KDSN RADIO News

Friday, March 5, 2021

RELEASE: Breda American Legion Hosting National Commander's Iowa Tour

Tuesday, March 16th will be a big day for the Breda American Legion.

National Commander James W “Bill” Oxford will be making one of the 7 stops on his Iowa Tour in Breda. His day will start with a stop in Manilla at 11:00. That stop will be at the Manila Memorial Hall.

From there, he and his party, including his Aide, Mr. Cline, National Executive Committee Member Jerry Sebben, and Alternate Nation Executive Committee Member Dennis Soppe, will travel to Carroll to check in at there hotel and take a short break. They will the continue on to the Fred F. Norman J Bruning American Legion Post #607 in Breda.

In Breda, there will be a Reception and Dinner. They will arrive in Breda around 4:30 and festivities will begin at 5:00 P.M. Dinner will consist of Chicken Noodle Soup, Ham and Cheese Sandwiches and Desert Bars provided by The American Legion Auxilary.

James W. “Bill” Oxford was elected national commander of The American Legion on Aug. 29, 2019, in Indianapolis, during the organization’s 101st national convention. He has been a member of the nation’s largest veterans’ organization since 1986.

A native of Lenoir, N.C., Oxford is a paid-up-for-life member and past commander of Post 29 in Lenoir. He served as department (state) commander of the North Carolina American Legion from 2010 to 2011. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Oxford was an aviation electronic technician for the A-6 Intruder and served in Vietnam during his initial enlistment. After being discharged as a sergeant in 1970, Oxford joined the North Carolina National Guard.  He subsequently attended officer’s candidate school and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, where he ultimately retired as a colonel after more than 34 years of military service.

Oxford has served at every level of The American Legion.  A former mayor and city council of Cajah’s Mountain, N.C., he has worked since he was a high school student, with most of his career choices being in the maintenance and engineering field. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and multiple safety and environmental certificates.

Oxford has volunteered as a coach, umpire, referee and administrator in several youth athletic programs, including service as the public address announcer for the Post 29 American Legion Baseball team.

An active volunteer with several organizations, Oxford is a member of Masonic Lodge-York Scottish Rite and the North Carolina Army Retirees Council. His theme as national commander of The American Legion is “A Foundation for the Future,” as the organization enters its second century of service.

Oxford and his wife, Frances, have been married since 1967.  They have a son, Charles (married to Deah Reid), and a daughter, Jackie (married to Mike Carr). They also have four grandsons, Isiah, Micah, Jaggar and Dawson.

Part of the evening schedule will be presentation of 50 year Membership Certificates to Arnold Tiefenthaler, Mark Ludwig, Bill Stork and Dale Wernimont. This event is an American Legion Family Activity. All area American Legion Members, American Legion Auxiliary Members, and Sons of The American Legion Members, as well as All Veterans, are invited to attend.

National Commander Oxford and his party will return to their hotel approximately
7:00 P.M. Other stops on his Iowa tour are Sergeant Bluff Post 662 on Monday. On Wednesday they will go to Hiland Post #374 in Des Moines and Gladbrook Post 127. Thursday will include stops at Deep River Post 296 and Cumming Post 274. Commander Oxford and Mr. Cline will leave on Friday morning for Denver.

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