COMMANDERS & OFFICERS

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Delmar Buske

Department Commander

hdqs@illegion.org

Delmar Buske    2023-2024   Department  Commander  

Delmar Buske has been a member of the Illinois American Legion for over 50 years and is a paid up for life member.

His eligibility in the American Legion comes from his enlistment in the U.S. Army with two years served in Vietnam.

After his return from Vietnam, he applied and was accepted into the Illinois State police beginning 30 years of service and retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant.  Delmar has served as the President of the Retired State Police Association of Illinois.

In his tenure in the American Legion, he has served as Post, District and Division Commander.  he has been the department Medical Officer, Department Assistant Chaplain and is currently a consultant on the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program at the nation al level.  He has served as Chairman of the Safety, Law and Order and the Disaster Relief Committees for the Department of Illinois.  As Chairman of Safety, Law and Order Committee he coordinated the Illinois State Police and the National Guard in organizing and conducting the Youth Police School for several years here in Illinois.  He is also a graduate of the Legion College.

Delmar is active in State Police Post #1922, which he was instrumental in chartering, and is the Finance Officer and membership person.  This post has grown in membership every year since being chartered.

Delmar has been married to Luella, a Past Department President, for over 50 years.  They have 2 children, Larry, wife Mindy and children Tyler and Sierra and daughter Kimberly married to Thomas Hall, they have two sons, Matthew, and Joshua.  His family is a Legion Family.

 

Dept Adj Marty Conatser-02

Marty Conatser

Martin F. Conatser, Department of Illinois Adjutant 

Currently working as the Department Adjutant for The American Legion Department of Illinois.

As the first State Membership Director for The American Legion Department of Illinois, he developed training programs for all levels of leadership.  Developing and continually refining the Awards Programs for Posts and individuals in Illinois.  Managing the membership data base of over 190,000 records and the overseeing of all membership processing was the duties of the Membership Director.

Joining the Illinois Army National Guard in December of 1970, Conatser continued to serve for 26 years, 21 of those years on active duty in the AGR (Active Guard and Reserve) program.  He retired from active duty as a Sergeant Major in January 1996.  Conatser served recruiting command in all positions from Field Recruiter to Recruiting Sergeant Major.

Conatser is an active member of American Legion Post #102 in DeLand, Illinois.  Serving at all levels of The American Legion from Post, County, District, Division, as State Commander in 1998 and National Commander in 2007/2008.  Serving the National Organization on the Membership and Post Activities Committee until he was appointed State Membership Director for Illinois.  He returned to the Membership and Post Activities Committee as Chairman in 2003.  Marty Served 2004 and 2005 on the National Legislative Commission as Chairman and now serves as a consultant.

He is a member of ANAVICUS, Past State Commanders Club, Masonic Lodge #812, AMVETS Post #4, Egyptian Past Commanders Club, Lincoln Challenge Academy Memorial Committee and the Dads Association of the University of Illinois.

Conatser resides in Champaign, Illinois with his wife, Sharon (Past National President) and is the father of three boys, Richard, Rick, and Bryan. A daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and three granddaughters are all members of the American Legion Family.  The Conatsers are truly an active Legion Family.