I Am The American Legion - Bob Skinner

Bob Skinner is determined to increase the visibility of veterans. “One of my personal goals, as commander of the local American Legion, is to get as many veterans in schools as I can so that kids see veterans as people, not something they read about in a book,” Skinner says. “We need to learn from history. A lot of that history is living in veterans.”

Even the youngest students are responding.

“I was walking down the hall at a school on Veterans Day last year, and a little boy comes up to me and salutes me and says, ‘Mister, you’re my hero,’” Skinner says. “It chokes you up.”

Skinner’s Post 56 in Idaho Falls is the community’s go-to place for veterans, whether the need is a ceremonial team for a graveside service or an honor guard for Memorial Day. The post did nearly two dozen presentations last Veterans Day alone – one reason it received the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award a few years ago, and why membership is flourishing. “Our biggest recruiting tool is being out there,” Skinner says.

The post is best known for organizing Idaho’s oldest rodeo, the War Bonnet Roundup, of which Skinner is chairman. Started by veterans over a century ago, it’s been run by the Legion for all but three years since the 1920s. Every evening includes special recognition for veterans. When a pickup full of veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan entered the arena on the final night of this year’s rodeo, the audience rose with shouts and applause.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Skinner says, “making our veterans proud they served their country.”

Branch of Service
Navy (1968-1976), Navy Reserve (1978-2007)
MOS
Nuclear machinist mate, engineering duty officer
Rank at discharge
Captain
American Legion Post
Bonneville Post 56, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Years in The American Legion 30

Veterans Activities

  • Post commander (2008-present)
  • State vice commander, Area C (2013-present)
  • Post 56 executive board chairman (2008-present)
  • Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Commission chairman (2008-present)
  • Military Officers Association of America – Eastern Idaho board member