Most often, The American Legion Post 20 Commander James G. Smith is too busy recognizing the work and service of others to worry about getting any recognition for himself.

However, his friends and fellow Legionnaire corrected that last month when they named Smith the Alabama American Legionnaire of the Year.

Smith, who has been a member of the Legion for 17 years, said the announcement caught him by surprise.

“It’s quite an honor,” Smith said. “I share this thing with a lot of people here in Selma and Dallas County and everyone who’s had a hand in this.”

Smith’s activities and accomplishments are numerous, according to a release from the Legion.

Most notable is his implementation of a World War II Appreciation Award program, where a WWII veteran is honored each month. He also takes the time to write the Times-Journal’s Veteran of the Month feature.

He serves as Chairman for the Wall of Honor display of WWII honorees. Smith worked to add and raise funds for adding of veterans names to the WWI Memorial in Selma and many other veteran programs, youth and community programs.

“Mr. Smith’s selection was based on his work with veterans and members of Thomas R. Mackin American Legion Post 20,” Legionnaire Braxton Bridgers said.

Smith said he’s motivated by a passion for patriotism and having had the honor of wearing the uniform of the United States Army.

“I suppose once you’ve been in the military and worn the uniform of this country there’s something about that,” he said. “That’s really, really special. The older you get the more special to you it is. I cannot imagine anything more special than that.”

Smith says working with the Legion is simply a way to help honor and do good work for the men and women of the armed forces. The Legion and organizations like it are responsible for a better way of life for America’s veterans.

“I thought by getting into The American Legion I could in some way contribute to the veterans,” he said. “These benefits we’ve gotten are the result of the veterans organizations. We’re about veterans.”

But that’s not all the Legion is about.

Smith, who served in Germany in the early 1960’s, said it’s important to make sure the coming generations learn to understand the honor in defending their country.

“We’re about the generation coming along, too,” he said. “We want to bring up young people to have pride in this country and pride in our flag and enjoy the freedoms that we have. It’s a patriotic organization, it’s all about democracy and our way of life…”

Smith, along with several members of The Legion, were on hand Monday when the first members of the 122nd Support Group left Selma for Ft. Benning, Ga., as they prepare to be deployed into Iraq.

“Had I been a young man I could have envisioned myself putting on the uniform and getting on that bus and going with them,” Smith said. “We’re just so appreciative of the veterans that come before us and the veterans that come behind us, they’ve just done a super job.”

Smith was awarded the Post Legionnaire of the Year (2003) last year, which is a local award.

With the statewide award, Smith will receive plenty of attention. He will be required to attend the VIP reception at Boutwell Auditorium In Birmingham on November 10 at 5:30 pomp .the Veteran’s Award Dinner (same location) at 7 p.m. On the 11th, Smith will attend the World Peace Luncheon at 11 a.m. Boutwell Auditorium, where he will receive a plaque from Governor Bob Riley.

He will also be in the parade through downtown Birmingham riding in a marked car somewhere behind the Governor’s car at 1:30 p.m.