The Minnesota

American Legion Legionnaire Family Volume 103 Number 1 For God and Country January 2021 Vaccine doses arrive at Mpls. VA MINNEAPOLIS — The first person in The hospital received its first shipment at extremely cold temperatures, according Minnesota to receive a COVID-19 vaccine of the Pfizer vaccine the day before the to a VA news release. was a nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health announcement. Vaccinations of the VA On Dec. 15, Kelly and Witte joined Gov. Care System on Dec. 15. staff started with Witte the same day as Tim Walz, Chief of Staff Kent Crossley, “It is a personal choice for me,” said reg- the announcement Associate Director Kurt Thielen and Net- istered nurse Thera Witte, who works in a “We are very excited to provide a vaccine work Director Robert McDivitt to speak coronavirus unit at the hospital. “It’s not just that has the potential to help get COVID-19 with members of the Twin Cities media. preventing getting COVID myself — it’s under control when used alongside public Walz said the vaccine shipment gives the the safety of my family, our communities health measures such as masking, physical VA medical staff the tools to begin the climb and my colleagues and the veterans we take distancing and frequent handwashing,” said out of the pandemic. He said Minnesota care of.” Minneapolis VA Director Patrick Kelly. health care workers have been receiving The Minneapolis VA was among five The Minneapolis VA medical center was training information for administering the Thera Witte speaks to the Twin Cities media in the Flat VA locations to receive initial doses of the selected for its ability to vaccinate large vaccine. Atrium of the Minneapolis VA hospital Dec. 15. COVID-19 vaccine. numbers of people and store the vaccines Witte has been a VA nurse for 10 years. Mission 'Tanks pointing at us' Blue Dale DeBlieck was an MP during the to help standoff Posts By Tim Engstrom ANBURY, Wisconsin — After NEC gives rules graduating from Tracy High School in 1959, Dale DeBlieck for $1,000 grants Dworked on the family farm. But this farm kid from southwestern INDIANAPOLIS — At the Fall Minnesota knows what Berlin was like Meeting, the National Executive before and after the Berlin Wall went Committee of The American Legion up. He was there, in a Ford, escorting approved the Mission Blue Post As- American tanks to Checkpoint Char- sistance Program. lie and waiting while the world held Posts impacted by a government’s its collective breath as President John public health restrictions implement- Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrush- ed in response to the COVID-19 pan- chev talked it out. demic may apply for a grant up to $1,000. Posts must meet the following n January 1960 — precisely 60 eligibility criteria: years ago — he enlisted in the Army • A Post must have a current con- and went to basic at Fort Ord, Cal- solidated post report on file. I ifornia, then to military police training • A Post must have filed an IRS at Fort Gordon, Georgia. 990 within the prescribed due date. The Army sent him to the 6th Army COLD WAR • A Post must have filed all other re- MP Company in Yuma, Arizona, at quired forms and reports as prescribed the Yuma Test Station, now called the Dale DeBlieck sits in the kitchen of his cabin on Birch Island Lake in Wisconsin. He is a member of Byron by the Departments. (Example: Offi- Yuma Proving Grounds. DeBlieck was Post 119 in Minnesota. He worked as a military policeman in during a tense time. cer Reports.) there for six months when he got orders Germany. each maintained an occupation country, and the Soviet sector became • A Post must have actively partic- to go to Berlin and join the 287th MP This was a time in the Cold War zone in West Berlin, while the Soviet . That meant West Berlin ipated in one or more The American Company. First, he received a 30-day when the was up, but the Union held , including what was an island of freedom 104 miles Legion activity within the last 18 leave. Berlin Wall didn’t exist. Starting with had been the downtown of the city. behind the Iron Curtain. months. (Example: Memorial, Veter- DeBlieck crossed the Atlantic Ocean the August 1945 Agreement Each of the World War II allies could How did this happen? The occupa- ans Day, Honor/Color Guard duties.) in seven days aboard the USS Darby, a and following principles agreed upon in visit the other zones. tion plans came about before relations • A Post must have a financial need. . A terrible storm made every- February 1945 at the Yalta Conference, The U.S., U.K., France and Soviet between the Soviet Union and the West Continued on Page 2 one seasick. It docked at Bremerhaven, the , United Kingdom and Union each occupied sectors of the Continued on Page 8 MDVA remains ‘open for business’ throughout pandemic While the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly the in touch with their families though a wide use of focus of 2020 for most of us, I’m proud that despite iPads and phone calls. We also facilitated window the challenges the coronavirus presented, MDVA Year in Review and outdoor visits during the warmer weather, and has remained “open for business.” Larry Herke we now allow essential caregiver visits. While we have had some positives cases and Minnesota Veterans Homes Early on, following guidance deaths among the residents, cases have recently been Our Minnesota Veterans Homes adjusted through- from the Minnesota Department declining with less than 1 percent positive among out the pandemic to protect the health and safety of of Health and Centers for Dis- our 600 residents and 1,400 staff. our residents and staff. Overall, I’m so proud of the ease Control, we restricted vis- staff of the homes who have gone above and beyond itors, curtailed group activities New veterans homes to support our residents and their families. and implemented broad use of We have been working for several years to secure They have not waivered and when called to work personal protective equipment, including facemasks federal VA funding to build three new state veterans extra hours and provide additional support, many and face shields, gloves and gowns as needed. homes in the communities of Bemidji, Montevideo volunteered to do so. We also had a great demon- Our homes also set up special isolation units to and Preston. While we were not selected for funding stration of teamwork with staff from our Programs separate residents who tested positive for COVID- in 2020, our request remains in the queue and we & Services division and Central Office also stepping 19 from others, and staff were assigned to that unit are hopeful that at least one of the new homes will up to work in the homes when needed. They truly only to minimize any potential spread. receive approval for funding in 2021. are heroes caring for heroes. We also made arrangements for residents to stay Continued on Page 2 Page 2 Minnesota Legionnaire January 2021 Herke: State is closer to ending vet homelessness Continued from Page 1 decreased during the first few a fourth state veterans cemetery impacted by COVID-19 to apply The state of Minnesota allo- months; however, now we are to serve the southwest area of for a grant. Veterans should cated $32 million in funding for able to allow up to 50 attendees. Minnesota. contact their local county vet- these three new homes back in We created an outdoor com- In October, we were pleased erans service officer for assis- 2018, so we are now waiting for mittal space at the Little Falls to be notified by the National tance in applying for a grant. the approval of federal funding State Veterans Cemetery, which Cemetery Administration of the More details are on our web- so we can proceed. We appreci- previously only had an indoor U.S. Department of Veterans site at MinnesotaVeteran.org/ ate the engagement and patience committal space. Affairs that it plans to award COVIDRelief. of these three communities as We are also planning to imple- a grant in fiscal year 2021 to we wait for a funding decision ment technology that will allow establish a state veterans cem- Preventing veteran suicide Training Q&A services to be live-streamed for etery in Redwood County. The in 2021. Veteran suicide is a trage- By Denise Milton people who would like to watch tentative grant amount is $5.9 dy that must be prevented. In Chairman, Training Committee State Veterans Cemeteries remotely. Everyone is asked to million. March, MDVA joined a collab- The three State Veterans wear a mask and social distance This grant-funding opportu- oration called the “Governor’s There are Paid Up For Life (PUFL) memberships and Hon- Cemeteries also had to adjust while at the cemeteries. nity is an important first step Challenge” that is facilitated by orary Lifetime memberships. their operations during the pan- For several years, we have in making this new cemetery a the federal VA. So what is the difference? demic. The number of people been working with the commu- reality. We have now begun a We gathered a group that rep- allowed to attend services was nity in Redwood County to build yearlong process that includes resents several Minnesota public PUFL planning, designing and so- and nonprofit organizations • Veterans can pay in full or choose 12 monthly installments liciting bids for the project focused on preventing veteran (credit card only). and expect to receive the final suicide. That group virtually at- • There are no more annual renewal notices or worries about, grant award at the start of federal tended a three-day training in “Did I pay my dues?” fiscal year 2022, which begins August and has drafted an action • They avoid future dues increases. Oct. 1, 2021. plan that includes: • They receive a permanent plastic card once the entire fee MDVA is working with Red- • Identifying and screening is paid off. wood County officials to accept veterans for suicide risk. • They receive an annual paper card for verification of con- their donation of land as a first • Increasing connections with tinuous-years membership that gets mailed every July. step. health care providers and im- • New members or existing members can submit PUFL ap- proving care transitions. plications in one of three methods: 1. Online, 2. Printable ap- Financial support • Focusing on “lethal means” plications, 3. Call customer service. Information can be found for veterans safety. at www.legion.org/pufl or contact your adjutant. We have been able to provide • Taking a more comprehen- financial support to veterans im- sive and coordinated approach Honorary Life Membership pacted by COVID-19. MDVA among the group members. Almost since the founding of The American Legion, Posts received $6.2 million in state All MDVA staff completed have recognized their outstanding members for exceptional funding in March that has been the SAVE suicide prevention service or accomplishments by awarding what is known as an used for three grants: training during the last year, Honorary Lifetime Membership. • Disaster Relief Grant and we strongly encourage This may also include past commanders, 50 continuous-year • Special Needs Grant everyone in the community to members, etc. There are no known Department requirements; • Distance Learning Support complete this training as well. the only National requirement is that the Post assumes the Grant For more information, visit our responsibility of paying dues annually for the remainder of Eligible individuals could website at MinnesotaVeteran. the member’s life. receive up to $7,000 in assis- org/EndVetSuicide. Important note: New adjutants and even experienced officers tance if approved for all three overlook their Honorary Life members at dues-paying times, programs. Ending veteran which may result in a membership lapse. It’s embarrassing to POST 911 PROJECT ad v2printer marks.pdf 1 12/21/20 10:02I AMstrongly encourage all vet- homelessness everyone to have to explain why they are no longer a member erans who have been financially We have made progress of The American Legion! toward ending veteran home- To prevent this from occurring, please send a letter in the lessness in the last year; howev- following format (sign and date) to your Department HQ: er, the pandemic has had a nega- Please notify National HQ that renewal notices should not tive impact on our homelessness be printed for the following member(s) of this Post.” 9-DIGIT numbers. The total number of MEMBER HONORARY LIFE ADDRESS, ID NUMBER Veterans on the Homeless Veter- MEMBER (a) NAME INCLUDING ZIP. Info must match ans Registry has increased from exactly as printed on register. a low of 220 in May to 312 in December. “Training Q&A” will be a recurring monthly recurring In 2019, we housed the most column. If you have a question, please email it to trainingcomm@ veterans ever in one year, with mnlegion.org. more than 500 veterans placed in safe housing. That was a 40 percent increase from the 379 housed in 2018. Through Dec. Dept. of Minnesota has 13, 2020, we have housed 422 veterans this year so far. We will received 6 applications keep working at this until we Continued from Page 1 have achieved an end to veteran homelessness across the entire • A Post must provide a certificate of insurance naming The state. American National Headquarters as an additional insured (copy C - - We were pleased to celebrate of insurance declaration will be attached to application). • A Post must provide documentation indicating that the Post M Monday, January 25 at 7:00PM a milestone in this effort on Vet- erans Day, Nov. 11. On that date, is properly incorporated. Y Always the 4th Monday of the month The funds from this grant program shall be used exclusively Visit our website for full details we marked the effective end of CM veteran homelessness in the con- for one of the following: • Current and past due mortgage principal and interest. MY tinuum of care in the Suburban Metro Area Counties. That is the • Current and past due real estate rents. CY Presenter: sixth of 10 continuums of care • Current and past due insurance premiums. • Current and past due utilities. CMY Roger Reinert to achieve this milestone. Our Send the completed Post application package to the Depart- Lt. Commander work will continue as we focus K ment of Minnesota for review and approval. The Department on the remaining four continu- of Minnesota will forward the application to National. ums of care located in Hennepin Email is the preferred method to submit the completed ap- and Ramsey Counties and in the plication. Send it to [email protected]. St. Cloud and Duluth areas. Adjutant Mike Maxa said the Department of Minnesota has received six applications with three being approved. The other To learn more three, the Department is waiting on correct documentation before Stories will become part of the permanent archive of the museum about MDVA? and inform our traveling display and tv documentary. the Department can approve and submit to National. Feel free • Veterans and their families to contact the Department of Minnesota for assistance and to are encouraged to contact their answer any questions. county veterans service officer for assistance with a variety of benefits and support. If you don’t know who your county Department of Corrections veterans service officer is, you In the December 2020 issue, a story about the Department can find them on the website: Executive Committee meeting Nov. 5 via Zoom had two errors. MACVSO.org. One, Carl Hendrickson should have been identified as the • Visit our website at Minne- chairman of the Finance Committee. William Goede is the sotaVeteran.org. Department treasurer. • Contact our Call Center at Two, District 6 Commander Paul Edwards is not also the 1-888-LinkVet. Boy Scouts chairman for Nisswa Post 627. January 2021 Minnesota Legionnaire Page 3 A CHRISTMAS CAVALCADE

Delighting all who remain young at heart was a beloved Photos by Kara Hildreth Santa Claus riding a golf cart in a Holiday Veterans Drive- A drive-by parade took place Dec. 19, with vehicles passing By Parade held Dec. 19, at the Minneapolis VA Medical Santa’s golf cart featured a wreath, a Christmas tree the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and the Minneapolis Center. The jolly character portrayed by parade organizer and a candy cane, all made from balloons. Parade Veterans Home. The cars and trucks gathered at the Greg Arrigoni was happy volunteers showed up to bring entrants displayed signs of gratitude, love, goodwill and hospital’s Parking Lot 11, then left at 11:15 a.m. before joy and holiday spirit to veterans with the fun event that patriotism during the four-mile parade route encircling circling both locations. Organizer Greg Arrigonia works for included large colorful balloon bouquet creations he the Minneapolis VA hospital and the Minneapolis Veterans the VA and also owns a company called Unique Balloons. designed. Home.

This holiday parade was the last of a few in 2020, a year Children and furry pooches peeked out from vehicle that has been challenging for all, but especially veterans windows to wave and holler warm wishes to veterans in American Legion Riders display U.S. flags as well as their and seniors who are asked to remain socially distant during the festively decorated Christmas parade. own flag as they pass the entrance to the Minneapolis VA. the global pandemic and their families this holiday season.

