American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer arrived in Seymour on Tuesday.

American Legion Post 89 at 400 W. Second St. was the second stop during Seehafer’s five-day tour around Indiana that allows him to witness how the state supports active and reserve duty members, National Guardsmen and women and veterans.

The trip also enables Seehafer to spread his message about suicide prevention through the Be the One campaign.

An ordained minister from Wisconsin, Seehafer earned his American Legion eligibility through service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, where he served as a military chaplain.

A member of American Legion Post 157 in Horicon, Wisconsin, Seehafer has served in a number of American Legion offices at every level, including national chaplain and commander of the Department of Wisconsin. He was elected national commander on Aug. 31, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the 104th national convention.

Accompanying Seehafer on his trip around the Hoosier State are Indiana State Commander Robert “Bob” Oeth from Elberfeld, Indiana National Executive Committee member Kenny Cooper from Indianapolis and Indiana State Membership Chairman David Miller from Fort Wayne.

Seehafer’s visit here commenced with an opening prayer and a lunch consisting of burgers and sides. Afterwards, Post 89 Commander Kevin Anderson took the stage.

Anderson talked about the programs sponsored by Seymour’s American Legion, including Blue Star Memorial Highways and the National High School Rodeo Association. Anderson also discussed Seymour’s American Legion becoming the new charter of Cub Scout Troop 526.

Next, Oeth spoke.

“It’s a privilege and a lot of fun to be back in Seymour,” he said. “In 1962, I came up here with my dad for the first time. He had signed a fertilizing contract with Agrico. I’ve been running back and forth to Seymour for many years, and it’s always a pleasure to be back.”

Oeth then introduced Cooper, who shared a short biography about Seehafer.

Seehafer spoke about a recent mission to Vietnam to uncover the remains of a U.S. pilot shot down and classified as missing in action in 1968.

“In Vietnam, there’s urgency because of the soil,” Seehafer said. “Even the DNA is dissolved because of the soil. But we honed in and we did find wreckage, so we knew we were right there. And then we did find the remains.”

Seehafer said the remains are being taken to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Hawaii, where the pilot will finally be laid to rest in sacred ground.

“Honestly, folks, we have brought remains from other nations and presented it to them and the response from those nations was, ‘No, thank you.’ That’s not a lie. That’s what other nations think. Not us,” he said.

Seehafer then spoke on the American Legion’s effort to combat funding and efforts being cut to have the remains of World War II veterans exhumed, tested and possibly buried on family plots.

“I’m starting to get sick of it,” Seehafer said, referring to numerous other examples of cut funds. “When they want to cut something, it’s always on our backs. And why not? Who’s going to complain about World War II people? We are.”

Next, Seehafer spoke about American Legion’s Be the One campaign, which seeks to destigmatize asking for mental health support, creates opportunity for those with mental health issues to speak freely and get the support they need, provides peer-to-peer support and resources in local communities and deploys FDA-approved therapeutics for veterans to identify issues and find resources for support.

“When just one person takes their life, you can have 150 people affected by that suicide,” Seehafer said. “I don’t think people realize the magnitude of our organization. We have a lot of ears out there. If we hear someone talking about it or maybe they’re giving away certain signs without actually talking about it, we’re being bold enough to ask people if they are thinking about hurting themself or taking their life.

“There are so many stories I have where people have came up to me and said the American Legion has saved my life. It’s not just a campaign or a catchy slogan. We are making people aware of this important mission.”