American Legion Post 104, Sylva, NC Post Offiers

The officers of the William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104 would like to present you a short introduction of their individual military backgrounds, their service to our nation and to Post 104. Rest assured that we are committed to serving the veterans of Jackson and Swain counties, along with their families, in whatever capacity possible.

RIGHT - During a Change-of-Command ceremony on June 12, 2023, Commander Debra McGill takes the Oath-of Office presented by Past Division 5 Commander Jim McGill.

LEFT - The post gavel is transferred to the new Post 104 Commander by Past Commander Ed Harwood.

2023 - 2024 Post 104 Officers

Post Commander - Debra McGill

· Branch of Service: US Army

· Highest Rank: E-5, Specialist

· Length of Service: 4 Yrs. 10 Mos.

· Tours of Duty: Ft. Carson, CO; Panama Canal Zone; US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA

· Legion Member: (Dual Member) Legion since 2019; Legion Auxiliary since 2010

· Post Member: Since 2019

· Occupation: Administrative Assistant

· Other Position Held: Currently Legion Rider Secretary; Past Division 5 Oratorical Chairman; Prior Auxiliary Unit Historian

The Commander oversees all other officers and their duties, presides over all meetings, initiates new programs, ensures that veterans needing assistance are directed to the responsible person or agency. Conducts all meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and Bylaws of Post 104. Commander McGill has held other positions such as: ?, and she participates in the honor guard assisting with the funeral detail for veterans when this service is requested by the family.

First Vice-Commander - Roy Burnette

· Branch of Service: US Marine Corp

· Highest Rank: E-4, Corporal

· Length of Service: 2 Yrs. 0 Mos. Active Duty

· Tours of Duty: Vietnam (1970-71)

· Legion Member: Since 1990

· Post Member: Since 1990

· Occupation: Radio Broadcasting - WRGC 540 AM

Second Vice-Commander - Linda Nee

· Branch of Service: US Navy

· Highest Rank: E- 4, Petty Officer Third Class

· Length of Service: 3 Yrs. 0 Mos. Active Duty

· Tours of Duty: n/a

· Legion Member: Since 2012

· Post Member: Since 2012

· Occupation: Retired letter carrier, 35 years

Post 104 Second-Vice Commander - Linda Nee

The Second Vice-Commander assists the Commander and First Vice-Commander as necessary, while serving as the Membership Officer who is responsible for collecting annual member's dues, maintaining accurate Post 104 membership records in accordance with state and Federal guidelines, and issuing membership cards. In addition, Membership Officer Nee is involved with the Go-Getter Club and she participates in the honor guard assisting with the funeral detail for veterans when this service is requested by the family.

Adjutant and Memberships - Larry Agle

· Branch of Service: US Navy

· Highest Rank: E-8, Senior Chief Petty Officer

· Length of Service: 1986-2007

· Tours of Duty: VS-24, NAS Cecil Field 1987-90; AIMD Mayport 1990-93; VS-24 NAS Jacksonville 1993-97; NAMTRA NAS Jacksonville 1997-2001; VS-30 NAS Jacksonville 2001-04; NATTC NAS Pensacola 2004-07.

· Legion Member: Since 2017

· Post Member: Since 2017

· Occupation: Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer, ADCS (AW)

The Adjutant is responsible for the Post 104 financial status of bank accounts, financial reports, recording minutes of monthly meetings, and coordination with national and state American Legion organization headquarters. Adjutant Agle has served in this position since 2018. He participates in the honor guard assisting with the funeral detail for veterans when this service is requested by the family.

Sergeant at Arms - Andy Anderson

· Branch of Service: US Army

· Highest Rank: E-5 Sergeant

· Length of Service: 6 Yrs. 0 Mos. Active

· Tours of Duty: UH-60 Maintainer School, Ft. Eustis, VA; UH-60 Maintainer w/ 45th Medical Air Ambulance (DUSTOFF), Ansbach, Germany and Al Asad Airbase, Al Anbar province, Iraq; UH-60 Semper Gumby Crew Chief, AV Company 1st Suppt BN, South Camp, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; UH-1V Huey LUH-72 Lakota, dual airframe, Medevac Crew Chief, Provisional 5th Aviation BN, USA Air Ambulance Detachment (DUSTOFF), Ft. Polk, LA.

· Legion Member: Since 2017

· Post Member: Since 2017

· Occupation: Domestic

The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for posting the colors at all Post 104 legion meetings, ensures that the MIA/POW memorial is present, and he assists the Commander as requested. He participates in the honor guard assisting with the funeral detail for veterans when this service is requested by the family. In addition, he assists the adjutant in procuring supplies for post members such as hats, ties, shirts, etc. He participates in the honor guard assisting with the funeral detail for veterans when this service is requested by the family.

The Chaplain is the spiritual leader for all matters concerning prayer at the opening and closing of all meetings and other duties as assigned by the Post Commander, such as: visitations to hospitals or veteran's homes. He participates in the honor guard by assisting with the funeral flag-folding ceremony and prayer when this service is requested by the veteran's family. Finally, he offers spiritual guidance to all Post 104 members and their families when this service is requested.