Friends of the American Legion Department of Minnesota

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UPPER LAKES FOODS 801 INDUSTRY AVENUE CLOQUET, MN 55720 800.879.1265 UPPERLAKESFOODS.COM Page 4 Minnesota Legionnaire January 2021 Zoom is useful for doing Legion work Be the light of hope in your community Greetings, American Legion Since my last article, ev- Family. Commander’s Column eryone has celebrated the Chaplain’s Corner It’s 2021! Happy New Year! holidays. Merry Christmas I’m confident 2021 will be a Mark Dvorak and a Happy New Year to all! Betty Jass less-confusing year. We all 2020 was a scary and con- should be proud and thankful Checks, this time of year espe- will flip fusing. It was a year where Legionnaires and friends as in aircraft about all the good The Ameri- cially. The Department Buddy the switch many have felt a total unbal- they work on a new program, mainte- can Legion Family has accom- Check Zoom get-together is still to Personi- ancing of their lives. We pray promote their initiative as nance and plished and continues to accom- taking place each Sunday night at fy360. The that God gives us all a brighter they proudly accomplish their the fix plish through uncertain times. 7 p.m. and everyone is welcome. last email and more stable light in 2021. tasks. We can all be mentors was too Here are a few examples For more information, con- received After all, “we are the light” that give opportunities to simple. of the many contributions we tact: Jennifer Havlick at Jenni- from National indicated some- of our American Legion and other, and support them along However, there was his have made to our communities [email protected]. time this quarter, so continue to our community’s families. We the way. maintenance officer who the past several months: food Posts, Districts and De- use MyLegion.org. do this by sharing our light of Once we spread our lights stayed open-minded and drives at Posts for families in partment continue with Zoom No matter the situation, our hope to everyone. of hope, you’ll see amazing thought it was a great idea. need, making of items such as meetings to keep the business of Legion Family continues to pro- Pope Francis once said: things happen like a child’s The maintenance officer -en masks for veterans homes and The American Legion on track. vide amazing, positive support “Today, amid so much dark- bright smile after they learn couraged this young airman VA medical facilities, Legion I recommend each Committee in our communities. Our mis- ness, we need to see the light to tie their own shoes, you’ll to organize and promoted Riders involved with support for Chairman use Zoom for your sion has not wavered for over of hope and to be the men see others take more initia- his idea and sent him forth to a deceased veteran and provid- meetings. The business of The 100 years, and it will continue ing an escort for National Guard American Legion is too im- into the future. We all have and women who bring hope tive in their work and display make the repair he proposed. troops to an armory prior to portant to wait for an in-person to take a deep breath (maybe to others.” new confidence as they grow. He submitted this repair deployment, blood drives held meeting. If you need help with more) and remind ourselves of In our American Legion You’ll hear joy in a lonely per- through the Air Force Sug- at Posts, COVID-19 testing at Zoom, please reach out, help is the good that is yet to come from family, we have a unique op- son’s voice after a phone call gestion Program, and he was Posts just to name a few. You available. our amazing organization! portunity to inspire, encourage from you. You really charged later approved to fix the B-1 all continue to lead and set the District and Posts continue For God and Country, we and support our families and up her spirit! Bomber’s landing gear issue. example of doing good for our to work the 1982s using MyL- continue our mission. communities. We can mentor, During Desert Storm, the This young machinist was communities. I am so thankful egion.org. One District trans- we can promote open-mind- B-1 Bomber was grounded given that light of hope. to be part of our amazing Amer- ferred more than 10 members to Mark Dvorak is the com- edness to new or different for issues with its front land- We have an opportunity to ican Legion Family! Posts from 1982AD last month. mander of The American Legion ideas, we can celebrate our ing gear and not used. There be that light in someone’s life. Please continue to do Buddy We are not sure when National Department of Minnesota. accomplishments and we was a young airman who was a Are you up to the challenge? can promote our spiritual machinist, and he had an idea We can make difference in our Opinions expressed in Mail Call are that of the development. about how to fix the problem. communities and to our fam- authors and do not reflect the opinion of The Minnesota How do I become that Many supervisors, branch ilies for “We are the Light!” Legionnaire or The American Legion. light of hope to others? We chiefs and engineers dismissed Mail Call can spread the light of hope his idea because he was lower Betty Jass is the chaplain Christmas and healthy and safe are made up of people from by our kindness to others. ranking, didn’t have a college for The American Legion The editor New Year, and hopefully I can either side, and these people We can encourage are fellow degree, had limited experience Department of Minnesota. pop into the 2021 Department being people also have their writes a letter! Convention and celebrate with own faults. We live in a state with 5.6 you all. Love and hugs to you So, in closing, and in the Mandates are election issues that don’t exist. parties with “No more than one- million people. Some reside in all. words of Tiny Tim: “God bless First: Anyone can be a poll half of the judges can be from a metro area with 3.28 million. us, every one.” watcher by getting written au- the same major political party.” hard on small thorization from the Secretary If you wanted to be an elec- Others reside in small cities, Sandie Deutsch Let’s stop all this crazy hate of State’s Office, County Audi- tion judge, you go to your po- like Funkley, which only has Past Department Secretary and end the virus by doing our businesses tor’s Office or, in many places, litical party’s caucus and give five people. American Legion Auxiliary part and wearing masks. Radi- James B. West and Earl Ped- the city clerk. We don’t want them your name, which is then The Legionnaire is among the cals from both sides — the far erson (December 2020) could few publications in Minnesota left and the far right — really someone there who intends to submitted to the county auditor. NOT have said it better or more intimidate or interfere with the Townships then request a list of that goes to both places and Let's beat this get my Irish up! clearly! I, too, am an honorably allows its readers to share their election. names for each party for them discharged, yearly member of Second: A political party or to select their election judges. thoughts. and wear masks Tom Lucy The American Legion (25 years) nonpartisan candidate can ap- A judge must then go to a two- There will be people with dif- Brainerd Post 255 Why do some people make and the VFW (20 years). point in writing a challenger to hour training course unless you ferent worldviews, opinions and such an uproar about wearing I'm afraid what this new pres- ways of expressing themselves. contest voter eligibility. are the head judge. The head a mask and that wearing one is ident and cabinet will do to our Third and most important: judge needs a three-hour train- Some of them will be well-re- infringing on their First Amend- Grant to fund America! I'm afraid of the fact searched and academic. Some Election judges per precinct ing course. ment rights? winter coats that our small Posts, and local must be from both political Continued on Page 7 will be folksy and use anecdotal This all reminds me of the an- small business, here in West experiences. ti-smoking campaigns that said for veterans Central Minnesota will not be But they all are veterans or people shouldn’t smoke in bars able to survive this latest man- The Minnesota supporter of veterans. We are and restaurants. They ranted and To say “thank you” just dated closing and will kill their all on the same side. raved about this law destroys doesn’t seem like enough. possibility of reopening. If you agree with a letter their rights to smoke! In October, I wrote to the V4V Even the thought of trying to writer, great. board and tried to explain my Legionnaire Well, all I can say is, what confiscate all of my guns and If you disagree with a letter about the rights of people who concerns. I am the American ammunition is frightening to say For God and Country writer, either take the view with worked in these establishments Legion Auxiliary deputy rep- the least! What is happening to a grain of salt or write a rebuttal. and contracted cancer and didn’t resentative at the St. Cloud VA our constitutional rights? Man- Official publication of But don't get angry with the smoke? Health Care System. We have dated masks? I personally think The American Legion Legion or Legionnaire for not Now, I ask all of you, is the received numerous donations in we, all Americans, need to say Department of Minnesota censoring opinions you don't right to try to stay alive less im- the clothing/quilting area from enough is enough! like before you see them. portant than the rights of those various organizations. God bless America. About: The Minnesota Legionnaire (USPS 013679) Understand that a letter writer who are trying to shove their so- There is, however, one item (ISSN 01644270) is published Monthly by The American is just one person trying to ex- called rights down our throats? that we are generally short of: Ron Klever Legion, Department of Minnesota, Room 300 A, 20 W ercise their First Amendment I’m a 20-year retired Army coats. Paynesville Post 271 12th St, , St Paul, MN 55155-2000. rights. They are trying to par- veteran, and when in the Army I understand that, for a Unit Periodicals postage paid at St Paul, Minnesota, and ticipate in American democracy, during basic training we didn’t or a Post to spend $100 and only additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address just like you. have rights. We just had to suck get one item, it doesn’t seem like People have a changes to The Minnesota Legionnaire, 20 W. 12th St., So let's be civil. We aren't it in and take our orders for the much of a donation compared to St. Paul, MN 55155-2000. about to cancel anyone. love of our country. spending $100 to get five items. duty to society First published in 1920 as the Hennepin County Le- Like in any city, you must If we go to a hospital for a So, it is hard for them to buy gionnaire, the Minnesota Legionnaire is now in its 100th share the park with other users. broken leg, and the doctor said coats. This year in particular be- as a whole year of publication. The Legionnaire is a member of the you have to wear a leg cast and cause of all the shutdowns that I would like to respond to National American Legion Press Association. Tim Engstrom walk on crutches for a while, our Posts have had to endure, some of your letters to the editor To advertise: 651-424-4612 or use the email below Editor would you start screaming and funds are limited, and we are contained in the December 2020 Subscription: $20 for non-members for one year or The Minnesota Legionnaire not the only donation that they telling the doctor you are after issue. I do not believe in fake $35 for two years. Members receive the Legionnaire as Bloomington Post 550 consider. my First Amendment rights? news. I do believe many news part of their dues. So, you can imagine how Phone: 651-291-1800, 866-259-9163 No politicians, Republicans stories are incomplete because happy I was when I received the Fax: 651-291-1057 or Democrats, said we had to reporters do little research on the Thanks for telephone call telling me that we Email: [email protected] wear masks before the advent subject to give a complete pic- of the COVID-19 outbreak. would be receiving $10,000 to Web: mnlegion.org ture of what is involved. They retirement gift This is just common sense and purchase coats for the veterans. Editor: Director of Communications Tim Engstrom don’t always realize stories they I would like to thank the De- shouldn’t be a political issue at On behalf of all the veterans at Editor Emeritus: Al Zdon partment of Minnesota Amer- all. Remember God helps those the St. Cloud VAHCS — thank should be covering in order to Board of Publication: President Mark Dvorak, New ican Legion Auxiliary for the who help themselves and not you, Veterans 4 Veterans, from better educate the public. Prague; Vice President Dennis Henkemeyer, Blue Earth; beautiful retirement gift. I will caring for others is just wrong the bottom of my heart! Our president has divided Secretary Mike Maxa, Montgomery; Treasurer Bill cherish it forever. Thanks to and unselfish as Americans. You have made a lot of vet- this country and created mis- Goede, Plainview; Don Amundson, Blue Earth; Darrel those who are staying in touch on In closing, neither party is an- erans warmer. trust in our election system so Redepenning, Fridley; Joe Bayer, Minneapolis; Carroll Facebook. I miss you all but am ti-Christian and anti-God, and I the news should report more Partridge, Oakdale; Paul Edwards, Brainerd; Dennis really enjoying Yuma. It’s nice wouldn’t accuse the other party Carol Kottom on how secure it is. We don’t Henkemeyer, Bagley; Patti Coleman, Circle Pines; Mary every day. Have a wonderful of being anti-religion. Politics Buffalo Unit 270 need Legion members to solve Kuperus, New London January 2021 Minnesota Legionnaire Page 5 War, died Nov. 26, 2020. He was a 34-year member of Obituaries Pequot Lakes Post 49. Taps The Minnesota Legionnaire reserves the right to edit Krueger, Gary L., 73, Navy veteran of the War, all obituaries for style and brevity. died Nov. 21, 2020. He served as a draftsman aboard the Alt, Vernon J., 95, Navy veteran of World War II and USS Estes, USS Princeton, USS Valley Forge and USS New , died Dec. 8, 2020. He was in the amphibious Please send to [email protected] or in the mail to the Department of Minnesota. Orleans. He went to , Singapore, Honolulu, section. He served active duty, then Naval Reserve. He , the and Vietnam. He was a member was a 46-year member of Elysian Post 311. of Willmar Post 167. Anderson, Elwin “Swede,” 94, Army veteran of World II and the Korean War, died Dec. 7, 2020. He was a China Kyllo, Gerald D., 88, Army veteran of the Korean War, War II, died Nov. 4, 2020. He was a 40-year member of Marine with the 4th Marine Regiment serving in Corregi- died Dec. 9, 2020. He was a member of Red Wing Post Cambridge Post 290. dor, when the unit had to surrender to the Japanese. He 54. Anderson, Lowell G., 96, Army veteran of World War was a in the Philippines, survived a “hell Larsen, Levi J., 61, Navy veteran of the Lebanon/ II, died Nov. 25, 2020. He was trained as a medic and was ship” to , then was a slave laborer in a Japanese Grenada, died Oct. 14, 2020. He was a submariner and sent to France in 1944. He was a 74-year member of Park coal mine. He was a member of the 1st Marine Division, traveled the world. He was a member of Backus Post 368. Rapids Post 212. 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, Fox Company which held off Larson, Gene C., 91, Air Force veteran of the Korean Andrews, Dale, 76, Army veteran of the , thousands of Chinese at Toktong Pass near the Chosin War, died Nov. 23, 2020. He served as a mechanic on died Nov. 19, 2020. He was a 54-year member of East Reservoir, allowing 8,000 Marines to escape. He was a B-29 and B-36 bombers at Travis AFB in . He Grand Forks Post 157. member of St. Paul Post 450. was a member of Red Wing Post 54. Augustson, Millard E. “Augie,” 91, Army veteran of Grundhoefer, Marvin, 93, Army National Guard LeBlanc, Pat, 74, Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, the Korean War, died Nov. 1, 2020. He was a member of veteran of World War II, died Oct. 15, 2020. He was two- died Dec. 12, 2020. He was a member of Anoka Post 102. Cambridge Post 290. time mayor of Northfield. He was a 36-year member of Lewandowski, Valerian A. “Larry,” 88 Army veteran Basta, Albert “Joe,” 85, Air Force veteran of the Northfield Post 84. of the Korean War, died Dec. 8, 2020. He was a 66-year Korean War, died Oct. 28, 2020. He served in Kansas, Grussing, Waldemar A., 79, Army veteran of the member of Glencoe Post 95. Morocco and . He was a 32-year member of Vietnam War, died Nov. 21, 2020. He was a member of Line, Ronald J., 73, Army veteran of the Vietnam Cambridge Post 290. Hutchinson Post 96. War, died Dec. 4, 2020. He served in Vietnam. He was a Bastyr, Robert F., 78, Army veteran of the Vietnam Hagen, Gilbert, 85, Army veteran of the Korean War, member of Clarissa Post 213. War, died Nov. 29, 2020. He served in Vietnam with died Nov. 30, 2020. He was a 47-year member of Worth- Litke, Lawrence, 79, Army veteran of the Cold War, the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry ington Post 5. died Nov. 18, 2020. He was stationed in . He was a Division. The battalion, known as the Bobcats, earned the Hall, Russell R., 84, Army veteran of the Korean War, member of Hillman Post 602. Valorous Unit Award for its role in the war. He was a 30- died Oct. 3, 2020. He was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Louwagie, George, 86, Army veteran of the Cold War, year member of New Prague Post 45. He was a member of Pine Island Post 184. died Nov. 19, 2020. He served most of his time in , Baylon, Richard J., 92, Navy veteran of World War II, Hansen, Margaret “Peggy,” 96, Navy veteran of as a wrecker operator. He was a member of Marshall Post died Nov. 3, 2020. He served as a submariner on the USS World War II, died Nov. 6, 2020. She served in the Navy 113. Cusk. She was the Navy’s first missile . He was WAVES. She was a past commander and 46-year member Luhman, Randal, 69, Marine veteran of the Vietnam a member of Winona Post 9. of Richfield Post 435. War, died Nov. 19, 2020. He served in Vietnam. He was a Bendel, Alfred “Al,” 82, Army National Guard veteran Hanson, Garry W., 73, Navy veteran of the Vietnam member and past commander of Bellechester Post 598. of the Korean War and Vietnam War, died Nov. 26, 2020. War, died Nov. 8, 2020. He was a member of Brooten Lundell, Leslie, 86, Army veteran of the Korean War, He was a member of Marshall Post 113. Post 288. died Nov. 29, 2020. He served in Okinawa. He was a Berger, Jerome P., 84, Army veteran of the Korean Hanson, Russell E., 94, Army veteran of World War II, member of Northfield Post 84. War, died Dec. 3, 2020. He served in Germany with A died Nov. 21, 2020. He was a 47-year member of New Lundstrom, Lloyd E., 94, Navy veteran of World War II, Company, 297th Engineering Battalion. He was a member Richland Post 75. died Nov. 20, 2020. He served in the invasion of Okinawa of Wheaton Post 80. Hasser, John F. “Jack,” 73, National Guard veteran of aboard the attack transport ship USS Navarro. He was a Berreau, Frederic “Fred,” 91, Air Force veteran of Vietnam and Lebanon/Grenada eras, died Nov. 30, 2020. member of Park Rapids Post 212. the Korean War, died Dec. 8, 2020. He was stationed at He was a member of Long Prairie Post 12. Maine, Robert C., 90, Air Force veteran of the Korean Aurora, Colorado, and taught radar to pilots. He served Heimer, James W., 71, Navy veteran of the Vietnam and Vietnam wars, died Nov. 21, 2020. He was a flight as 2nd District commander 1980-81, 2nd District mem- War, died Nov. 20, 2020. He served aboard the USS engineer for the C-130 aircraft and, during his 23-year bership chairman 1984-85, Department vice commander Enterprise off the Vietnamese coast. She was the world’s career, once served in Alaska as an air rescue and search 1995-96 and past president of the Minnesota American first nuclear aircraft carrier and could circumnavigate the member. He was a 64-year member of Holdingford Post Legion Foundation. He was a 64-year member of Lake globe without refueling. He was a member of Austin Post 211. Wilson Post 285. 