History has been made once again in The American Legion Department of Arkansas.
For only the second time in nearly 100 years, a husband and wife are leading the department as American Legion commander and Auxiliary president. J.W. and Carol Smith, members of Post and Unit 29 in Siloam Springs, were both elected June 12 during the Department of Arkansas’ convention in North Little Rock.
“This is a good opportunity for veterans and Legionnaires to realize that The American Legion is a family organization,” J.W. said. “When you’re working together, you’re stronger together. We are a Legion family.”
While they have simultaneously held the position of post commander and unit president, they didn't forsee leading the department together.
Upon J.W. announcing his candidacy last year for Department of Arkansas commander, Auxiliary members encouraged Carol to run for president – having a husband and wife lead the department was viewed as an opportunity to help “improve communications between the Legion and Auxiliary,” J.W. said. Carol was approached a few years ago to run for department president and respectfully declined, but this time around she said yes and is glad she did. “I am really enjoying it; I really am,” Carol said. “Communication is a vital part of our Legion family. We can all work together to make it larger, make it better.”
Married for nearly 53 years, J.W. and Carol have had great success working as a team at the post and unit level. As Post 29 commander, J.W. helped grow membership from 63 to 202 members; as Unit 29 president, Carol helped grow membership from 12 to 72 members. J.W. attributes membership growth to “a little thing called teamwork, recognition of your Legionnaires, welcoming of all new members, encouraging your members, and offering praise and recognition when a job is well-done,” he said.
For Carol, membership growth makes “me feel proud,” she said. “I enjoy working with the ladies and the things that we do in the community to help the veterans.”
J.W. and Carol are proud of one another for earning the opportunity to lead the Department of Arkansas as Legion commander and Auxiliary president for 2016-17.
“My wife is one hell of a leader. She has the ability to get people to work together and not against one another,” J.W. said. “I am so proud that she decided to run for (department president). She has the skills to lead and to manage.”
“I am proud that we are president and commander at the same time,” Carol said. “We work pretty good together. And I think it shows The American Legion family that we can all work together.”
J.W. views the strong, successful working relationship that he and Carol share as a benefit to both the Legion and Auxiliary.
“We work together well and because of our working relationship it’s going to help with the programs of our department and help increase the camaraderie within our two organizations,” J.W. said. “I can’t help but think this is a good thing for our Legion family.”
