The 2nd

District American Legion Family Newsletter

March 2020

Legion Commander:

Brad Pagel Email: bppagel@gmail.com

Auxiliary President:

Robin Olson Email: rrde72@gmail.com

Honorary Junior President:

Anastasia Donnelly

SAL Commander:

Russell Lietzke Email: rjlietzke@gmail.com

ALR Director:

Kris Schneeberg Email: kaschneeberg@gmail.com

**Newsletter News**

The newsletter email is district2mnlegionfamilynews@gmail.com

Please submit all articles/pictures/posters etc. you wish to have published in the newsletter before the 22nd of the prior month. To help the District cut down on expenses and time it takes with the mailings of the newsletter, it was decided at convention time to go all electronic for the newsletter. Please encourage someone from each Post, Unit, Squadron and Chapter to receive the newsletter via email and print it out for their meetings. It will also be available on the district website at www.mnlegion2nddistrict.com on the newsletter page. Brad Pagel is still doing the newsletter, but if someone is more than willing to take it over and do it each month that would be great and awesome too.

Upcoming Events

March 8, 2020 District Junior Conference, Welcome MN Post 12pm SAL Detachment of Minnesota Annual Spring Conference 13 March 2020 7:00pm Finance Committee Meeting 8:00pm Detachment Executive Committee Meeting 14 March 2020 9:00am General Session East Grand Forks Squadron 157 1009 Central Avenue NW East Grand Forks Minnesota Department Appreciation Membership Rally March 21, 2020 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm La Crescent MN American Legion Department ALA Junior Conference Saturday, April 18 American Legion 17 2nd Ave N, Waite Park, MN 56387, USA Department Commanders Testimonial Saturday, April 18 New Prague American Legion Veterans on the Hill St. Paul MN Monday, April 20 Department President Testimonial Saturday, April 25⋅11:00am – 3:00pm American Legion Post 71 5814 Grand Ave, Duluth, MN 55807 Description:Social at 11 Lunch at Noon

Program to follow Physically Disabled Veterans Turkey Hunt April 28 – 30, 2020 Camp Ripley - Minnesota National Guard 15000 MN-115, Little Falls, MN 56345 Description:Applications must be received by March 11. May 9 District testimonals Lake Crystal Post 4pm Trolling for Troops June 4 – 6, 2020 Camp Ripley - Minnesota National Guard 15000 MN-115, Little Falls, MN 56345 Description:Fishing locations: Mille Lacs Lake and Mississippi River Applications due by April 15 June 5-6 District Convention New Ulm MN SAL Detachment Convention (Campout) June 26 – 27, 2020 Legionville Safety Camp 9544 Legionville Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401 Department Executive Committee Wednesday, July 15, 2020⋅7:00 – 8:30pm Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel 39375 County Rd 24, Morton, MN 56270 Department Convention July 16 – 18, 2020 Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel 39375 County Rd 24, Morton, MN 56270 National Convention August 28 – September 3, 2020 Louisville Louisville, KY

Legionville Camporee September 9 – 13, 2020 Legionville Safety Camp 9544 Legionville Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401 Physically Disabled Veterans Deer Hunt October 6 – 8, 2020 Camp Ripley - Minnesota National Guard 15000 MN-115, Little Falls, MN 56345 Description:Applications must be received by Aug. 21. Department Fall Conference Oct 22-24, 2020 Breezy Point Resort 9252 Breezy Point Drive Breezy Point, MN 56472

Mark the Dates

Adrian SAL pancake breakfast last Sunday every month. 9-1

Bricelyn Post SAL steak fry 3rd Saturday every month.

Keister Post steak fry 4th Saturday every month.

Madelia Steak Fry 3rd Saturday every month 5-730pm

Lake Wilson Legion Breakfast March 8 & 22 free will donation 9-1230

Okabena Hamburger and Steak Fry 1st Saturday every month 430pm till gone

Pipestone SAL Omelet Breakfast 2nd Sunday every month September-April 9am-

1230pm

Slayton Legion Pancake breakfast Mar 29, Apr 26, 9am-12:30pm held at 4H Building on Fairgrounds

Fish & Shrimp Dinners will be served at the RF American Legion from 5-7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (Begins Feb. 28th / Ends Apr. 10th)

Any post events please send them in to get in newsletters.

