Bio:

Dan Channel, a resident of Plainfield, New Jersey, was elected State Commander of The American Legion at its 106^th Convention held in Wildwood, New Jersey on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Commander Channel, a Vietnam Era veteran, enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 10, 1971, and was discharged on October 31, 1972. He attended Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, and was assigned to the Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, where he completed his tour of duty.

He is a 22-year member of The American Legion. Commander Channel began his Legion membership at Johnson-Jeter American Legion Post 219, Plainfield, Union County, before transferring to Community American Legion Post 209, Scotch Plains, Union County, where he is a Paid-Up-For-Life (PUFL) member. He will lead the State’s largest wartime Veteran’s Organization, with a membership of approximately 32,000, for the next year.

Commander Channel has held several offices at the Post, County, and Department levels, including Post Commander, County Commander, Department Executive Committeeman, and Department Vice-Commander.

 An advocate for Veterans, his motto for the coming year is:

             “CHANNELING OUR ENERGIES TO HELPING VETERANS”



He has been married to his wife Dawne for 17 years and they have been together for 34 years. They have two Daughters - Tanya and Renee, one Grandson – Mathew, three Granddaughters – Kayla, Mercedez, Sophia, and one Great-Grandson - Kameron.

Commander Channel is looking forward to his year in office and helping Veterans throughout New Jersey.