Commander

Department Commander Rodney Strong

100th Convention Selection for Commander of The American Legion, Department of Indiana

Rodney Strong was elected The American Legion, Department of Indiana state commander by delegates from the 11 districts throughout the state during the 100th annual Indiana American Legion Convention on July 14, 2017 in Indianapolis.

Rodney is a proud member of Byron Cox Post 72 out of Crawfordsville, IN, where he has been a member for 28 years and served the post in various positions including membership chairman, Hoosier Boys State Chairman and post commander.

He has also served the Sixth District as a capable and proficient District Vice Commander, Sixth District Commander and is currently the 6th District Hoosier Boys State Chairman.

Rodney has served the Department of Indiana as Southern Vice Commander, Rehabilitation Commission Chairman, Children & Youth Commission Chairman, Americanism Commission Chairman and Internal Affairs Commission Chairman.

He is also a 54-year member of the Sons of The American Legion Squadron 72 and served as S.A.L. Detachment Commander of Indiana from 1993-94. Cmdr. Strong is the only person in Indiana to serve as both S.A.L. Commander and Department of Indiana Commander.

Rodney earned his American Legion eligibility by honorably serving in the United States Navy from 1980-84, where he completed two tours off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon and one tour off the coast of Grenada.

Rodney has a 100% American Legion Family. He has been married for 32 years to his wife, Sharon, who is an Auxiliary member of unit 72 in Crawfordsville and his three children, Ryan, Patrick and Nicole, who are members of are members of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 72 and Auxiliary unit 72.

Strong’s “Commander’s Project” this year is to help the friends of Ernie Pyle World War II museum to raise $30,000 or more towards the $90,000 make improvements to Ernie Pyle’s birthplace and a museum highlighting the famous journalist’s life and writings as a correspondent during World War II.

The historic site is owned and operated by the Friends of Ernie Pyle, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Pyle’s legacy in Dana, as well as throughout Indiana and the nation.

His motto this year is, “A century of service and still going Strong.”

“This is an exciting year for us as we are about to celebrate 100 years of service here in the great state of Indiana.," said, Strong. " There is a lot of work to do and we need to build on the momentum of what Cmdr. Marty Dzieglowicz was able to do before us. We will work to secure The American Legion for another 100 years."

Request the Commander for your Event

Please submit request forms at least 30 days in advance for the department commander's schedule. Click the button below to request for the department commander to attend your event.

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Click here to download a fill-able, printable copy. Fill out the form and email to commander@indianalegion.org or mail to Department Headquarters at:

ATTN: Audra Leary
5440 Herbert Lord Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46216