Mail Call: Can national commander come to Eagle’s Healing Nest?

I just read the article in the February 2026 issue about our national commander touring Minnesota. I am sending this message to suggest that he considers taking a little extra time after his lunch in Long Prairie and travel just an extra 20 minutes to Sauk Centre to tour The Eagle’s Healing Nest.

I, personally, am on the board of directors for the Nest and truly believe in the mission of the Nest and have witnessed so many veterans lives changed and saved because of the Nest. I lost my son, Sgt. Cody Lee Randall, to suicide and the Nest saved my life!

This is a place that our national commander should see while in Minnesota! Please let me know if you have any questions and how I can help make this happen. Thank you so much for your consideration!

Vicki Randall

Brainerd

Editor’s note: Thank you, Vicki, for speaking at the American Legion Fall Conference back in 2022. You are family.

Naturally, the tour can make any detour if there is time. Your request will be considered.

However, keep in mind the touring party is under national rules aimed to prevent departments from running national commanders ragged and to give the commander and aide time for things like preparation, hygiene and laundry.

Thus, national commander tours are on tight schedules, unless something cancels or weather interferes.

The best way to get on a commander’s tour is to request it well in advance of the tour being planned. I would suggest calling the department adjutant before Thanksgiving Day.

The Minnesota tradition is to alternate northern and southern, though the route might vary to accommodate areas of the state that haven’t been visited in a long time or perhaps to stop at the department commander’s home post.

This is a northern year. Next year will have a southerly route.

Perhaps you might consider bringing some Eagle’s Nest veterans to Long Prairie Post 12 to hear him speak.