91. Marquardt, Michael S., 75, Army veteran of the Blake, Frank, 91, Navy veteran of World War II, died Hoagland, David K., 100, Army Air Forces veteran Vietnam War, died Nov. 7, 2020. He was a member of Nov. 6, 2020. He served as a photo mate. He was a 47- of World War II, died Nov. 5, 2020. He served in aircraft Alexandria Post 87 year member of Hillman Post 602. maintenance. He was a 52-year member of Anoka Post Matejka, Glenn G., 88, Army veteran of the Korean Boser, Gerald P., 83, Army veteran of the Cold War, 102. War, died Dec. 1, 2020. He served in Alabama, Texas and died Nov. 12, 2020. He was a member of Princeton Post Hodgson, Corrin J., age unavailable, Air Force veteran Alaska. He was a 36-year member of Alexandria Post 87. 216. of Vietnam War, died Nov. 28, 2020. He was drafted during McPadden, Glenn S., 72, Army veteran of the Korean Capp, Raymond, 86, Army veteran of the Cold War, the Berlin Crisis and was a flight surgeon and director of War, died Dec. 4, 2020. He served with the 2nd Infantry died Dec. 15, 2020. He served as a parts specialist in medical services at bases in Idaho, Vietnam, Alabama and Division in Korea. He was a member of Waconia Post 150. maintenance in Louisiana and Texas. He was a 65-year Ohio. He was a member of Rochester Post 92. Meuwissen, Eugene, 97, Army veteran of World War member of East Grand Forks Post 157. Holst, Delmar, 85, Army veteran of the Cold War and II, died Nov. 8, 2020. He served in Europe. He was a past Carlson, Calvin F. “Cal,” 74, Army veteran of the Viet- Army Reserve veteran of the Vietnam War, died Nov. 9, commander, vice commander, chaplain, sergeant at arms nam War, died Nov. 30, 2020. He served in Vietnam. He 2020. He was a past chaplain and a member of Lake City and a 77-year member of Chaska Post 57 and was the was a 47-year member of Willmar Post 167. Post 110. adjutant for 36 years and manager for 50. Chesness, Charles “Chuck,” 87, Air Force veteran of Housman, Larry R., 75, Navy veteran of the Vietnam Middleton, Margaret M., 98, Navy veteran of World the Korean War, died Nov. 7, 2020. He was a 40-year War, died Nov. 24, 2020. He was a 48-year member of War II, died Oct. 27, 2020. She was a pharmacist’s mate. member of Paynesville Post 271. Hutchinson Post 96. She was a member of Graceville Post 297. Darling, Alvin F., 88, Army veteran of the Korean War, Hudalla, Daniel, 71, Army veteran of the Vietnam War, Miller, Robert K., 95, Army veteran of World War II died Nov. 17, 2020. He was stationed in Greenland. He died Nov. 14, 2020. He was a member of Long Prairie and the Korean War, died Dec. 14, 2020. He played the was a member of Lanesboro Post 40. Post 12. trumpet for the color guard, was a past commander and Dickison, Ray B., 86, Army veteran of the Korean War, Hunt, John, 80, Army veteran of the Cold War, died 38-year member of Albert Lea Post 56. died Nov. 24, 2020. He served many years on the honor Dec. 13, 2020. He was a member of Albert Lea Post 56. Mills, Arthur E., 88, Navy veteran of the Korean War, guard and was a 66-year member of Cloquet Post 262. Iverson, Robert D. “Bob,” 80, Marine veteran of died Nov. 19, 2020. He was stationed in Astoria, Oregon, Elder, David L., 74, Army veteran of the Vietnam War, the Vietnam War, died Nov. 18, 2020. He served as drill then served in the aboard the USS Tolovana, a died Nov. 24, 2020. He was a Purple Heart recipient. He instructor, recruiter and motor transport officer, with a fleet oiler. He was a member of Park Rapids Post 212. was a 53-year member of Hutchinson Post 96. 28-year career. He was a 36-year member of East Grand Monson, Dale C., 98, Navy veteran of World War II, Ellingson, Thomas A., 76, Navy veteran of the Vietnam Forks Post 157. died Nov. 21, 2020. He was a 58-year member of Ironton War, died Dec. 10, 2020. He commanded a Swift Boat in Jendro, Edward, 92, Army veteran of the Korean War, Post 443. the Mekong Delta during the war and later was a battalion died Nov. 30, 2020. He served as a medic. He was a 30- Morschen, Sylvester, 91, Army veteran of the Korean commander at the Great Lakes Naval Station. He was an year member of Bowlus Post 642. War, died Oct. 10, 2020. He served in the 21st Field Artil- honor squad member for many years, oversaw all scholar- Jessen, Julian, 78, Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, lery Battalion during the war. He was a member of Chaska ships and was a member of Spring Grove Post 249. died Nov. 26, 2020. He was a color guard participant, Post 57. Erickson, Gerald O., 84, Army veteran of the Korean past adjutant, past commander and a 53-year member of Muhlbauer, James, 83, Army veteran of the Cold War, War, died Dec. 10, 2020. He served in the National Guard Austin Post 91. died Nov. 16, 2020. He was a 47-year member of Austin for 28 years. He was a member of Zumbrota Post 183. Jindra, Gerald, 85, Army veteran of the Cold War, died Post 91. Fenner, Herman R., 90, Army veteran of the Korean Nov. 20, 2020. He served in Germany. He was a member Nelson, Clifford R., 73, Army veteran of the Vietnam War, died Dec. 3, 2020. He was a member of North of Hillman Post 602. War, died Nov. 8, 2020. He was a lineman. He was a Branch Post 85. Johnson, Donald B., 97, Army veteran of World War II, member of Pine City Post 51. Ferro, William, 89, Army veteran of the Korean War, died Dec. 13, 2020. He was a 69-year member of Walnut Nemitz, Nathan E., 95, Navy veteran of World War II, died Nov. 4, 2020. He was a member of Chaska Post 57. Grove Post 267. died Nov. 16, 2020. He was a 37-year member of Austin Fixsen, Orrin, 96, Army veteran of World War II, died Julien, Roger, 85, Army veteran of the Korean War, Post 91. Dec. 1, 2020. He served in France and England. He was a died Nov. 24, 2020. He served in Battery C of the 8th An- Olson, Arlyn D., 71, Army veteran of the Vietnam War, 75-year member of New London Post 537. ti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (77 mm gun) at Camp Lucas, died Dec. 9, 2020. In Vietnam, he received the Purple Foster, Robert O., 94, Navy veteran of World War II, Michigan. He was a member of New Ulm Post 132. Heart. He was wounded in a mortar explosion and spent died Dec. 1, 2020. He served aboard the USS Young and Kaenel, Lester J. “Les,” 86, Navy veteran of the several months in a Japanese hospital. He finished his USS Daly. He was a member of Waconia Post 150. Korean and Vietnam wars, died Dec. 9, 2020. He served service in Kansas and in Germany. He was a member of Gearman, Larry D., 83, Navy veteran of the Vietnam in Okinawa during the Korean War and in Vaung Tao and Winona Post 9. War, died Nov. 19, 2020. He was a 37-year member of the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War. He was a Olson, Orlyn D., 82, Air Force veteran of the Vietnam Marietta Post 156. member of Willmar Post 167. War, died Dec. 12, 2020. He was stationed in France. He Grams, Wayne O., 89, Marine veteran of the Korean Knopp, Michael J., 92, Army veteran of the Korean was a member of Marietta Post 156. War, died Oct. 23, 2020. He was a part of the honor guard War, died Nov. 28, 2020. He was a 51-year member of Olson, Raymond S., 95, Navy veteran of World War II and a 32-year member of Windom Post 206. Red Wing Post 54. Gruenberg, Arthur, 99, Marine veteran of World War Kristoff, Larry, 82, Air Force veteran of the Vietnam Continued on Page 7 Page 6 Minnesota Legionnaire January 2021 Posts ought to give equal weight Understanding the logic behind to Four Pillars of American Legion the Appeals Modernization Act I am a 36-year-old veteran of The Veterans Benefits Ad- Operation Iraqi Freedom and ministration is continuously the commander of Post 11 in Guest Column modernizing in the way it con- VA & Rehabilitation Mankato. Recently, I have been James Olson ducts its business. This is large- Jeremy Wolfsteller having some discussions with ly due to legislative language veterans who are about the same and the financial assistance that ask me in bills passed by Congress di- breaks these down into three is Option age as I am. They are in their they receive from their local what the recting VA to improve a certain lanes of appeals. Each option 1 called 20s, 30s or early 40s. Several of Posts when they have a veter- Legion process within its administering has specific requirements that a direct them are active members of the an in need of short-term direct does or of veterans’ benefits. veterans need to be aware of. review, VFW and various other veteran financial assistance. can do for When VA is directed to im- The first two options VA has no new service organizations. I have been told by these them, I plement a new process because an average of 125 days to ad- evidence Some of them are even Legion CVSOs, and I have no reason have a dif- of a new law, it is up to the judicate the appeal and issue and no hearing is allowed. members but are not active or to doubt them, that they do not ficult time giving an answer to agency to adopt regulations that a decision. Option 2 is evidence sub- involved with their Posts. They bother to contact Legion Posts them. I can tell them about the “should” parallel the intent of Option 1, called Higher-lev- mission, if a veteran has new have given me, what I believe to because they are tired of being lobbying that the Legion does the law. You can imagine some- el Review, requires a veterans evidence but not wanting a be, some good insight in to why told “No.” The CVSOs have in Washington, D.C., and in St. times this just does not happen claim to be reviewed by a hearing this is the option. “younger” vets are not joining or better luck with the VFW or Paul. I can tell them about the because of the vast amount of “more senior” claims adjudi- Option 3 is the hearing are not active in The American DAV to help with stop-gap or reforms that the Legion supports language in these bills. Though cator, although VA does not option where veterans have Legion. emergency financial assistance regarding the Veterans Adminis- VA offers a public comment have a duty to assist in the de- new evidence and want to tes- This conversation began until they can get the veteran up tration and veteran rights. I can period, sometimes certain velopment or allow any new tify before a veterans law judge. after National Commander and running with organizations tell them about the Children and language in regulations is evidence to be submitted. Veterans should understand Bill Oxford visited Mankato, like MACV for longer-term Youth programs at the National overlooked. Sounds great, right? that what I have provided here and there were several young- help. While this may not be true and Department levels. The Veterans Appeals Im- Option 2 is the Supplemental is a very brief summary of the er vets there who were asked statewide, it is alarming to me to While these issues are import- provement and Modernization Claim Lane, which requires the changes under AMA. to ask questions of the National hear these stories at all. ant to all veterans, very little of Act of 2017 became law on submittal of “new and relevant” There are many different commander and the other Amer- Every one of these veterans, that matters in their day-to-day Aug. 23, 2017 (Pub L. 115-55). evidence that was not previous forms that are required along ican Legion officers who were in whether they are members or lives. The wheels of the govern- This extensive piece of legisla- a matter of record to support the with certain timeframes for attendance. When asked about potential members, agreed that ment bureaucracy turn slowly. tion was to address VA’s back- claim. If a veteran has new and these submittals. So, like issues facing veterans, no one the Children and Youth Pro- So their original question re- log of veterans’ benefits claims relevant evidence, then VA will always, never go into this seemed to be able to give any grams of The American Legion mains: What can The American pending at the Board of Veter- reopen your claim. alone, visit your CVSO or your real answers, but when asked are important and vital to the Legion do for me? ans Appeal in Washington, D.C. Option 3 is appeal direct- POA office like The American about Children and Youth pro- future of our country and they What happens at the Post level The new appeal process ly to the Board of Veterans Legion to assist you in the grams and statistics, all the an- should continue wherever and that makes a difference in the under AMA focused on who Appeal in Washington. VA process. swers were right there. however possible. On the other lives of their members? How can has responsibility and under has an average of 365 days to The main reason why younger hand, why do the other three pil- the Post help their members and what circumstances, either issue a decision. Within this Jeremy Wolfsteller is the vets are not joining is because lars seem to be disregarded or how can the members help the the local VA Regional Offices lane there are three options a Department of Minnesota ser- the Four Pillars of the American downplayed? Post and their fellow veterans? across the country or the Board veteran must choose from, the vice officer. His email is jwolf- Legion do not seem to be equal. A few years ago, when I was The American Legion is a of Veterans Appeals in D.C. VA quickest to render a decision [email protected]. Children and Youth Programs cleaning out Post 11’s former grass-roots organization. If the take the vast majority of the club building, I came across American Legion is to have a spotlight when Legion business all of the old Post minutes future and attract new members, is discussed or marketed. dating back to the early 1920s. we must have strong Posts. I do EMPLOYER AWARD PRESENTED On the National website, In the early days of Post 11, it not believe that a strong Post under the “Programs” tab, there seems that the focus was more necessarily has a huge member- are seven programs listed under on helping the members of the ship. I believe that a strong Post “Family and Youth” section. Post through turbulent times in has members who care about There are only two programs their lives. the mission of The American under the “Community” sec- The old doughboys helped Legion and are willing to carry tion that even mention veter- their fellow Legionnaires when out that mission. ans. The Temporary Financial they were injured in work acci- There are very few Posts that Assistance Program should be dents or sick; when they had sick can cover every program of The listed under “Family and Youth” spouses or children; when ovens American Legion every year, but as well because it requires there or other things broke down in a Post needs to have a good as- to be a minor in the household their homes. While the Post sortment of programs that cover of an eligible Legion member to was not able to fully fund every the Four Pillars of The American qualify for the assistance. issue that arose, they were able Legion in our communities. At As a veteran who may be to give some type of direct aid the Post level, we must be able thinking about joining the and emergency aid to the mem- to provide emergency aid to our Legion, what would you think bers of the Post. In short, they members. It seems to me, from of a veterans service organiza- “consecrated and sanctified their the reading that I have done, that tion that barely looks at veter- comradeship through devotion many of the early members of ans issues on their own National to mutual helpfulness.” The American Legion joined for website? Over the years that I have some insurance in case some- Minneapolis Falldin Post 555 presented the Rise Corp. with a 2020 Employer Award Another reason comes from been a member of The American thing adverse happened in their from the Department of Minnesota for enhancing the lives of disabled persons. Rise several county veterans service Legion, I have spoken to many life. The purpose of belonging Corp. is in Spring Lake Park and next year is its 50th anniversary. The nonprofit offers officers that I have spoken to veterans of the recent conflicts to many fraternal organizations customized services to assist people who have a wide range of disabilies. From left is about The American Legion in Iraq and Afghanistan about was to assist their members in Post 555 Adjutant Ray Eiden, Rise Director of Public Affairs Beth DePoint and Post Posts in their respective counties joining the Legion. When they Continued on Page 7 555 Commander Donovan Orttel.

