CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An Army veteran from a Holly Hills, Fla., American Legion post was elected national vice commander of the 2.2-million member veteran’s organization during its national convention in Cincinnati today.

Paul Martel, a member of Post 120, has held various offices at every level of The American Legion, including department (state) commander of Florida from 2008-2009. At the national level he served as a member of the National Security Commission and National Legislative Council. He was The American Legion national sergeant-at-arms from 2009-2010.

In 2000, Martel retired from a business which he started 34 years earlier so that he could spend more time helping veterans and their families. In 2010, he was elected chairman of the Florida Veterans Council, which includes 23 veterans services organizations. He was also appointed by the Director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to be a sitting member with voting rights for new nursing homes. U.S. Rep. John Mica appointed Martel to sit on his state veterans affairs advisory council. Martel received the prestigious Governor Veterans Service Award from Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.

In his spare time, Martel loves to work and drive his antique Lincolns, joking that the cars “make a better investment than the stock market!”

He is married to Mary Martel. They have three grown children and four grandchildren, all of whom are members of the American Legion Family. Martel is one of 12 national officers.