Membership Drive Focuses On Bringing Veterans Together With A United Voice

CISSNA PARK --- American Legion Posts across, including Cissna Park, have been welcoming Robert E. Newman, the American Legion National Vice Commander.

Commander Newman is recognizing the service provided by veterans and legion homes. The

The Illinois State Police Legion Post at Litchfield (IL) also hosted Vice-Commander Newman.

"The American Legion is the voice of millions of American service members, past and present, to maintain veteran services earned in combat. Vice Commander Newman's presence serves as a reminder to honor our fellow veterans."

"We are honored in joining Vice Commander Newman in the national effort to encourage veterans to come forward and be recognized for their service and to support one another through a unified voice," said ISP Legion Post Commander Limey Nargelenas. he added.

National Vice Commander Newman's visit is part of a continual recruitment drive to bring veterans together with the American Legion throughout the central and southern regions of Illinois.

Robert E. Newman was elected as a national vice commander of the 2.4-million member American Legion at the organization's 95th national convention in Houston on Aug. 29, 2013.

A member of American Legion Post 178 in Garrett, Ind., he served in the U.S. Navy from 1965-1969. He had held offices at every level of The American Legion, including department (state) commander of Indiana, northern vice commander of Indiana, Americanism Commission chairman of Indiana, department Children and Youth Commission chairman, Internal Affairs Commission chairman and Rehabilitation Commission chairman. Nationally, he has served on the Veterans Preference and National Insurance committees.

He retired from the U.S. Postal Service and served as the postmaster in Butler, Ind., from 1997-2001. Newman, who was commander at Post 178, lives in Garrett with his wife of 43 years, Rosey. They have two sons, Charles R. Newman and Robert Newman, Jr.