Husband and Wife Elected to Lead State’s Largest Veterans Organization

(Little Rock, AR) - For only the third time in the history of The American Legion Department of Arkansas (since 1919), a husband and wife team has been elected to command and lead the state’s largest veteran’s organization.

Antoine “Tony” Gordon, of American Legion Post #74 in Sherwood, has been elected as the 2024-25 State Commander of the American Legion, and his wife, Pearl Gordon, of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #74 in Sherwood, has been elected as the 2024-25 State President of the American Legion Auxiliary. Both were elected in North Little Rock during the 105th Arkansas State Convention of the American Legion Department of Arkansas.

Commander Gordon was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from John L. McClellan High School in 1984 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force under the Delayed Enlistment Program and has served at several Air Bases around the world until retiring in 2007 from the 314thMission Support Group at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville. Upon his retirement, he began a second career teaching at Temple Baptist Academy in Jacksonville, and later at the Professional Education Center at Camp Robinson as an Instructor in the GED Plus Program. Commander Gordon has a noteworthy educational background including an associate’s degree in human resources management, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religious Studies, and dual master’s degrees in special education and public administration. After joining The American Legion in 2016, he has held numerous leadership positions including Commander of Michael Vann Johnson, Jr. Post #74 in Sherwood.

President-Elect Pearl Gordon was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and later graduated from Wilbur D. Mills High School, and immediately started her journey as an Air Force Wife. Pearl earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Park University, and a Master of Science Degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. President-Elect Gordon has worked in several career fields, the last being with UAMS. She has served in several leadership capacities in the American Legion Auxiliary since 2018, and obtained her eligibility through her husband, Antoine L. Gordon, who served in the United States Air Force from 1985 to 2007.

Commander and President Gordon both reside in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and will celebrate their 39th Wedding Anniversary next month. They have two children: Antoine II (Hannah) and Caleb; and their two Rescue Dobermans, Bane and Bella. The entire Gordon family is very active in their local church, Jacksonville Baptist Temple under the leadership of Dr. Ted Patterson.

For more information, please visit the American Legion Department of Arkansas Website at: www.arlegion.org, or the American Legion Department of Arkansas Auxiliary Web site at: www.auxiliary.arlegion.org.