundation; celebrating America’s 250th birthday; and what he said are the three Cs: communication, community and camaraderie.
A U.S. Air Force veteran and cattleman, Wiley is a paid‑up‑for‑life member of Byron H. Mehl American Legion Post 23 in Leavenworth and is a past department commander of the Kansas American Legion. He also served as Kansas’ National Executive Committeeman.
He spent Thursday’s remarks focusing on Be the One and “Better Together.” “Be the One is a personal and passionate mission for me,” Wiley said. “Taking care of one another is what we do. It’s who we are.” Wiley’s theme of “Better Together” focuses on the American Legion Family. “I am a big believer in the American Legion Family,” he said. “Those posts that are successful are the ones that are inclusive and not exclusive. They’re the ones that operate in unity with the units, squadrons, and chapters. Those are the successful posts: the ones that care about the mission and helping each other. Taking care of one another.
“But better together has an even deeper meaning. We use phrases like ‘I’ve got your 6’ and ‘I’ve got your back.’ Those are not just nice sayings. It’s what we were trained to do when we served. It’s human nature. It’s who we are.”
To illustrate his point, Wiley related how in December 2023 he received a phone call from American Legion Past National Commander Jake Comer, who had received an email from a disgruntled former litigant. “My first reaction was that I’m not too worried about someone attacking me. I’m used to it as a judge,” Wiley said. “But when you start bothering my friends it upsets me. And I was mad.” Wiley said he called Comer back, and the past national commander quickly realized Wiley was upset. “About 10 seconds into the conversation … he said, ‘Dan, we had that forwarded to you for your situational awareness. We’re not concerned about you. We know who you are,’” Wiley recalled. “And then the four words that mattered the most: ‘We got your back.’ That’s all I needed to hear. Powerful words in that moment.”
Wiley plans to pay that forward to the men and women he will lead over the next 12 months. “This next year, as your national commander, I’ve got your back,” he said. “The American Legion has had your back since 1919. The American Legion had your back in the 1920s when we advocated for the creation of the Veterans Bureau, which eventually became Veterans Affairs. The American Legion had your back in 1944 when we advocated the GI Bill of Rights. The American Legion had your back in 1983 when we alone funded a study on the disastrous effects of Agent Orange, which culminated with Congress passing the Agent Orange Act in 1991.
“And most recently, The American Legion had your back with the passage of the PACT Act. The American Legion had your back yesterday. The American Legion has your back today. And The American Legion will have your back tomorrow. As long as America exists, and as long as there are veterans, there will be an American Legion – and we will have your back.”
Additional National Officers elected or appointed Thursday during the national convention:
- National Vice Commander Jan D. “JD” Larson, Disney-Bell Post 66, Bowie, MD.
- National Vice Commander Stephen T. Weismann, Sgt. Donnie E. Horton Post 254, Collinwood, TN.
- National Vice Commander Benjamin E. (Ben) Headen, Roy Fourr Post 24, Tombstone, AZ.
- National Vice Commander Jerry Landkamer, Post 16, Norfolk, NE.
- National Vice Commander Ron LaRose, Post 19, Bristol, VT.
- National Chaplain Michael Pollitt, Post 22, Lebanon, NH.
- National Sergeant-at-Arms Gaylord K. Sanneman, Post 253, Maquette, KS.
- National Historian David W. Lockhart, Horace D. Washburn Post 533, Corinth, NY.
