The Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion that exists to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires. The S.A.L. is made up of males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion.

Together, members of The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion comprise The Legion Family. All three organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation’s children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.

For more information, visit Legion.org/Sons.

» Detachment of Ohio Constitution and Bylaws

Sons of The American Legion Detachment of Ohio Executive Committee

Timothy S Conway - Detachment 1st Vice Commander

Timothy S Conway

Detachment Commander
Loudon Squadron 257 Loudonville

SALCommander@ohiolegion.com     truckertim622001@yahoo.com

Jeffrey M Vrabel, Jr. - Detachment 2nd Vice Commander

Jeffrey M Vrabel, Jr.

Detachment 1st Vice Commander / Membership Commission Chair
Mahoning Valley Inc Squadron 15 Poland

SAL1stVice@ohiolegion.com     jeffvrabeljr@gmail.com

Todd E Bidlack - Detachment Chaplain

Todd E Bidlack

Detachment 2nd Vice Commander / Activities Commission Chair
Winnow-Arn Squadron 541 Continental

SAL2ndVice@ohiolegion.com     toddbidlack@gmail.com

Adam J Budner - Detachment Childrens Miracle Network Chairman & 13th District Commander

Adam J Budner

Detachment Chaplain
Teddy M Zieja Squadron 627 Newburgh Heights

SALchaplain@ohiolegion.com     blechabum@yahoo.com

Lang, Gary

Gary Lang

Detachment National Executive Committeeman
Russell Chadwick Squadron 389 Beverly

SALnec@ohiolegion.com     glang3263@roadrunner.com

Coakley II, Jon POW MIA Committee Chairman

Jon W Coakley II

Detachment Alternate National Executive Committeeman
Paschall Squadron 164 Grove City

SALanec@ohiolegion.com     bigbuckeyejc@aol.com

David L Dilts - Detachment Commander

David L Dilts

Detachment Immediate Past Commander
Zanesville Squadron 29

davidleedilts@hotmail.com

Scott J Thornton - Detachment Adjutant

Scott James Thornton

Detachment Adjutant
Conn-Weissenberger Squadron 587 Toledo

scottj.thornton@gmail.com     SALadjutant@ohiolegion.com

Charles E Kvochick - Detachment Buckeye Boys State Chairman

Charles E Kvochick (Charlie)

Detachment Assistant Adjutant
Irvin Hiskey Squadron 535 Bellville

k44813@yahoo.com

Finnell, Dan

Dan A Finnell

Detachment Parliamentarian
Paschall Squadron 164 Grove City

sp964@att.net

SAL logo

Vacant

Detachment Assistant Parliamentarian
Squadron 0000

N/A

SAL logo

Rusty J Dial

Detachment Sergeant-at-Arms
Holmes Squadron 192 Millersburg

rdial24@embarqmail.com

Johnny R Conley - Detachment Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms

Johnny R Conley

Detachment Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms
James Dickey Squadron 23 Portsmouth

jrconley1896@aol.com

Tom D Hurst - Detachment Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms

Tom D Hurst

Detachment Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms
Ward L Adams Squadron 454 Ridgeville Corners

tmhurst@bright.net

SAL-Emblem

Mike Jochumsen

Detachment Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms
Bellaire Squadron 52

michael.jochumsen@xerox.com

SAL logo

Bradley D Swires

Detachment Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms
Holmes Squadron 192 Millersburg

swag1958@aol.com

Towns, Bill J A

William L Towns, Jr. (Bill)

Detachment Historian
Don V Cross Squadron 357 Minerva

docbill@neo.rr.com

Randy E Matthews - Detachment Americanism Chairman & 2nd District Commander

Randy E Matthews

Detachment Americanism Chairman
Isaac Van Wert Squadron 178 Van Wert

load529@yahoo.com

Charles E Kvochick - Detachment Buckeye Boys State Chairman

Charles E Kvochick (Charlie)

Detachment Buckeye Boys State Chairman
Irvin Hiskey Squadron 535 Bellville

k44813@yahoo.com

Craig R Smith - Detachment Legislative Chairman

Craig R Smith

Detachment Legislative Chairman
Irvin Hiskey Squadron 535 Bellville

craigrsmith1958@gmail.com

Searles, Rocky

Rocky B Searles

Detachment Oratorical Contest Chairman
Don Gentile Squadron 532 Columbus

r_searles@sbcglobal.net

Mahlman, Evan Commander

Evan L Mahlman

Detachment POW / MIA Chairman
Bert G Taylor Squadron 300 Napoleon

e.mahlman216@gmail.com

Mike Kennedy_2024

Michael L Kennedy Sr.