The American Legion Department of Minnesota 2021 District Membership Report as of Dec 21, 2020

HQ HQ Total PUFL Online Ren Trad Ren Total Mbr Goal Trans District Commander New 2021 Paid 2021 Trans %Goal Mbr 2020 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2020 2021 (As of) (As of) 01 DALE P WELLIK 51 861 730 4,940 6,582 13 6,595 8,009 82.34 17 6,953 02 BRADLEY PAGEL 39 651 464 3,824 4,978 11 4,989 6,189 80.61 3 5,432 03 LINDA DVORAK 102 1,562 1,559 6,161 9,384 52 9,436 10,938 86.27 78 9,479 04 JOSEPH M JANSEN 24 287 275 1,128 1,714 4 1,718 2,091 82.16 23 1,822 05 WADE A LARSON 15 306 340 918 1,579 0 1,579 2,164 72.97 6 1,764 06 PAUL D EDWARDS 98 1,110 1,044 6,461 8,713 50 8,763 10,598 82.69 16 9,183 07 DEAN KNUTSON 29 702 384 3,654 4,769 25 4,794 5,646 84.91 40 4,924 08 D MARVIN HILL 16 319 368 2,258 2,961 4 2,965 3,591 82.57 8 3,066 09 STEVEN G SUNDSTROM 44 553 553 3,791 4,941 49 4,990 5,953 83.82 12 5,140 10 THOMAS H ALLEN 85 912 1,279 4,960 7,236 17 7,253 8,780 82.61 14 7,621 99 9 179 397 1,311 1,896 0 1,896 2,997 63.26 0 1,660 Total: 512 7,442 7,393 39,406 54,753 225 54,978 66,956 82.11 217 57,044

