AUSTIN, Texas – (July 11, 2025) – Medal of Honor recipient Ret. Col. Donald “Doc” Ballard, Army National Guard, delivered remarks during the American Legion Department of Texas’ annual convention held at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.

“We need to recruit our younger veterans,” said Ballard, who earned the military’s highest honor as a Navy corpsman serving with the Marines in Vietnam. “I think this can be done through education and offering something the other organizations don’t provide.”

Since its founding in 1919, The American Legion has been a key advocate for veterans’ benefits, children and youth, patriotic American values, a strong national defense, and quality-of-life issues for those serving in today’s armed forces.