While many in the area were shopping or cleaning their homes this past Friday for upcoming Super Bowl parties, members of American Legion Grant Hodge Post 17 in downtown Centralia instead welcomed Jay Bowen.
Bowen is the leading candidate to be the Legion’s next National Commander for 2026-2027, according to a Grant Hodge Post 17 news release. He, along with Washington state Legion staff, visited Centralia on Friday to talk with local veterans.
Originally born in Arkansas and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Bowen joined the U.S. Army and retired as a chief warrant officer 3.
He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jackie Walker, since 1972, according to Bowen’s national commander campaign website.
He is a member of the Legion’s Neal Thomas Jr. Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
To learn more about Bowen, visit his Legion campaign website at https://jaybowen2026.com/.
American Legion Grant Hodge Post 17 is located at 111 ½ W. Main St. in downtown Centralia. For more information including upcoming events, visit the post’s website at https://granthodgepost17.org/.
