| OFFICERS AND STAFF NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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| NEW NATIONAL ADJUTANT DANIEL S. WHEELER |
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Wheeler Named National Adjutant of The American Legion
INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 16, 2008) – An executive director of The American Legion’s National Headquarters has been named national adjutant (chief operating officer) of the nation’s largest veterans service organization today.Daniel S. Wheeler, a Navy veteran, replaces Robert W. Spanogle, who served as national adjutant for more than 27 years. Spanogle, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, was designated as an honorary “past national commander of the American Legion,” by the organization’s National Executive Committee. The native of Lansing, Michigan, is retiring from The American Legion after 36 years of service with the national headquarters.
Wheeler has been executive director of The American Legion’s national headquarters since 1995. He has worked for The American Legion since 1979, when he was hired as an assistant editor for The American Legion Magazine. He was promoted to publisher and editor-in-chief in 1985. He also served as president of the Citizens Flag Alliance since 1994. Wheeler lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Kathy. He is a member of American Legion Post 137 in Richmond,Va. He has also served as president of the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis and is a member of the Rotary Club and Mensa International.
With a current membership of 2.7-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
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| NATIONAL COMMANDER 2008-2009 DAVID K. REHBEIN |
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Iowa Veteran Elected Leader of The American Legion
PHOENIX (Aug. 28, 2008) – A research metallurgist and U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam era has been elected national commander of the nation’s largest veterans organization. Delegates to The American Legion’s 90th National Convention here chose David K. Rehbein of Ames, Ia., to lead the 2.7 million-member organization of wartime veterans for a one-year term. Rehbein served as an infantryman with the 4th and 1st Armored Divisions in Germany from 1970 to 1971. After leaving the Army, he attended Wayne State College and Iowa State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in physics and a Master’s degree in metallurgy. Following graduation, he accepted a position as research metallurgist at the Ames Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, a position he held until his retirement in July 2008.
A member of Ames Post #37, he served as its commander and adjutant as well as 12 years as finance officer. He has been district commander and state vice-commander and represented Iowa on The American Legion’s National Executive Committee. He served on many department committees, including Membership, Oratorical, Strategic Planning and Junior Shooting Sports. During his term as department membership chairman, Iowa achieved target membership three times in 1991, 1992, and 1993. He was appointed by Iowa Governor Vilsack to a position on the Iowa Commission on Veterans Affairs. Rehbein served on the National Americanism Commission 1989-99, with service as an instructor on the National Information Conference staff, conducting the judge’s briefing for the National Oratorical Contests and as Match Director of the Junior Shooting Sports national finals. He has served as chairman of the National Foreign Relations Commission, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission and the Legislative commission.
Cmdr. Rehbein took the oath of office along with five other national officers. Serving as national vice commanders are Michael J. Landkamer of Columbus, Neb., Harley W. Ray of Albany, Ore., Tracy D. Simmons of Vidor, Texas, James W. Davis of McMechen, West Virginia, and James A. LaCoursiere of Old Lyme, Conn. National Historian Charles J. Zelinksy of Champaign, Ill.; National Sergeant at Arms Randy L. Freel of Nevada, Iowa; and National Chaplain Lawrence L. Vollink of Ypsilanti, Mich., were appointed to their positions by Cmdr. Rehbein following the close of the national convention.
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| NATIONAL VICE COMMANDER 2008-2009 TRACY D. SIMMONS |
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Tracy D. Simmons
National Vice Commander
The American Legion
2008-2009
(Biographical Sketch)
Tracy D. "Shorty" Simmons was elected National Vice Commander of The American Legion on August 28, 2008 during the closing session of the 90th National Convention in Phoenix. A U.S. Army veteran with service during the Vietnam War era, Simmons is a retired Texaco official from Vidor, Texas. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Masons, Scottish Rite and El Mina Shrine.
A member of Post 493 in Neederland, Texas, Simmons has held many leadership positions at the post, department and national levels. He served as Texas Department Commander from 2004-2005, a Texas District Commander 1988-1990 and is currently serving on the National Americanism Commission. Simmons graduated from Fairview High School in Grant, La., in 1957. Simmons and his wife, Donita, have three children; Troy, Todd and Tiffini.
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