Call to Junior Conference

The 55th Annual Junior Conference of the 2nd District, Department of Minnesota, American Legion

Auxiliary, is hereby being hosted by the Northrop Unit #522, on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at the Welcome

Legion Post, 112 Dugan St. N. in Welcome, for the purpose of:

1. Presentation and judging of awards

2. Reports from each Unit represented

3. Election of District Honorary Junior Officers

4. Other business for the good of the Junior Auxiliary

Registration/Lunch: 12:00 noon – 1 pm

Cost: Registration is $1.00 per person attending. Lunch is free will donation.

Delegates

Each Junior group shall be represented by two delegates with two votes at the District Junior

Conference, plus one additional delegate for each fifteen members or major fraction thereof.

Junior Membership

1-7 elects 2 delegates

8-22 elects 3 delegates

23-37 elects 4 delegates

38-52 elects 5 delegates

Delegate strength is determined 30 days prior to the District Conference. Only Junior members will be

allowed to speak on the Conference floor. Senior members are the advisors only. This is the Junior’s

Conference.

Endorsements

Endorsements for the District Honorary Offices of President, 1st Vice-president, 2nd Vice-president,

Chaplain, and Sergeant-at-arms shall be sent to the District Junior Activities Chairman: Cheryl Brown,

71469 360th St., St. James, MN 56081 by February 29, 2020. The endorsements should state the

candidate’s name, the office running for, age, Unit, offices held at the Unit and District levels, if any, and

the number of years as a member.

District Project

The 3 way district project with the Commander, Auxiliary President, and SAL

Commander, is at the Eagles Healing Nest Redwood Falls Facility. The project is to

build an outdoor patio area with firepit and grilling areas with tables and chairs for

socializing. The Redwood Falls facility is an apartment style for our veterans to

reintegrate with their family’s. Eagle’s Healing Nest’s mission is to provide

assistance with the healing of the invisible wounds of war carried by our service men

and women…past, present, and future. Eagle’s Healing Nest is here to ensure we do

not lose another generation of veterans to homelessness, broken family units, or

suicide. We need to start taking care of our younger veterans in order to stop the 22

a day.

When sending in donations to the project mark them for the Redwood Falls facility

outdoor patio project.

Eagle’s Healing Nest

310 Highway 71 N, Unit 881

Sauk Centre, MN 56378

2nd District Commander Column

2nd District Commander Brad Pagel

bppagel@gmail.com 605-366-3025

2020 Total Total Weeks Total Goal % Of same date

Goal 2019 2020 Gain Posts Posts Goal last Year

6,497 6,413 5,930 22 84 14 91.27% 6,156

The latest report membership report as of Feb 27 shows we are significantly behind

on being strong on retention of our members in the District. We are 567 members

short of our goal!! If the membership directors of the posts just get those that have

not paid yet from 2019 that number can be reached. We need this done by March 10

to move up in the department!!

The less membership that is turned in, the less delegates we are allowed to have for

voting at National Convention!! If you want your voice heard at a National Convention

on resolutions being voted on, we need the maximum number of delegates possible,

so let’s get those members current ASAP!! Our membership numbers are looked at

by congress, when the National Commander testifies in front of the joint House and

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, on veteran related issues and concerns.

Ask yourself why are you here? Why are you a member of The American Legion

Family? IF you have not answered because I am a veteran and helping other veterans

is the mission and our youth programs benefiting and advancing the development of

our youth is the focus, then we need to have a discussion on scheduling training and

reeducation sessions and workshops across the district. People it’s time to get back

to the basics and reestablish the mission and focus of The American Legion Family!!

There are so many of us that have lost our way on the 4 Pillars that were established

over 100 years ago.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a

patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s

largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and

sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and

honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow

service members and veterans.

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, Children & Youth

The SAL membership is seriously lagging behind in the district!! Take a look at the latest report and let’s get these squadrons updated ASAP!! The SAL is a very key part of the American Legion Family, The SAL members are the future of keeping some posts within the family organization alive and flourishing. Legion posts that have a squadron find out what is going on and if help is needed, call your district leadership for assistance.

A message from the Department Commander:

Greetings All,

We have moved up in Membership to 6th place and 1st in the Midwest Region! This is because of your continued commitment to making a difference for our American

Legion Family.

