SAL elects 1st national commander from New Mexico
Todo es posible con Dios y la familia. Everything is possible with God and family.
It’s a phrase Joseph Navarrete uses often, and will continue to do so as he serves as the Sons of The American Legion national commander over the next year.
Navarrete was elected at the 52nd SAL National Convention on Sunday in New Orleans, making history in the process. He’s not only the first SAL national commander from New Mexico, he’s also the first SAL national commander to follow in his mother’s footsteps as a Legion Family national leader. Navarrete’s mother, Rita, was American Legion Auxiliary president in 2009-10.
“You have bestowed upon me the highest of honors. In so doing, you have honored in a special way all the members of the great little Detachment of New Mexico,” Navarrete said.
Family is an important piece of Navarrete, a charter member of Squadron 72 whose home post in Albuquerque, N.M., Otero-Garcia-Navarrete Post 72, bears his family’s name through his grandfather, Tony Frank Navarrete.
“My slogan for the year is ‘honoring our heritage,’ and we will carry on our why, representing our family’s service and the sacrifices they paid to each other and for each other, and for each and every one of us here today,” said Navarrete, whose father, Tony, presented Joseph for election on Sunday.
The new SAL national commander noted the organization will continue to support the Be The One initiative — “We will be helping to end veteran suicide together” — and will continue immediate Past National Commander J.R. Hall’s Four Pillars Challenge in which squadrons are encouraged to raise one dollar per member each for Operation Comfort Warriors, the Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) and the department’s Boys State program, and to hold a blood drive.
Navarrete also set a goal for the SAL to raise $500,000 for the Veterans & Children Foundation.
“We have proven that the Sons know how to raise money,” Navarrete said, referencing the SAL’s $10 million raised all time for CWF, which was celebrated on Saturday.
Also on Sunday, the five SAL national vice commanders for 2024-25 were elected:
Northeast: Robert Manzo of Maryland
Southeast: John Lawrence of Louisiana
Central: Harl “Butch” Ray of Illinois
Midwest: Mike Monserud of Iowa
Western: Dan Ashley of Arizona