Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Guerrero.
Hi Juan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I received my Master’s in Public Affairs from UTD and I was elected Commander of the American Legion Post 53 shortly after that. I am the first Hispanic (minority) to take over the Post. I started as the Post Adjutant, then Finance Officer, afterwards I was Vice Commander of the Post. I have been a member for over 11 years now and still going strong.
Post 53 was established in 1919 and it was under control of the KKK for many decades.
Now the Post is diversed and going strong. Our meetings are on the second Saturday of each month at noon for lunch then our meeting. My hopes are to have more members in Legion.
Currently we are getting ready to send eight young men to Texas Boys State at UT Austin for one week. Plus, getting ready for Memorial Day. We have our own military cemetery inside Forest Lawn Cemetery on Harry Hines Blvd.
It’s going to be a beautiful ceremony and I want to invite the community to come over for a visit.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There was a lot of work that needed to be done in and around the Post. The office needed to be upgraded with a new computer, tables and chairs, Book cases and a cabinet. We needed new lights inside and out.
We needed first aid kits and a medical device (defibrillator) in the Hall were we have our meetings.
Membership is also a struggle we try to maintain a 100% Membership, but it’s at 90% currently. Another struggle is funding. We have raffles to bring in income to support our veterans and community as much as possible. We’re also asking for donations.
Our veterans are our top priority because we don’t want them to feel like Once used through away grunts of America.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work never ends. I’m constantly at the office or doing business with the district on membership and helping veterans and their community. What set me apart from other Post is that we are a smoke and alcohol free environment at my Post and we have our own cemetery in our district which is the 5th District.
What i am most proud of is my Post. I have worked very hard in modernizing it and making changes such as reaching out to the members by email instead of Post cards. That’s one of the way i mean by upgrade.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I took the risk when I accepted the position as Commander. I knew that I would lose members right off the bat, but I continue my mission to bring in a new generation of members.
I also took a risk in putting my name under the nonprofit. Now the Post is under my name and everything that goes with the responsibility.
Yes, I am a risk taker. I’m old school “if I don’t swing, I won’t hit.” I have to find ways to raise funds and find good help to get me to where I want to be which is helping veterans and our local communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: Americanlegionp53@gmail.com
