The national commander of the American Legion is touring Iowa this week. Dan Dellinger, who is based in Virginia, says the purpose of his visit is to meet with some of the 49,000 Iowans who are members of the American Legion — or Legionnaires. “I’m here to see how the post interacts with the community and what they do to help the community,” Dellinger says. “Also, to thank them for their service and find out if there’s any concerns about veterans’ benefits or anything we can do to assist them at the national level.”
Dellinger says part of the American Legion’s purpose is aiding the nation’s veterans after they’ve served our country. “We’re here to help them with their claims to insure we have no servicemen left behind,” he says. “If they have a claim with the VA, that it’s processed in a timely manner and that they get everything they’re entitled to and that their wellbeing is being taken care of.” This marks the 95th year of the American Legion.
Dellinger will be at an open house for north-central Iowa veterans today (Tuesday) in Webster City. He will make appearances Wednesday in Carroll, Breda and Des Moines.
(Reporting by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)