I Am The American Legion - Krista Mette

Krista Mette is not just the first female commander of Post 924 in Teutopolis, Ill. The 29-year-old is also a new mother.

Though Mette is busy at work and home, she places a high importance on serving veterans.

“With The American Legion, even though there is a huge age gap and we are all different, we all have something in common: we want to help each other, and we will help each other when we are in need,” says Mette, an Army veteran of the Iraq war. “I joined the Legion because I like helping others and I like to volunteer in our community.”

As post commander, Mette has been planning events, raising donations for programs and interacting with the media to promote the Legion all while working full time as a paralegal and raising her 8-month-old son, Oliver.

“By joining The American Legion, you’re not just improving someone else’s life,” Mette says. “You’re improving your own life because you are learning new skills, new trades, and you have a common goal to help veterans. 

“When I was pregnant, I think some of them (post members) thought I was done. But life goes on. The benefit that you receive personally and the impact you can make on someone else’s life is more important than missing that hour a week that you sit and watch television.” 

Mette and her husband, Aaron – also a member of Post 924 – signed Oliver up as a Sons of the American Legion member upon his birth. 

 

“He’ll (Oliver) have the opportunity to come to meetings, be a part of the Legion Family and see others being active, volunteering and helping out a good cause,” Mette says. “It’s important to us that he’s an SAL member because he will know how to thank veterans for their service and dedication to our country.”