American Legion National Commander Visits Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

American Legion National Commander Dave Rehbein of Iowa stepped quickly through the rain and into a warm reception at the Newtown United Methodist Church last weekend, where a crowd waited to salute and greet the guest of Newtown’s American Legion Post 202.

Earlier, local American Legion members from Newtown and surrounding posts had been watching the clock in the church basement as they prepared a late lunch.

“Once a year he visits every state, and wanted to come through our district,” said Post 202 Vice Commander Boyd Saxton.

Eager to greet the US Army Vietnam-era veteran infantryman, American Legion George A. Powell Post 202 Auxiliary President Alice Saxton hurried from the kitchen with trays of hot dogs and buns. Placing them over a burner to keep warm, she also refilled bowls of chips and kept up with tea and coffee urns. Stepping through the rows of tables filling with guests, she stopped at one display in the back where visitors were looking through memorabilia, passing time as Commander Rehbein’s visit neared.

Ms Saxton pointed to documents, medals and ribbons, awards, and articles commemorating legion members and activities.

“It may not be of interest to the average person, but to us it is history,” she noted. Reaching for a scrapbook with clips, photos, and headlines marking events for Post 202, she pointed to one page indicating “a little of our own history.”

Raising a false alarm outside was state Commander Harvey Duggell’s arrival, as Post 303 Commander William Saren, Vice Commander Saxton, and a handful of others waited to great the Commander Rehbein. Also entering the church hall were National Executive Committee Liaison Richard Anderson, Adjutant Don Thurston, who is running for the senior vice commander’s position, and Norwalk Post 12 Commander Rich Olson. Holding a sign that said, “Thanks for saying No” or “No Way” to several of the Obama administration’s proposals regarding veterans, Mr Olson said, “When the two events took place he stood up” to defend veterans’ interests. “I wanted to thank him face to face,” Mr Olson said. “It’s not easy to stand up to the President…”

Minutes later the national commander arrived. Greeting the members gathered, he soon found a quieter moment to talk about his efforts. Regarding legislation to which Mr Olson had referred, Commander Rehbein said, “We got involved with [the President] and our [health] care.” He also noted prior Homeland Security issues. He had defended the veterans and agreed that “the administration had made the right decisions.” Aside from guarding veterans’ best interests, he hopes to send a message as he travels from one state to another. “I’ll also talk about the importance of being involved in the community — as a veteran, as a citizen, etc.”

Approaching Commander Rehbein, Mr Olson held out his sign saying, “It was the right thing to do. We appreciate it.” Tapping the sign to indicate one of the phrases, Mr Rehbein said, “This one is not over.”

Mr Rehbein also presented a flag to The Newtown Bee meant to remember those who serve their country. The commander traditionally presents a flag to one business in each town he visits to promote patriotism.