Sonja Patrick is a busy Veteran these days, four months into her one-year term as district commander for the American Legion Department of Michigan, the first female to hold the position. A member of Marshall’s American Legion Post 79, Patrick, an Iraqi War Veteran who suffered serious injuries and couldn't walk for six years, oversees a five-county district which includes Calhoun and Eaton counties and includes 21 American Legion posts. “More importantly, I cover all the Veterans in the five counties as well as the entire state of Michigan,” she said. “I just try and help them when I can, no matter where they live. There are a lot of Veterans out there hurting and need help. I learned a few things on how to navigate the VA system and I wanted to pass that knowledge on and help where I can."
