2022 Legion College class members share their why
The ability to “develop your why” to joining The American Legion and staying in the organization is an agenda item on the National American Legion College schedule. Because “it’s that why that keeps you as a member,” Past National Commander and Legion College Chancellor Dave Rehbein said to the 2022 National Legion College Class in Indianapolis Dec. 11. From there, Rehbein opened the floor for students to share their why. Several Legion College students stood and shared.
“I went to national convention. And when I went to national convention my eyes were opened,” said Tounsel Ventura of Post 109 in Arizona. “I saw what this organization really was. I saw women in leadership. I saw people who looked like me (Black) in leadership. I saw a diverse organization with people from all walks of life, serving in this organization. It was at that point when I bought in.”
In response to Ventura, Rehbein said, “What you’re saying is that diversity that you saw made you feel welcomed.”
“Absolutely. Absolutely,” Ventura responded.
Janice Gravely of Carthage, N.Y., Post 789 also attended a national convention with a positive experience. “After going to my first national convention, it wasn’t about diversity for me (as a Black woman) it was about (feeling seen) as I didn’t know anybody there. I went to the (Department of) New York caucus and everyone was like ‘I’m going to be your mentor. You come sit here.’ It was that even though you didn’t know me personally, you knew me as a part of your military family, and you took the time to make sure I was taken care of. I felt a part of a family. And I will be here until I can’t be here anymore.”
As the only Black female in her post, Gravely added that her Legion post members “are my big brothers. “I’m on this trip and I got people calling me, emailing me, ‘I hope you are OK.’ Or when I’m home, ‘Hey Jan, are you OK. Do you need anything?’ We are starting to do things to reenergize the Legion as a family. And so that keeps me so motivated because we are truly a family. We work very hard to support, take care, reach out to each other.”
For Cornell Penn of Post 38 in Colorado Springs, Colo., it’s the ability to continue serving. “We are all servants. When we were on active duty we served, and we’re looking for another opportunity to serve … it’s just in a different manner. There are more than enough opportunities in The American Legion to find a way to serve.”
Brian Morrison of Post 194 in Michigan joined The American Legion “because I had a responsibility to my fellow veterans, to my brothers and sisters, to at least make sure that they got final honors. Because of that dedication, that sense of responsibility, that’s why I’m still here.”
Marissa LaCourt of Farmington, Minn., Post 1776 “fell in love with The American Legion … they gave me a voice, they gave me a purpose, they gave me direction. So that’s why I stay.”
Rehbein left the students with a challenge following the discussion – to help their fellow post members understand their why. “Create conditions where they can talk about it and know more about themselves. You can therefore help them become better leaders.”
When Rehbein served as national commander (2008-2009), an article about his election was featured in the Iowa Legionnaire, his home state. “One of my friends at home said the reason he should be national commander is because he knows what he believes. I considered that a vast compliment at the time and I still do. So that’s our challenge to know what we believe. Know why we are active in this organization. Not what we do, but why we are active. And how do we communicate that to our people so that they have that same feeling, so that they can step forward and put themselves out there to become leaders.”