National Commander Breakfast in Bagley
The American Legion National Commander Dan Wylie made a stop in Bagley on Monday April 20 for breakfast on his Minnesota state tour, sharing his theme of “Better Together” building on the American Legion Family theme of “Be The One” to help combat veteran suicide. A good crowd gathered to get a chance to meet the commander, hear his message and enjoy breakfast. When he arrived he literally went to every guest gathered, shook their hand and introduced himself.
Commander Wylie left Thief River early that morning to make the breakfast at 8:15am in Bagley. Over the last several months the Commander has visited several states and countries. At nearly every stops his group has been met by local escorts upon his arrival. Bagley gave him a first, he was met and escorted into Bagley and to the Bagley American Legion by the Bagley Volunteer Fire Department.
The American Legion began in 1919. It’s the largest veterans organization in the United States. In the Commanders presentation he mentioned that there 1.5 million Legionnaires, 2.5 million including all the American Legion Family. He said that is a very impressive and powerful force in Washington.
Currently the Richard Star Act(H.R. 2102) is being debated in Congress with great support. The Major Richard Star Act would allow veterans who were forced to medically retire due to combat or combat-related injuries to receive their disability compensation and full retirement pay without offset.
Last year congress passed the Agent Orange Relief Act of 2025. This due largely in part to the American Legion.
Commander Wiley is from Kansas. He served in the Air Force from 1986-1990. When he’s not traveling he lives on a farm with his wife of 40 years and cows. His wife tends the farm while he’s away. The couple have two grown children and a 15 month old grandchild.
As commander he’s basically over 12,000 Legions nationwide. He’s made 900 visits and remarked no two Legions are the same. He attends veteran memorials, VA hospitals and veteran homes to name a few. He has been to 39 states. After ending the Minnesota tour in Minneapolis, he and his entourage are off to Georgia then Indiana. Commander Wiley considers it an honor to travel and to meet people from all over.
In his message the commander talked about is the “Be the One” campaign that began in 2022 across the American Legion Family to help prevent veteran suicide. Suicide is the biggest epidemic facing veterans. An estimated 22 veterans take their lives daily. He mentioned 20% of the American population will have a depressive episode in their lifetime. It’s ok if you’re not having a good day. It’s ok to need help.
Commander Wiley’s theme for his leadership tenure he added “Better Together”. “Better Together “ focuses on the importance of the whole American Legion Family. “Those posts that are successful are the ones that are inclusive and not exclusive. They’re the ones that operate in unity with the units, squadrons, and chapters. Those are the successful posts: the ones that care about the mission and helping each other. Taking care of one another. Reaching out to people is a powerful message. Lets people know someone cares. “We are a family!” The “Better Together” theme has an even deeper meaning. “Veterans use phrases like ‘I got your 6’ and ‘I got your back’. Those are not just nice sayings. “It’s what we were trained to do when we served. It’s human nature. It’s who we are.” Basically “we care for each other”. Listen and ask questions.
He ended his message on a lighter note, stating there are more American Legion Posts than Walmarts. Fact checking, there are more than double the American Legion Posts than Walmarts in the US. He also added Minnesota has more Legion Posts than McDonalds. Fact checking, there are more than twice as many American Legion Post than McDonalds.
After the breakfast in Bagley Commander Wiley is headed to Walker MN for lunch. He has an additional 6 stops, ending in Minneapolis before he and his entourage head to Georgia then Indiana. It was a true honor to have American Legion Commander Dan Wiley visit Bagley MN.