Immediate Past Department of Maryland Commander David Heredia chose Be the One as one of his themes for the department convention.
On his final day as American Legion Department of Maryland commander, David Heredia listened as the strains of Queen’s “We Are the Champions” played through the convention hall in Ocean City in mid-July.
It’s a song that resonates with Heredia. He likens the lyrics to what The American Legion has provided him and others in the way of support. He also sees the song tying into the Legion’s Be the One program, a mission Heredia promoted as often as possible during his tenure as Maryland’s commander, as well as his them for the year, “Champions of Hope.”
“When I became department commander, I thought long and hard, ‘What can I do to inspire our department to do what we’re supposed to do for the betterment of those we serve and their families?’” Heredia said. “I was listening to Queen, and the song came up. If you listen to the lyrics, ‘I’ve paid my dues, time after time. I've done my sentence, but committed no crime’, you see how that connects to what we do in The American Legion. It reflects our sacrifices as veterans that we made throughout our service. We paid our dues to protect and defend our nation.
“The American Legion honors this commitment by ensuring that the voices of those we serve, and their contributions, are recognized, and their sacrifices are valued. That’s where the Be the One and ‘Champions of Hope’ tied in at our department convention.”
Maryland’s department convention kicks off with a fish fry and ends with the election of a new state commander. “Throughout that time, our convention … was more than just a meeting,” Heredia said. “It was a gathering of purpose, passion and unity. From the pageantry of the opening ceremony to the heartfelt remembrance of the post everlasting, every moment was a reminder of our sacred mission. And that’s how we kept (Be the One) going.”
But long before that, Heredia was all in on Be the One. He chose Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation as his commander’s fundraiser and also secured more than $100,000 raised. Among the areas where that money will go to is enhancing access to mental health and wellness services, which Heredia believes is in alignment with Be the One.
Since its inception, supporting and promoting Be the One has been a priority for Heredia. “As veterans, we all have voices in our head. And each one of us handles those voices a little differently,” he said. “I’ve had friends that struggled, and some are still struggling. And I myself have struggled with guilt and the things that have happened through my military service.
“When the Be the One mission came out, the initiative and the movement behind it – having everyone in the Legion Family be the one to listen without judgment and be the one to reduce the stigma around mental health, and to be the one to help save a life – it resonated with me.”
Falling in line with Be the One and the Legion’s Buddy Check program was Heredia’s creation of a series of Patriot Social Hours throughout his year, Through the program, members of the department’s Legion Family meet up at an area restaurant for a few hours to enjoy camaraderie amongst both themselves and members of the community, who also are invited to attend.
And now that his time is over as department commander, Heredia will continue to promote the Legion and Be the One. He’ll once again serve as assistant chief road captain on this year’s national Legacy Run, and he’s also been invited to speak at different venues.
“Just because my hat changed from white to blue doesn’t mean that I’m done,” he said. “I’m still going to be active. The mission continues on: the mission of Be the One and ‘Champions of Hope.’ I’m not going anywhere … because it’s important to me and my sanity to continue to give back to those still serving and those who served.”
Heredia was inspired to write a poem about Be the One and its mission. Please give it a look:
In the silence of the night so deep,
Where shadows linger, and lost souls weep.
A brother, a sister, burdened with despair,
Wondering if someone will show they care.
We are the voices that answer the call,
A hand to lift, to break the fall.
No one should fight their pain alone,
We stand together—they are known.
Be The One to lift them high,
Be The One to hear their cry.
A shield, a light, a guiding hand,
With strength to help them rise and stand.
Through battles fought and wars now past,
The scars within seem built to last.
Yet hope still shines in hearts so true,
A bond unbroken — red, white, and blue.
We hold the light when darkness looms,
A beacon bright in silent rooms.
No burden left to bear alone,
For every heart, we make it known.
Be The One to lift them high,
Be The One to hear their cry.
A shield, a light, a guiding hand,
With strength to help them rise and stand.
More than a mission, more than a name,
A promise kept, an endless flame.
For every veteran, lost or found,
We build them up — we stand our ground.
Be The One — the rising sun,
Together strong, our fight’s not done.
For every soul who’s lost the fight,
We’ll be their hope, we’ll be their light.
- Be the One