As of February 27th, our Department is at 90.183 percent. In my last email I mentioned we need to be at 90.2 percent by March 11th in order to win the Big 12

competition. Actually, we need to be at 90.3 percent by March 11th. We need 81 more members to reach 90.3 percent and I know we will reach that goal.

Have a Great Weekend and Happy March 1st to all of you!

For God and Country

Mark J. Dvorak

Department Commander

Auxiliary President News

2nd District President

Robin Olson rrde72@gmail.com

507-525-3790

I would like to start off by saying thank you to all of you for the hard work you are doing for membership. We are still in 1st place with 89.14%. I am so proud to be your President. It is all of you that do the work. I am hoping that we can be at 90% by appreciation rally in March. Hope to see you there it is in Lacressnt. I hope to see you all at Jr conference on March 8th at the welcome American legion. Let's show these Jr's some support they are our future. If we don't have Jr's we won't have a future. So I will sign off by tell you how proud I am of all of you and keep up the great work you are doing. And thank you for everything you do for our veterans 2nd District President Robin Olson

LEGION MEMBERSHIP Randy R. Olson

2nd District Membership

507-525-6532 rrolson734@gmail.com

It's a beautiful day to be a member of The American Legion Family! Ever thought to

yourself about that? Take a moment to reflect on it! What are your reasons for

Joining?

To a new young Veteran, I am asked What's in it for me? To me, my list goes on & on!

To start with, When I left the Military after 30 years of Service, I felt like I had dealt

with the death in the Family! What would I do without my Brothers & Sisters in Arms?

What would I do with all that extra time I had given to Training with & to them? How

would I operate day to day without living it at least part time to fulfill my passion?

What purpose would living a normal everyday life serve? What new material,

weapons, or vehicles would I ever get to learn, use, operate, or train others on?

That ended when I met Harold Gunderson, an American Legion Membership director

of Post #82 Winnebago! He should me, how the American Legion could fill all those

voids, I was having. Then how to learn the four pillars & how to apply them to

Veterans serving yesterday, today, & tomarrow! Moving through each Post position,

thinking I have something to offer, moved to District Level, finding I had only touched

maybe a few percent of what The American Legion is & does! As I learn & grow into

each position, I only find it more inviting to further serve by continuing my outreach

to other Veterans to do the same! I don't feel like most of us ever truly understand

what goes into being a member or reflect on why we did! All I know is that there are

many Veterans & their families that need help & support. Many who can provide them

with their needs. Many who can change a life of another Veteran by serving again.

Sure, the Young New Veterans, always have the simple things like Life Insurance,

Tuition Re-imbursement, The old & revised GI Bill, 27 Different Programs in the

American Legion, Legislative Lobbying & Support for all your VA Benefits, Veterans

Court, Military Funeral Honor Guard & Color Guard, all small but meaningful benefits

that you have, because of The American Legion!

You'll enjoy the Comradary & Sense of Serving other more then ourselves!

So, if the small pocket change of around $40 seems like it's to much of a financial

burden to you, I'm sorry!

If your retired & living on Social Security, I truly understand that!

It's as simple as 4-5 lattes a year less, 1-2 meals less out at a fancy Restaurant a

year, etc. You get the picture!

However, if you decide to join, get active, & love to help other Veterans, I don't think I

could put a price on what that means to me!

For what ever reasons you have not re-newed your membership in the past, what

ever reason you have not joined in the past, & for what ever reason you decide to not

join in the future, I ask you to stop, think about the reasons why, & let them float out

the window like a breath of fresh air! Tomorrow is the future & You can be a part of it!

I'm asking you to be a part of it!

AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP Raleen Tolzmann

raleen44aux@gmail.com

American Legion Auxiliary 2 nd District Membership As I sit here getting ready to write my article today, I can’t help but remember by trip to Indianapolis this last weekend for the National Executive Committee meeting. I got to hear from each National Chairman about what their program had already done this year. All I can say is WOW! It is because of all the things that each unit member is doing across our nation and that includes each of you. If it weren’t for each of you doing what you are doing the Auxiliary would not accomplish any of it. Some of you may think “Well I have done much” Yes! you have! We Auxiliary members tend to think only about what we have not done. Think about what you have done and be proud of it. Each thing you do helps a veteran, a veteran’s family or your community. If you feel accomplished, promote this by putting articles in your local paper, wear your Auxiliary items, whether it is earrings, name tag or shirt. People will ask, don’t be afraid of telling who you are, what we do and why we do it. Be proud of your membership and ask others to join this great organization. Remember if it weren’t for unit members there would be no Auxiliary. I want to congratulate all the units that are on goal or above, there are now 16 units on goal. Since the last newsletter these units have made goal – Easton Unit 569, Lake Crystal Unit 294, and Windom Unit 206. I must tell you the 2 nd District has been in 1 st in membership in the Department for 5 weeks now! We are so proud of each and every unit, you just keep sending in memberships. Thank You! Just a reminder if you have any female Legion members, their spouse can now join the Auxiliary, yes men can now join the Auxiliary. The American Legion Auxiliary is the largest patriotic organization. Another new item is that there are no dates that limit veterans from joining the Legion, all veterans can now join. Hopefully Spring is just around the corner - -17 below is just to cold for this Auxiliary member. Your 2 nd District Membership team – Tricia Pagel, Diane Strassburg, Vickie Lowrie, Jeannette Mertens and Raleen Tolzmann Membership Chairman.

