SPECIAL GREETING FROM COMMANDER PAUL SPEIGLE

The 36th National Sons of AMVETS Convention in Greensboro, North Carolina, considering the circumstances, was a unique experience with everyone stepping up to the plate to make it a success. It is a great honor to be elected Sons of AMVETS National Commander and to be humbled with the support of my fellow Sons and AMVETS family. I am ready to serve my role and up to the challenges of this coming year. With an experienced group of officers, I know we will accomplish great things for the organization and continue to grow. We are dedicated to serving our Veterans, military families, communities, and the AMVETS Family.
Many of you have known me for years, for those that don’t I will give you a brief background. I am a machinist by trade and run my family beef farm. My wife Denise and I have been married for 31 years and have two children. Over twenty years ago, I joined Squadron 45 in Salem, Ohio and became a life member. Shortly after joining Sons of AMVETS, our post formed a Junior AMVETS unit and my kids roped me into being involved with Junior AMVETS on all levels. Both of my children, Amanda, and Trevor are Past National Presidents of Junior AMVETS. My son is a Sergeant in the United States Army attached to the 101st Airborne stationed in Fort Campbell, KY with his wife Hailey, and daughter Toree. They will be welcoming the arrival of a baby girl in January 2022.
My commitment to serve Veterans has grown stronger after my son Trevor joined the United States Army and signed that blank check. It has brought a whole new meaning to me and my family having a child defend our country. You won’t find a more patriotic, Veteran supporting family than ours.
With the Veteran’s suicide crisis at hand, I have chosen Warrior Battalion, a 501c3 charity, as my project. Their mission is to fight the battle against post-traumatic stress and support U.S. military service members and their families through healing programs to end Veteran suicide. Warrior Battalion has developed a national resource map where Veterans, their families and supporters can connect and help one another. Nationwide peer mentors are being trained and certified in suicide prevention with the focus on a network to be there in time to prevent Veteran suicide. Future retreat homes for military families for getaways are being developed to provide a serene location to offer outdoor activities targeted to reducing stress and building family bonds. For more information, please visit www.warriorbattalion.org. It is my hope that all of you will support this great project. One Veteran suicide is too many.
It is an uneasy time for our military and country with the current events taking place in Afghanistan. We all need to come together and support our Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen as they have difficult tasks ahead of them. Let us not forget to thank and check-in on those who have served during hostile times, as this could be a rough time at hand. 
Thank you again for your support and having the confidence in me to serve as your National Commander.  I look forward to working with you and living up to our motto “if you want something done, call a Son.”
Yours in service,
 
Paul R. Speigle - Commander
National Sons of AMVETS