Indianapolis – Allen Connelly was elected The American Legion, Department of Indiana state commander by delegates from the 11 districts throughout the state during the 101st annual Indiana American Legion Convention on July 13, 2019, in Indianapolis.

The American Legion is comprised of military service veterans who have served honorably during times of conflict in defense of their nation and has been active within Indiana since 1919.  The Indiana American Legion has supported veterans from every major conflict since World War I to Iraq and Afghanistan within its membership.

Allen is a 49-year member of LaGrange American Legion Post 215 in the Fourth District where he has served in most all offices at the Post level, including Post Commander in 1999-2000. He is currently serving as Post Service Officer as well as Hoosier Boys State and Flag Education Chairman.  The Post awarded him an Honorary Life Membership in 2006.

Allen gained his eligibility for The American Legion through his honorable active duty service from January 2, 1964, to Dec 11, 1965, in the U.S. Army where he was separated with the rank of Sergeant.

At the National level, he has served as a member of the Veteran’s Preference Committee and is currently a member of the Veteran’s Education, Other Benefits and Homelessness Committee.  Allen is a member of ANAVICUS, the Past District Commander’s Club, a life member of the VFW, as well as an NRA member.  He was employed as the Operations Manager of The LaGrange Publishing Company, a commercial printing and newspaper publishing firm, for many years. He is currently, and has been for the past 17 years, the LaGrange County Veterans Service Officer.

 

The American Legion Department of Indiana is comprised of more than 77,000 military service veterans who have served honorably during times of conflict in defense of their nation and has been active within Indiana since 1919. The Indiana American Legion has represented veterans from every major conflict since World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan within its membership.

The Indiana Legion provides representation to 63,000 of the 87,500 service-connected disabled veterans in Indiana for entitled Veterans Affairs benefits, making up 71 percent of the claims work in the state, bringing back more than 385 million a year to the Hoosier economy, free of charge, regardless of membership.