By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The National Commander of the American Legion, Charles E. Schmidt, made a number of stops in Kansas this week as he tours the world meeting with Legion members.
On Tuesday, he was in Hays at the American Legion Post 173 to meet with members of the local post.
Schmidt, who is the first National Commander from Oregon, said he is meeting with Legionnaires and their families to thank them for all they do for their fellow veterans, their families and America.
“Let them know that I and also 2.2 million other members appreciate what they are doing for our fellow veterans and their families and also for America,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt resides in Hines, Ore., and said his eastern Oregon post is in a rural community that faces many of the same issues American Legion posts in Kansas face.
“Young people, when they get out of high school and leave to go to college or even go in the military,” Schmidt said, “it’s a while before they return back home.”
When that happens, he said, it affects Legion post membership and it is the members that run the programs that benefit veterans, their families and the community.
Quality accessible health care for veterans and health care through the Veterans Administration is also weighing on the American Legion.
Schmidt said they are a nonpartisan group and said they want the best for the veterans.
“We’re going to tell it like it is,” Schmidt said. “We’re going to be honest and it’s best for our veterans, their families and also the national security of the United States of America.”
He said that is the message he wanted to impart on Legionnaires, Auxiliary members and the Sons of the American Legion.
Schmidt is a Vietnam veteran and said they make up the biggest membership group in the American Legion and it is important to continue leaving a lasting legacy.
“We’re getting ready to celebrate 100 years of service to this country, to fellow veterans, and we need to carry that legacy on, forward,” Schmidt said. “To use a Navy term, ‘It’s our watch’ or as we say in the Air Force where I served, ‘We got the stick.’ ”
Schmidt also visited Hays in February to attend the Department of Kansas’ mid-year meeting. At that time, Schmidt was just a candidate for the National Commander position. He was elected Sept. 1.
He is in the middle of 88 straight days on the road and will make stops all across the world this year to talk with American Legion members and their families.