American Legion National Commander to Speak in Detroit Lakes on April 9

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford is coming to Becker County and will speak on issues of importance to Minnesota veterans on April 9.

Among the topics Oxford typically addresses are how to get post-9/11 veterans involved in veteran service organizations, American Legion Buddy Checks, suicide prevention, COVID-19 vaccines, VA health care for women veterans and a fundraiser called 100 Miles for Hope.

He will visit American Legion Post 15 in Detroit Lakes for supper on Friday, April 9, and talk with veterans, community leaders and citizens.

“We are honored to showcase National Commander Oxford throughout Minnesota,” said American Legion Minnesota Commander Mark Dvorak. “The post-9/11 veterans are our future, and the more we can do to inform them about what’s going on in the veteran community, the better.”

With a membership of almost 2 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the Four Pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 13,000 posts across the nation and overseas, including 539 in Minnesota.