Page 1 of 1 03:55:16 PM January 2021 Minnesota Legionnaire Page 7 Taps Continued from Page 5 and Navy Reserves veteran of the Korean the Vietnam War, died Nov. 17, 2020. He War, died Nov. 12, 2020. He served in received the Purple Heart for injuries in the world war aboard USS LSM-376 and the war. He was a past commander and a was wounded several times. He was a 44-year member of Janesville Post 281. member of Thief River Falls Post 117. Soine, Paul, 73, Army veteran of the Olson, Walter R. “Bob,” 91, Navy and Vietnam War, died Nov. 27, 2020. He was Navy Reserve veteran of the Korean War, a member of Paynesville Post 271. died Nov. 19, 2020. He served 31 years Stinerock, Robert L., 93, Army veteran as an officer, first stationed at the Naval of World War II, died Sept. 25, 2020. He Ammunition Depot in Hastings, Nebras- was a member of Albert Lea Post 56. ka, later as a blue and gold officer for the Strange, Dennis A., 74, Army veteran Naval Academy, among other duties. He of the Vietnam War, died Nov. 13, 2020. was a member of Little Falls Post 46. He served as a drill sergeant at Fort Ostrowski, George T., 93, Army veter- Ord, then two tours in Vietnam. He was an of the Korean War, died Dec. 2, 2020. wounded in 1967 and received the Purple He was a 33-year member of Hutchinson Heart. He was a member of Park Rapids Post 96. Post 212. Ozmun, Frank, 89, Army National Sturm, Leo J., 87, Army veteran of the Guard veteran of Korean War, died Sept. Korean War, died Nov. 28, 2020. He served 27, 2020. He served stateside. He was a in Korea with the Heavy Mortar Company 52-year member of Northfield Post 84. of the 34th Infantry Regiment as a survey- Peters, Marvin, 79, Navy veteran of ing instrument operator. He was a 47-year the Vietnam War, died Nov. 21, 2020. He member of New Ulm Post 132. was a member of Austin Post 91. Totman, Earl J., 96, Navy veteran of Pierce, Gene, 80, Army veteran of the World War II, died Dec. 18, 2020. He Vietnam War, died Nov. 29, 2020. He was served aboard the USS PC-785, USS Por- Mail Call a member of North Branch Post 85. tunus and USS Norris DD-859. He was a Plieseis, Harold, 83, Army veteran of 53-year member of St. Michael Post 567. Continued from Page 4 Legionnaire, I feel compelled are one America and everyone the Korean War, died Nov. 8, 2020. He Tracy, Thomas E., 78, Air Force veteran There are restrictions on who to respond to those who have should be concerned about their was a member of Backus Post 368. of the Vietnam War, died Nov. 30, 2020. can be an election judge. Ex- a difficult time supporting the fellow citizens. Plote, Robert, 82, Army veteran of He was a past commander of the Nobles ample: A relative of a candidate efforts of our political leaders Quoting FDR regarding, “The the Vietnam War, died Nov. 9, 2020. He County American Legion Council and a for office cannot be an election to contain a disease that is dev- only thing to fear is fear itself,” served with the 544th Army Reserve unit past commander and 33-year member of judge. A husband and wife can astating our state and country. try telling that to all the people in Wabasha. He was a member of Lake Worthington Post 5. be judges but not on the same We have lost lives equivalent who have lost family members City Post 110. Trnka, Kenneth, 88, (spelling con- shift, etc. to almost six , not to and friends due to the virus. Rahn, Earl E., 84, Army veteran of the firmed by son), Navy veteran of the A 70-page guide is published mention the many who are con- There is a definite lack of empa- Cold War, died Dec. 2, 2020. He served as Korean War, died Dec. 9, 2020. He served by the Office of the Minnesota sidered long-haulers who have thy going around in this country. a truck driver in Korea. He was a member aboard the USS Randolph aircraft carrier. Secretary of State. You can find continued to suffer the effects Two things to contemplate of Graceville Post 297. He was a 31-year member of Waconia the full text of election law and of the coronavirus long after here: Reinke, Leo, 99, Army veteran of Post 150. rules at www.sos.state.mn.us/ initially being infected. 1. Spend some time around World War II, died Nov. 29, 2020. He Vetter, Herman, 80, Army veteran of election-administration-cam- I am trying to grasp why the frontline workers who put served with the 12th Armored Division. the Cold War, died Nov. 20, 2020. He paigns/election-administration/ people see wearing a mask and in 18-hour days in overcrowd- He was a 75-year member of Lewisville served as a radio specialist on the DMZ election-laws/. My wife normal- social distancing as an affront ed hospitals and field stations Post 561. at Panmunjom and later in Colorado ly works a four-hour shift, but to their constitutional freedoms, to keep our fellow citizens from Rike, Charles L., 86, Army veteran of Springs. He was a 49-year member of this year, because of COVID-19, when these mandates are there succumbing to this disease, the Korean War, died Nov. 7, 2020. He East Grand Forks Post 157. it must have been more difficult to save lives. If people care while they themselves are in- was a 30-year member of Pine City Post Wachlarowicz, John, 91, Army veteran to get people, so she worked six about one another, then wear- fected or on the verge of PTSD. 51. of the Korean War, died Nov. 22, 2020. hours. Two polling places were ing a mask to protect yourself as 2. Never forget what the Ritter, Frank A., 92, Army veteran of He served with the 747 Ordnance Com- combined so there were eight well as your neighbors and loved supporters of The Greatest World War II, died Oct. 29, 2020. He was pany. He was a 69-year member of Little judges, four Republicans and ones should be a no-brainer. Generation went through and a member of Bruno Post 563. Falls Post 46. four Democrats. Under the law nationwide the sacrifices they made while Schmid, Robert J. “Bob,” 77, Army Weas, Charles, 86, veteran of the For those who object to you wear a seatbelt while driv- their loved ones were fighting veteran of the Vietnam War, died Dec. Korean War, died Dec. 7, 2020. He was a wearing face masks and other ing to protect yourself and your fascism overseas. That gen- 2, 2020. He was a 45-year member of member of Litchfield Post 104. restrictions to protest society as passengers; you have to have a eration endured four years of Hutchinson Post 96. Weech, Richard W., 96, Marine veter- a whole, I only wish to say to driver's license and insurance life-changing behavior in sup- Schneider, Adrian S., 85, Navy veteran an of World War II and Korean War, died them that you should also pay to operate a motor vehicle; you port of this nation. While I'm of the Korean War and Air Force veteran Nov. 21, 2020. He served with the 2nd all the medical bills you have in have speed limits to abide by on sure some people complained of the Vietnam War, died Nov. 21, 2020. Division in the Pacific Theater of World the event you get COVID-19. the road; you pay your federal they were being imposed upon, He was in the Navy for four years, then War II and with the 1st Division in the Why should we have to pay and state income taxes. We do most did what was necessary to enlisted in the Air Force for a career, Korean War. He received three Bronze increased insurance rates or these things and obey these laws see things through to the end. seeing the world including 18 months in Stars in his 11 years. He was a member of taxes to pay your hospital bills to keep us, along with friends They endured four years, while Japan. He was a member of Little Falls Park Rapids Post 212. when you don’t care if you give and family, safe and protected. today's generation has had to Post 46. Wilmot, Carl D., 81, Navy veteran of the virus to us or take precau- Until recently, as people have deal with this for less than a Schroeder, Kenneth L., 91, Army the Vietnam War, died Nov. 4, 2020. He tions to protect yourselves? returned from their ill-advised year. veteran of the Korean War, died Nov. 27, served as a corpsman. He was a member I have heard of hospital bills Thanksgiving travels, Minneso- I am sorry for those who 2020. He was awarded the Purple Heart. of Waconia Post 150. costing $1 million. We have a ta had been the only state in the have lost jobs while receiving He was a 42-year member of Albert Lea Winczewski, Edward R., 87, Air Force duty to society as a whole and Upper Midwest with a relative- little support from our federal Post 56. veteran of the Korean War, died Dec. 4, not to just our own wants. ly low COVID-19 incident rate. government. Sexe, William J., 69, Army veteran of 2020. He served as a firefighter. He was a That is thanks to Gov. Tim Walz We now know there is light the Vietnam War, died Nov. 9, 2020. He 63-year member of Waite Park Post 428. Leonard Zimmer for taking the steps necessary to at the end of the tunnel with the was a 46-year member of Cleveland Post Winner, Robert L., 74, Army veteran Walker Post 134 keep the pandemic under con- vaccine coming within a few 207. of the Vietnam War, died Nov. 12, 2020. trol. We are experiencing a surge months' time. As the doctors are Shinske, Anthony, 81, National Guard He did a tour in Italy and Germany before now, since people have decided saying now, we need people to veteran of the Korean War, died Nov. 25, a tour in Vietnam. He was a member of It's nothing they are done with the pandem- be alive to take the vaccine. We 2020. He was a member of Long Prairie Park Rapids Post 212. ic; although it apparently is not can do this, America! Instead of Post 12. Wiskow, Douglas E., 94, Army veteran compared to 4 done with us. pointing fingers, let's join hands! Simmons, Thomas J., 68, Navy veteran of World War II, died Nov. 21, 2020. He years of WWII If you are lucky enough to of the Vietnam War, died Nov. 24, 2020. served in the Philippines and as live in a smaller town that has Stephen M. Savitt He served in Naval Mobile Construc- a military policeman. He was a 40-year After reading some of the not been affected by this dis- Otsego tion Battalion 5, C Company, in South- member of Roseau Post 24. letters posted in The Minnesota ease, that’s great. However, we At Large Post 1982 east Asia. He was a 44-year member of Zenner, Donald J., 92, Marine veteran Hutchinson Post 96. of the Korean War, died Nov. 22, 2020. Slama, Mark E., 77, Army veteran of He was a member of Little Falls Post 46. The American Legion mourns the loss of a leader The Minnesota American Legion grew up on a farm and became a farmer has lost one of its key past officers. in Murray County’s Cameron Town- Olson: Let’s do more to help veterans Fred Berreau of Lake Wilson Post 285 ship, raising crops, cattle, sheep, hogs died Dec. 8, 2020. and springer spaniel puppies. Continued from Page 6 we can, where we can. If back the spirit of the dough- He was 2nd District commander He was active in 4-H, his town- these cases. Posts want to attract more boy. Make the Four Pillars of 1980-81, 2nd District membership ship board, the school board and par- We must also do what we members, Posts (not District, the American Legion equal chairman 1984-85, Department vice ent-teacher association, the watershed can as situations or requests Department or National) need and strong. commander 1995-96 and past pres- board, Knights of Columbus and his arise from county veterans to make their programs of The ident of the Minnesota American church. service officers. A Post will American Legion more veter- James Olson is the com- Legion Foundation. He and his first wife had six chil- not be able to cover every an-centric and active. mander of Mankato Post 11 Berreau was an Air Force veteran dren. He and his second wife had two request that comes from a Give aid to those veterans and a veteran of the Global of the Korean War who taught radar more. The pair would spend winters Fred CVSO, but we must do what in need when possible. Bring War on Terrorism. to pilots in Aurora, Colorado. He had in Donna, Texas. Berreau Page 8 Minnesota Legionnaire January 2021 Continued from Page 1 interceptor engines up and down the turned cold. Historians typically use Helmstedt-Berlin . Because 1947 as the start of the Cold War. the West didn’t recognize East Ger- The Soviets attempted to blockade many, they had to go through many Berlin in June 1948, which was fol- Soviet-run checkpoints, too. lowed by a yearlong airlift to provide “The quickest way to get through essential supplies to the 2 million ci- a Russian checkpoint was a pack of vilians cut off in West Berlin. cigarettes,” he said. At times, they would encounter the ast forward to Jan. 25 1961. East German police. DeBlieck arrived at the border “We called their cars washing ma- of East Germany via train. East chines,” he said. “They were little F bitty things that would go zero to 60 German guards rode the train with the Americans the rest of the way to West in maybe an hour.” Berlin, where they entered the city at East Germany was poor. Many a Russian checkpoint. people eked out an existence through “The Americans didn’t recognize the potato farming. East German government,” DeBlieck “It was interesting to see the other explained, “so everything we did, we side of the world,” DeBlieck said. did at Russian checkpoints.” “West Berlin was totally rebuilt after The American sector was the south- the war, but not East Berlin.” ern portion of West Berlin, and the The two ends of the Helmstedt-Ber- barracks were spread out among three lin Autobahn became known as Check- compounds. One was for about 1,500 point Alpha and Checkpoint Bravo. infantrymen. Another was for the ar- There were other border crossings, mored troops. The third was for various but Alpha, Bravo and Charlie became skills: police, signal, mechanics, clerks. famous because they were the ones for The 287th didn’t drive around Berlin use by military personnel. in Jeeps. They had a model of car Ford sold throughout Europe called a Military police from the 287th MP Company stand next to tanks at Friedrichstrasse Crossing Point, ome nights, DeBlieck would Taunus, named for a German mountain which later came to be known as . An AP photographer gave a print of the photo participate in special bar patrols. range. The Taunus (no, not Taurus) was to Dale DeBlieck, who hung it on his wall 40 years later. Dale's son, Barry, photographed the photo for There were 5,200 bars in West The Minnesota Legionnaire. S in production from 1939 to 1994. Berlin, with about 2,000 in the Ameri- The 287th had a riot-control squad, carriers. Something was going down. can sector. The MPs would go to the 30 an alert squad and a patrol squad. De- Their next destination was the or 40 bars frequented by U.S. soldiers. Blieck was on patrol the entire time Friedrichstrasse Crossing Point, an After the wall went up, U.S. Army he served in Berlin. The patrol MP’s American checkpoint that later became bolstered its infantry, brought the wore Class A uniforms and had to look known as Checkpoint Charlie. number in Berlin to 3,000, with the spit-shined the whole time. “This was going to be a big force in commander switching out every six When they patrolled the city, they did the heart of the city,” he said. weeks. it in partnership with the West Berlin DeBlieck called for motorcycle “It was a different style for those police. Cars had one American MP, one police to clear people out of the streets soldiers to be in a big city,” DeBlieck German cop. Only the best MPs got to ahead of the . said. “It was a playground for them.” patrol, as the American reputation in They headed through the streets One departing commander he was the city was crucial. of Berlin and came to a street with escorting to the Russian checkpoint DeBlieck had a top-secret clearance, a U-Bahn station in the center. The told him: “When we came to Berlin, we too, and still doesn’t talk about some U-Bahn is the Berlin subway. This were pretty well set on noncoms, but events. For example, the prisoner ex- station forced each side into single now a lot of my privates are noncoms, change for U-2 pilot Gary Powers took lanes, and the curbs along the station and a lot of my noncoms are privates.” place in February 1962 at the Glienicke had iron rails. The tanks could not fit. Steinstücken was a small enclave Bridge over the Havel River, connect- DeBlieck witnessed the skill of a of West Berlin that was within East ing Berlin to Potsdam. Was DeBlieck tank commander. That guy, leading all German territory. Soldiers had to reach there? He ain’t talking. the other tanks behind him, just hooked it by helicopter. The MPs had to walk the iron rail with the front of his track the perimeter every hour and radio t was common for the MPs to escort and just peeled it right off like a zipper, headquarters. The wife of the bürger- the armored units as they went to giving the tanks just enough space to This detailed Cold War-era map Dale DeBlieck has even has concertina meister (the mayor) would cook for training in the Grunewald, a large get through. wire around the border of West Berlin. You can see how Steinstücken them. One evening, she had supper I They continued down, took a right is outside Berlin but inside the wire. ready when suddenly — BAM! forest in western West Berlin. Because of the ease of access be- and were at the crossing point. with about 5,000 succeeding. Death time,” he said. It sounded like something hit the tween East and West in Berlin, many “There’s a Soviet armored division tolls are murky, but estimates are near Before the wall went up, U.S. troops door to the kitchen. But it wasn’t. East Germans would migrate to West sitting right at the line,” DeBlieck said. 200. Germany was reunified in 1990. occasionally visited East Berlin in People wanted in. Berlin, rather than . “All these black tanks are pointing right Checkpoint Charlie today is a hub buses. It was still bombed out. The The bürgermeister hollered in In August 1961, the Soviets closed at us.” of tourism. You can buy KFC or one Army wanted to show off the difference German, and they responded. It was the border, and DeBlieck’s MPs had to of those furry Soviet hats. Stores even between the two economies. After the three 21-year-olds, two guys and a gal. deal with about 1,600 refugees. People e said the Soviet T-55 tanks sell flasks that say, “You are leaving wall, those bus tours stopped. Keep in mind that DeBlieck is only 19. had family on both sides. were in a triangle formation. the American sector.” There were escape attempts along A railroad from East Germany The Soviets, claiming it was East HThe American tanks peeled off DeBlieck remembers what the city the Berlin Wall but also along the pe- reached Steinstücken through a mile- Germany doing it, began construct- into a straight line, ready for a frontal was like when the wall first went up. rimeter of the city, too. DeBlieck told long entrance with barbed-wire fences ing a barbed wire and concrete wall assault down the street. The infantry- One father tunneled under it, from the story of a young East German on both sides, with a guard shack at through the city. The Soviets wanted men jumped out of their APCs, and at West Berlin to the apartment where couple. the opening. the West to recognize the East German that point, everyone waited on word his family resided in East Berlin. He They wanted to defect but decided They had killed a guard and walked government and stem the flow of East from Kennedy. successfully got his family out, and it would be easier to cross into West the mile. They knew where the Amer- Germans to West Berlin, and the West “We just sat there and stared each as they were going down the tunnel, Berlin from its western border than ican MPs were. wanted to maintain access rights. On other down,” DeBlieck said. the East Germans came in the room to cross the Iron Curtain into West “We ran down and got our gear on: Oct. 22, East German border guards DeBlieck didn’t have much to pro- and fired down the tunnel, striking the Germany. They traveled at night and grease guns, .45 pistols, gas grenades, began denying U.S. diplomats access tect him against all that tank firepower, father. Someone had tipped off author- entered the city through a waterway. hand grenades. Then we opened the to the Soviet sector. but he did have his standard .45-caliber ities at the last minute. West Berlin police picked them up and door,” DeBlieck said. DeBlieck recalled the day — Oct. 26, pistol. “He did all that digging and got his brought them to the American MPs. East German soldiers were on the 1961 — he was out on patrol and was Americans and Soviets faced each family out, but he ended up taking the DeBlieck took them to the mess hall. other side of the fence. One fired para- sent to the infantry instead. The MPs other for more than 24 hours with their consequences,” DeBlieck said. “They guy ate 18 eggs, and I forget chute flares that lit up the night. were going to escort both infantry and guns trained on each other, and Amer- Two or three weeks later, an AP how much bacon,” he said. DeBlieck sent the refugees to the armored. That meant 10 M-48A1 tanks icans continued to move through the reporter gave him a photo. DeBlieck The man described how they had other side of the house. and three M-59 armored personnel checkpoint into the Soviet sector as a framed it 40 years later and hung it on eaten out of trash cans and traveled “Get out of the line of fire,” he said. way to exercise the terms of the postwar a wall. It shows policemen from the more than 100 miles. The East Germans were running agreement. On Oct. 28, a Soviet T-55 287th MP Company standing at Frie- around, and the two sides stared at each withdrew, then an American M-48, then drichstrasse Crossing Point alongside eBlieck also has a signed por- other for what seemed like an eternity a T-55, an M-48 and so on, until all the American tanks. trait of the 1962 Miss Amer- but probably was only three minutes, tanks disengaged. ica, Maria Fletcher of North DeBlieck said. The flares died, and the The wall would go up. D efore the wall, Berlin duty was Carolina, who came to Berlin. He did MPs took the refugees into the house, Historians say the Berlin Crisis was good, like being in the United security for the visit and she gave him where they explained what happened. second only to the Cuban Missile Crisis States and going on domestic the picture. DeBlieck isn’t sure how the refugees in terms of when the world came its B calls, traffic enforcement, escorts now He did security for Vice President killed the guard. They had no weapons closest to World War III. But neither and then, plus security, he said. Lyndon Johnson, too. There were no when they reached the house. The MPs Kennedy nor Khrushchev were inter- They got to know the German police pictures handed out. called HQ, which sent a helicopter in ested in an all-out battle over Berlin. officers they patrolled with, and they The Russians shut down the auto- the morning. Thanks to a back channel between the would be invited to the homes to meet bahn connecting West Germany to The refugees had to disguise them- White House and the Kremlin, the So- their families. They were typically 15 West Berlin. However, the Potsdam selves as soldiers and took the police viets got their wall, and the Americans or 20 years older than the MPs. De- Agreement said Allied military could officers’ spot on the chopper, resulting would maintain access to East Berlin. Blieck said they never spoke about use that road. Americans kept it open in DeBlieck being stuck in Steinstück- The wall stood until its fall in 1989, the war. by putting military on it. en for three more weeks. and over 100,000 people attempted to “You’d learn the language being Imagine the fun DeBlieck and others escape during the 40 years it stood, with a German policeman all the had driving 1957 Chevys with police Continued on Page 9 January 2021 Minnesota Legionnaire Page 9

Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune American Legion Riders member Wes Halverson of Albert Lea Post 56 gives Oak Park Place resident Allen Brokowski a challenge coin and thanks him for his service Friday at the facility. Legion Riders making sure veterans aren’t forgotten amid COVID-19 pandemic By Colleen Harrison manufacturer, who will send back Albert Lea Tribune some proofs. The Legion Riders then vote on which design to use on Photos courtesy Albert Lea Tribune ALBERT LEA — No veteran each year’s coin. The group, which Members of Albert Lea Post 56 and its Legion Riders in should ever be forgotten. typically meets monthly, will start early December delivered holiday cheer to veterans and That is the message that American planning out the next coin design their spouses in care facilities across the city. Members Dale DeBlieck has newspaper clippings, Legion Riders Chapter 56 Director in January. gave out over 100 poinsettias at Good Samaritan Society, postcards, maps and patches relating to his Duane Thomas wants to stress. Thomas said they’ve given veter- Thorne Crest Senior Living Community, St. John’s Lutheran experience as a military policeman in West Thomas, a United States Army ans in the facilities items during the Community, Oak Park Place and Prairie Senior Cottages. Berlin. veteran who served from 1972 until holidays before, such as poinsettias, The action resulted Post 56 being recognized on the National American Legion website. Continued from Page 8 1992, said the Albert Lea Legion but feel the coins are a more perma- Riders have started a tradition of Later, those helicopter pilots were honored for their nent gift. taking commemorative coins to vet- bravery. The MPs got no such recognition. “This will last forever,” he said. I BUY AND COLLECT MILITARY ITEMS erans in senior living facilities each “We’ve all had friends in nursing Including insignia, hats, helmets, and uniforms from WW I, WW II, year. They have also decided to start Korea, Vietnam, (I have not started my collection on Southeast Asia eBlieck is a 46-year member of Byron Post homes, and sometimes a lot of people yet). I collect Army, USAF, USN, USMC patches, pins, pictures and giving the coins to the spouses of de- souvenirs from all periods. CALL JOE, 612-801-4673 AFTER 6 119. These days, he lives in the remote cabin in nursing homes are forgotten. ceased veterans as well. More often country of Wisconsin, southeast of Danbury. “We all know and we understand.” D than not, the Legion Riders end up In addition, the Legion Riders — The Army brought DeBlieck back to the States on sitting and visiting for a while when the same ship, without that stormy crossing. He of- whose members have to either be Attention Veterans! they deliver the coins. Thomas said ficially got out of the Army in New York in January veterans or members of the Sons of This is your northern numerous friendships have started Minnesota resort. Barrier-free 1963, and the Army flew him to Minneapolis, where the American Legion or the Amer- through the tradition. and open 12 months a year. his dad awaited him and drove him back to Tracy. ican Legion Auxiliary — have a “We’ve heard some amazing, chili cookoff each February to raise Gateway to the BWCA. He stayed on the farm and applied for law enforce- 800-777-7538 amazing stories,” he said. money, which goes toward scholar- email: [email protected] ment jobs. He applied to the St. Paul Police Depart- With the COVID-19 pandemic, www.veteransonthelakeresort.org ment and the Minnesota Highway Patrol, among other ships and helping out veterans and access to care facilities is extremely All cabins have a lake view. places. He got a job offer with Standard Lumber Co. their families. limited. This year, Thomas said the With the pandemic shutting so in New Richland as the assistant manager. coins are being delivered to adminis- much down back in March, Thomas Two days later, the St. Peter PD called and offered trators and activities directors at the said they got to work early on how a job. He had already committed and wasn’t going different facilities, who will then give to still give the coins out to the area to break his word. Commander’s Project the coins to the veterans and veterans’ veterans in senior living homes. In He spent 1 1/2 years in New Richland, where he met spouses on Veterans Day. With the some cases the facility administrators the woman who became his wife of 56 years, Judy. loss of the in-person contact this year, approached them about making sure Let’s do Ely, Minnesota He was in Winona for another 1 1/2 years when an Thomas said they sent the coins inside the coins were still delivered in some opening for an assistant manager position in Byron it for the of greeting cards with handwritten way, as they told Thomas it means Goal: came out. It was a buy-sell agreement. DeBlieck took messages inside of them. He said so much to their residents who have the deal, and the owner came down with cancer. De- dock! $40,000 some of the 300 coins have already either served or loved someone who RESORT FOR DISABLED VETERANS, Blieck bought out the business in 1977. ACTIVE DUTY AND ABLE BODIED been delivered to senior homes in served. Department VETERANS, DISABLED GENERAL DeBlieck served on Byron’s volunteer fire depart- PUBLIC AND FAMILIES. Albert Lea, Blooming Prairie, New “It’s really amazing just to see the Commander ment and was the fire chief for 15 years. Judy was the Richland, Lake Mills and Northwood. expression on their faces,” Thomas Mark Dvorak’s director of special education for the schools. The Legion Riders decide on a said of giving the coins to veterans. Project gives “It was a good town. That was our life,” he said. few ideas for coin designs each year. “… That gives us a good feeling, that 75 percent to Dale, 79, and Judy, 74, raised three children. Barry The ideas are then sent to the coin we can do something for vets.” Legionville lives in Minneapolis and works for TCF Bank as the and 25 percent lead information technology guy. David lives in St. to Wounded Cloud and is a professor at College of St. Benedict/ Warriors Guide St. John’s University. Michelle works at Kwik Trip WREATHS RENDERED Service. in Byron. A grandson has started college at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The portion Present: DeBlieck lived in Byron for 25 years and retired for Legionville is 64% at at age 52. He and Judy sold the lumberyard in 1989, intended to fund and he built houses for a few years before the couple a new dock that $25,735 moved to a ranch he built in Colorado. They lived will enclose the there for another 25 years. They moved to Wisconsin swimming area, about 18 months ago. making it safer It’s for campers. hen President Ronald Reagan visited Berlin getting in June 1987 and told Soviet President Make checks warmer! WMikhail Gorbachev, “Tear down this wall!” out to Minnesota and, on the same trip, stood right on the East Berlin American Legion line at Checkpoint Charlie, DeBlieck thought it was Foundation pretty cool. He had recalled those visits to Berlin by Fund 82. Kennedy and Johnson. He was glad to see the Berlin Wall come down two years later, the end of commu- Mail to In the last nism in East Germany and the opening of West Berlin. Members of Lucan Post and Unit 467, with local residents, American month, $5,260 “We were there to protect the freedom of Berlin,” he participated in a ceremony called Wreaths across Redwood Area Legion Dept. of was raised. said. “It was pretty exciting to me to see that happen.” at the Lucan Community Center. Five wreaths, one for each branch Minnesota, 20 W. Good job, In fact, CNN released a 12-episode series on the of the military, were placed by area youth on stands in memory 12th St. Room Legionnaires! Cold War in 2014, and in one episode, there is a shot of fallen service members. Wreaths across America is a ceremony 300A, St. Paul, of an MP briefly walking in front of the wall as it held at noon the third Saturday in December each year. Visit MN 55155-2000 was going up. That MP is Dale DeBlieck of Post 119. wreathsacrossamerica.org to learn more. Date of graphic: Dec. 17 Page 10 Minnesota Legionnaire January 2021 Listening Post BACKSEATS IN BACKUS FROM MN TO SD I BUY AND COLLECT MILITARY ITEMS From left are Montevideo Post 59 American Legion Including insignia, hats, helmets, and uniforms from WW I, WW II, Korea, Vietnam, (I have not started my collection on Southeast Asia Riders Membership Director Todd Horst, Standing yet). I collect Army, USAF, USN, USMC patches, pins, pictures and Rock Tribal Councilman Warren Hawk, Post 59 ALR souvenirs from all periods. CALL JOE, 612-801-4673 AFTER 6 Assistant Director Paul Rice and the Rev. Kim Fonder.

Horst and Rice picked up more than 2,200 pounds of Attention Veterans! turkey meat from the Jennie-O plant in Montevideo This is your northern that Samantha Horst had arranged to be donated to Minnesota resort. Barrier-free food shelves on short notice. Rice made calls to Hawk and open 12 months a year. and Fonder, who met the Riders at the truck stop Gateway to the BWCA. 800-777-7538 near Summit, South Dakota. The donation provides email: [email protected]

nutrition to the residents of the Standing Rock Indian www.veteransonthelakeresort.org Reservation and to homeless people in McLaughlin, All cabins have a lake view. South Dakota, the largest city on the reservation. CONGRATULATIONS!

Ely, Minnesota

RESORT FOR DISABLED VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY AND ABLE BODIED VETERANS, DISABLED GENERAL PUBLIC AND FAMILIES.

Each year the National Security Committee, headed up by Jim Kellogg and Curt Norenberg, select the winners of the Oustanding Enlisted Personnel for Guard and Reserves. Traditionally the awards are presented at the TOP: Millie Hines, 4, left, and Kallien Hines, 5, of Breezy Fall Conference. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was Point, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and check out their not possible for the 2020 program. They were featured in gifts at Backus Post and Unit 368’s drive-through children’s the November Legionnaire, and the committee members event on Dec. 12. are delivering the awards individually. Pictured with Dick CENTER: Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with children in their Ward of University of Minnesota Post 548 is the Coast cars at Backus Post and Unit 368’s North Pole drive- Guard winner, a 17-year through. A substitute for the Auxiliary’s usual indoor Kids’ veteran with the Marine Christmas Party due to COVID restrictions this year, the Safety Detachment, St. Paul, drive-through was a big hit with vehicles lined up well Chief Petty Officer Terrence in advance of the 11 a.m. start time. Always a great gift! LaFollette. LaFollette’s BOTTOM: An elf helps distribute gift bags at the drive- duties include: facility through Christmas event for children. Kids received $10 inspector, vessel inspector, gift cards and a variety of candy, snacks, games and toys. Marine casualty investigator The Legion Post donated the gift cards, and the Auxiliary Order yours and pollution responder. Unit donated the gifts. today! COMMUNITY CARE PURPLE HEART

War Stories Vol. 1 $40 War Stories Vol. 2 $25 War Stories Vol. 3 $20 In December, Osseo-Maple Grove Post Please cut out form, mail it in with the enclosed check 172 Commander Walter Cole hands a $5,000 donation to Kristine Zimba, district Select: __ Vol. 1 __ Vol. 2 __ Vol. 3 liaison for homeless and foster students The St. Charles Veterans Memorial was at Osseo Area Schools. In November, Post the site of an 11 a.m. dedication service Name: ______172 was featured in a story in the Press on Nov. 11, 2020, when a 6-foot statue & News, which covers the northwestern made of Mesabi granite was unveiled. Address: ______suburbs of the Twin Cities. It told how the The front portrays the Purple Heart members hung U.S. and POW/MIA flags award while the back has a kneeling- City:______State:______ZIP: ______along Osseo’s Central Avenue in April. They soldier image. A pair of bronze combat helped COVID-impacted vets find state boots top off the sculpture. The St. Charles Mail to: financial help. They collected more than Veterans Memorial Committee spent 10 The American Legion Dept. of Minnesota 300 pounds of food at an annual October months raising the necessary $20,000 for 20 W. 12th St. Room 300-A event called the Commander’s Ruck. The the monument. Anderson Memorials of St. Paul, MN 55155-2000 Memorial Day ceremony was socially Rochester produced this beautiful addition distant. And the Post donated $10,000 to to the St. Charles Veterans Memorial, which local assistance programs. was itself dedicated on Aug. 25, 2019. January 2021 Minnesota Legionnaire Page 11 The SAL Update: Check out the new Detachment website Detachment commander Dave Vulcan

Photos by Tim Engstrom/Lakeshore Weekly News Greetings to the American or two Vietnam veteran Bill Cochrane of Eden Prairie, in white, Legion Family from your Sons things. gestured as he spoke with Virgil Vacek of Glencoe, center, of The American Legion. I would and Jerry Tews of Dassel in this June 2017 photo during I would hope everybody like ev- an excursion to Big Island. had a great holiday! We are erybody moving forward through the to just keep reading the na- pandemic, and we are all going tional postings. Also check Minnesota Veterans to get through this. We are still out the new mnsal.org web- working hard on membership site and let us know what you 4 Veterans Trust Fund so get those renewals and new think. There is more work to members in. I hope everybody be done on it, but it is time to has begun to help each other roll it out. OKs $28,000 in grants in the struggle that we all face Until next month, stay safe ST. PAUL — At the December 501c(19) nonprofit organization with keeping the old and get- and healthy. 2020 Minnesota Veterans 4 Vet- established as the result of the ting the new members. erans Trust fund monthly meet- 2006 sale of Lake Minnetonka There are so many things Dave Vulcan is the com- ing, the following grants were Big Island Disabled Veterans going on in the American mander of the Detachment of approved by the eight-member Camp. Legion Family nationwide, Minnesota for the Sons of The board of directors: Today, that land, covering it’s hard to speak on just one American Legion. 56 acres on the eastern side of MACV Big Island, is called Big Island Minnesota Assistance Coun- Nature Park. cil for Veterans was awarded The eastern and western $10,000 to be used as matching sides of the island were sepa- funds in its holiday fundraising rated around 1900 when island partnership with WCCO-TV. resident Olaf O. Searle dredged The V4V Trust Fund organi- a channel through a low-lying zation will be recognized as a isthmus. matching-fund donor during an The nonprofit organization upcoming WCCO news broad- V4V has eight board members, cast prior to year end. two veterans each who are ap- pointed by the DAV, VFW, Mil- Minnesota itary Order of the Purple Heart Veterans Homes and The American Legion. The five Minnesota Vetearns The board oversees the funds Homes received $13,000 for the from the sale of the island to the purchase of a nominal gift for city of Orono and has a grant the 1,270 employees in the Vet- application process on their erans Homes in appreciation for website. Grants are made to or- their dedicated efforts caring for ganizations serving Minnesota our veteran residents during the veterans in a way that conforms 2020 pandemic. The V4V Trust to the criteria the V4V has doc- Fund organization will be recog- umented online at its website, nized as the organization fund- mnv4v.org. ing these tokens of appreciation. Past Department of Minneso- ta Commanders Don Pankake of Zumbro Valley Hutchinson Post 96 and Mar- Health Center land Ronning of Osseo-Maple The Zumbro Valley Health Grove Post 172 represent The Center Inc. was awarded $5,000 American Legion on the V4V as startup funds to help develop board. and deliver a program that will The water off the north side of provide mental health services Big Island is known for Fourth for veterans and their families. of July weekend revelry, but the The services will include on- island itself in recent years went going individual psychother- through a restoration project to apy, group psychotherapy and return it to its natural state. The support groups focused on in- city, the state and the Minne- creasing mental health aware- haha Creek Watershed District ness, suicide prevention and worked together on the project. treating symptoms of depres- The work involved halting ero- sion, anxiety and post-traumatic sion, removing buckthorn and stress disorder, as well as other clearing 150 tons of garbage. mental health problems. The The island was once home to first 12-week session is sched- an amusement park that opened uled for early January 2021. in 1906. It closed in 1911 and Zumbro Valley Health Center dismantled in 1917-18 before is a nonprofit providing services being sold to the four veterans to a 12-county area in southeast organizations. The veterans Minnesota. camp existed more than eight The Minnesota Veterans decades. V4V board members 4 Veterans Trust Fund is a visit the island annually.