Unit No. Unit Name DNO/Goal # of MeM % of goal

32 Adrian 46 34 73.91%

276 Amboy 36 35 97.22%

576 AVOCA 28 29 103.57%

309 BELVIEW 37 41 102.70%

496 Bigelow 15 0 0%

89 Blue Earth 116 97 83.62%

464 BREWSTER 70 73 104.29%

165 Bricelyn 57 40 70.18

329 CAMBRIA 11 12 109.09%

529 Ceylon 36 33 91.67%

338 CHANDLER 25 25 100.00%

519 Clements 18 17 94.44%

244 Comfrey 33 29 87.88%

322 Currie 60 53 88.33%

486 Delavan 12 11 91.67%

632 Dovray 48 40 83.33%

386 Dundee 21 18 85.71%

617 Eagle Lake 119 111 93.28%

569 EASTON 60 61 101.67%

42 Edgerton 47 43 91.49%

196 ELLSWORTH 17 18 105.88%

36 Fairmont 134 106 79.10%

318 Fulda 34 32 94.12%

616 GOOD THUNDER 54 57 105.56%

365 Hanska 46 44 95.65%

478 Hardwick 24 21 87.50%

195 Hendricks 36 33 91.67%

224 Heron Lake 42 39 92.86%

399 Hills 18 16 88.89%

534 Holland 49 38 77.55%

130 Jackson 143 142 99.30%

133 Jasper 29 26 89.66%

401 Jeffers 22 20 90.91%

454 KIESTER 26 28 107.69%

10 Lake Benton 51 39 76.47%

294 LAKE CRYSTAL 139 140 100.72%

285 Lake Wilson 129 100 77.52%

4 Lakefield 63 43 68.25%

41 Lamberton 109 106 97.25%

561 Lewisville 50 48 96.00%

636 Lismore 52 48 92.31%

467 Lucan 27 21 77.78%

123 Luverne 55 43 78.18%

19 Madelia 49 45 87.78%

269 MADISON LAKE 28 34 121.43%

11 Mankato 69 60 86.96%

274 Milroy 32 30 93.75%

287 Minnesota Lake 84 76 90.48%

132 New Ulm 181 164 90.61%

522 Northrop 73 55 75.34%

608 Okabena 66 55 83.33%

6 Pipestone 71 60 84.51%

38 Redwood Falls 77 68 88.31%

582 Revere 14 11 78.57%

461 Round Lake 85 78 91.76%

506 Ruthton 30 26 86.67%

286 Sanborn 43 42 97.67%

356 Sherburn 37 36 97.30%

614 Sioux Valley 12 10 83.33%

64 Slayton 58 44 75.86%

7 Sleepy Eye 34 28 82.35%

257 Springfield 170 147 86.47%

475 St. Clair 36 35 97.22%

33 St. James 83 74 89.16%

391 STORDEN 21 22 104.76%

373 Trimont 44 42 95.45%

115 Truman 37 9 24.32%

306 VESTA 13 13 100.00%

263 WABASSO 90 91 101.11%

267 WALNUT GROVE 69 70 101.45%

553 Welcome 42 41 97.62%

210 Wells 183 153 83.61%

206 WINDOM 62 62 100.00%

82 Winnebago 16 13 81.25%

5 Worthington 38 32 84.21%

2 District Total 4191 3736 89.14%

AS OF WEEK 02/19/2020

SAL MEMBERSHIP AS OF

February 25, 2020

Squad Location Cards

6 MICHAEL-BOOCK SAL #6 38

10 HENRY SOLLIE SAL #10 0

11 LORENTZ SAL #11 20

32 52

33 ST. JAMES SAL #33 68

38 MELVIN DASKAM SAL #38 20

41 ANDREW PETERSON SAL #41 58

64 9

89 13

130 JACKSON LIBERTY SAL #130 8

132 SEIFERT-BIANCHI SAL #132 106

165 NELS LEE SQUAD #165 85

210 WELLS 0

257 JOHN WATSON SAL #257 198

267 ALFRED NELSON POST 267 28

269 Madison Lake 40

285 HERBERT HOLTKE SQUAD 285 33

286 COLBURN SAL #286 0

294 JOHN W. ROTH SAL #294 0

309 AUGUST DONNER SQUAD 309 42

322 LIONEL BOUDREAU SAL #322 47

385 WANDA SQUAD 385 17

401 ODEGARD-QUADE SQUAD #401 0

454 Kiester Squadron 454 0

464 BREWSTER SQUAD 464 41

475 W GRAMS- R SCHMIDT SAL #475 1

519 ROBERT SEIKORA SQUAD #519 19

529 NASSEN-DETERT SQUAD 529 0

553 WELCOME SQUADRON 553 33

608 SIEVERT-PETERSON SQUAD 608 42

616 ROBERT H STRATTON POST 616 0

617 EAGLE LAKE SAL #617 12

636 SCHAAP-GALAGAN SQUAD 636 94

650 ST. CLAIR AT LARGE 0

Junior Activities

Cheryl Brown—Chairman

At our District Junior Conference on March 8, Anastasia will be having a household

shower for her project at Eagle’s Healing Nest in Redwood Falls. Please bring items

such as laundry soap, hand soap, dish washing liquid, household cleaners; things

that will be needed on a daily basis.

This is the additional information you will need for the poppy contests at the District

and Department Conferences.

1. Poppy Corsage/Boutonniere Contest

To the Junior member in each class with the best Poppy corsage or boutonniere

using Honorary Department Junior President Emily’s theme: “Juniors Catching

Veterans Hearts” using the softball.

Entries are to be placed in a Ziploc bag with a corsage pin.

2. Poppy Centerpiece Contest

To the Junior member in each class with the best Poppy centerpiece using Honorary

Department Junior President Emily’s theme: “Juniors Catching Veterans Hearts”

using the softball.

3. Poppy Jewelry/Accessories Contest

To the Junior member in each class with the best Poppy jewelry or accessory using

Honorary Department Junior President Courtney’s theme: “Juniors Catching

Veterans Hearts” using the softball.

4. Poppy Memorial Day Wreath

To the Junior member in each class with the best Poppy Memorial Day Wreath with

the Poppy as the focus of the wreath.

5. DISTRICT CONTEST ONLY—Poppy Centerpiece Contest

To the Junior member in each class with the best Poppy centerpiece using Honorary

District Junior President Anastasia’s theme “Juniors Bear their Hearts for Veterans”

using a bear with a heart.

Poppy Contests Rules:

There is no limit to the number of entries per Unit for the contests

Only one entry per Junior per contest

All entries must include large, small or a combination of the poppies.

All white tags must be removed from the poppies

All entries must be at the District Junior Conference by 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March

8, and at the Department Junior Contest by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, for

judging

All entries must have an envelope attached with the contest name and class number

on the envelope and the Junior’s name, Unit number, location and District number on

a card inside the envelope

Classes for each contest:

Class I: Ages 6 and under

Class II: Ages 7 to 12

Class III: Ages 13 to 18

District Awards: Prizes are awarded in each category for each Class. District prize

money is determined the day of the District Junior Conference.

Department Awards: Prizes are awarded in each category for each Class.

1 st Place: $10.00 cash award and certificate

2 nd Place: $5.00 cash award and certificate

The Department Junior Conference will be held April 17-18, at the Waite Park

American Legion Post 428, 17 2 nd Ave. No., Waite Park, MN 56387, hosted by the

Sixth District. The registration fee for the Department Junior Conference is

$10.00/person and may be paid when you register at the Waite Park American Legion

or you may send your check with your registration form. Registration deadline is

Friday, March 6. A block of rooms is reserved for Junior Conference at the Hampton

Inn & Suites, 145 37 th Ave. N., St. Cloud, MN 56303.

