James K. Roberts, III.,
National Commander of the Sons of the American Legion.

On August 28, 2011 in Minneapolis, MN, Jim Roberts from the Detachment of Florida was elected to serve the Sons of The American Legion as National Commander.

Jim Roberts has been a member of the Sons of The American Legion for 34 continuous years.  Jim establishes his eligibility for member through both his grandfather James K. Roberts’ honorable service during World War II and his father James K. Roberts Jr.‘s honorable service during Vietnam.

Jim is an Honorary Life Member of Squadron 4 in Lakeland, Florida and currently resides in Kissimmee, Florida.  Jim began his service to The American Legion Family in 1978 where he was the Squadron Sgt-At-Arms and the youngest member of the Post Family Color Guard. Over the years, Jim has served in many offices within the Detachment of Florida from the Squadron level up to the Detachment level to include serving as Squadron Commander, District Commander, and Detachment Commander.  Jim continues to serve the Detachment of Florida as a Detachment Assistant Adjutant, Detachment Membership Chairman and Detachment Disaster Preparedness Chairman. He also works hard to help the members of the Detachment of Florida by continuing their education about the organization. He can be seen teaching workshops after every Detachment Convention and Conference.  Jim has been quoted as saying “This organization has given me so much and this is my way of giving back.”

Jim began his service at the National level in 1995 when he was elected to serve as Florida’s National Executive Committeeman.  He later stepped back to become the Alternate National Executive Committeeman as an opportunity to mentor and assist those who would follow in the position behind him.  Jim continued his service to the National Organization and in 2002 accepted the appointment to serve as the Aide to then National Commander Steve Laws of North Carolina. In 2004, amidst the worst hurricane season in Florida’s history, Jim was elected to serve as the National Vice Commander from the Southern Region. He has also served on many Commissions / Committees including Chairman of the National Membership Committee and most recently Vice Chairman of the National Internal Affairs Commission.

Jim is currently employed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and serves as the Manager of the Division’s Regional Coordination Team. In his position Jim supports the 7 Regional Emergency Management Coordinators and coordinates, thru his team, Emergency Management activities in Florida’s 67 counties.

Jim and his wife Anita have been married for 20 years and they have two teenage girls, Jessica and Jasmine. Both of his daughters are active members of The American Legion Auxiliary Juniors Unit 286 in Pine Castle, Florida.

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