I Am The American Legion: Jason Castleberry

Jason Castleberry hoped that separating from the Army would take the edge off his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. 

“Transition was difficult,” he says. “When you leave the military you feel like these things are going to go away, but that really wasn’t the case. It wasn’t until I got into The American Legion that it started getting better.”

Castleberry led efforts to launch Laramore-Osborne Post 100 in Royse City, Texas, which has rocketed to nearly 100 members in three years. He had joined the organization out of a desire to be around other veterans, but quickly discovered the benefits in giving back to his community. “I didn’t have a sense of purpose or mission like I had in the military,” he says. “(The Legion) gave me a renewed sense of purpose for helping people.”

Post 100 fulfills the Legion’s mission in Royse City: Serving veterans. Mentoring youth. Instilling patriotism.

“For me, it’s therapy. Being involved in The American Legion has changed my life. I was on the way to being a statistic. It’s about keeping myself focused on doing something good. When you are a veteran with PTSD and you are focusing on the negative, your life becomes a big negative. It’s about doing something positive and being a positive influence on others.”

Branch of Service  Army (1996-2005)

Rank  Sergeant first class

Military job lnfantryman/UAV operator

American Legion post Laramore-Osborne Post 100, Royse City, Texas

Years in the Legion  6

Legion activities

• Post adjutant (2018-2019)

• Post commander (2017-2018)

• District vice commander (2018-present)

• District Oratorical chairman (2017-present)

• District Children & Youth chairman (2019-present)

• Department Children & Youth chairman (2017-present)

• National Cemetery Committee member (2019-present)