Gabriel Jabbour of Tonka Bay Marina pilots the Sophia across Lake Minnetonka with veterans aboard in June 2017. Page 12 Minnesota Legionnaire January 2021 preferred liberty in places with fewer wind, but it was soaked in water. The military members, like Singapore or lieutenant was near the hatch, and Burt, Japan. lying across the hatch while tethered One time, in the Pacific, he witnessed to the inside of the chopper by a fabric Russian ships and planes. strap, leaned down and began gathering “They’d come shooting over us, kind the parachute. It caught on the hatch. of harassing us a bit,” Burt said. And Sothan was not cooperating. That’s “shooting” as in zooming, not This is how the squadron’s com- “shooting” as in firing. manding officer, Robert S. Kilcourse, “We had guns ready to go, praying described it in his recognition of Burt like hell we didn’t have to use them, a few weeks later: “Encountering ex- and we didn’t,” he said. treme difficulty in bringing the pilot into the helicopter, you did endanger urt was recognized for his ac- your own safety by lying across an tions after pulling a open hatch to help the res- Bpilot out of the Pacific cued pilot into the helicopter. Ocean on March 22, 1957. While dragging the rescued A fighter jet landed on the pilot into the helicopter, USS Essex that day and was you displayed outstanding taxiing to the catapult — but presence of mind and assur- had no brakes. The jet went ance as you disengaged his over the side. entangled chute caught on Burt’s HUP-2 helicopter the hatch. Your outstanding already was out there, flying performance of duty and nec- sideways, watching the turn essary disregard for your own of events. What happens to Rodney Burt personal safety is in keeping jets that go overboard? Are in 1955 with the highest tradition of they recovered? Nope. They Naval Service.” sink to the bottom of the ocean. The chopper took Lt. Sothan back to But the pilots are brought back. the Essex. The rescue happened over “Anytime anything happened, we the course of about 90 seconds. Rodney Burt lives in Rochester and is a member of St. Charles Post 190. were right there,” Burt said. The lieutenant didn’t say much at the Sometimes the pilots eject up. Other time of the rescue, but he did look up times they eject down or sideways. Burt a few days later and said thanks. “I think they are so excited they are just trying to get out,” he said. iue is a 104-square-mile island The pilot in the jet that fell off the nation in the South Pacific Someone has Essex was named Lt. Sothan. Burt Nsometimes called “The Rock.” doesn’t recall his first name. Sothan’s The place one year experienced a hor- plane was barely submerged when he rible storm, and the U.S. Navy brought ejected up. He shot up out of the water supplies and assistance. Burt’s unit flew a bit, maybe 5 or 6 feet. in goods. Pilots wore inflatable life jackets; The women on the island brought to pluck the pilots even civilians know them as Mae out big trays full of booze for the men. Wests. They also have parachutes that “It was hot there, so you’d just drink open upon ejection. The horse collar that stuff right down,” Burt said. has padded loops that go beneath He can tell his kids and grandkids the arms and behind the shoulders. he went to the North Pole and South Pilots know how to put it on thanks Pole, or at least close to them. out of the ocean to water-rescue training. They also He spent one Christmas at McMur- know they are supposed to detach do Station in Antarctica, and the he- Rodney Burt served on a helicopter crew in the Navy the parachute and ditch the helmet. licopters would fly out over the land. If the chute opens and gets caught in Another time, a ship he was on went By Tim Engstrom of mechanics, radio repairman, even a the rotor blades, it could crash the through the Northwest Passage in the metalsmith. In the air, they were oper- chopper, kill the crew and spoil the Arctic Ocean. OCHESTER — The nautical ating the hoist, navigating for the pilot, rescue. Burt thought of re-enlisting for six term “aweigh” means to raise radioing the ship, things like that. But, if you are a person floating in years, but then his father became ill. R clear of the water On missions in the Arctic and the middle of the vast ocean, panic The family had sold the farm by now, level. The Navy song title Antarctic, the helicopter can set in. and his father owned a bar/restaurant “Anchors Aweigh” cap- crew’s job was to look for “Trying to get them to take their in Utica. While Burt was in the Navy, tures that sense of adventure cracks in the ice for icebreak- parachute off is like pulling teeth,” his father had sold that, too. when a ship hoists the anchors ers. They brought supplies for Burt said. Burt sought a job that would match and heads out to sea. military and research stations. Burt was working the hoist that day his military training and got one for Rodney Burt of St. Charles Post (The Antarctic Treaty banning mil- and lowered the horse collar to Sothan. Gopher Aviation out of Rochester. After 190 spent his Navy adventure hoisting itary activity in the Antarctic didn’t At the same time, Burt is talking to seven years, Burt got a job working fighter pilots out of the ocean, looking happen until 1961.) the helicopter pilot, trying to get the in electric maintenance for the Mayo for cracks in polar ice and other tasks The longest cruise Burt went on horse collar near the lieutenant: “Go Clinic and held that position for 30 of the branch’s helicopter units. lasted seven months. It came aboard left! Go right!” years, retiring in 1998. The 85-year-old Rochester resident the USS Burton Island, an icebreaker It can be difficult to keep a chopper “Before I retired, I told a buddy, ‘If has been to the Arctic, the Antarctic, with unprecedented hull strength and in one place when it is windy. I could get just five good years after Alaska, California, Guam, Japan, Sin- named for an island off the coast of “He’s got his hands full enough just retirement.’ I’ve had a lot more than gapore, , Niue, Australia and For the most part, Delaware. He found it fascinating how they flew aboard HUP-2 helicop- flying.” that,” he said. New Zealand. He served four years, the wind can shift the polar ice. The Sothan put the horse collar on, but Burt and his wife, Clara, lived in all during peacetime. ters, a twin rotor chopper manufactured icebreaker also pushed icebergs around by Piasecki Helicopter starting in 1949 he would not detach his parachute or Rochester since 1966 and had six chil- and kept other ships safe. remove his helmet. dren — three sons, three daughters. urt went to grade school in and retired from the Navy in 1964. Burt was no landlubber. Burt described them as “underpow- Burt held out a sign: “Take the chute One son, William, served in the Army, Utica in southeast Minnesota, “Being single, I’d come back from off.” and that son’s son, Alec, now serves then high school in nearby St. ered and terrible.” one and volunteer for the next, rather B Though trained to repair electron- Sothan shook his head, disregarding in the Marines. The military tradition Charles, graduating in 1955. He joined than just sit in California,” Burt said. all of his training. continues. the Navy right away. Why? He had ics, Burt was part of a chopper crew was filled with men in where everyone did what had to be Burt pulled him up nevertheless. He If you ever visit, you have to try relatives who served in the Navy during military service. Hawaii was also. Burt hoped the chute would not catch in the Clara’s sugar cookies. World War II. done, rather than just their own jobs. “Heck, I’ll go in the Navy, too,” he His repair work mainly happened on figured. the ground and at night. Heli pilots flew Three friends from Utica enlisted by line of sight and flew only during in the Navy about the same time, too. daylight. Basic training took place over eight They waited in the air near a ship weeks at Naval Station Great Lakes in as fighter pilots took off or landed Illinois, then another eight weeks of from an aircraft carrier. If a jet slid Navy schooling at Naval Air Station into the water, the chopper immedi- Norman in Oklahoma, followed by 28 ately swooped in and the team went to weeks of training as an electronics re- work, lowering a horse collar sling to pairman at Naval Air Station Memphis the pilot, sometimes going down the in Tennessee. hoist themselves. Then it was off to Naval Station They also rescued sailors who fell San Diego, where Burt was assigned overboard. The ship would lower a to Helicopter Utility Squadron 1, rescue boat, too. operating out of Ream Field, which “Usually, by the time they were today goes by Imperial Beach Outlying leaving the ship, we were already done Landing Field. Old names or new, the picking the darn guy up,” Burt said. nickname “Helicopter Capital of the The crews of Helicopter Utility Rodney Burt has a yearbook from his time with Helicopter Utility Squadron 1, and it includes a photo World” remains. Squadron 1 had an electrician, a couple of sailors playing football on the ice in Antarctica. January 2021 Minnesota Legionnaire Page 13 District commanders But what is known at this conduct any business, pass any time is that presentations will resolutions or forward any mo- 1st District be pre-recorded so you can tions since we did not have a 7th District Dale Wellik see and read them before the quorum of posts in attendance. Dean Knutson meeting. That way if you have Some might say that was not Greetings and Happy New Mem- questions you can ask them all bad since we had a short Greetings to the 7th District. in Spicer Year from the Great 1st District. bership is during the meeting. Details meeting. It will be so good to get 2020 if alternate I am hoping everyone had a coming will be sent out to Post com- However, since we are behind us. It has been a difficult measures great Christmas however it was along, manders, Auxiliary officers, trying to keep some semblance and trying year as we have had need to be celebrated. but it still SAL commanders and Rider of normal activity please sign to find new ways in which to used. Thank you, The American needs a officers. Great work is being into the RCCC via Zoom, so we communicate with each other More information will be Legion Family, and all of our boast to get those few remain- done by each of you on mem- can keep our members updated but through technology it has forthcoming. loyal supporters and volun- ing ones renewed so they don’t bership. Thank you! during the pandemic. That is one worked. The 7th District Execu- The membership year is going teers for what we all do for lose those benefits. Now onto another issue where place where you can gain infor- tive Committee met on Dec. 5 in good but now is when it gets veterans. We need to continue to work I need your help: The Decem- mation and help you provide it Spicer via Zoom and in person tougher to get members to pay ber Ramsey County Central to your people who are doing for those who could attend. The their dues. Remember to use We need the support of each those Buddy Checks now more Committee meeting could not the Buddy Checks. Mid-Winter Conference was your myLegion.org account other to get through these trying than ever to shed some light of discussed, and it was decided and try to get the MN Post 1982 times of COVID-19 and the happiness over these holidays. that because of the current sit- members to transfer into your holidays. We must pray for our The vaccine is here, but it still uation that the Mid-Winter that post. With the holiday season deployed and their families. needs time. 5th District was scheduled for Granite Falls come and gone, I pray everyone Soon 2020 will be behind us, Remember to pray for peace Wade Larson for Jan. 16 should be cancelled. had a very happy holiday season and we will embark on a new and the deployed and their fam- Also discussed were different and stayed safe and healthy. God year. We will keep planning and ilies and all in need! It is amazing the many great Checks ways of possibly holding the bless our nation and God bless put that into action. For God and Country. things accomplished especially efforts. It District Convention on June 5 the American Legion Family! over the last nine months during will be an the pandemic for veterans. interest- 2nd District The new creative ways in ing format meetings and trainings the drive- for our 8th District Brad Pagel bys by Legion Riders that have Midwinter. D. Marvin Hill uplifted many families in the We will look at different As the New Year is upon us, we do best, grieving at restrained funerals ways to continue the mission and basically all winter indoor and that is Greetings to the great 8th Dis- support and return of final remains as of the Legion, to connecting to trict American Legion Family! 36 hospi- activities are void of any social- taking care well as happy celebrations. our communities of Richfield ization, it’s tough on the mental of and I hope you were able to spend tals and Congratulations to front- and Minneapolis in new ways. some time with your families three am- health of all. standing page coverage in Sun Current We recently have a new oppor- I know it has been hard on up for vet- during this past holiday season bulance for Richfield Post 435 remem- tunity to booster our children while adhering to all of the cur- sites of me lately as we get into winter erans. If you or someone you brance on Veterans Day — two and youth program. Through and not as much activities to do know is struggling, reach out rent guidelines. Lake Country which 16 hospitals are in our dozen gathered and braved the a special fund from Luanne Power, an electric cooperative district. To support these sites, outside as the hunting season is and make that call, even just cold to attend the ceremony. Grill, we provided a Thanks- wrapped up, till next seasons in to say hi. serving our rural customers in they need 2,800 donors each After the cancellation of De- giving meal for impoverished our District, has made an appeal week. the fall. The 2nd District Oratorical cember family gathering, I sug- kids from a PACT school in There is only so much you Contest is shaping up with plan- for veterans to apply for em- Please keep in your prayers, gested we should have an online Minneapolis. ployment with them. the veterans and family veter- can do with a video chat these ning going on to work with a version of the family gatherings Cherish your loved ones, days. Don’t get me wrong; it model using Zoom. That way For employing veterans, it ans who may be suffering during (membership rallies) and look friendships, relationships, as- received the Employer of the this time of COVID-19. At this does help, to a point, but there everyone that wishes to see the forward to the new possibili- sociates, fellow veterans, even is that physical in person aspect contest can do so. Don’t have a Year Award at the Department time our Midwinter Conference ties of online forthcoming in the ones who challenge you or Convention in 2019. January is scheduled for Jan. 23 at Two that we all need at some point. specific date as of this writing, the future. frustrate you to become a better Let’s look toward doing what so stay tuned. National Blood Donor Month. Harbors Post 109 is uncertain. On the note of Zoom, we will person. Our District is supported by God bless our troops, and God have our first Mid-winter Con- Challenge yourself if you Memorial Blood Centers. They bless America. ference on Zoom. haven’t volunteered this year 3rd District You can watch ours before to find a passion to volunteer Jan. 2. I am particularly proud in the community. Oftentimes, Linda Dvorak and looking forward to coordi- the joy you receive is multiplied 9th District nating with a Special Forces col- 10 times over . Hello from the Thundering For onel who has a powerful mes- For God and Country! Happy Steve Sundstrom Third! more info sage that aligns with our Buddy New Year! Welcome to 2021! I have you can go Hello everyone. people talk been doing quite a bit of think- to the De- I hope everyone had a Merry about their ing about all the programs the partment Christmas and Happy New Year. military American Legion has. What I of Minne- 6th District With everything going on, I experi- didn’t realize was the number sota website. Go to Programs hope the best for everyone. ences. The of awards and trophies that are (mnlegion.org/programs), find Paul Edwards I had the opportunity to attend other night available. Most people know Trophies and Awards. You will the ceremony for the awards I happened to be around when about the Enlisted Person of the get descriptions of each award Greetings to the 6th District do not given to the Enlisted Service the Lakes Area Color Guard had Year or the Eagle Scout of the and how to apply. Legion Family, ever want Person of the Year in Moorhead. their meeting. Once the meet- Year, but what about the Father The deadlines are listed on By the time you read this, to own a Sgt. First Class Robert Hernan- ing was over, I was able to join L.J. Fortin Trophy, or the Frank the Minnesota Legion Calendar. 