National Commander Martin “Marty” Conatser made an official visit to Georgia January 24-26 and his first stop on his three day visit was at Fayette County Post 105’s “Log Cabin” in Fayetteville. Conatser was greeted by nearly 100 Georgia legionnaires from Atlanta and surrounding cities. Dale Barnett, Georgia’s Department (State) commander, members of the senior staff of the Georgia Department and David Niebes, Commander of Post 105, were in attendance. Niebes was the master of ceremonies for the luncheon.

Conatser was elected National Commander of the 2.7 million-member American Legion on August 30, 2007 in Reno, Nevada during the 89th National Convention of the nation's largest veterans' organization.

A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam era, Conatser joined the Illinois National Guard as an infantryman in 1970. He went on active duty in 1976 and held all positions in Army recruiting from field recruiter to sergeant major from which he retired in 1996.

He is a 25-year member of Lincoln American Legion Post #102 in DeLand, Ill., where he served as post commander and adjutant. Conatser has also served as district, division and department membership director and commander. At the national level, he was on the Membership and Post Activities Committee and became its chairman in 2003. During 2004 and 2005 he chaired the National Legislative Commission.

During his visit, Conatser stressed the American Legion’s deep devotion to “… the veterans of America, their families, and the finest group of your men and women fighting the Global War on Terrorism.” He spoke to Georgian legionnaires about the value of their membership and “…the four pillars of it founding – national security, care for veterans, patriotism, and youth – since the first group of war-weary World War I troops gathered in Paris to started the American Legion in 1919.”

Conatser emphasized some facts that perhaps the general public does not know about the American Legion’s veteran and veteran’s family support programs – for instance, 100 percent of the funds collected go to these programs.

The American Legion does not withhold any administrative cost. Many groups that identify themselves as supporting veterans programs frequently use telemarketing campaigns, withholding 85 to 90 percent of the funds collected for administrative cost. The American Legion’s veteran and veteran’s family programs are funded by membership dues. All of the money collected from “Poppy” donations goes to aid veterans and their families.

Conatser focused on the American Legion’s special scholarship program, created just days after 9/11, to assist young people, whose parents made the ultimate sacrifice, to attend college. Since 9/11, The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund has captured the hearts of veteran, corporations, communities, motorcyclist and at least one country music star. This year, $36,000 will be distributed in equal shares among qualified applicants, chosen by The American Legion National Education Committee.

The American Legion also sponsors other community programs like the Boys and Girl State program, the High School Oratorical Contest, Scouting, Special Olympics and others.

Conatser resides in Champaign, Ill. with his wife Sharon and is the father of three boys, Richard, Rick and Bryan. Two daughters-in-law, a grandson, and two granddaughters are all members of the American Legion family.

Fayette County Post 105 and Auxiliary Unit 105 meet on the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Log Cabin across from the Fayette County Complex.

For membership information, contact Niebes at 770-631-0771. Information about the American Legion can be found online at the national website, www.legion.org, or on the Georgia website, www.galegion.org.

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