There is a place for you here

Razorback 1776 welcomes eligible veterans from every generation, military branch, background, and part of Arkansas. Whether you are joining The American Legion for the first time, transferring from another post, or looking for a more accessible way to participate, we want to hear from you.

Join The American Legion
Transfer to Post 1776
Ask About Eligibility

BECOME A MEMBER

Your Next Chapter of Service Starts Here

You already served your country. Razorback 1776 gives you another way to serve, connect, and lead.

Whether you are joining The American Legion for the first time, transferring from another post, moving from the Department holding post, or returning after time away, Razorback 1776 welcomes the opportunity to speak with you.

Our post is designed for veterans who want:

  • A flexible virtual meeting format

  • A statewide veteran community

  • Meaningful leadership opportunities

  • Online and in-person service opportunities

  • Connection across military branches and generations

  • A more accessible way to participate

  • An opportunity to help build something new

  • Continued service after military life

A laptop showing a video conference with multiple people displayed in grid format, a green ceramic mug, and a wooden table surface.
A woman sitting at a wooden desk, drinking from a mug while using a tablet. She is in an office or study room with shelves, framed art, and a painting of horses in the background.
A woman with dark hair tied up, singing into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar on stage. She wears hoop earrings, a black t-shirt with text, shorts, and studded boots. An American flag hangs behind her, and the stage has various equipment and purple lighting.
Three people on a golf cart decorated with American flags at the beach. One woman sits on the cart, another woman leans out of the cart, and a man is seated behind them all, smiling and wearing sunglasses.
Young man wearing headphones and denim shirt, looking at a smartphone in a modern indoor setting with a plant and shelves in the background.

American Legion

Razorback

Post 1776

A new kind of American Legion post

Veterans. Connected Everywhere.

Military service creates bonds that do not disappear when the uniform comes off. However, distance, disability, transportation, employment, family responsibilities, and changing lifestyles can make participating in a traditional post difficult.

Razorback 1776 brings the post to the veteran.

Our virtual structure allows eligible veterans to attend meetings, take part in post business, build friendships, serve on committees, develop programs, and participate in meaningful service from wherever they are. Members can remain connected statewide while also creating an impact in the Arkansas communities where they live.

We are not replacing traditional American Legion posts. We are expanding access to The American Legion and creating another pathway for veterans to belong, lead, and serve.

STATEWIDE ACCESS

Participate from anywhere in Arkansas without needing to travel to a permanent post home for every meeting.

STATEWIDE ACCESS

Build relationships with veterans from different branches, generations, backgrounds, and parts of the state.

LOCAL IMPACT

Use a statewide network to support veterans, families, community organizations, and local American Legion posts.

ACCESSIBLE SERVICE

Create opportunities for veterans whose disabilities, schedules, locations, or circumstances have made traditional participation difficult.

A computer monitor showing a video conferencing call with multiple participants, placed next to a potted green plant with large, variegated leaves.

OUR MISSION

Service Continues Here

The mission of Razorback 1776 is to connect veterans through an accessible virtual post that promotes continued service, meaningful relationships, responsible leadership, veteran advocacy, and community involvement.

We uphold the values and Four Pillars of The American Legion while developing new ways for veterans to participate in the organization and serve the people of Arkansas.

We believe every veteran should have the opportunity to belong. We believe leadership can happen from anywhere. We believe technology should remove barriers rather than create them. Most importantly, we believe military service may end, but service to one another does not.

Meet The Leadership

❤️ 🤍 💙

Meet The Leadership ❤️ 🤍 💙

Veteran-Led. Member-Driven.

Razorback 1776 is led by veterans committed to creating an accessible, responsible, and service-focused American Legion post.

Our officers were elected or appointed during the post’s opening meeting on July 23, 2026. Together, they oversee post operations, membership, programs, finances, veteran assistance, communications, and community involvement.

Commander

A man dressed in a navy blue polo shirt and khaki pants is reclining on a blue couch in a waiting area, looking up thoughtfully. There is a fire extinguisher in a white case mounted on the wall to his right, along with a yellow stripe running horizontally on the wall behind him.

The Commander provides overall leadership for Razorback 1776, presides over post meetings, supports post officers, and helps ensure that the post fulfills its responsibilities to its members, the Department of Arkansas, and The American Legion.

WES LEWison

First Vice Commander

A woman with curly brown hair and purple lipstick smiling at the camera, seated outdoors near a flower bed and a stone pillar, with a city street in the background.

ANGELICA CONTRERAS

The First Vice Commander supports the Commander and leads membership growth, member engagement, recruitment, and the development of a welcoming post community.

KATHRYN ALEXANDER

Finance Officer

Close-up of a person wearing a jacket with embroidered white stars, resembling the American flag.

The Finance Officer maintains the post’s financial records, supports responsible budgeting, receives and disburses authorized funds, and helps ensure financial transparency and accountability.

JUVAL VELESQUEZ

Chaplain

Close-up of a person wearing a dark blue jacket decorated with white embroidered stars, along with parts of a red and white striped garment, resembling the American flag.

The Chaplain supports the spiritual and emotional well-being of post members, offers invocations and memorial observances, and provides compassionate support during times of hardship or loss.

BRIAN COHEN

Second Vice Commander

A man with a white beard and glasses, wearing a military-style cap and a blue suit, standing outdoors with trees in the background.

The Second Vice Commander supports post programs, activities, member participation, and the development of opportunities that keep Legionnaires involved in the life of the post.

RYAN NELSON

Judge Advocate

A man with a beard and sunglasses wearing a gray t-shirt, beige pants, and a backpack holding a baby in a front carrier in front of a white door. The man is pointing or gesturing with his left arm.

The Judge Advocate advises the post on its constitution, bylaws, parliamentary procedure, and matters involving organizational compliance.

JACEN WOODE

Historian

Close-up of a fabric American flag with embroidered white stars on a blue background, red and white stripes visible at the bottom.

The Historian preserves the history of Razorback 1776 by documenting post activities, accomplishments, photographs, publications, events, and the stories of its members.

CHRIS NALEPA

Adjutant

A smiling man with a beard wearing a bandana with American flag stars and stripes at a lively indoor event with colorful lighting.

The Adjutant manages official post records, correspondence, meeting documentation, membership administration, and communication between the post, Department, and National organization.

MICHAEL CARLIN

Sergeant-at-Arms

Close-up of a fabric flag with white stars on a blue background and red and white stripes, part of the American flag.

The Sergeant-at-Arms supports order and proper procedure during post meetings, assists with ceremonial responsibilities, and helps welcome members and visitors.

JEN FLIGOR

Post Service Officer

Woman with purple and black wavy hair wearing a black button-up shirt, standing against a purple background.

The Post Service Officer helps veterans and their families identify available assistance and connect with properly accredited service officers, Department resources, and veteran-serving organizations.

Upcoming Events

  • Vision Summit

    10.21 7:00-8:00PM

    An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.

    RSVP

  • Creative Sync

    10.21 7:00-8:00PM

    An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.

    RSVP

  • Inspire Night

    10.21 7:00-8:00PM

    An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.

    RSVP
Join here