Past National Commander 2006-2007

National Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission
The American Legion

Paul A. Morin of Chicopee, Massachusetts was elected National Commander of the 2.7 million-member American Legion on August 31, 2006 in Salt Lake City, Utah during the 88th National Convention of the nation's largest veteran's organization.

Morin is a Vietnam veteran of the U.S Army and an active member of the Aldenville American Legion Post 337. He has served as Department Commander and as a member of national commissions including Children and Youth Foreign Relations, Public Relations and Convention. He chaired the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, as well as the Legislative and Employment Commissions and served on the Legislative Council and Commission. He is a member of ANAVICUS and the Past Department Commanders Club.

He also serves as Director and Chairman of the Chicopee Municipal Employees Credit Union and is a past member of the Chicopee Memorial and Patriotic Committee, the B.P.O.E. Lodge#61 and Knights of Columbus Council #69. He was past State Chairman of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Campaign, a past member of the Governor's Veterans Advisory Board and member and past Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board of Holyoke, Massachusetts. He is on a leave of absence as Superintendant of the commonwealth of Massachusetts Soldiers Home in Holyoke, responsible for fulfilling the Home's mission of providing quality medical surgical and skilled nursing, domiciliary and outpatient care for its veterans.

In 2001, Morin was honored by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony J. Principi, with the Secretary's Award for his service to our nation's veterans while President of the National Association of State Veterans Homes. In 2002, he was awarded "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" by the Sampson World War II Navy Veterans and in 2004, received the "Outside Award" from the Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association. On March 31, 2005, he received the Distinguished Citizenship Award from the Grand Lodge order of Elks.

He and Elaine reside in Chicopee and are the proud parents of six children; Stacey, Paul, Jim, Pat, Pam, Paige and Grandson Jacob.

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