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Department of Colorado’s Jay Bowen shares his priorities for 2026-2027 after being elected during the national convention in Louisville. 

Colorado Legionnaire Jay Bowen never had his eyes set on being American Legion national commander. But then again, he never thought about being post commander or any other leadership position beyond that. 

But he did during a lengthy American Legion career, serving at every level of leadership. And on Sept. 3 in Louisville, Ky., national convention attendees unanimously elected Bowen to the highest position in the organization: national commander.

““When I was approached and asked to serve, or consider serving, as national commander, I was hesitant to do that,” Bowen said. “But I decided that I needed to live up to my theme and be there. So I said, ‘OK, if you believe that’s where I need to be’ (Past National Commander and Colorado Legionnaire) Tom Bock, who pushed me into this, God bless him – (I said) ‘Put me in coach. I’m ready to play.’ And right now I’m very glad that he did that.”

But putting on the national commander’s red cap doesn’t change Bowen’s view of what drives the organization as a whole. “I’ve never saw it as a position or a cap,” he said. “I’ve always believed … that it’s not the color of the cap. In fact, every color of cap that we wear today – with the exception of one – is temporary. The only permanent cap that we have in 17�Թ��� in the blue cap. Because that’s where all the work gets done. If you don’t believe it, just look at all of our past national commanders who have worn every color of cap we have. What color cap are they today? They’re wearing that blue one, because they get it.” 

Bowen said his fundraising project will be for the Legion’s Veterans and Children Foundation (VCF). 

“As many of you are aware, the VCF began in 1925 as 17�Թ��� Endowment Fund and now has been transformed to the Veterans and Children Foundation,” he said. “This great charity has helped millions of veterans and their families in need throughout our organization through the Temporary Financial Assistance program, or TFA as it is better known. This foundation relies totally on charitable donations, and the foundation also funds training and accreditation for our veteran service officers.”

A Paid-Up-For-Life member of Neal Thomas Jr.-Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs and a retired U.S. Army warrant officer, Bowen is a staunch supporter of 17�Թ���’s suicide prevention message. 

“The past four national commanders’ themes have been of Be The One. Be the one to help prevent veteran suicide,” Bowen said. “And folks, they have done such an amazing job getting that message out. Letting our veterans know that it’s OK not to be OK. Getting our members educated. Getting them to be able to recognize a veteran in crisis and then helping them find a place to go to get help.

“They have done such a great job that it’s no longer a theme. It’s a mission. It’s the No. 1 mission of 17�Թ��� … and it needs to stay that way. It’s got to stay that way because when you have 17 (veteran suicides) a day, or 22 a day, or any other number greater than zero, it’s too many. So we’ve got to continue that conversation.”

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Bowen then shared what his theme will be for his year leading the organization: BPOTS, or Be Part of The Solution. “I know you’ve heard most of your life, ‘You’re either part of the problem, or you’re part of the solution,’” he said. “Well folks, let me tell you something. If you can be part of the solution and you choose not to be, then you’re part of the problem. It’s just that simple. If you can be part of the solution and you choose not to be, then you’re part of the problem.

“So I’m asking everybody to join me. Let’s work together to be part of the solution.”

That led to a series of asks from Bowen:

·       “Let’s be part of the solution and be the one to help reduce veteran suicides.”

·       “Let’s be part of the solution and be the one to take care of our veterans and their families.”

·       “Let’s be part of the solution and be the one to educate and mentor our youth.”

·       “Let’s be part of the solution and be the first ones out there waving that American flag and showing our true patriotic spirit.”

·       “And let’s be the one and be part of the solution help to advocate for a very strong national security.”

“Together, we can take this great organization we belong to and make it even greater,” Bowen said. “Thank you for putting your trust in me to represent you and 17�Թ��� this coming year. I vow to you that I will work hard to vindicate that trust you’ve placed in me.”

National Vice Commanders Elected, Constitutional Officers Appointed. The Legion’s five national vice commanders also were elected during the final day of the convention. They are:

·       Hugh (Homer) Holmes, a member of Coacher-Goetsch American Legion Post 18, Mitchell, S.D.

·       Michael W. Westergren, a member of Post 91 in Beebe, Ark.

·       Martha (Marti) Bigbie, a member of Post 142 in Sun River, Utah.

·       Roy E. Smith, a member of Post 914 in Louisville, Ill.

·       Frank J. Peters, a member of American Legion Gold Star Post in Staten Island, N.Y.

The new national constitutional officers appointed in Louisville are Historian Robin T. L. Shingleton, a member of American Legion Post 31, Shinnston, W.Va.; Chaplain Victor DeSloover, a member of Post 279 in Lawler, Iowa; and Sergeant-at-Arms Tina Kyprios, a member of Post 44 in Steamboat Springs, Colo.