American Legion Post 347 this week was very excited to be hosting the American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett.
“He requested to visit us and that is a real honor,” said Terry Briggs, Commander of Post 347. “I think he wanted to visit the world’s largest Post.”
The Post in Lady Lake has the distinction of being the largest Post in the organization. Membership now stands at 5,978.
The National Commander has a grueling travel schedule as he is committed to visit Posts in all 50 states; he will also be visiting about a dozen foreign countries during his one-year tenure. He was sworn in on Sept. 3 at the National Convention and will end his term this September. He said that although he will not be planning any travel after that date for a while, he has truly enjoyed the opportunity “to meet all the wonderful caring people in the American Legion.”
He called it a marathon.
“But a fun marathon,” he added.
Each Commander selects a project that will be the focus of his time as commander, something they feel passionate about. For Barnett that is the National Emergency Fund. This fund is set up to assist veterans who have been adversely affected by a flood, hurricane or the like. Barnett said he is very proud that 100 percent of money raised for charities goes to the charities. Overhead costs are taken care of by member dues. He also noted that many Florida veterans have been the recipient of that fund.
Other top issues on the Commander’s agenda are health care for veterans and national security.
“The American Legion is one of the biggest advocates of the VA,” said Barnett. “It is our job to hold individuals accountable. The VA offers the best health care in the world. It is the system to get to that health care that needs fixing.” The American Legion is adamantly against the privatization of health care for veterans.
Barnett, a West Point graduate and commissioned officer in the Army for 22 years, served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. On the topic of national security he said that the severe cutbacks in military manpower and equipment budgeting are risking our national defense. “The Army and Navy are at their lowest level since pre-World War II.” The number of multiple deployments is also a big concern. “There comes a breaking point. Then you are jeopardizing national security.
Following dinner and the Commander’s remarks, Barnett was presented with a check from Post 347 for $1,000 to contribute to the National Emergency Fund. He was also given a Post 347 shirt with his name on it and other Post 347 mementos.
