If Linda Perham wants to become the first female national commander of the American Legion, she will need the help of her home state. Perham was recently
endorsed by the Vermont American Legion to become the leader of the United States' largest veterans organization. The American Legion has 2.6 million members.
Perham, who had previously served as the vice commander in 1995, believes she has all the tools necessary to be the voice of the vets, and all she needs is money.
"You need to have spirit and heart, and a love for all veterans," said Perham. "I grew up caring for our vets. My father was a veteran and he was involved with the American Legion." Perham would also become the first national commander from the Green Mountain State since the American Legion's inception in 1919.

Perham served at Walter Reed Army Hospital during Operation Desert Storm.
Perham served in the Army from 1981 to 1994.
"I'm a well rounded person, and I have the experience of working on a national level," said Perham. "Women now make up about 20 percent of the military, but we've never had a woman as national commander. I think it's time for a different perspective."
Perham praised the Legion's long-standing allegiance with women.

"Women could vote in the Legion in 1919 before women could vote for a commander in chief," said Perham. "We were able to vote with our brothers-in-arms, which is kind of neat. I want women veterans to have a voice," said Perham. To be the head of America's largest veterans organization is something that Perham has wanted for a while. It's something I've been working on for all of my life," said Perham. The Vermont Department of the American Legion passed a resolution that would allow Perham to become the national commander. The national organization then accepted the resolution. I had to go through the screening process like any other national candidate running for office," said Perham. And now Perham is just looking for the funds which will enable her to send her campaign cross country. We're just trying to get the word out and raise funds, because between airfare, hotel fare, travel expenses, and a website, it gets expensive," said Perham. During her campaign for national commander, Perham will visit all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four foreign countries. France, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines all have AmericanLegion posts."It's obtainable," said Perham. "We're going to get money raised through local Legion posts, so it shouldn't be a problem to get money.""We want to get some corporate sponsors involved, and maybe find some former veterans to get involved," said Perham. A new national commander is selected every year. Their job is to be the voice for the Legion, and meet with heads of state, the president, and foreign dignitaries. But the national commander is only given five days off per year, so if she is elected, Perham will be very busy."On a national level and state level, I want to work very hard with posts to get the tools needed to support our vets," said Perham.
Perham is looking to be the national commander as a lot of Iraqi war veterans are returninghome."We're seeing a lot of younger veterans joining the Legion. And at the same time we're seeing the technology advance," said Perham.
"The American Legion is now on blogs, on Facebook, even on Youtube. It's exciting to be a part of the American Legion, because the face is changing, now that the young vets are becoming a part." Perham hopes to campaign asd soon as she has the necessary funds. Anyone who wants to contribute to Perham's campaign can do so by sending donations to:
Team Vermont National Candidate's Fund,
PO. Box 396, 126 State St., Montpelier, Vt. 0560l.