By Jennifer Donovan

U.S. Army veteran Randy Conlon recently made history by joining the Bernard L. Tobin ALA Unit 128 in Maryland. He’s their first “triple-header” — in addition to being an American Legion Auxiliary member, he’s a member of The American Legion and Sons of The American Legion.
 
Conlon’s eligibility for the Auxiliary is through his wife, Angela, who is also a U.S. Army veteran. They both retired from the Army after serving a combined 43 years. They met in 1985 in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and married in 1988. They have four grown children.
 
Conlon’s involvement in The American Legion Family began as soon as he entered active duty. His dad, a World War II era veteran, signed him up at Plains American Legion Post 558 in Pennsylvania. 
 
Conlon and his wife’s participation in The American Legion Family as a couple began when they were stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. They became involved in The American Legion Family at Post 128. They were later reassigned, but eventually returned to Aberdeen Proving Ground and their Legion Family.
 
Why did you decide to join the ALA, American Legion, and Sons?
Upon returning to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, I fell back in with my comrades at Post 128 without missing a beat. The post was looking to kickstart the Sons of The American Legion and approached me to consider taking the helm, and I did. At the same time, my wife joined, and was active in the post and unit. She was also a member of the Honor Guard. It wasn’t long before I rose in various leadership roles within the post and Sons, and this culminated in serving as post commander and Harford County commander. My journey in becoming an ALA member was the result of the unit’s relentless membership chair and, of course, Maryland member Sharon Holter. It’s hard to say no to either one of them. 
 
Why is membership important to you?
We all know membership is the lifeblood of a thriving and vibrant post family, not just in numbers, but the broad array of talent among those members who can help achieve the mission of serving veterans and their families. 

How did you feel when you found out you were eligible to become a member of the Auxiliary through your wife’s service? 
I’m proud to have earned my post membership eligibility for my service, my SAL eligibility from my dad’s service, and even prouder to have earned my ALA eligibility from my wife’s service. 
 
Any advice for other spouses considering joining the ALA?
Do it! The unit does so much good locally, and across the Department of Maryland, it should be seen as an obligation and a privilege to participate.