This week’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast features Anil Nathan, co-founder of a national organization that aims to engage veterans in participating in serving as poll workers.
Editor’s note: Given the topic of this week’s podcast — voting and the election — The American Legion is releasing it ahead of its traditional Tuesday morning time.
Air Force veteran Anil Nathan, the co-founder and co-chairman of Vet the Vote and We the Veterans, is this week’s special guest on The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast.
Vet the Vote is a national organization dedicated to getting veterans and military spouses to become poll workers. This year Vet the Vote recruited 135,000 poll workers, exceeding their goal of 100,000.
We the Veterans, formed in 2021, is a community of veterans, their families and allies, united for democracy and committed to building a more perfect union.
“Obviously Jan. 6 was a seminal moment in our country’s history,” said Nathan, a first-generation American and second-generation Air Force veteran. “There are a lot of divisions in our country. There is a lot that divides us. But a lot of that is amplified at a surface level. There is a lot more that unites us when you get beyond the 10% that divides us.”
Nathan pointed to veterans as a group that are bonded by their patriotism and sense of civic duty.
“We can make a big impact even when we don’t have the uniform on. How do we do that? That was the uniting, galvanizing force, that brought us together that built the foundation of what we have today.”
And it’s a critical time now for veterans to be engaged in their civic duty as civilians.
“The veteran and military family community is trusted,” he said. “The military is still one of the most trusted organizations, regardless of your political beliefs. If we can be the people to help explain things when there are questions or to advocate for the core processes and way things run in our country, we are strong messengers for that.”
It’s not too late for poll workers to volunteer in some municipalities, Nathan said, noting there is some training to undergo beforehand. “Despite how long a day it is, it is one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences you can possibly have.”
In closing, Nathan praised the Legion for its role.
“I really appreciate what The American Legion does for civic engagement and youth programs,” he said. “It’s so important. We need to do more as a country to educate every generation about our country and what it is all about. I’m really very thankful for everything The American Legion does.”
Also, co-hosts Stacy Pearsall and Joe Worley:
• Discuss why a Marine was kicked off a flight for the shirt she was wearing.
• Talk about the upcoming comedy “Office Joe,” highlighting The American Legion.
Check out the new episode, which is among more than 270 Tango Alpha Lima podcasts available in both audio and video formats here. You can also download episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or other major podcast-hosting sites. The video version is available at the Legion’s YouTube channel.
- Tango Alpha Lima