AUSTIN, Texas – (July 20, 2025) – U.S. Army veteran Jose A. Lopez, a resident of Corpus Christi, Texas, was installed as a vice commander of the American Legion Department of Texas during the department’s annual convention held at the Renaissance Austin Hotel July 13.

In his role as a department vice commander, Lopez aims to lead the 3rd Division’s regional efforts in membership growth, public relations, and the promotion of The American Legion’s programs and services.

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantryman from 1984-1988, Lopez enrolled at Texas A&M University at Kingsville, earning a commission through the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps program in 1993. He served in the U.S. Army until his retirement in 2012 at the rank of major. During Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Lopez served in Kuwait (2003-2004), Iraq (2009), and twice in Afghanistan (2006/2010-2011).

As a Legionnaire, he served as commander of Bill Roper Country Post 364 in Corpus Christi for three years from 2019-2021 and again from 2022-2023. He currently services as the commander of Cicero Wood Post 155 in Robstown, Texas.

Additionally, he served as the 14th District vice commander from 2019-2021 and 14th District commander from 2021 to 2024, and 3rd Division vice commander from 2024-2025. In May 2025, he was elected as the department vice commander for the 3rd Division at the division's annual convention held in Seguin.

Lopez is a licensed professional counselor, and is also licensed in chemical dependency and certified as an anger resolution therapist. He has worked and continues to work with both veterans and the public.

He is a life member of The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Corps League.

The American Legion is the largest U.S. veterans organization, with nearly 2 million members in more than 12,000 posts across the nation and in foreign countries.

Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is dedicated to the motto of “Veterans Strengthening America.”
Legionnaires accomplish this through the organization’s four founding pillars of mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome community programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to servicemembers and veterans.

For more information about the 3rd Division, Department of Texas, visit www.txlegiondiv3.org.