Oklahoma Legion Family Polo Shirts
2026-2027
Legion Family,
The 2026-2027 Department of Oklahoma Legion Shirts are available NOW!
The store close date is on NOVEMBER 20, 2026
Just click the link below and order yours today!
All merch stores are setup as a preorder sale, this means we print everything AFTER the store closes. Once the store closes, all sales are final.
Chris Sherbourne: chrissherbourne@yahoo.com ter conventi
Get Your Tickets Now!
We are a Veteran Service Organization providing support and resources to veterans in our community. Our mission is to ensure that every veteran has access to the care and assistance they need to thrive after serving our country.
Contact
Elmo May: Elmomay_55@yahoo.com
Chris Sherbourne: chrissherbourne@yahoo.com
Department of Oklahoma - 2026-2027 - Executive Leadership
Department Commander - Shirley May
"The Legion Family, Moving Together as ONE"
Department Leadership
Department Commander: Shirley May
Senior Vice Commander: Patricia Mathes-Kerr
Vice Commander East: Karen Cruice
Vice Commander West: Wayne Flowers
Department Treasurer: Sam McPherson
Department Judge Advocate: Dale Haynes
Department Sergeant-at-Arms: Ed Lager
Department Chaplain: Bobby Stewart
National Executive Committeeman: Charlie O'Leary
Alternate National Executive Committeeman:
Michael Taylor
Department Surgeon: John Loose
Department Adjutant: Stark Davis
Dept. Representative
to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission: Brett Martin
Membership Retention is the KEY to Success
The Nation's Largest
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
For Over 100 Years
The American Legion's Washington Conference, held annually in our nation's capital gives our organization's leadership a chance to meet with elected officials to discuss legislative initiatives and priorities important to Legion members and their families. It also provides a forum that allows Legionnaires to hear from senators, representatives, and officials from the White House and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Commanders Communication
Commanders Corner
Inspiring Information coming soon
Voice of the Sr. Vice
1. I will have weekly office hours Wednesdays 1030-1530 at the Oklahoma Department HQ in Warr Acres. Come by and see me if you’re in town! I am available via email, text, and phone other days of the week.
2. I would LOVE to come see you at your post events! While I can openly attend public events without invitation, IAW our C&BL’s, I do need an invitation (email, letter, or text) to attend your post meetings and events—even an open invitation needs to be sent via email, letter or text. I will do my best to attend all I can!
3. In the next few months, I will be sending out a survey to capture data on members who leave the organization. Please prepare to help me capture this data, which will help us identify how to keep our members engaged. Clarifying instruction will publish when the survey is sent out.
4. Look for more to come as we start the race toward an outstanding membership year in the coming month, prepare for District Fall Meetings/Conferences, and begin planning for Midwinter and 2027 Summer Convention!
46:1-2
-For God and Country
Eastern Travels
Greetings Legion Family,
Fall is here, and one of the best parts of this time of year is getting out around the state for our District Conferences. Each conference gives us an opportunity to share ideas, hear what is happening in our Posts, and learn from one another. No two Posts are exactly alike, and that is one of the strengths of The American Legion.
Our new approach to celebrating membership is also going strong. Dividing our Posts into teams and divisions through The American Legion League has given us a new way to look at membership across the state. We are celebrating the Posts reaching their goals, but we are also recognizing that every renewal, every new member, and every Post that continues moving forward contributes to the success of the entire team. It has been exciting to watch Posts encourage one another and see a little friendly competition along the way.
As we move further into fall, I want us to continue looking beyond membership numbers and think about what keeps our Posts active and gives our members a reason to belong. I am working on ideas that Posts of every size can use to support the Four Pillars of The American Legion. Not every activity has to be a large event. Sometimes a small project, a few members working together, or a new partnership in the community can make a tremendous difference. The important thing is to find ways to serve our veterans, our youth, our communities, and our nation—and then tell people about the work we are doing.
We are also beginning to look toward Mid-Winter Conference, and once again we are working on a training plan designed to help our Legionnaires grow. My goal is for our training to continue becoming something members can take home and actually use in their Posts. Whether you are a new member learning how The American Legion works or an experienced officer looking for a new idea, there should be an opportunity to learn something that helps you and your Post become stronger.
There is a lot happening across Oklahoma, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together this fall. Keep working toward that next membership goal, keep finding ways to put the Four Pillars into action, and most importantly, keep sharing your ideas with one another.
Strong Posts build strong teams, and strong teams build a stronger Department of Oklahoma.
Be The One
Karen Cruice
Vice Commander East
Department of Oklahoma
Western Travels
Inspiring Information coming soon
National News
Inspiring Information coming soon
Riders Road Map
Oklahoma Veterans… We Need You. 🇺🇸
Come join us. Be part of something bigger than yourself.
The American Legion Riders are more than motorcycles, we are a family united by a mission of continued service. Our commitment to veterans, our communities, our youth, and our nation doesn’t end when we hang up the uniform. It simply takes on a new form.
Come serve alongside men and women who still believe in selfless service, patriotism, and making a difference. Together, we live the Four Pillars of The American Legion by supporting our veterans, strengthening our communities, mentoring our youth, and promoting Americanism every single day.
We don’t ride for recognition.
We ride for the cause, not the applause.
If you’re looking for purpose, camaraderie, and an opportunity to continue serving something greater than yourself, there’s a place for you with us.
Join the mission. Join the family. Help us make Oklahoma stronger, one mile, one veteran, and one act of service at a time.
For God, Country, and Service,
Brett Martin
Director ALR Department of Oklahoma
PDC Pedagogy
Legionnaire insurance trust
National Commander Jay Bowen continues be the one
Be The One
TO ASK VETERANS IN YOUR LIFE HOW THEY ARE DOING.
TO LISTEN WHEN A VETERAN NEEDS TO TALK.
TO REACH OUT WHEN A VETERAN IS STRUGGLING.
Be The One | The American Legion
TAL National Commander JAY BOWEN
Jay Bowen
National Commander
The American Legion
2026-2027
A retired chief warrant officer three, Bowen worked in radar and missile maintenance on HAWK and Patriot systems. His 20-year Army career included service in Operation Desert Shield.
Following his military service, Bowen worked in the private sector in roles including distribution management and telecommunications engineering. He built a preventive maintenance program for baked beans manufacturer Bush Brothers & Company. He later worked in federal defense contracting. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Arkansas University, graduating summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts degree from Webster University.
Bowen has held numerous leadership positions within The American Legion at the post, district, department (state), and national levels. A Paid Up For Life member of Neal Thomas Jr.-Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs, Colo., he is a past commander of the Department of Colorado. At the national level, he has served as chairman of the Veterans Employment and Education Commission, chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, and chairman of the Membership and Post Activities Committee, among other roles.
As national commander, Bowen emphasizes The American Legion’s mission of service through his theme, “Be Part of the Solution (B.P.O.T.S.),” encouraging members to engage actively in their communities, support veterans, and their families, and advance the organization’s legislative priorities. He is a staunch advocate for The American Legion “Be the One” mission to prevent veteran suicide.
Bowen and his wife, Jackie, have two sons and four grandchildren, all members of The American Legion Family. Their oldest grandson recently married a very nice lady with three sons, so they are now great-grandparents.
Upcoming Events
Join us for upcoming events, from community gatherings to special sales. We can't wait to see you there.
Sunday Supper Club
Every Sunday
Evenings in the Park
First Friday of the Month
Morning Brews & Views
Every Saturday