Upcoming Meetings
| District | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th | Sep 6, 2025 | 9:00 AM | Post 388 – Haughton, LA |
| 2nd | Sep 13, 2025 | 9:00 AM | Post 397 – Harahan, LA |
| 1st | Sep 13, 2025 | 1:00 PM | Piccadilly Cafeteria – Metairie, LA |
| 7th | Sep 14, 2025 | — | Post 77 – Rayne, LA |
| 3rd | Sep 27–28, 2025 | 9:00 AM | Post 69 – Lafayette, LA |
| 8th | Oct 12, 2025 | 9:00 AM | Post 145 – Leesville, LA |
| 5th | Oct 11, 2025 | 9:00 AM | Post 521 – Monroe, LA |
2026 Dates
| Event / District | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid Winter Conference | Jan 23–26, 2026 | — | Best Western, Alexandria, LA |
| Washington, DC Conference | Feb 28–Mar 6, 2026 | — | Washington, DC |
| 2nd District | Mar 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Post 350 – Metairie, LA |
| 1st District | Mar 7, 2026 | 1:00 PM | Piccadilly Cafeteria – Metairie, LA |
| 3rd District | Mar 14–15, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Marriott Hotel – Houma, LA |
| 6th District | Mar 21, 2026 | 9:00 AM | TBA |
| 4th District | Mar 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Post 182 – Ringgold, LA |
| 7th District | Mar 8, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Post 1 – Lake Charles, LA |
| 8th District | Apr 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Post 387 – New Llano, LA |
| 5th District | Apr 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Post 51 – Monroe, LA |
| Annual Convention | Jun 11–14, 2026 | 8:00 AM | Best Western, Alexandria, LA |
| Boys State | Jun 21–27, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Southeastern LA University – Hammond, LA |
2025–2026 Officers
YOUR Officers for 2025 -2026
- Commander – Oliver Moore III
- NEC – Rudy Bourg Sr.
- ANEC – Byron Comeaux
- Vice Commander – Dennis Hart
- Vice Commander – Sidney A. Parfait
- Sergeant at Arms – Wayne Dommert
- Color Bearers – John Prince; Darren Duvall
- Judge Advocate – William “Bill” Stroud
- Chaplain – Keith Fontenot
- Historian – Warren Brandon
- Adjutant – Bob Chenier
- Assistant Adjutant – Tony L. Betts
Commander’s Corner
We just completed our 2025 DEC in Alexandria. I think it was a very successful meeting. Several of our commissions met to conduct business and plan for the upcoming year. We had a lot of open dialogue and laid the groundwork for a very successful year.
I have just returned from the 106th National Convention in Tampa, FL and we are ALL excited about the future of THE DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA. But we need YOUR help. Be a Member of TEAM OLIVER.
I would ask everyone to please get your membership in as quickly as you can so that we can put our best foot forward and assist OUR veterans. Together Everyone Accomplishes More.
Big Changes on the Horizon
For the first time in many years, we have updated our website. It is actually a brand new site. Please log on to www.lalegion.org and check out the changes. While you can download forms, check out dates of meetings and other special events, the best is yet to come.
Click on Programs (Boys State, Baseball, etc.) for news and updates. Click on Events for a calendar of events. You can download required forms now; in the very near future, you will be able to complete and submit forms online.
You can pay dues online right now via mylegion.org. We will work to enable dues directly to the Department. You can also check out current and past membership reports.
If you have something going on at your Post, District, Chapter, or Commission, please send it to Bob and we will publish it on the website as well as in the next Legionnaire.
The American Legion National Commander for 2025-2026 shared his priorities during the National Membership Workshop.
Kansas Legionnaire Dan K. Wiley handed attendees at the 62nd American Legion National Membership Workshop in Indianapolis on Saturday, Aug. 9, a 3x5 notecard with six items listed. They are his priorities if elected national commander for 2025-2026. During his remarks to workshop attendees, Wiley briefly addressed a few of the six priorities.
- Be the One – the Legion's mission to end veteran suicide. "We are going to continue the mission – Be the One," Wiley said. "One thing I would encourage you to do when you talk about it, is steer people toward the Columbia Protocol training. Have them take that training. (Sign up for a free online class to save a life.) Be the One is going to continue to be at the forefront."
- Better Together – "I'm a strong believer in the American Legion Family. The posts that are successful are the posts that are inclusive and not exclusive – they are the posts that include the (Auxiliary) units, (Sons of The American Legion) squadrons and (Legion Rider) chapters. It's not about the power, it's about the mission. Those are the posts that are successful and that's why it's my second priority."
- Legislative Agenda – The American Legion's Grassroots Action Center is a platform for connecting American Legion members and advocates with their members of Congress on Legion legislative issues. Legion Family members can sign up for legislative alerts to stay informed of American Legion legislative campaigns and to contact their representatives for support.
- The 3 C's – Communication – Wiley challenged everyone at the National Membership Workshop to examine their communication efforts to posts and districts. Community – "When you go into a post, don't talk to them about membership – talk to them about the things they can do raise visibility in the community," Wiley said. Camaraderie – "Let's do our Buddy Checks. That goes back to again, taking care of one another."
- Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF) – The foundation provides one-time Temporary Financial Assistance grants of up to $2,500 for active-duty military families and Legion members with young children in the home who are experiencing financial hardship. And it trains American Legion accredited service officers who provide benefits claims assistance for veterans and their families, free of charge.
- USA 250 Challenge – The American Legion launched its USA 250 Challenge last month to celebrate America's 250th birthday and raise funds for V&CF. Between now and July 4, 2026, the challenge encourages Legion Family and community members to engage in 250 miles or hours in one, two or all three of the categories – fitness, mental wellness and community service. Register for the USA 250 Challenge.
Will you be a member of his team?
Moving to the Digital Age
At the DEC, the Finance Commission requested authority from the DEC to revamp our website and to add quite a few new age things to it. We have big plans to make it easier for YOU to stay engaged with the American Legion. We want to be able to get news out quicker, allow for you to move through the website to items you want to see with as few clicks as possible. Be on the lookout for a Louisiana Department FACEBOOK Page and an INSTAGRAM account. If you are a Post Commander, a District Commander, area commander or just a Legionnaire in contact with members of your post members, PLEASE ask them to go onto MYLEGION.ORG and add their email address to their record. REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR Department. Your Officers want to keep you informed and engaged.
Byron Comeaux, Alternate National Executive Committeeman
He is a Strong advocate for Veterans and Children and Youth. He is also a BIG PROPONENT of BE THE ONE. Byron is always active promoting The American Legion Department of Louisiana and works for ALL Veterans.
He is also famous for his "COMEAUX EXPRESS".
Boys State 2025
Boys State Chair Tina Cielatka and Commander Oliver Moore III welcomed 226 citizens to Southeast Louisiana University in Hammond, LA on Sunday June 22, 2025. Many Department Officers and Sons of the American Legion officers, including National Vice Commander John Lawrence, were at the opening ceremonies. Several Boys State commission members also attended to help with registration and orientation. THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE PROMINENT PROGRAMS FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION. On Saturday July 26 at the DEC the Boys State Commission decided to commit to holding Boys' State at Southeastern Louisiana University for the next 5 years.
Bossier Phillies repeat as Mid South Regional Champs
The Bossier Phillies repeated as Mid South Regional Champions in Washington, Missouri and returned to the American Legion World Series.
They rolled through the tournament undefeated as they won a hard fought game against the Southland Hogs from Houma in the Championship Game. The Phillies will head to Washington, Missouri to try and repeat their championship run. They advanced to the Championship round by going 2 - 1 in pool play but unfortunately ran into a HOT League City, TX team and were eliminated in the semifinals.
Adjutant’s Message
Adjutant’s Message – Bob Chenier
It has been a busy first few months as your new Adjutant. I compare it to reporting to a new command. At first you feel like you are drinking from a fire hose, then you start settling in.
Part of that 'settling in' was being at the National Convention in Tampa, FL. Our new Commander is Dan Wiley out of Kansas. You will get to meet him at our Mid-Winter Conference in January. You will also get to meet Jay Bowen, Leading Candidate for National Commander next year.
I will be heading out to each of your Fall Conferences through September and October. Besides the normal handouts, I will be bringing copies of the award packages for 2025-2026. These will also be mailed out with the packages for Mid- Winter and Annual Conventions. I am also bringing the latest version of the Post Commander and Post Adjutant guides for distribution to Posts.
The Department of Louisiana has met the first National Membership Target of 50% by September 10th. We are presently at 50.284% (as of 9/3/25). Congratulations to each of you for the hard work! The next Target date is October 15th and the goal is 55%.
If you need anything, the Department staff is standing by to help.
Keep up the great work supporting Veterans, their families, and the communities where you are located!
Proudly serving again, Bob Chenier Department Adjutant
American Legion Baseball is more than athletics
Crowley Miller’s Zeke Wall, from Iota, LA, was named to the national American Legion Baseball All-Academic Team.
CROWLEY – Zeke Wall’s four-year athletic and academic career at Iota High School has been nothing short of stellar.
On the field, the two-sport athlete (football and baseball) excelled and his accolades range from multiple All-District and All-State honors in both sports, leading him to sign a baseball scholarship with Bossier Parish Community College.
