Stoddard County man chosen for regional American Legion leadership role

A Stoddard County man has been named to represent the vast area of District 14 of the American Legion Department of the state of Missouri.

Bill Alexander of Dexter, a member of Kenady-Hanks Post 59, received word this week that he has been elected to serve as first vice commander of District 14, which consists of an area covering 12 counties in the region and boasts nearly 3,000 members. He will serve a two-year term as first vice.

Besides a cooperative relationship with the district commander, a number of responsibilities come with the first vice commander title. Alexander will primarily work with other posts to ensure that all efforts are underway to promote membership within the American Legion, using team competitions, Legion birthday observances and holidays to attract new members.

The first vice commander is also expected to lay out a general plan of operation for the entire year for the district and his duties include overseeing patriotic observances throughout the year.

District 14 of the American Legion takes in the far-reaching counties of Oregon, Ripley, Cape Girardeau, Butler and Pemiscot, and several in-between.

"I am honored to have been selected to fulfill the duties of first vice commander," Alexander said, "and I will do my best to fulfill every obligation of the title over the next two years."

Alexander has been an active member of the American Legion for the past 28 years, with the last five having been spent in Dexter. He has served as past commander of both the Bloomfield and Dexter posts and serves currently as the Chairman of the Legion's Honor Guard and Chairman of the Sons of the American Legion.

One of Alexander's first duties will involve planning of the November meeting of District 14 American Legions, which for the first time in over 20 years will be hosted by the Dexter Legion. The Legion's Auxiliary will meet also at that time.