American Legion National Commander Jay Bowen shared the tasks during his opening remarks to the National Executive Committee at National Headquarters.
Send messages to Congress, visit military bases to support servicemembers, promote Get Out the Vote, recruit and be part of the solution were five tasks American Legion National Commander Jay Bowen presented to the National Executive Committee (NEC) during his remarks Wednesday morning at National Headquarters for Fall Meetings.
The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA), the GI Bill Parity Act and SHIPS for America Act are a few of The American Legion’s legislative priorities and important issues facing today’s veterans, Bowen said.
Bowen encouraged the NEC and other Legion leadership at The American Legion National Headquarters to send messages to their members of Congress through the Grassroots Action Center about these issues affecting veterans. Legion Family members already have sent more than 91,000 emails in support of TCAVA. Click here to send your message now.
The Grassroots Action Center “allows you to easily relay your support for our priorities to Congress,” Bowen said. “Our priorities and our support for the military are essential given the dangers we face today.”
Bowen referenced how last week, British authorities arrested five men for allegedly planning an explosive attack on U.S. Air Force personnel at the Fairford Royal Airbase. “Even though the threat isn’t always obvious, our troops are always in harm’s way,” Bowen said, adding this is why The American Legion has always advocated for a strong national defense as part of its National Security pillar. “The American Legion will always fight for our military to receive the firepower, training and resources it needs to succeed on the battlefield. And today’s battlefield isn’t always a ‘field.’ It includes the sea, air, cyber and space.”
STORY CONTINUES AFTER VIDEO
American Legion staff and the Department of Florida recently visited Patrick Space Force Base as part of the Legion’s Base Assessment and Servicemember Experience (BASE) program.
“These BASE visits are enormously helpful to our efforts as advocates. Not only do they help with our communications to Congress, but they also send an important message to members of the military that they have friends in The American Legion who care about their wellbeing and success,” Bowen said. “In an all-volunteer force, quality of life is essential.”
Bowen recommended for Legionnaires who live nearby military bases to also check on the needs of today’s servicemembers whether it’s with housing, food or childcare.
“If housing isn’t up to par, if daycare isn’t readily available and if the pay cannot keep up with the local economy, the best and the brightest will leave the service and join the private sector,” he said. “The services must constantly seek to improve military life if they want to compete with the salaries that are available in the corporate world.”
Election Day is Nov. 3, and Bowen asked NEC members to promote The American Legion’s “Get Out the Vote” efforts that date back to the 1920 National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
“The founders of The American Legion recognized the sacrifice that so many veterans made while defending freedom abroad,” Bowen said. “The least we can do is participate in our democratic process here at home. So please vote and encourage all American Legion Family members in your department to do the same.”
Bowen ended his remarks with a membership reminder that strength comes in numbers and any Legionnaire who recruits two new members will receive his BPOTS (be part of the solution) membership incentive pin. A new member is any eligible veteran joining for the 2027 membership year who was not a member of The American Legion during the 2026 membership year. Transfers do not count as new members.
“We will always be a service-first organization, but we also recognize that there is strength in numbers. The larger we are, the more effective we can be with our advocacy and programming,” Bowen said.
Bowen’s BPOTS theme as national commander aligns with The American Legion’s Be the One suicide prevention mission to ask, listen and save lives.
“I know that you are just as committed as I am to being part of the solution,” he said. “BPOTS. Be The One.”
- Commander