American Legion National Commander James E. Koutz, Booneville, Indiana, wants to increase membership in the nation’s oldest veterans organization.

Koutz is in the midst of a four-day tour of Kansas, where he’s visiting 19 American Legion Posts, including #173 in Hays.

During a breakfast meeting Wednesday, Koutz talked about his goal of 3.5 million members by 2019, the American Legion’s 100th year.

“We need to recruit younger veterans and also emphasize what the American Legion does for the general public, including sponsorship of Boys and Girls State, American Legion baseball, Junior Shooting Sports and our oratorical contest,” Koutz says.

Koutz is a Vietnam War veteran, serving in the U-S Army between 1969 and 1971.