Retired Marine Elected Indiana American Legion Commander

INDIANAPOLIS, July 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Delegates to the 92nd annual convention of The American Legion Department of Indiana have elected a retired United States Marine to lead the 100,000-member veterans' service organization during the coming year.

Leland O. Baxter, a Vietnam veteran and eight-year veteran of the prestigious HMX 1, the president's helicopter squadron, was unanimously elected Department Commander  in the closing session of the 92nd annual convention of the Department of Indiana  Saturday, July 18, in Indianapolis.

Baxter is a 28-year member of The American Legion at Sellersburg, Indiana, having joined Post 204 there following his 21-year career as a United States Marine. He retired from the Corps as a Master Sergeant.

His Legion experience includes service at the post level as commander for five years, vice commander for three years, and finance officer for five years.  He served the eighth district as Commander, Vice Commander, Finance Officer and Membership Chairman, and the Department as Southern Vice Commander, Membership Chairman and has chaired all four major commissions. He also served a seven-year stint as Vice Chairman of the National and Homeland Security Council for the National Organization of The American Legion.

Baxter and his wife Joan have been married for 47 years and are the parents of two children and the grandparents of six, including two special needs children who have become an integral part of the family. During his year in office, the new commander will solicit support and contributions for the Riley Children's Hospital Foundation from members of the Legion family – the Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of The American Legion – as special endeavor he has selected for his year in office.

SOURCE American Legion Department of Indiana