Mark E. Arneson (GA)
National Commander
Sons of The American Legion

Mark Arneson was elected National Commander at the 38th Annual National Convention of the Sons of The American Legion held in Louisville, Kentucky in August 2009. In honor of his father, Vern Arneson, Mark has been a member of the Sons of The American Legion for 20 years. Mark’s father served honorably in the Korean War in the United States Army and has continued to serve America and The American Legion for the last 55 years.

Mark is a member of Squadron 127 in Buford, Georgia and resides in Tucker, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. He has served the Detachment of Georgia in almost every office from the Squadron level up to the Detachment level to include serving as Detachment Commander in 1997-1998. He first served the National Organization in 1991 as Alternate NEC and as NEC in 1992. In 1994, Mark was appointed to the National Americanism Commission as Chairman. He served the National Organization for six years during which time the Sons joined the Citizens Flag Alliance. He served on the staff for the National Junior Shooting Sports Championship for two years and three years on the staff of the National Oratorical Competition. In addition, Mark has served on the Georgia Boys State Staff as City Counselor for a total of six years. Mark is well versed in the Americanism programs of The American Legion.

The National Organization called on Mark once again to serve. This time, he served as Chairman of the Child Welfare Foundation Committee for two years, 2005 and 2006. During this time, the Sons achieved an all time for donations in a year, $383,000, and also crossed the $3,000,000 level in total donations to the Foundation. For the 2006-2007 membership year, Mark served as National Vice Commander for the Southern region which finished as the Number 1 region in membership that year. Mark’s final preparation for serving as National Commander of the Sons of The American Legion was attending and graduating from the 2008 National American Legion College. Mark was the first Son to attend the College.

Mark is a graduate of The Citadel, Class of 1990, with a BS in Business Administration and a graduate of the University of Georgia in 1991 with a Master of Accountancy degree. He is a certified public accountant licensed in the state of Georgia and is currently an Assistant Vice President in the Corporate Tax department for Oldcastle, Inc., one of the largest road construction and building product manufacturers in the United States. Mark is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Catherine “Cappi” McCollum. He and his wife are strong supporters of The American Legion Auxiliary and show it by virtue of their three daughters, Morgan, Ashley and Reagan who are all Junior Auxiliary members.