INDIANAPOLIS, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Richard A. Jewell, a Viet Nam veteran from Bath, Indiana, was elected State Commander of the 100,000-member American Legion Department of Indiana during the closing session of the 94th annual state convention in Indianapolis July 14, 2012. His election was unanimous and by acclamation.

As State Commander, Jewell will serve as the organization’s executive officer until July 2013. During that time, he will be responsible for the programs, legislative priorities and public statements of the organization.

Commander Jewell is a nine-year veteran of the United States Army and a member of American Legion Post 122 in Liberty, IN, which awarded him an honorary life membership in 1995 in recognition of his service to the post. In addition to his active military service, Jewell also served for six years in the Army Reserve. During his military service, Jewell was an Aviation Maintenance Mechanic with service in the Republic of Vietnam and Germany.

Following military service Jewell operated his own Commercial and Residential Carpentry business for more than twenty years, retiring in 2010. During that time he was active in The American Legion, serving in increasingly responsible positions at the post, district, department, and national levels.

In addition to his Legion service, Jewell also is active in VFW Post 1472 in Liberty, Masonic Lodge 58 also in Liberty, American Legion Riders Chapter 500 at Speedway Post 500 in Indianapolis, the Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans in Canada, United States Unit (ANAVICUS), and the Indiana American Legion Past District Commanders Club.

Jewell and his family maintained a military presence nearly continuously for 43 years, with as many as four members serving concurrently, beginning in 1967 and continuing until the fall of 2011. Collectively, Jewell and his family have over 60 years of active duty and reserve and National Guard service, including three Korean tours, two tours in Germany, and a total of eight combat tours in Viet Nam, Somalia, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

The American Legion Department of Indiana
777 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
www.indlegion.org
Phone: 317.630.1300
Toll Free: 317.888.7999
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