I Am The American Legion: Bill Hoppner

By Andy Proffet

In the months following Hurricane Irma’s landfall in Florida, Bill Hoppner and Department Commander Steve Shuga traveled some 5,000 miles across the Sunshine State.

“All the cell towers were down, phones were down, so we had to do a lot of footwork,” says Hoppner, noting that all 67 of Florida’s counties were affected in some way by the hurricane. “We had to physically go out in our vehicles and talk to people about what they needed.”

As the department’s disaster preparedness chairman, Hoppner was at the front line before, during and after the disaster. Prior to the storm, he and Shuga discussed what would be necessary to get American Legion posts back up and running to serve their communities. And after Irma struck, the pair joined other department officials in hitting the road to deliver bottled water, nonperishable food and other much-needed supplies to devastated areas.

“Since I was a kid, I’ve always helped out – when I got into the military, same thing,” says Hoppner, whose Air Force tour in Germany helped steer him to disaster preparedness roles at the Legion’s post, district, area and department levels.

“The tactical squadrons I was in set up the field for communications,” Hoppner says. “When you set up things in the military, it’s basically the same all over. So when we do get a call to go out to a post that needs help, we can take  provisions, water, nonperishable foods (and be ready).”

While acknowledging the stress that comes with dealing with disasters, Hoppner has a positive attitude – not just for his own sake, but for others struggling to recover from a hurricane, tornado or other disaster.

“I’m just a coordinator,” he says. “I just want to see people get back online. If I can do anything in my power to get them back online, with the help of Legionnaires and the Department of Florida, I will.”

 

Branch of Service  Air Force

Rank  Sergeant

Military job  Communications

American Legion post  Post 347, Lady Lake, Fla.

Years in The Legion  18

Legion activities

  • National Unconventional Forces & Intelligence Committee (2014-2015)
  • National Homeland Security Council vice chairman (2009-2016)
  • Department disaster preparedness chairman (2009-2014, 2016-present)
  • Department sergeant-at-arms (2014-2015)
  • Department commander’s aide (2012-2013)
  • Southern Area commander (2008-2009)
  • District commander (2006-2008)
  • Area/district disaster preparedness chairman (2005-2013)
  • Post adjutant (2007-2008)
  • Post commander (2003-2007)
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