Commander’s Corner

“Joint Efforts Triumph!”

This has not just been a slogan, but the way that both Department Commander John Aldridge and I have approached the 2023 – 2024 Legion year together. I am very privileged to have been elected at the same time he was and worked with him this year.

As we look toward our 85th Convention in June in Visalia, I am looking forward to our Detachment being able to make VCF and CWF donations hitting the $1 per member mark this year for about $6,000.00 each. I am also grateful for us having had as smooth and successful a D.E.C. in Santa Maria in March alongside our Legion comrades. It was a great experience.

I am eligible for my membership in the S.A.L. because of my Grandfather’s service in the U. S. Navy in WWII. My Dad, his Son, passed down a Zippo lighter to me with “L. Brandon” and “USN” with an anchor engraved on it from 80 years ago. I cleaned it, replaced the wick and flint, filled it with lighter fluid and actually lit a cigarillo with it that I smoked recently. That small gesture, as well as the last three years in Detachment leadership, was dedicated to him and all of our veterans. I hope you feel like I do – that I can never repay any of them for what they have done, but I’ll  sure keep trying to make a difference for them as long as I can.

Thank you all for your support.

Sean Brandon

Commander