All Due Respect: The American Legion

The Company You Keep

Elizabeth Hartman — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 19:28:46 GMT

The American Legion Department of North Carolina hosted its midwinter conference this week, from February 12-14th. For those of you with jobs, who shamefully chose your employment over a dying veteran service organization, you didn’t miss much.

There is however, one thing worth noting.

Student Veterans of America was present at this years midwinter conf…

Get Married. Have Babies.

Elizabeth Hartman — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 17:57:40 GMT

The American Legion has released its 2026 Legislative Agenda, in advance of their 2026 Washington Conference. Typically, I would argue at length about how releasing this agenda, packed with legislative demands, a mere three weeks before the Conference itself, leaves members little (if any) time to thoroughly prep for their meetings with Congress, but I’ll leave that for another time.

Today, I’d rather focus on the other elephant in the room that no one is willing to address, because it means imminent political suicide.

Suicide.

Nebraska's Allergy to Accountability

Elizabeth Hartman — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:42:42 GMT

If I had to list my favorite American Legion Departments from best to worst, Nebraska would be near the bottom. They represent everything I detest about The American Legion.

In 1993, Nebraska Vice-Commander, John Arias, brutally raped and tortured his ex-wife, while his children were in the home. While she was still bound and gagged, he kidnapped the ch…

Fuck you. Pay me.

Elizabeth Hartman — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:40:01 GMT

Yesterday, I did something strange.

I published an article defending The American Legion. Specifically, I backed Mark Seavey, the National Judge Advocate, on a legal opinion he released clarifying the rights and limits of the Sons of The American Legion (SAL). It was a dry, meticulously researched piece of legal writing. It clarified, in detail, that SAL…

Sons of The American Legion

Elizabeth Hartman — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:24:49 GMT

In early November, I was contacted by a member of The American Legion, who was concerned about an opinion recently released by Mark Seavey, the National Judge Advocate of The American Legion. The opinion addressed the relationship between the Sons of The American Legion (SAL) and The American Legion.

Arizona Speaks

Elizabeth Hartman — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 23:14:13 GMT

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the coronation of Matt Shuman as the American Legion’s “chosen” National Commander for 2027. Today, I’m sharing a document that I believe speaks for itself.

This letter, signed by Past Department Commanders of Arizona - Shuman’s own Department - makes their position crystal clear: he is unqualified to be National Commander.

Marketing For Dummies

Elizabeth Hartman — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:15:59 GMT

The American Legion spends millions of dollars every year on marketing. Millions. According to their 990s, nearly $800,000 went to a single marketing vendor (Diesel Jack) in one year, and their Media & Communications Division runs a budget well into the millions, annually.

Tal 2023 990

620KB ∙ PDF file

Download

For that kind of money, you’d expect results: clear, meaningful engagement that reflects real value to veterans. Instead, what you get are “metrics” that make my 8th grader chuckle.

Let’s dig in.

The House in Disorder

Elizabeth Hartman — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 22:08:38 GMT

The American Legion isn’t a fan of transparency. So when these documents found their way to my inbox, I figured I would do what they won’t: share them with you.

As you read these, keep in mind that the “leading candidate” to be National Commander in 2026 is Jay Bowen, from Colorado - a Department that doesn’t even have an active charter. Think about that…

Two Masters: Matt Shuman and the Crisis of the American Legion

Elizabeth Hartman — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:11:27 GMT

The annual “election” for National Commander of The American Legion is not a contest. It is a coronation. As documented repeatedly, a small inner circle, know most commonly as The Team, handpicks commanders years in advance, bypassing the structures most members assume are in place.

The Team’s chosen candidate for 2027 is Matt Shuman.

Shuman has never held an elected leadership position within The American Legion. He has never been elected by a post, by a district, by a division, or by a department. His rapid ascension was assured behind closed doors, bolstered by insider appointments. He was never chosen by members. He was appointed by gatekeepers.

The Finance Commission `

Elizabeth Hartman — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 20:44:13 GMT

I am reporting live from The American Leigon’s 2025 National Convention, in Tampa, Florida. This year, Commission Chairman instructed members they were not permitted to record meetings. Presumably, because they’re a bit frustrated with one woman shining light on all of their skeletons.

Unfortunately for The American Legion, my little birdies rival that …

The American Legion World Series

Elizabeth Hartman — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 11:47:07 GMT

Welcome to Shelby, North Carolina, home of The American Legion World Series. Each August, as Department’s are preparing for the National Convention, eight youth baseball teams from across the country are preparing for the opportunity to win the title of American Legion World Series Champion.

Credit: American Legion HQ

First established in Milbank, South …

Dan Wheeler

Elizabeth Hartman — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:00:02 GMT

In early 2016, The New York Times reported that the Wounded Warrior Project had spent nearly 40 percent of its income on overhead, with lavish executive salaries and team building events, making up the bulk of their spending.1 The story ignited a firestorm in both veteran and civilian circles. Under mounting pressure, the organization fired its top two executives in an effort to restore public trust. The message was clear: nonprofit leaders, especially those stewarding the goodwill of veterans and donors, are not above accountability.

This brings us to Dan Wheeler.

The Team

Elizabeth Hartman — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 21:08:25 GMT

If you would like more information about the structure of The American Legion and what it means to “hold the book,” I encourage you to read these two articles:

The following individuals hold the book for their respective Departments. If you do not see your Department listed, your National Executive Committeeman holds the book.

The Advisory Committee to the National Commander

Elizabeth Hartman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:54:04 GMT

In past articles, I’ve discussed the “book,” which is really a booklet and the “book holder.” If you’re attempting to gain influence, especially at the national level, you should become well acquainted with the book and you should know who holds your Departments.

Woman Criticizes System, System Panics

Elizabeth Hartman — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:23:10 GMT

The below email was sent to the Adjutants, Commanders, National Executive Committeemen, and Chairmen across 55 Departments (50 states + District of Columbia + Puerto Rico + France + Latin America + the Philippines) to clarify my nonexistent role within the American Legion’s national leadership.

The American Legion's Structure

Elizabeth Hartman — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:58:37 GMT

This Substack contains opinions, commentary, and conclusions drawn from public records, direct quotes, and my personal experience within veteran organizations. Any descriptions of misconduct, systemic failure, or leadership behavior reflect my own interpretation of the facts as a member of these organizations and an engaged observer. The views expressed…

The Rapist in the Room: How the American Legion Failed Its Own

Elizabeth Hartman — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:48:25 GMT

The Crime

John Arias, a Vice Commander in the Nebraska American Legion leader and a Gulf War veteran, was convicted in 1994 of first-degree sexual assault for breaking into his estranged wife’s home, terrorizing her with a knife, and assaulting her in front of their two young children, aged 5 and 7. He was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison and was classified as a “lifetime” sex offender. He was ultimately released after having served only 14 years in prison.

How Resolutions Actually Work

Elizabeth Hartman — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:22:27 GMT

The American Legion, at its purest, was designed to be a bottom-up organization. Ideas and leadership should originate at the post level - from members, not staff.

To illustrate this, let’s walk through how resolutions are supposed to work.

Recently, my friend Jeff Daly penned a resolution requesting that membership in The American Legion be verified through ID.me