Detachment Veterans & Childrens Foundation – North Chairman
Winnow-Arn Squadron 541 Continental

mk7291150@gmail.com

Adam C Jones - Detachment Veterans and Childrens Foundation South Chairman & 7th District Commander

Adam Jones

Detachment Veterans & Childrens Foundation – South Chairman
James Dickey Squadron 23 Portsmouth

glimmer_man72@yahoo.com

Forshey, Bruce CMN Chairman 11th District 1st Vice

Bruce E Forshey

Detachment Children & Youth Chairman
Russell Chadwick Squadron 389 Beverly

bruce.forshey@gmail.com

Chris Hoeffel- CWF Chairman

Christian L Hoeffel (Chris)

Detachment Child Welfare Foundation Chairman
Winnow-Arn Squadron 541 Continental

hoeffelchris@yahoo.com

SAL logo

Timothy (Tim) Phillips

Detachment Childrens Miracle Network Chairman
Warren L McIntyre Squadron 262 Hamler

tjphillips43524@gmail.com

Buster Sutterlin

William R Sutterlin (Buster)

Detachment Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Chairman
Loudon Squadron 257 Loudonville

brs257@zoominternet.net

Robert D Showalter - Detachment Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation North Chairman

Robert D Showalter

Detachment Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation – North Chairman
James W Sullivan Squadron 733 Bettsville

roshow2850@yahoo.com

Gerald J Palmer - Detachment Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation South Chairman

Gerald J Palmer Sr. (Gerry)

Detachment Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation – South Chairman
Ross County Squadron 62 Chillicothe

gerpalm60@gmail.com

Wayne Lienau - Detachment Veterans Employment & Education Chairman

Wayne Lienau

Detachment Veterans Employment & Education Chairman
Ward L Adams Squadron 454 Ridgeville Corners

wlienau@bright.net

Honigfort_Steve

Steven R Honigfort

Detachment Public Relations Chairman
Kerner-Slusser Squadron 63 Ottawa

shonigfort@yahoo.com

SAL logo

David D Spencer

Detachment Ohio SALute Editor
Mahoning Valley Inc Squadron 15 Poland

davidcolespencer@gmail.com     salnews@ohiolegion.com

Daniel L Sagraves - Detachment Convention Screening Chairman

Daniel L Sagraves (Dan)

Detachment Convention Screening Chairman
Huber Heights Squadron 200

dansagraves@twc.com

Buster Sutterlin

William R Sutterlin (Buster)

Detachment Finance Chairman
Loudon Squadron 257 Loudonville

brs257@zoominternet.net

Jeffrey M Vrabel, Jr. - Detachment 2nd Vice Commander

Jeffrey M Vrabel Jr.

Detachment Member Training Chairman
Mahoning Valley Inc Squadron 15 Poland

jeffvrabeljr@gmail.com

Finnell, Dan

Dan A Finnell

Detachment Constitution & ByLaws Review Chairman
Paschall Squadron 164 Grove City

DFinnell1972@gmail.com

Lang, Gary

Gary Lang

Detachment Appointments Chairman
Russell Chadwick Squadron 389 Beverly

glang3263@roadrunner.com

Membership

Membership is the lifeblood of any non-profit organization, and the Sons of The American Legion is no exception. We need to continually work hard at renewing the membership of our current members as well as pursue getting new ones to join the SAL in order to be successful in our charitable programs.

» Membership Information

Eligibility for Membership

SAL members include males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership. All male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of members of The American Legion, and such male descendants of veterans who died in service during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism, during the delimiting periods set forth in Article IV, Section 1, of the National Constitution of The American Legion, or who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service, shall be eligible for membership in the Sons of The American Legion.

The Ohio SALute Newsletter

David D Spencer, Editor | SALNews@OhioLegion.com

The Official Newsletter of the Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Ohio

Squadrons and Districts are encouraged to send articles, photographs, meeting announcements, fundraisers, activities, and anything else that you think might be a good fit for our newsletter. The Ohio SALute is the best Detachment newsletter in the organization – let’s keep it the best by submitting information in a timely fashion.

