Hello Post 453 Family,
Wow, I cannot believe January has flown by and we are in February already. I wanted to highlight some things that happened in January and go over what's coming up in February.
First of all, I am extremely thankful for the four Legionnaires who were elected and installed as Post Officers, they are:
James "Marc" Robinson - 1st Vice Commander
Robby "Homer" Moore - 2nd Vice Commander
Vanessa Smith - Service Officer
Saif Kahn - Judge Advocate
If you see them around the Post be sure to say thanks for volunteering to part of our leadership team. We need volunteers in everything we do and it doesn't always need to be a lot. We can find a place for you to help show your support to the Legion and our Post.
Additionally, we held a Legion Town Hall with all 4 families that went really well and there was thoughtful discussion about how we can all work together to help the Post.
We did have some minor building issues with the cold weather, but they have been fixed and hopefully that will be the last of super cold weather.
Ok, ok lets move on to what's coming up in February. On February 7th from 10am to 12pm, the Post is having a Pancake Breakfast that should be awesome on a Saturday morning. Flyers should already be circulating.
Also we have a Valentine's Banquet coming up on February 14th at 6pm at the Post, with your choice of Chicken or Steak for only $30 per person. Tickets are available at the Canteen and are selling like hotcakes. Don't miss out on your chance to have an fantastic evening with your loved ones at our Post.
And lastly, our Post PUFL raffle has changed. We are now selling 200 tickets at $10 a piece, which is a better deal than the $20 per ticket during the last one. They are available at the Canteen.
As always, it is my pleasure to serve you as Commander, and if you ever need to discuss anything about our Post, I am one phone call or email away.
Have a fantastic February and God Bless Our Post, Family, and Country!
Gabriel Dowell
Commander
Dallas Love Field Post 453
Quick Update – Your New Commander
Commander Gabriel Dowell was elected as the Commander of Love Field Post 453 on July 1, 2025. His military career began in August 1996, serving in the United States Navy through July 2002, followed by a term in the U.S. Navy Reserve from May 2004 to May 2006. He was stationed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) from June 1998 to July 2002, where he participated in two Westpac cruises in 1998 and 2000, supporting the Iraq No-Fly Zone in the Arabian Gulf.
After completing his military service, Commander Dowell utilized his GI Bill and Navy College Fund benefits to earn both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Civil Engineering from Washington State University in Pullman, WA.
In July 2015, he relocated to Dallas, Texas, to start his career with the City of Dallas Department of Transportation. Since 2020, Commander Dowell has worked in private sector consulting and is currently a Transportation Professional with Dunaway Engineering in Dallas.
A dedicated member of the American Legion since 2017, he served as 1st Vice Commander in 2024. Commander Dowell is also committed to upholding the Legion's core pillars: strong national security, veteran care, advocacy for children and youth, and promoting Americanism.
He and his wife, Marilou, share their home with three dogs. Together, they are deeply committed to serving their community and supporting the mission of the American Legion.