You are Team 100

As I prepare to lead The American Legion during its centennial year, I believe this is an opportunity to promote and educate communities nationwide about the organization’s history, four pillars, programs, and contributions to veterans and their families. To support this effort, I have chosen Team 100 to be our centennial membership theme - to bring all our resources to bear, increase our membership and start our second century of service off on the right foot.

You, my fellow Legionnaires, are Team 100. And I need your commitment to achieve this success, just as you once committed yourself to serving your country.
If we use the Team 100 concept effectively and everyone takes ownership, we can’t fail. Remember that each of us are stakeholders in this great organization.

Team 100 includes every member of the American Legion Family who has the talent and ability to guide our organization to achieve an increase in membership to begin our next 100 years. Eligible members are out there. Our role is to find them, to educate them about The American Legion, and to engage them, make them feel welcome and encourage them to participate.

During my national commander campaign travels to American Legion departments, I met a Legionnaire in Montana that was a recruiter. He came to me and said, “You know those future members are out there. They just need to be asked to be Legionnaires.” And he’s absolutely right.
A wise man once said, “In order to succeed, we must believe that we can.” I not only believe that we can, I know we can. I truly believe that you are the right team at the right time.

Success isn’t just about what you accomplished in your life. It’s about what you inspire others to do. I want to see us inspire each other. As a former grunt, I picked the infantry motto, “Follow me.” So follow me as we go forth to make history of our own.
Team 100!