He was also outstanding in the classroom where he finished with a 4.14 grade point average during his time at Iota and earned countless honors for his academic success.
However, arguably his biggest accomplishment yet came on Sunday during the American Legion Baseball World Series when it was announced that Wall was one of nine players nationwide to be named to the American Legion Baseball All-Academic Team, sponsored by Diamond Sports.
Wall, who played the last three summers for the Post 15 Crowley Millers, was the first player from Louisiana to be named to the team since 2006, when Ryan Scott from Archbishop Rummel was honored.
“This is a pretty prestigious honor,” said Louisiana American Legion State Baseball Commissioner Sidney Parfait. “It’s an honor to the state, the young man and his parents as well as his coaches and the Crowley team. All of that goes into it. Teamwork and sportsmanship teaches him how to conduct himself, and it starts with the parents. We take a lot of pride in him earning this honor.”
Prior to the World Series, it was announced that Wall was the winner of the Louisiana American Legion Baseball Scholarship, which awarded him a $500 prize. Scholarship winners from each state then were eligible for the National All-Academic team, which nets another scholarship of $2,500 for the nine players selected.
“There’s only nine members on this team out of the entire country,” said Parfait. “Nine out of what, maybe 50,000 young men. That’s pretty impressive.”
There were 3,000 American Legion teams in the country in 2025 with a roster capacity of 18 players.
While Wall is exceptional both on the field and in the classroom, he found time out of his demanding schedule to give back to his community by volunteering for a number of extracurricular events. He was a volunteer at St. Joseph Catholic Church for events as well as at the United Way of Lafayette and numerous other activities at school, as well as at the Iota Recreation Department where he not only umpired during his free time, but also coached.
“Zeke was a high-test score guy, a high GPA guy and more than that, he was extremely helpful at Iota High School,” said IHS principal Coby Wallace. “Anything you ever needed extra, Zeke was always volunteering. He was just the epitome of a student athlete. If he wasn’t an athlete, he still would have been a standout here just because of his academics and his service to the school.”
The work ethic his parents, Jeptha and Lee Ann Wall, instilled in him throughout his life became evident at a young age and has not faltered through and beyond his high school years.
“You know, being a two-sport athlete, and there’s always practice, but he went above and beyond,” said Wallace. “If the lights are on in the cage later in the evening, Zeke is in there. Athletically, he was always in the cage, but academically, he always found a way to exceed what he had to do. He is always finding some way to be excellent and I don’t think they could have picked a better person for this award.”
Chris Quebedeaux Millers’ Coach and Journalist for the Crowley Post Signal
Chris Quebedeaux — Millers’ Coach and Journalist for the Crowley Post Signal
Vice Commander Dennis Hart
Congratulations to all the newly elected officers! I wish you well in your new positions.
Now is a good time to start on your membership goal for the coming year. Remember, no one sees you inside your post. Be VISIBLE in your community.
Together we can build a greater Legion.
Vice Commander Sidney A. Parfait, CPA
Everyone told me that MEMBERSHIP is my PRIMARY responsibility as Vice Commander, but I quickly learned that it was not true. MEMBERSHIP is EVERYONE's responsibility. We can do many more things for Veterans, the youth of Louisiana and our communities if we grow.
I would like to stress that in 2025 - 2026 we need more CPR - Consolidated Post Reports. In 2024 - 2025 Louisiana only submitted 19 CPRs. We need to do much better this coming year. I am asking all adjutants and Post Commanders to begin your CPRs this week. You can begin online and as you accomplish something, you can update it and then when April gets here, all you have to do is hit submit and we can help National and our Department Leaders represent us before Congress with AMMUNITION to get better treatment for ALL Veterans.
The DEC was very well attended and we accomplished a lot of work. Most of the commission meetings had standing room only. All of the seats were filled and Legionnaires expressed their opinions so that the Commissions would know what they wanted to do in the upcoming year. While the Finance Commission could not fulfill every commission's wish list in their requested budget, the Commission did recommend a sustainable budget to the DEC and with concurrence from Internal Affairs, the DEC adopted the budget.
Pictures from the 106th National Convention - courtesy of PNChaplain Gerald Theriot