Call 320-252-4448 for reservations, group name is Junior Conference. I checked with

the Hampton and the reservation deadline is March 17, not April 17 as stated in the

Department information.

Endorsements for Department Officers should be sent to the Department Secretary,

Sandie Deutsch, at the Department Office.

Department Honorary Junior President Emily Suess’s program of focus is a joint

venture with all of the Junior members. She would like to have enough funds to give

each of the five Veterans Homes $600.00 for what their needs may be at the time of

this Junior Conference. Please consider donating to Emily’s project.

More information and all necessary forms are in the January-February Unit mailing or

can be found on the website at mnala.org--choose Unit Info, 2020-01-January-

February, Junior-Conference-Call.

BASEBALL REPORT

As I write this, I'm still shoveling the 10.8 inches of snow New Ulm got that led

the state. Not sure that's something to be proud of.

However, as I shoveled, I was thinking of green grass on baseball fields!

We held our two winter baseball meetings at the Madelia Post on February

8th, for division 1 and then division 2. I invited Jr. Legion teams to attend

also.

It is too soon to know how many teams we will have, as registration has just

begun. I had suggested to teams to wait with that process until after the

meeting so I could explain a new requirement. After coaches and

administrators pass their background checks, they will then be instructed to

take Sexual Awareness Training. This is a federally mandated course; it

explains how to recognize symptoms of someone who may be being abused,

but also how to protect organisations and individuals (coaches) from being

falsely accused. I included that info in the meeting synopsis that I sent to all

teams, including those unable to attend.

Registration deadline is April 1, for new teams it is April 15. Insurance should

be purchased by May 15 to avoid a late penalty, and rosters are due June 15.

Vern Kitzberger

2nd District Baseball Director

STANDING RULE CHANGES

Lesley Christoffer, Chairman

ATTENTION ALL AUXILIARY MEMBERS:

This article is for you!

If you have any changes and/or recommendations to/for our 2 nd District

Standing Rules, they need to be sent to the Standing Rules Committee by

March 15 th . The committee will present these to the Executive Board at their

Spring Meeting for approval. Upon approval, they will be brought to the 2 nd

District Convention for Auxiliary membership approval.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 507-853-4496. Otherwise I

will see you at convention.

FLAG HOLIDAYS The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset

on all days, but especially on the following national

and state holidays:

NEW YEARS’S DAY - January 1

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY- 3rd

Monday in Jan.

INAUGURATION DAY – January 20

LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY – February 12

WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY – 3rd

Monday in Feb.

EASTER SUNDAY – varies

MOTHER’S DAY – 2nd

Sunday in May

PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY – May 15

(half staff all day)

ARMED FORCES DAY – 3rd

Saturday in May

MEMORIAL DAY – last Monday in May

(half staff till noon)

FLAG DAY – June 14

FATHER’S DAY – 3rd

Sunday in June

INDEPENDENCE DAY – July 4

KOREAN WAR VETERANS DAY – July 27

LABOR DAY – 1st Monday in September

PATRIOT DAY – September 11 (half staff)

CONSTITUTION DAY – September 17

GOLD STAR MOTHER’S DAY – last Sunday in Sept.

FIRE FIGHTERS MEMORIAL DAY – the Sunday

before or on October 9th

COLUMBUS DAY – 2nd

Monday in October

NAVY DAY – October 27

VETERANS DAY – November 11

THANKSGIVING DAY – 4th Thursday in November

PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY -

December 7 (half staff all day)

CHRISTMAS DAY – December 25

STATE BIRTHDAYS AND HOLIDAYS

ALL ELECTION DAYS

(and all other days that may be proclaimed by the

President of the U.S. or the Governor of a state.)

I was surprised that the NAVY had their own day and not

the other branches of the service.

Lesley Christoffer

Sgt-at-Arms

ENDORSEMENTS Erwin March Post 64 endorses current District Commander Brad Pagel for District

Commander for the American Legion year 2020-2021.

Herbert Holtke Post 285 endorses current 1st Vice Commander Jim Hunt for 1st Vice

Commander for the American Legion year 2020-2021.

