Be the One a focus for national commander candidates

If elected national commander of The American Legion at the 105th National Convention in New Orleans in August, leading candidate James LaCoursiere Jr. will continue to drive the Be the One suicide prevention mission, promote charitable giving to the Veterans and Children Foundation, and enhance quality of life for all veterans and military families.

“That is what we need to keep our focus on,” said LaCoursiere, from the Department of Connecticut, in his remarks to attendees of the 61st National Membership Workshop in Indianapolis on Saturday, July 27. And three words will guide his term as national commander: loyalty, unity and valor. “That is what our organization is all about.

“Our loyalty goes years back when we all put our hand up and we took the oath to serve this great nation. Today, you all continue to show that loyalty through your commitment to this organization and to the United States of America,” he continued. “Unity is where we all band together for the same mission and the same purpose, which is to drive this organization forward, to let every community know who The American Legion is and what we represent, and that we are there for the United States of America and we are there for all veterans and all families. The valor is our hearts. Our total commitment.”

Department commanders and membership chairmen gathered for the National Membership Workshop at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel where LaCoursiere provided remarks. He gave every department two challenges: make Buddy Checks and work retention.

“Put a committee together when you go back home and start making Buddy Checks. Pick up the phone and make direct contact with your members,” LaCoursiere said, reminding Legionnaires that Buddy Checks are not membership drives or renewal calls. “It’s a well-being check … ‘How are you doing?’ It’s an opportunity to let veterans know what’s going on at the post and what’s coming up.”

For retention, LaCoursiere encouraged members to contact veterans who haven’t renewed for 2024 and expired 2023 members. “The 2024 membership year is not done yet until December 31. If you sit back and you wait until September or October, you’re only going to be focused on 2025. We will grow the organization by working as a team. Let’s start talking about growth. Let’s talk about retention. Let’s talk visibility in every community throughout this nation.

“We as a team can do this. We are a true Legion of Americans, driving this nation forward with the same purpose and the same mission – for a better America.”

Prior to National Membership Workshop attendees hearing remarks from LaCoursiere, they received suicide prevention training through the Legion’s partnership with Columbia University as part of the Be the One mission. The training is free for American Legion Family members and their families to take part in. Sign up for a virtual training session at legion.org/betheone/training.   

“I encourage you to take the training. Encourage the people in your departments, districts and posts to take that training,” said Dan Wiley, Department of Kansas National Executive Committeeman in his remarks Saturday morning. Wiley is the 2025-2026 leading candidate for American Legion national commander. If elected, Be the One also will be his focus. “We will continue the mission of Be the One. It is the most significant issue facing veterans. It is the most significant issue of our time. It’s also an issue that galvanizes all of us. I know that we are all touched by someone who has taken their own life.”

Through the suicide prevention training, Legionnaires learned that it is important to reach out to veterans experiencing loneliness as a life-saving tool. The American Legion has a program to support this that Lacoursiere also addressed.

“We have something in The American Legion designed for them, right? Buddy Checks. It’s important that you are doing Buddy Checks on these people,” said Wiley, who shared that he lost a friend to suicide in January who always made Buddy Check calls to him and vice versa. “Talk with them, ask if they are doing OK and listen. If they’re not OK, let them know it’s OK not to be OK. Help them. We need to reduce the stigma with regard to getting mental help.

“It’s never easy because we’re not going to save everybody. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to save everybody, and I’ll tell you why. By trying to save everybody we are going to save somebody.”

Between National Commander Daniel Seehafer, LaCoursiere and Wiley, workshop attendees were challenged to hit 100% membership for 2025. Wiley brought humor to it.

Wiley was encouraged to speak with conviction at the National Membership Workshop. "I am a district court judge, so I know a little bit about conviction," he said as attendees laughed. “You’re all guilty of being leaders in the American Legion Family. And your sentence is I’m going to place you on probation for a year on the condition that you achieve 100% membership. If not, you’ll be back next year, and we will revoke your sentence." He then encouraged relationship-building with those in attendance by building team camaraderie, networking and planning to visit other departments.

“Relationships are the foundation of membership,” he said. “And relationships are the foundation of The American Legion.”