Commander's Corner Message
COMMANDER’S VISION FOR 2026
American Legion Post 320
“Veterans Serving Veterans, Families, and Community”
As we move forward into 2026, I want to share my vision for the future of American Legion Post 320. Our Post has a proud history, resolute members, and a strong foundation built by Veterans who came before us. Now, it is our responsibility to build upon that foundation and take Post 320 to an even higher level of excellence.
Our success will not come from the efforts of one person. It will take all of us, our officers, members, families, volunteers, and supporters—working together with a common purpose.
📈 INCREASING MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION
One of my primary goals for 2026 is to increase our membership and, more importantly, increase member participation.
Membership is more than paying annual dues. Membership means being connected to your Post, supporting its mission, attending meetings and activities, volunteering when you can, and being there for your fellow Legionnaires.
I encourage every member to invite another eligible Veteran to become part of our American Legion family. But recruitment is only the beginning. Once we bring new members through the door, we must make them feel welcomed, valued, and needed.
We need members who simply do not have a membership card, we need members who are engaged and involved.
💰 MEMBERSHIP DUES AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Our membership dues are essential to keeping our Post operating and allowing us to provide programs, services, and activities for our Veterans and community.
I encourage every member to make sure their current membership dues are paid and kept current. A strong membership base gives our Post the resources and stability needed to accomplish our mission.
At the same time, accountability must apply to all of us. As members and leaders, we must take responsibility for the commitments we make. When we volunteer for responsibility, accept an assignment, or agree to participate in a project, we must follow through.
Accountability is not about pointing fingers. It is about building trust.
🤝 VOLUNTEERISM: MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK
There are many things that need to be accomplished at Post 320. Some projects are large, while others may require only a few hours of someone’s time. We need your help.
Our Post cannot function at the level of excellence we have become accustomed to as Veterans if the responsibility rests on only a handful of people. We need volunteers for Post activities, committees, events, community outreach, maintenance, fundraising, membership efforts, and Veteran programs. You may think, “What difference can I make?”
The answer is: A tremendous difference.
Every hour volunteered, every phone call made, every event supported, and every helping hand extended contributes to the success of our Post.
🫡 BE PRESENT. BE READY. BE WILLING.
As Veterans, we understand what it means to be prepared and ready to serve. That same spirit should continue here at Post 320. When a fellow Legionnaire needs assistance, let us be there. When a Veteran or Veteran’s family needs support, let us respond. When our community needs us, let us step forward. Being a member of the American Legion means being part of something bigger than ourselves. We are a family, and families take care of one another.
❤️ SUPPORTING OUR LEGIONNAIRES AND THEIR FAMILIES
0ur mission extends beyond the walls of our Post.
We must continue to look for ways to support our fellow Veterans, their spouses, children, parents, and families. Sometimes support may mean providing information or directing someone to available Veteran resources. Other times, it may simply mean making a phone call, offering encouragement, lending a helping hand, or being present when someone needs us.
No Legionnaire should feel that they are standing alone. We served together. Now, we must continue to stand together.
🏛️ TAKING PRIDE IN POST 320
Post 320 belongs to all of us. If we want our Post to operate at the level of excellence we expect and deserve as Veterans, then we must all take ownership of its success. Let us attend our meetings. Let us participate in our programs. Let us volunteer. Let us recruit. Let us support our leadership. Let us hold ourselves accountable. Let us pay our dues. Let us take care of our facility. Let us support our Veterans. Let us support our families. And most importantly, let us support one another.
THE ROAD AHEAD
My vision for 2026 is simple:
A stronger Membership + Greater Participation + More Volunteers.
Better accountability + Stronger fellowship + Greater Community involvement + And a Post that is always ready to Serve.
We have accomplished much, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
The question is not whether Post 320 can reach greater heights.
The question is: Will we do it together?
I believe we will.
We have Veterans who know what commitment means. We know what teamwork means. We know what sacrifice means. We know what it means to answer the call. Now is the time to bring that same spirit to American Legion Post 320. Let us make 2026 the year we do not just talk about the future of Post 320, we build it. Ask every member, find your place, get involved, Volunteer, Participate, support your fellow Legionnaires and Help us make Post 320 everything it can and should be.
Together, we can continue the proud tradition of Veterans serving Veterans, families, and our community.
GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS
GOD BLESS AMERICAN LEGION POST 320
GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
For God and Country,
Commander JEROLD R. BANKS
American Legion Post 320
American Legion Post 320
Spotsylvania, VA
Email: vaalpost320cdr@gmail.com
Post Voicemail: (540) 548-8069