To honor recognize the accomplishments of William J. Rogers of Auburn. Rogers was a model American, he fought to protect our country and was an advocate for veterans and a leader in his community.

Rogers served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and flew F6f Hellcat fighter planes and Lockheed Ventura Submarine Hunters in the Pacific Theater. He received the Air medal and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was active in veteran affairs and was a founding member of the American Legion Post 153 and held several offices at  local and state levels. On the national level he was Maine’s national executive committeeman, a member of the liaison committee to the national public relations commission and national vice-commander from 1965-66.

In 1976 he was elected national commander of the American Legion. He was the first national commander from the state. He met with Panamanian dictator Gen. Omar Torrijos and then testified before a congressional committee on the process of returning the canal back to Panama.

As state commander he traveled more than 300,000 miles throughout the world representing millions of veterans in all 50 states and 17 countries. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion, the Army/Navy Club, The League of the U.S., the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a trustee of the Maine Veterans Home. Rogers was also Auburn Maine’s citizen of the year in 1995.

Anyone interested in joining the American Legion can call the post home at 782-1118.