Seehafer brings family, fire and fun to membership

Twelve American Legion departments met or surpassed their membership goal for 2024 – Puerto Rico, Florida, Virginia, Hawaii, Latin America, Idaho, Maryland, Rhode Island, Texas, Colorado, District of Columbia and Arizona. Departments have until the 105th National Convention in New Orleans in August to meet their membership goal for recognition on the national stage.

“Even if you make 100 percent two days before (national convention), I’m going to bring you up there (on stage),” said Membership & Post Activities Committee Chairman Matt Jabaut during his remarks at the 61st National Membership Workshop on Friday, July 26.

American Legion department leadership gathered downtown Indianapolis at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel for the workshop to hear from Legion leadership and attend breakout sessions geared toward membership success.

American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer said in his remarks to workshop attendees that during his travels to departments, he hasn’t pushed or talked about membership. His message has been about purpose, relevance and the No. 1 for Be the One – the Legion’s suicide prevention mission to save the lives of veterans.    

“That’s the key, brothers and sisters. For the first time in a long time the whole family was laser centered. We have one message and that is Be the One,” a message that has been delivered from the entire national Legion Family leadership. “We all brought that phrase … of how we change lives and save lives. That family is the key. What in the world do we do? It’s not about preaching renew. It’s talking about what we do. We change lives and we save lives. Bottom line.”

Before coming to the workshop, Seehafer had a conversation with other Legionnaires about the absence of Legion posts in the community and the impact it would have on veterans, their families and youth.

“Would your veteran community miss you if you were gone?” he asked Legionnaires. “I would even step it up and ask, ‘Would Americanism suffer or be nonexistent if you were gone?’ We change lives and we save lives, and we also strengthen the country that we served and continue to love. That comes back to commitment. That comes back to what we do.”

Seehafer gave examples of how the Legion strengthens America through its programs and acts of service. While visiting Brussels, Belgium, he spoke to a man from Ohio who attended Buckeye Boys State. The man shared with Seehafer that Boys State “kicked off his career. Changed his life. You know what he’s doing? He’s one of the negotiators for the 2% of NATO. Pretty impressive I thought.”

He then shared about his visit to the Department of Latin America where he witnessed how members of Master Sergeant Mario Enrique Gozalez Acker Post 2 in Antigua provide critical support to communities in Guatemala. The story about his visit was featured in the April issue of The American Legion Magazine.

“Talk about a veteran community that changes lives,” Seehafer said, adding that what he saw in Guatemala had a “major effect on me. When I’m walking that land, that country seeing what we have compared to what they have.” He saw young children’s faces light up from a chocolate candy bar or a juice box, and how thankful they were to receive other food necessities. “Talk about strengthening America, that’s strengthening our cause and our name. It’s not just the states but around the world that we actually change lives and save lives.”

Seehafer ended his remarks with music to get Legionnaires motivated for a successful Membership Workshop by reminding them of the three F’s of membership – family, fire and fun.

“We will do anything for each other, correct? That’s the message that we want to give every veteran out there,” he said. “If you’re not part of the (Legion) family, you’re missing something. But we will do anything and everything for you, whether you’re a member or not. That would be a powerful message, wouldn’t it? And then have that fire once again. That’s why I play ‘Eye of the Tiger’, that drive, that sense of purpose and relevance. And let’s have a little fun.

“Bottom line, family, let’s change lives and save lives. One at a time.”