American Legion National Commander Jimmie Foster spent Saturday afternoon speaking to the American Legion Post 47 of Calhoun.

His speech encompassed the plans for the future of the American Legion on a national level, with an emphasis on his new theme.

“You know, my slogan or motto or theme, or whatever that right word is, is one word,” he said. “Pretty simple but pretty powerful, it's the word S.A.V.E.D with a period at the end of each letter. It means serving America’s veterans every day.”

John Banks, commander of the Calhoun Legion Post, said Foster met with local veterans and ate lunch at the Calhoun post.

Foster’s decision to visit the Calhoun American Legion Post “reflects well on the work of Post No. 47, as well as the City of Calhoun, Gordon County and District 7 of The American Legion Department of Georgia,” said Banks.

The American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans organization with more than 2.5 million members nationwide, Banks said.

“As the Legion’s commander, Foster represents the interests of America’s veterans to the President of the United States and to Congress,” Banks said.

Foster of Anchorage, Alaska, was elected national commander of The American Legion on Sept. 2, 2010, during the 92nd National Convention in Milwaukee. Born and raised on a farm, he attended and graduated from Northeastern A&M College in Miami, Okla., with a degree in agriculture education.

While there, he met and married his wife, Rehta, and started a family. After working in the textiles and grocery business, Foster joined the Marines. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. Upon his discharge from the Marines, he returned to school for a short time. Then, wanting to get back into action, he enlisted in the Army, ultimately retiring on Aug. 1, 1994, while stationed at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., as chief legal NCO. He returned to Alaska on the day of his retirement.

The Fosters have two sons and four grandchildren.