BANGOR – Paul L’Heureux of Auburn was elected state commander of the American Legion in Maine at the recently concluded 89th annual convention in Bangor.

L’Heureux will head the 26,000-member organization for the next 12 months and will be visiting many of the 172 posts in Maine, according to a press release from the American Legion.

L’Heureux is a member of New Auburn Post 153 where he served four terms as commander and has held many offices and chaired many committees on his journey to hold the highest office in Maine. He has said he wants to try new ideas to bring younger members to the organization.

The new commander recently has been the state chairman of the American Legion Riders, a rapidly growing motorcycle group within the Legion whose primary purpose is to support veterans. They currently have more than 400 members statewide.

L’Heureux is the third New Auburn Post 153 member to serve as state commander. The others were Bill Rogers, who was elected in 1953 and went on to serve as National Commander, and the late Jim McMahon, who served in 1969.