P-J photos by Owen Reed Pictured is Dan K. Wiley giving a speech to an eager crowd.

P-J photos by Owen Reed
Pictured is the Eighth District Chaplain, Barbara Colt, reading a poem she wrote for Wiley at the event.

American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley visited Samuel L. Derby Post 556 recently. Wiley was accompanied by a host of other distinguished guests, all of whom held important positions for the legion. Other special guests included Frank Peters, John Miga, James Casey, Steven Cybart, Barbara Colt, Maureen Morgan, Sue WIlliams, Joseph Guidance, Joshua Soinler, and James Bojanowski.

Wiley served as an Air Force veteran and worked as a district court judge before his retirement. After Wiley’s time in the Air Force, he attended the college of Great Falls in Montanna. It was here that Wiley completed a bachelor’s degree, and proceeded to return home to Lawrence, Kan. Wiley then attended the University of Kansas, where he would earn his degree in law. Wiley has held many important positions of leadership within the American Legion, all ranging from post-level to nation-level responsibilities. Wiley is a paid-for-life member of Byron H. Mehl post 23 in Leavenworth, and was previously the department commander for Kansas.

Before the dinner portion of the event began, Chautauqua County Commander Jeff Levandoski gave a special moment of remembrance to prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. A small table was prepared for those missing comrades to be able to join the dinner in spirit. The table is small in reference to the frailty of one prisoner against their suppressors, according to Levandoski. Levandoski noted that the table also had a white table cloth symbolic of purity, a single rose symbolizing the bloodshed from sacrifices for the country, the ribbon on the rose’s vase shows an unyielding determination for these individual’s return, a slice of lemon on a plate representing the bitter fate, and the salt on the plate representing the tears of the loved ones who wait. Levandoski also pointed out that the glass at the table is inverted, as those individuals cannot toast with us, and the chair is empty. Most importantly is the single lit candle, which is the light of hope illuminating their path home, according to Levandoski.

Following the dinner, a brief greeting was given by Eighth District Commander Steven Cybart, and Master of Ceremonies James Bojanowski introduced the distinguished guests in attendance. Special guests included state Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, County Executive Paul Wendel, Carroll Town Supervisor Timothy Burkett, Susan Rowley, local Blue Star Mothers chapter president and Carroll town clerk, and Brian Abram on behalf of Congressman Nick Langworthy.

Wiley mentioned his satisfaction with the organizations continued fight against veteran suicide. Wiley noted that he believes verteran suicide remains one of the most serious issues facing veterans and there families. As a result, Wiley stated that he is devoted to continuing to reduce stigma associated with mental health and encourage people to utilize resources from betheone.org. Wiley also made note of the organization’s upcoming semiquincentennial. The semiquincentennial will be the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States. The legion is celebrating this anniversary with a challenge that can be found at their website. The challenge involves completing 250 tasks in 2026. Wiley noted that these may be a mental challenge, physical challenge, or even a community-orientated challenge.

Wiley also spoke for a long period in support of Major Richard Star. Star was a major who eventually developed lung cancer as a result of exposure to toxins from military burn pits, said Wiley. Wiley stated that this resulted in Star making a VA claim and being found to be 100% disabled.

“What is surprising is, Major Star, even though he’s medically retired and has 100% VA disability rating, he has to take an offset dollar per dollar for that VA disability with his retirement. That’s a disability tax, that’s not fair. He’s earned the military retirement,” said Wiley.

Wiley advocated for present individuals to support the Richard Star Act and recognize the impact that the legion has had on implementing veteran protections previously. The Richard Star Act allows for disabled veterans to collect their retirement and disability pay regardless of time served. Wiley made reference to the impact that the legion had in passing protections for veterans exposed to agent orange, and notes that the legion has the ability to make impactful change with collective support on this legislation as well.