As the Post 104 Webmaster, this veteran has the honor and responsibility of keeping all appropriate post information updated on the web site, as directed by the officer staff. The design of the web site must be user-friendly and allow all veterans easy access to Post 104 events, minutes, and other information that the officer staff has deemed necessary for posting on this website. As assistant chaplain, it is my responsibility to assist the Post Chaplain as necessary in all post events. In addition, this website posts other National or North Carolina American Legion information concerning veterans of all branches of service, or provides links to the appropriate agencies for the veteran to access through this site. Finally, Post 104 is open for other local agencies in Jackson and Swain counties, who offer veterans services, to request a link on this web site, contact the webmaster for a review of your request by the Post 104 officer staff.

Veterans Service Officer - Howard Rohner

· Branch of Service: US Coast Guard

· Highest Rank: FA

· Length of Service: 4 Yrs. 5 Mos. Active Duty

· Tours of Duty: Cape May, NJ; Coast Guard Cutter Alert, Engineman School- Yorktown, NY; Little Gull Island Lighthouse , Long Island, NY; Coast Guard Cutter Fairweather Group, New Haven, CT; Coast Guard Station, New Haven, CT.

· Legion Member: Since 1994

· Post Member: Since 2013

· Occupation: Jackson County Department on Aging

Post 104 Veterans Service Officer - Howard Rohnr

The Veterans Service Officer coordinates the various Post events with local civic organizations and acts as the Youth Sports Liaison to the local school system. He participates in the honor guard assisting with the funeral detail for veterans when this service is requested by the family. VSO Rohner has held the previous position of Post Commander (2 years) at Connecticut Post 71 in West Haven, CT.

Post Historian - Rick Blomgren

· Branch of Service: US Navy

· Highest Rank: E-7, Chief Petty Officer

· Length of Service: 4 Yrs Active and 10 Yrs Reserve

· Tours of Duty: COMSUBPAC 15, Guam, M.I. 1968-1972; SAMAR, Charleston, SC 1974;HCU-2, Norfolk, VA 1975

· Legion Member: Since 2012

· Post Member: Since 2018

· Occupation: Retired Power Plant General Manager

The historian is responsible for collecting, correlating, and maintaining the historical data and events of all post activities of value and interest, while ensuring that they are preserved for future posterity. Such duties includes compiling a complete history of the year's activities and working closely with the adjutant. In addition, the historian maintains contact with the department historian by answering prompt inquiries and making annual reports to the department historian. He is to stay advised of what other post historians are doing, attend department conventions and preserve historical records within local and state libraries, post files, and deposit copies with the department archives. These actions will prevent complete loss of valuable records through fire or other calamity, as well as provide material for those who are looking for information about The American Legion.

Post Armorer & Assistant Chaplain - Bill Loucks

· Branch of Service: US Navy

· Highest Rank: E-7, Chief Petty Officer

· Length of Service: 26 Yrs. 5 Mos. 14 Days

· Tours of Duty: ?

· Legion Member: Since 2014

· Post Member: Since 2017

· Occupation: Pastor, Jackson Line Baptist Church; Retired Mfg Pharmacist

This is an appointed position by Post 104 Legion Commander. Responsible for controlling and maintenance of Post 104 military arms utilized in Military Honors Ceremonies. Lead Member for Post 104 Firing Squad Military Honors Rifle Detail.

The Assistant Chaplain is responsible for assisting the Post Chaplain in all of his duties and to officiate during the Chaplain's absence.

Post 104 Webmaster / Asst Chaplain - David zachary

Chaplain & Webmaster - David Zachary

· Branch of Service: US Army, USAR

· Highest Rank: E-8, First Sergeant

· Length of Service: 3 Yrs. 3 Mos. USA and 12 Yrs. 2 Mos. USAR duty

· Tours of Duty: Ft. Knox, KY (1971-72); 1st Armor Div. Erlangen, Germany (1972-74); 108th Training Div. Brevard, NC, (1982-88); 108th Training Div. Asheville, NC (1988-94)

· Legion Member: Since 2015

· Post Member: Since 2015

· Occupation: Pastor - East LaPorte Grace Community Church

Past Post Commander - Ed Harwood

· Branch of Service: US Army National Guard

· Highest Rank: E-5, Sergeant

· Length of Service: 6 Yrs. 0 Mos.

· Tours of Duty: Detroit Riots (1967); Martin Luther King Assassination State Duty (1968)

· Legion Member: Since 1998

· Post Member: Since 2011

· Occupation: Retired Police Officer

Taking the Oath of Office

Passing the Post 104 Gavel

The First Vice-Commander assists the Commander in all administrative functions and presides over all meetings in the absence of the Commander in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and Bylaws of Post 104. This First Vice-Commander has held numerous American Legion positions during his tour of duty, such as: 25th District Commander (2 years) and initiated formation of Post 532 Hayesville, Department Public Relations Committee (12 years), Department Executive Committee (2 years), Oratorical Contest Judge for Post 532 (2015), Post 104 Commander, and Post 104 Chaplain. In addition, this First Vice-Commander has performed other civic duties like presenter at Legion High School in Franklin, NC (2012), and Jackson County Veterans Committee (2010-2015). He participates in the honor guard assisting with the funeral detail for veterans when this service is requested by the family.