'Take what you learn, share it'
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett speaks to Legion College students on Oct. 26, 2015. Photo by Lucas Carter

'Take what you learn, share it'

The 55 Legionnaires attending the 2015 session of American Legion College were greeted this morning by National Commander Dale Barnett, who reminded the students of his three-word motto.

“My motto is 'duty, honor, country.' Those words are powerful words to me,” Barnett said. “I want you to see them with your eyes; I want you to live them in your heart; and I want you to execute them with your body and soul.”

Barnett also reminded the students that the Legion needs a culture of growth as the organization approaches its 100th anniversary. And it starts by them disseminating the information gained this week to members at the post, district and department levels.

“You have to take what you learn this week, and you have to share it. We have to build new leadership in this great organization.

“I thank you for being here; I hope you learn as much as you can. And I hope you work together to build this organization, to make it the greatest (veterans) organization in the world. America needs us.”

Richard Brown, a 2011 Legion College graduate and adjutant of Post 186 in Indianapolis, shared with the students that rising as a leader within the Legion and wanting to make positive changes or implementing new ideas at all levels of the organization sometimes has its setbacks, but “the key is to never give up.” As a young veteran serving in leadership positons at the post and district levels, Brown said he has encountered opposition but found that “common ground can be found over a cup of coffee.”

“There have been years when I was completely shut out, and now I’m the leading candidate for (Indiana) department vice commander,” he said. “A lot of the intergenerational strike is, are you in it for the right reasons. We have to show that we are doing this for the right reason: not to promote ourselves, but because we believe in this organization and what we do for our fellow veterans. Find people who support you in your leadership role, and keep building that list. Your capabilities and your influence will grow as well.”

Brown echoed Barnett’s sentiments that students need to take the knowledge gained throughout the week and share it.

“All of you will receive a Legion College alumni pin, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t go back to your departments, humbly, pushing to serve,” he said. “It's not what you know; it's how much you care. You have to go back to your department willing to serve, to further the interest of the organization, to serve your fellow veterans, and to not get discouraged.”

Tomorrow, the students will watch and discuss a leadership video and learn how to develop an American Legion College at the post level. They will also continue to write resolutions and develop leadership roles for post commander and adjutant, and district/county commander.