Erwin March Post 64 endorses Brad Pagel as a delegate to the National Convention in

Louisville, Kentucky.

Herbert Holtke Post 285 endorses Jim Hunt as a delegate to the National Convention

in Louisville, Kentucky.

Minnesota American Legion College

Attend Legion College in Minnesota

We are looking forward to entering a new chapter in our American Legion. This will

be an opportunity to attend Legion College without leaving the state! It’s planned for

Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31, 2020, at Camp Ripley.

The cost will be $150 per student to include housing and class materials. The class

size will be limited to 20 people. The post or district is encouraged to pick up the cost

for those that wish to attend.

Who attends?

It is Minnesota’s time to surge ahead and join the fray and conduct our own Legion

College.

This is an opportunity for prospective leaders in our organization to become savvy in

all things “Legion.” This is especially for those who want to make a difference in The

American Legion and have the knowledge to do it! Also, it is a great opportunity to

network with other like-minded veterans.

About Legion College

Legion College enhances knowledge and appreciation of The American Legion and

teaches the core values and contributions of the organization, its Auxiliary, Sons of

The American Legion and many subordinate programs. It prepares Legionnaires for

leadership positions in Posts, Districts, Counties and Departments through

education, development and motivation. The curriculum challenges student leaders

to think critically and creatively about issues confronting the Legion.

Sent to:

Email: kuuky@hotmail.com

Postal mail: Denise Milton, PO Box L, Bagley, MN 56621

The deadline is April 15.

The application link can be found on the Department of Minnesota website at:

http://mnlegion.org/legion-college/

National American Legion College

November 1 to 6, 2020 in Indianapolis, IN

Must be a continuous member in good standing for at least 3 years.

Application link can be found on the national website at:

https://www.legion.org/college

Must have application submitted to Department Adjutant by June 30, 2020

Just a few pictures from the National commander stops in the 2nd District, there are many more in the galleries on The Minnesota

Department website, http://mnlegion.org/news/

On Feb. 18, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed supper at Redwood Falls Post 38, the sixth stop on his tour of Minnesota. He spoke about the

importance of growing membership to carry on Legion programs, particularly ones involving young Americans. There was an abundance of ribbing each other this evening, too.

National Commander Bill Oxford recognizes Brewster Post 464 Legionnaire Ferdie Haberman

for attending 54 national conventions.

Department Commander Mark Dvorak, NEC Committeeman Bill Barbknecht, Ferdie Haberman, National

Commander Bill Oxford, 2nd District Commander Brad Pagel, Brewster Post 464 Commander Tom

Behrends

The Redwood Falls Post 38 honor guard welcomes National Commander Bill Oxford.

District 2 Commander Brad Pagel presents a cribbage board shaped like Minnesota to the

national commander.

Lillian Tostenrud, 8, reads a patriotic poem to close the evening’s proceedings.

On Feb. 18, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed lunch

at Madelia Post 19, the fifth stop on his tour of Minnesota. He told of his 34-year military career,

explained his involvement in The American Legion and how he became national commander.

He also shared his visit to the White House for the signing of the POW?MIA Act.

Madelia Post 19 Commander Doug Gappa hands a gift to National Commander Bill Oxford.

National Commander Bill Oxford speaks at Madelia Post 19.

National Commander Bill Oxford speaks to reporters from newspapers in Madelia and St. James.

People talk while they wait for the food to be served.

On Feb. 18, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed breakfast at

Wells Post 210, the fourth stop on his tour of Minnesota. In addition to his comments on how vital The

American Legion is to the future of the country, he urged veterans to get their DNA registered with the

VA for the sake of identifying POW/MIA remains

National Commander Bill Oxford speaks about how many young people the Legion reaches

through its youth programs.

Wells Post 210 Commander Charlie Klocek presents a gift to National Commander Bill Oxford.

People listen to the national commander in the basement of Wells Post 210.

On Feb. 19, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed lunch

at Mankato Post 11, which meets at Mankato VFW Post 950, the eighth stop on his tour of

Minnesota. He spoke with young veterans from the area and with Minnesota State University,

Mankato, veteran resource officer Tim Adams.

National Commander Bill Oxford answers questions.

Veterans who attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, raise their hands.

National Commander Bill Oxford shakes hands with MSU-Mankato Veterans Resource Officer

Tim Adams.