Supporting Veterans and strengthening the communities they call home remains the central mission of the American Legion.

During a recent broadcast of Minnesota Military Radio, featured guests National Commander Dan Wiley and Minnesota Department Commander Linda Dvorak, shared how the American Legion’s mission continues to guide their work — from helping Veterans access earned benefits to addressing critical challenges like mental health and financial hardship.

Wiley’s visit to Minnesota coincided with Minnesota Veterans Day on the Hill in April, an annual event where Veteran service organizations advocate for legislative priorities such as their key effort to update the Disabled Veterans Homestead Tax Exclusion, which has not kept pace with rising property values.

Wiley emphasized the importance of these visits, noting that local posts are the backbone of the organization.

“Every community is different,” he said, pointing out that each post adapts its efforts to meet the unique needs of Veterans and families in their area.

The American Legion operates through four pillars:

• Veterans affairs and rehabilitation
• National security
• Americanism
• Children and youth

Founded in 1919 by Veterans returning from World War I, the American Legion began as a grassroots effort to support service members transitioning back into civilian life. With more than 12,000 posts nationwide, the organization has grown into the nation’s largest Veterans service organization. Over the past century, the Legion has played a major role in shaping Veteran policy, including helping pass the original GI Bill, the original Flag Code, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Agent Orange Act, the PACT Act and advocating for recognition of service-related health conditions.

Wiley, elected in August 2025, brings both military and civilian leadership experience to the role. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1986 to 1990 in a missile wing in Montana before becoming a district court judge in Kansas. As national commander, Wiley serves a one-year term that requires extensive travel, nearly 340 days a year, visiting posts across all 50 states and internationally and connecting directly with Veterans and local leaders.

Dvorak’s leadership at the state level is equally rooted in long-term service. She enlisted in the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1976 and went on to serve 42 years in uniform and federal roles, retiring as a senior master sergeant. Her involvement with the American Legion began years later, and she rose through the ranks to become Minnesota’s department commander.

Advocacy remains central to the Legion’s mission. Nationally, the organization continues to push for passage of the Major Richard Star Act, that aims to ensure that Veterans whose careers were shortened by combat injuries receive the full financial benefits they earned. One of its most urgent initiatives is “Be the One,” a campaign aimed at reducing Veteran suicide through awareness, training and community engagement.

Beyond awareness, the American Legion provides support through its accredited Veteran Service Officers. These experts assist Veterans — free of charge — with navigating the VA disability claims process. In 2025 alone, Legion service officers helped secure $29.5 billion in benefits. Wiley also cautioned against “claim sharks,” for-profit entities that charge Veterans for services the Legion, MDVA and others provides at no cost.

At the state level, Commander Dvorak highlighted Minnesota-specific initiatives, including Fund 85 that provides emergency financial support. Since 2021, the fund has distributed more than $500,000 to Veterans facing urgent needs such as transportation or housing challenges. Dvorak also emphasized the Legion’s community impact, citing a recent effort that helped raise over $1 million for a young shooting victim with ties to a local post. Dvorak also serves on the Executive Committee for the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum that the State of Minnesota funded $32 million toward the design and construction of the new 40,000-square-foot museum facility adjacent to Camp Ripley near Little Falls. It is currently scheduled to open in the fall.

Whether at the national, state or local level, the American Legion’s mission remains consistent: to serve Veterans, strengthen communities and ensure that those who served the nation continue to receive the care and support they have earned.

For more information, visit legion.org or mnlegion.org.