The Commander of American Legion Department of Tennessee along with American Legion Post 2 of Knoxville will be hosting the American Legion National Commander Jay Bowen on the 16th of October for the National Commanders tour of East Tennessee. Commander Bowen will be spending time touring several of Knoxville’s Veteran memorials and cemeteries. Commander Bowen will also be attending the UT vs Alabama game on the 17th.This is a big honor for our National Commander to come and visit our Post’s here in East Tennessee.
His Knoxville agenda is listed below.
Jay Bowen, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was elected National Commander of the country’s largest veteran’s organization on September 3, 2026, during The American Legion’s 107th National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
A retired chief warrant officer three, Bowen worked in radar and missile maintenance on HAWK and Patriot systems. His 20-year Army career included service in Operation Desert Shield.
Following his military service, Bowen worked in the private sector in roles including distribution management and telecommunications engineering. He built a preventive maintenance program for baked beans manufacturer Bush Brothers & Company. He later worked in federal defense contracting. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Arkansas University, graduating summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts degree from Webster University.
Bowen has held numerous leadership positions within The American Legion at the post, district, department (state), and national levels. To include many positions in his home state of Tennessee. A Paid Up For Life member of Neal Thomas Jr.-Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs, Colo., he is a past commander of the Department of Colorado. At the national level, he has served as chairman of the Veterans Employment and Education Commission, chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, and chairman of the Membership and Post Activities Committee, among other roles.
As national commander, Bowen emphasizes The American Legion’s mission of service through his theme, “Be Part of the Solution (B.P.O.T.S.),” encouraging members to engage actively in their communities, support veterans, and their families, and advance the organization’s legislative priorities. He is a staunch advocate for The American Legion “Be the One” mission to prevent veteran suicide.
Bowen and his wife, Jackie, have two sons and four grandchildren, all members of The American Legion Family. Their oldest grandson recently married a very nice lady with three sons, so they are now great-grandparents.
0900 AEast Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, John Sevier Veterans Cemetery
Eric Spangler Director of East Tn Veterans Cemeteries
1000 D2200 East Gouverneur John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville TN
30 min drive to Heros Hill
1045 AHeros Hill Veterans HomesMayor Glen Jacobs & Mayor Betsey Henderson
1130 D 1101 Liberty Street, Knoxville TN
15 min drive to Calhoun’s on the River
1145 ACalhoun’s on the River 400 Neyland Drive, Knoxville Tn
1300 DLunch
9 min drive to East Tennessee Veterans Memorial
1315 AEast Tennessee Veterans Memorial Joleen Dewald
1430 D800 World’s Fair Park Dr. Knoxville TN
1600 D
1hr 30min drive to Post 136 Oneida
1730 APost 136 Oneida
1800Meeting at Post 136 Oneida