Dave Rehbein

Dave Rehbein
National Commander
The American Legion
2008 - 2009

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"Pride and Purpose" Pin and Lapel Pin

Post Excellence Award

2009 District Commander Incentive Award

Belt Buckle Incentive Award

Dave Rehbein of Ames, Iowa, was elected National Commander of the 2.7 million-member American Legion on Aug. 28, 2008 in Phoenix during the 90th National Convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization.

A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam era, Rehbein served as an infantryman with the 4th and 1st Armored Divisions in Germany from 1970 to 1971. After leaving the Army, he attended Wayne State College and Iowa State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in metallurgy. Following graduation, he accepted a position as research metallurgist at the Ames Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, where he remained until his retirement in July 2008.

Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is a member of Ames Post #37 where he served as commander and adjutant as well as 12 years as finance officer and 16 years as newsletter editor. He has been district commander and state vice-commander and represented Iowa on The American Legion’s National Executive Committee. He served on many department committees, including Membership, Oratorical, Strategic Planning and Junior Shooting Sports. During his term as department membership chairman, Iowa achieved target membership three times in 1991, 1992, and 1993. He was appointed by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to a position on the Iowa Commission on Veterans Affairs.

Rehbein served on the National Americanism Commission 1989-99, with service as an instructor on the National Information Conference staff, conducting the judge’s briefing for the National Oratorical Contests and as Match Director of the Junior Shooting Sports national finals. He has served as chairman of the National Foreign Relations Commission, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission and the Legislative commission.

Cmdr. Rehbein resides in Ames with his wife, Ann. His son Chris, daughter-in-law Beth, and daughter, Jennifer, are all active members of The American Legion family. Ann is a past department president of Iowa; Chris is a past squadron commander and Jennifer is the current Unit President and holds dual membership in The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary. The commander and his wife have two grandchildren, Greyson and Devin.