Joseph Michaud
2026-27 American Legion State Commander
Joseph Michaud of Hamlin, Maine, and a member of Madawaska Post 147, was elected State Commander of The American Legion, Department of Maine during the 107th Annual State Convention at Jeff's Catering & Event Center in Brewer on June 13, 2026.

2026-27 Commander's Project
Special Olympics

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THE AMERICAN LEGION  
NATIONAL COMMANDER
Jay Bowen

Jay Bowen, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was elected National Commander of the country’s largest veterans organization on Sept. 3, 2026, during The American Legion’s 107th National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

A retired chief warrant officer three, Bowen worked in radar and missile maintenance on HAWK and Patriot systems. His 20-year Army career included service in Operation Desert Shield.

Following his military service, Bowen worked in the private sector in roles including distribution management and telecommunications engineering. He built a preventive maintenance program for baked beans manufacturer Bush Brothers & Company. He later worked in federal defense contracting. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Arkansas University, graduating summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts degree from Webster University.

Bowen has held numerous leadership positions within The American Legion at the post, district, department (state), and national levels. A Paid Up For Life member of Neal Thomas Jr.-Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs, Colo., he is a past commander of the Department of Colorado. At the national level, he has served as chairman of the Veterans Employment and Education Commission, chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, and chairman of the Membership and Post Activities Committee, among other roles.

As national commander, Bowen emphasizes The American Legion’s mission of service through his theme, “Be Part of the Solution (B.P.O.T.S.),” encouraging members to engage actively in their communities, support veterans, and their families, and advance the organization’s legislative priorities. He is a staunch advocate for The American Legion “Be the One” mission to prevent veteran suicide.

Bowen and his wife, Jackie, have two sons and four grandchildren, all members of The American Legion Family. Their oldest grandson recently married a very nice lady with three sons, so they are now great-grandparents.

National Commander Bowen's Incentive Program
National Commander Bowen's 100% American Legion Family Ribbon Program
National Commander Bowen's 103 Percent Membership Incentive Program

 To learn more about National Commander Bowen,  click here or visit www.legion.org .  

American Legion Family USA 250 Challenge

American Legion
Post Service Officer Training
Post Service Officer Training for October 28th has been canceled. The next class is on November 15th.. 

American Legion Be the One Campaign

Today, the #1 issue facing those who served is veteran suicide. According to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. 17 veterans still die by suicide each day, or more than 6,000 each year. The rate of suicide for veterans is more than 50% higher than that of non-veteran adults.

The American Legion is activating a national platform to end veteran suicide. - The Be the One campaign will: Destigmatize asking for mental health support, creating opportunities for those with mental health issues to speak freely and get the support they need; Provide peer-to-peer support and resources in local communities; Deploy FDA-approved therapeutics for veterans to identify issues and find resources for support.  
What To Know... 

 
A Complete Overview of MyLegion.org

Includes New Updated Instructions/Information on
How to Register an Account, Manage Groups, Process Membership, View Reports, and More!

Download a copy to learn more! (Available in  PDF or PPTX format)

A Complete Overview of MyLegion.org - PDF format  
A Complete Overview of MyLegion.org - Powerpoint (PPTX Format)  

Note: The last Tuesday of each month American Legion National Headquarters staff will present 60 to 90-minute sessions on topics aimed at post commanders and adjutants. Each session will be recorded and made available for later viewing. Please visit Training Tuesdays  for the next scheduled training session. 

Important Dates