Publication deadlines are listed below.

2026 Winter Edition for January, February, March – Articles due no later than December 11, 2025
2025 Spring Edition for April, May, June – Articles due no later than March 12, 2025
2025 Summer Edition for July, August, September – Articles due no later than June 12, 2025
2025 Fall Edition for October, November, December – Articles due no later than September 11, 2025
» Ohio SALute Newsletter

Detachment Convention

The 61st Annual Convention of the Detachment of Ohio Sons of The American Legion will be hosted by District 7 and Squadron 62

on

Friday-Sunday, May 16-18, 2025

at

Convention Meeting site:

Quality Inn, 20 N. Plaza Blvd., Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 775-3500 – Group Name: “Sons of The American Legion”

Overflow Rooming sites:

Christopher Inn & Suites, 30 N. Plaza Blvd., Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 774-6835
Hampton Inn & Suites, 100 N. Plaza Blvd., Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 773-1616

Hotel Reservations – Deadline: Thursday, April 24, 2025, through the Hotel

Those desiring housing reservations must contact the hotel directly and mention they are with the Sons of The American Legion, Ohio Convention to receive the agreed-upon rate of $139.95 (plus tax) per night, for standard double and king rooms. (Some queen suites and king jacuzzi suites are available at a higher rate.) A credit card will be required to complete the reservation. All housing reservations must be made with the hotel by Thursday, April 24, 2025, since the room block must be released prior to the Convention. The hotel will handle reservation requests on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make sure you receive a confirmation number for your reservation. Should you need to cancel your reservation, you must contact the hotel directly as well. Make sure to get a confirmation number for your cancellation. Do not confuse your Hotel Reservation with your Delegate Registration! Delegate Registrations – Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025, at Detachment HQ All registrations for Convention Delegates, Alternates, and Advisors MUST be received at Detachment Headquarters by May 2, 2025. There will be no Convention registrations accepted after this date, nor will any be taken at the Convention except for Guests/Visitors. All registrations must be on the proper form and the registration fee is $5.00 per person, to be included with the registration form. Registration of attendees will be held Friday, May 16th between 4:00 and 6:00 pm and Saturday morning, May 17th between 8:00 and 9:00 am. Each attendee must register individually at the designated registration table. This will also be the time to make any changes (i.e., Alternate becomes a Delegate) or to register any last-minute Guests.

 

Click HERE to download/print this Room Booking Information

» 2024-2025 Detachment Commander_Tim Conway Special Project 2nd Vice Raffle Ticket Flyer­


» Detachment Convention Main Page HERE

2024-2025 Detachment Commander’s Shirt

$50.00 per shirt

Click HERE to download the order form for incoming Detachment Commander, Tim Conway’s shirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Detachment Commander Homecoming Celebration

TBA

Commander’s Homecoming Bottle Raffle

The Auction began in 1988 at Detachment Commander Terry Kettering’s Homecoming when a bottle of Canadian Club was bought by Dale Hartley. Since then, it has been auctioned at each Detachment Commander’s Homecoming with all funds being donated to The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. In 1991 at Kent Blanchard’s Homecoming, the original bottle was retired in grand style and a new, gold-plated bottle of Canadian Club was presented to continue the tradition.

 

 


The Ohio Past Detachment Commanders Club Scholarship Information

The Ohio Past Detachment Commanders Club Scholarship Application

District Commanders

DISTRICT 1

Timothy Phillips

DISTRICT 2

Randy Matthews

DISTRICT 3

Russell Powell

DISTRICT 4

Perry Lombardo

DISTRICT 5

Richard E Russell

DISTRICT 6

John Loudermilk

DISTRICT 7

Adam Jones

DISTRICT 8

Phillip Lightfoot

DISTRICT 9

Rex Buchs

DISTRICT 10

Matthew Baxter

DISTRICT 11

Chester Crooks

DISTRICT 12

Rocky Searles

DISTRICT 13

Adam Budner

DISTRICT 14

Bob Carson, Jr.

John Robinson, Department SAL Liaison

Phone: (740) 816-7596 | Email: adjutant@ohiolegion.com