Commissions | Committees

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission

Charles Craynon | Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman

Phone: 937-726-3128 | crcraynon@yahoo.com

The American Legion has for nearly 95 years acted as the nation’s leading advocate for proper health care, economic opportunity and legal benefits for U.S. military veterans. The Legion was instrumental in the creation of the Veterans Administration in 1930 and an ardent supporter of its elevation to cabinet status when it became the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1989. The relationship between VA and The American Legion continues to evolve today.

Gifts for Yanks Commission

Robert Steggemann | Gifts for Yanks Commission Chairman

Phone: 937-877-9009 | bigdogbob325@aol.com

During World War II, Comedian Eddie Cantor started a fundraising effort to provide Christmas gifts for American Military Personnel hospitalized in England as a result of the War. His national project was called “Give to a Yank Who Gave,” which precedes the program now named “Gifts for Yanks (GFY).” In 1952, Ohio began the program collecting $8,000, which was used to purchase cigarettes for veterans in Ohio Veterans Hospitals. By 1994, the program has grown to support volunteers in all of the Ohio VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, Ohio Veterans Homes, and veterans residing in state mental health facilities.

Employment Committee

Scott Horsington | Employment Committee Chairman

Phone: 740-258-8655 | scott.horsington@att.net

Welcome to The American Legion Department of Ohio Employment Committee website page where you will find many resources that can assist you as a committee member, or a Legionnaire. Please continue to visit the website as changes will occur on a regular basis. We welcome any and all suggestions. As your committee liaison at Department Headquarters please contact me personally at price@ohiolegion.com or call at 740-362-7478 x-2. Thank you for all you do on behalf of the veterans in Ohio!

National Security Committee

Al Buxton | National Security Committee Chairman

Phone: 513-225-1489 | asbuxton69@gmail.com

The National Security Committee is comprised of 14 appointed individuals from the 14 districts in the department of Ohio. The Chair person is appointed by the current Commander of the Department of Ohio. The committee is responsible for reviewing items pertaining to various security issues that involve such items as cyber security, security of our boarders, our armed forces, their equipment and numbers so we don’t get into a position where we can’t maintain our presence in areas needed to insure our safety. The committee is also involved in military benefits and quality of life items that face our armed forces as well as the veterans that have served. These issues are addressed by either creating Resolutions to address the items or approve submitted resolutions by other committees or individuals. These resolutions are presented at the department convention to be accepted and, once accepted, move on to the national convention. If the resolution is passed at the national level it will then be presented to congress for possible action.

Legislative Committee

Ken Lavoy | Legislative Commission Chairman

Phone: 937-602-5026 | ken.j.lavoy@gmail.com

The mission of the Legislative Commission is to review all State, Federal, House, and Senate Bills pending to gauge the level of support from The American Legion Department of Ohio. To communicate with the Legislative Liaison and Service Director who performs lobbying tasks on behalf of the 100K+ Legionnaires within Ohio. The Legislative Commission members meet at least annually and are tasked with maintaining open lines of communication with local Legislators in their Districts to inform them of how The American Legion is at the forefront of helping veterans, their families, and our children & youth and to encourage participation in our programs.

Membership Commission

Brad Teis | Membership Commission Chairman

Phone: 330-418-7161  | 1stvice@ohiolegion.com

Americanism Committee

Thomas R Rowe Jr | Americanism Committee Chairman

Phone: 614-284-8714 | commander@hilliardamericanlegion.org

The American Legion is an organization dedicated to God and country, with a membership of military veterans who take deep pride in the U.S. Flag and all that it means. Since its inception nearly 100 years ago, the Legion has been a stalwart champion of patriotic values, morals, culture and citizenship. The Legion’s pillar of Americanism embodies its devotion to law and order, the raising of wholesome youth, an educated and law-abiding citizenship, and respectful observance of patriotic holidays and remembrances.

Religious Emphasis Committee

Melissa Fowle | Religious Emphasis Committee Chairwoman

Phone: 937-829-8190 | terplady67@yahoo.com

As The American Legion is pledged to service “For God and Country” and has continuously emphasized the spiritual foundations of our freedom, The American Legion Department of Ohio Religious Emphasis Committee believes: To preserve this freedom, we must continue to hold before the American people the spiritual foundations of our Country.

Children and Youth Committee

Albert ‘Andy’ Atkins | Children and Youth Committee Chairman

Phone: 740-381-1511 | triplealegion@gmail.com

To contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and their programs. To make wider, more effective use of the knowledge already possessed by well-established organizations to the end that such information will benefit youth and be more adequately used by society.

Media, Marketing & Communications Commission

Holly Lewis | Media, Marketing & Communications Commission Chair

Phone: 412-298-4648 | hollywlewis@gmail.com

The Media, Marketing & Communications Commission provides a forum for the Districts to share ideas to improve the Media, Marketing & Communications of the American Legion throughout the state of Ohio and its communities. Media, Marketing & Communications include the communication, collaboration, education, and entertainment of The American Legion membership, and the public at large, about the purposes and activities of the local Posts, Districts, Department and the National Organization. This includes the use of traditional and digital public relations media. The commission consists of 14 members, one from each District in the Department, along with a commission chairperson. The Commission meets once, at the beginning of the membership year, to set the agenda and desired accomplishments for the Department over the course of the year and meets at major conferences and conventions.

Law & Order Committee

Bart Arndt | Law & Order Committee Chairman

Phone: 419-253-4652 | barndt501@gmail.com

There are several Law and Order Awards available from Department Headquarters. It is our hope this information will clarify what is available, what each award involves, how they may be requested, and thus increase awareness of the importance Law and Order and its effect on our daily lives.The Department’s Law and Order program is one of the best ways to enhance the image of your Post and The American Legion and at the same time, recognize outstanding individuals within your community.

Oratorical Committee

John Looker | Oratorical Committee Chairman

Phone: 513-290-4511 | jclooker1@gmail.com

Click here for information on the Oratorical.

Special Olympics Committee

Bill Koehler | Special Olympics Committee Chairman

Phone: 937-866-3253

Click here for information on the Special Olympics.

Baseball Committee

Marv Shamhart | Baseball Committee Chairman

Phone: 740-343-3073 | shamhart@embarqmail.com

Click here for information on American Legion Baseball.

Environment Conservation Committee

Robert Schmitt | Environment Conservation Committee Chairman

Phone: 419-867-9275 | pastcmdrbob0001@yahoo.com

The American Legion Department of Ohio Environmental Conservation Committee maintains a commitment to all forms of Environmental Conservation by calling upon all Legionnaires to promote and practice environmental conservation in their homes, businesses and communities.

The Environmental Conservation Committee calls on all Legionnaires to conserve our natural resources by using those resources wisely and responsibly. Ongoing Environmental Conservation Committee activities include reducing waste, saving trees, fuel conservation, anti-litter, adopt a highway and recycling campaigns.