2021 should be upon us. I hope comput- dez and Sgt. First Class Thomas them, and we talked about our J. Ring Boy Scout Trophy or the National also has a manual on that everyone had a pleasant hol- er and Sauvageau received the awards. experiences while we were in Hanson Education Trophy? Trophies and Awards, in the iday and was able to have some are unable or unwilling to go Both were very humble in their the service. Always fun to share. Did you know any of these manual there is a two-page list good fellowship with family and online to complete The Amer- acceptances and gave credit to I can remember several existed? of National awards you can put friends. Let us all hope and pray ican Legion Basic Training, the people they have served times when I have been trav- I found 10 Minnesota Ameri- in for. that this will not be a Ground- we are going to do something with. Please join me in giving eling and met fellow service can Legion Awards and Trophies Use the following link for hog’s Day event, and we must different. The class is free, and our thanks to them and those members, always good stories that you can submit people for. more information on the Nation- redo 2020. it is not just for Legion Lead- who served alongside of them. to share. I have also met people Let’s start submitting people for al awards https://www.legion. According to the most recent ers, but everyone who wants to Department Commander that have not served but are these awards. org/awardsmanual. membership report, we have six know more about the Legion, Mark Dvorak sent a particu- very interested in what the ex- posts that have hit the 100 per- its history, the programs and larly good letter to Gov. Tim perience was like. I encourage cent mark and St. Stephen has how we operate. And it is open Walz concerning the shutdown some people to join, of course joined the 103 percent club. In to all members of The Amer- we are experiencing and how I’m pro-Navy. I still believe 4th District the coming days, I will submit ican Legion Family, not just detrimental it is to us. He cited they have the best technical the paperwork so that the com- Legionnaires. our constitutional rights, primar- training which will help for Joe Jansen manders and membership chairs Get out there and enjoy what- ily the First Amendment and the their employment once they can receive their awards from ever winter sport you go for, Fourteenth Amendment. I hope are out. As the saying goes, Hello to all my fellow Legion COVID- the National commander. To all whether skiing, snowmobiling, everyone has had a chance to “Join the Navy see the world.” family members. Hope you and 19. I also Posts, keep up the good work ice skating or just sitting in front read his letter. It is on the De- That is when you find out the your loved ones had an enjoy- want to and don’t forget to talk about of window or by a bonfire with partment of Minnesota website. world is two-thirds water. able and safe holiday season. recog- the Legion Act. a warm drink. And to all you I would like to say more, but I God bless each and every one I want to thank Mary French, nize John Because I am aware that there snowbirds, wear your sunscreen. will bite my tongue. of us and grant us His strength Jenny Nelson and Mary Ann Weiss and are folks in our 6th District who For God and Country. As always, I encourage through these trying times. Davis for all their efforts in de- all the volunteers from all four livering our excess gifts out to parts of our Legion Family who our comrades who are patients rang bells for the Salvation Thank you to at the VA Medical Center over Army on Dec. 12 at Macy’s in the holiday season. Maplewood Mall. all who served The reason we had excess The plans have not been from gifts is because the VA would finalized yet for the 4th and not allow us to visit on the third 5th Districts joint Mid-Winter Sunday of the month due to Conference on Jan. 2, 2021. Page 14 Minnesota Legionnaire January 2021 The Auxiliary Bulletin No. 21 Vol. 6 President Mary Hendrickson • Secretary Marsha Bible, [email protected] Dept. HQ: Veterans Service Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 651-224-7634 January 2021 It feels like society is just waiting for COVID-19’s end ‘Vintage Finds: ALA Jewelry’ Celebrate the centennial with these branded heirloom items President’s Column Department President Mary Hendrick- Mary Hendrickson son was recently featured as the guest blogger on the ALA National website for I’m busy eating a white sugar Consti- its “Vintage Finds: ALA Jewelry” series. cookie and feeling a little sorry tution and Here is a reprint of her story. Photos were for myself (and the world)! Standing not included in the blog and we offer a For those of you old enough Rules few here. How many of our members have to remember the Maytag re- Chairman these same pieces or other ones that are pairman commercials, some- Carol just as beautiful? times you feel like the loneliest Kottom person in the world. It takes a and the district Constitution and By Mary Hendrickson lot of hope and patience in these Standing Rules Chairmen have Department President trying times. I’m so looking for- held Zoom meetings. They have ward to every facility opening been interesting and productive My mother and I were immense lovers up again and being back on the sessions as we try to bring some of jewelry. We shared a passion for silver trail visiting American Legion continuity into our documents items, pearls and rhinestone jewelry – Posts and going to American at all levels. which later blossomed into a shared love Legion Family events. It’s amazing how a change in of American Legion Auxiliary branded I want to thank everyone who a word or two can bring a whole jewelry. As an only child, I was allowed continues to carry on serving new meaning to a statement. to occasionally open each small jewelry veterans, active-duty military Thank you to Carol and the box in the top drawer of her large bed- and their families. We’ve just other attendees at these sessions. room dresser. The 1950s and 1960s were completed a successful Gift The National American great eras for “bling” pieces. Rhinestone a much-loved nurse at our local hospital. Shop and $5 (It was actually Legion Auxiliary did a recent and enamel pins were frequently worn on After graduating from college, I worked $10) Bill Shower. blog series on vintage Ameri- blouses, sweaters, coats, and hats. as a teacher in a part of Wisconsin that had Most of the five State Veter- can Legion Auxiliary jewelry. It A cold day in early December 1959 many antique and flea markets. Of course, ans Homes and four VA medi- was a big surprise to have been would lead us to the wonderful world of I scoured the tables looking for rhinestone cal centers received gift cards asked to begin the series with ALA-branded jewelry. Our family church jewelry and ALA-branded jewelry. Estate for this year’s Gift Shop. Two my article on vintage jewelry was having their annual one-day Christmas sales were an excellent source of vintage of the facilities asked for gift pieces. My mother and I start- Bazaar. At the bazaar, my mother and I pieces. On my summer vacations, my items. They had to be purchased ed collecting American Legion gravitated to the “Next to New” jewelry mother and I loved going to antique stores online, delivered by FedEx or Auxiliary jewelry when I was table. This was our opportunity to possibly and garage sales. We never knew whether UPS and then quarantined at the 12 years old! My article and purchase another pearl or rhinestone piece that would be the day we found another facility before being distributed! some photos are included on our to add to my mother’s collection. My 13th These photos show only a fraction of special ALA piece! I’m sure the residents and Auxiliary pages this month. I’d birthday was looming, and I had hoped my President Mary Hendrickson’s ALA In 2002, I lost my mother to kidney patients missed the personal love to hear your comments on mother would let me pick out one piece jewelry. They were all purchased disease and became the caretaker of her touch of Auxiliary members Auxiliary jewelry pieces special for my jewelry collection. I can distinctly through Flag & Emblem Sales over jewelry collection. In July 2019, I was hand delivering items and gift to you. remember pointing to a pin and saying to the years. honored to be elected as ALA department wrapping the gift they chose for I hope your holiday season my mother, “There’s a pin on that pin!” president for Minnesota. I knew imme- a loved one or special friend. was a good one. Due to the My mother, a multi-year Auxiliary Unit receptions and class reunions in our small diately I would wear my mother’s white Thank you, Gift Shop Chair- pandemic, I’m sure we had a president, immediately recognized it as town. Auxiliary members usually cooked pearls and a vintage ALA-branded pin on man Mary French, Committee different and unique experience our ALA emblem. We purchased the pin the meals for these events, so my mother the blue top I had chosen for my official Member Lynn Olson and our from any other December in our for 50 cents. Neither of us had an inkling and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen portrait. Department Office staff for the lives. My 2021 wish for you is that this purchase would lead to our new there. One day, a kitchen worker was ad- Today, I still keep an eye out for work done in completing this a happy, healthy year with a shared passion – collecting ALA-brand- miring my mother’s pin. The next time we ALA-branded jewelry at antique stores, project. return to what we once knew ed jewelry, which still flourishes after all saw the worker, she opened her purse and flea markets and online auction sites. The Auxiliary members continue as normal. these decades. handed my mother another ALA pin! It had early pieces of my mother’s collection will to meet online. I know the Girls’ My mother wore her new pin when belonged to her Aunt Inga, and none of always be special to me. Her favorite hymn State Committee has held Zoom Mary Hendrickson is the attending an event at “The Barracks” as Inga’s family had any interest in it. was Precious Memories, How They Linger. meetings to discuss the possibil- president of the American our American Legion post was called by Via word of mouth, my mother received Finding our first piece of ALA-branded ity of in person or virtual Girls Legion Auxiliary Department the locals in our community. It was the or was able to purchase other ALA jewelry jewelry together back in 1959 is one of State gatherings. of Minnesota. only place large enough to hold wedding from families in our area. My mother was my precious memories. A BLESSED THANKSGIVING ... A MERRY CHRISTMAS ... AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Backus Unit 368 shipped 21 holiday gift boxes to service Members of the Fairfax Unit 205 donated 21 turkeys men and women from Backus-area families serving in to the Renville County Food Shelf in November. The Sophia (left) and Isabella (right) Hesli, of Minneapolis Unit the military abroad and in the United States. Along with turkeys were purchased for its annual Turkey Bingo 1 worked as volunteers for the Santa Anonymous program caring messages, the boxes contain beef jerky, cookies, event, which had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. for Chisago County in North Branch. They cared for the popcorn, peanuts, candy, protein bars and decks of cards Pictured from left are Unit 205 President Dawn Bleick, inventory and packaged shipments for needy children in donated by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s Northern Brandon Van Epps of Fairfax Community Market, and time for Christmas Day. Legionnaire Grandpa Dick Ward Lights Casino. Backus Legion Post 368 paid for the postage. Bingo Chairman Dorothy Prax. was very proud of both of them. From left are Judy Johnston, Jean Dawson and Deb Geary. January 2021 Minnesota Legionnaire Page 15 Essay Class Grade Level Word Requirement Know legislative priorities of vets Class I Grades 3-4 150-250 By Patti Coleman veteran homelessness, support Priorities early to begin advo- Class II Grades 5-6 250-300 Legislative Chairman for Gold Star families, fully cating on behalf of Minnesota’s Class III Grades 7-8 350-400 funding a superior national de- veterans during the special ses- Class IV Grades 9-10 450-500 The American Legion Auxil- fense, reaffirming commitment sions that have recently taken Class V Grades 11-12 450-500 iary Legislative program fully to our allies, protecting the G.I. place each month during the Class VI Special Needs Word count should correspond supports the Legislative Agenda Bill and protecting the American COVID-19 crisis. It also en- Students to Student’s Grade Level of The American Legion. We are flag from physical desecration. abled members to spread the one family, and we all speak Check out Legion.org frequently word to all our state veterans with one voice for our veterans. for their legislative updates and service organizations to rally the The 117th Congress will con- alerts. troops to be informed advocates Be part of Americanism Essay Contest vene Jan. 3, 2021, in Washing- Please familiarize your- for veterans. Each year, the American Legion Auxiliary anyone in the above grade levels may participate. ton, D.C. The incoming Con- selves with the Minnesota Our legislative priorities for sponsors the Americanism Essay Contest for Legionnaires, SAL members and Auxiliary gress will have the least number members of Congress, in the Minnesota are passing the Vet- students in grades 3-12, including students with members, if you have a child in one of the above of veterans since the World War House and Senate. Email them erans Restorative Justice Act, special needs. Grade levels are divided into six age levels, please encourage them to participate II era. Seventy-four in the House often. During this pandemic reducing the cost of hunting, classes. One cash award in each of the six classes in this contest. and 17 in the Senate for a total we are experiencing, electron- trapping and fishing licenses will be presented at the department and divi- The essay should be typed or neatly written of 91 veterans. ic communication will be best for disabled veterans, increasing sional level with first, second and third places. and must fall within the word requirement for The American Legion Family and is the fastest way to make the state grant given to veter- Essay Title: “How can we address the health their grade level. Essays need to be judged at needs to remain diligent in advo- contact and make an impact. If ans service organizations, fully and well-being of our veterans, military, and the unit level and have the appropriate cover cating on behalf of our veterans. you prefer to handwrite a letter, fund the Minnesota Department their families?” No re-submission of a 2019- sheet on them. Our voices need to be heard to that is appropriate, though it will of Veterans Affairs, expand VA 2020 Essay will be accepted. Please make sure that you contact your local ensure the best interests of veter- take longer to reach their offic- Vet Centers in Minnesota and In the past, many Units have sent Essay Unit for an Essay cover sheet. Deadline for ans are always being considered. es. Clearly identify yourself as give property-tax relief for Post Contest information out to their local schools. submission to Units is March 1. Deadline for The new Legislative Agenda a constituent, keep it short and homes. Progress has already With so many school districts having hybrid and Units to Department Chairman for judging is for the 117th Congress has not concise, cite facts, be respectful been made to modify the Home- distance learning, Units should remember that March 15. been published quite yet by The and thank them for their time. stead Market Value Exclusion American Legion, but it is ex- We want it to be a positive expe- for surviving spouses and the pected that many of the Legisla- rience, to garner positive results hourly wage for personal care tive topics will remain the same. whether now or in the future. attendants. History of ALA’s National Security These are important issues Our veterans and enhancing I wish to publicly thank the which need to remain a prima- By Dee Dee Buckley Patriotic Conference on Na- Assembly held in Washington, their lives are what matters. Minnesota Commanders’ Task National Security Chairman tional Defense in 1942. D.C., replaced the Women’s ry focus. A few examples are The MN Commander’s Task Force for recognizing the value toxic exposures and burn pits, In January 1953, the first Forum on National Security. Force, of which The American of Auxiliary members as the The American Legion Aux- Women’s Forum on National In 1988, the National Security health care for women veterans, Legion is a member, established biggest veteran supporters and iliary continues to celebrate veteran suicide prevention, end Security was held in Washing- Committee Chairman reported the 2021 Minnesota Legislative including us on the team. its century of service through- ton D.C. First Lady Mamie that Units’ and Departments’ ef- out our upcoming 100th Na- Eisenhower and Second Lady forts raised and donated a total tional Convention in Phoenix, Pat Nixon hosted the forum at of $108,400 for the National Mining for members, each is a gem Arizona. The National Secu- the White House. president’s special project, the rity Program has some very In 1973, with the still-active USO. By Sharon Thiemecke District gained two new gems and achieved 125 interesting historical facts to Vietnam War, two resolutions The National Security Com- Membership Chairman percent. There was also a drawing for $50 from be shared. were passed by the delegates mittee has remained continuous all Units that were at 80 percent by Pearl Harbor The first Women’s Patriotic to the National Convention — with the program. In 2015, the In December, even though the Pearl Harbor Day. The winner of that drawing was Williams Conference on National De- one to continue support of the new ALA Military Readiness Rally was cancelled, the numbers were tallied Unit 442 in the 6th District. fense was held in Washing- National League of Families Action Guide was launched by our Department office staff. National will be mailing second dues notices ton, D.C. in February 1925. and one to declare Memorial and provided members with Thank you to the girls in the office who work to those who have not paid their 2021 dues on Wartime rationing and travel Day 1974 as a day to shout a valuable online resource to so hard to keep us informed and on track. Con- Feb. 1. All unpaid for 2020 and 2021 will be restrictions continued to affect to Congress to “Get Our Men assist in locating services for gratulations to the 6th District, their membership receiving that notice. every American, including Home.” active-duty, reservists, and team, Chairman Bev Grose and District President Units, please help your membership chairmen Auxiliary members, forcing In 1981, the American National Guard Members. It is Roberta Elvecrog. They came in first with 75.38 now with phone calls or by mailing a reminder to cancellation of the Women’s Legion Auxiliary Awareness available at alaforveterans.org. percent membership turned in and Bev will have your unpaid members. Don’t let your members a diamond gem to add to her mining board. become delinquent. Membership is everyone’s Congratulations also go to the Unit with the job! The larger our membership, the more we highest percentage of membership by Pearl are able to do and give to our veterans, military read “To _____, thank you for Harbor Day. Unit 466 Strandquist from the 9th and their families. your service.” They seemed very grateful to receive these. For American Education Week, they couldn’t go into Girls State 6th District. A fun evening will the day before you need to use the school this year and put the be planned for Friday, April 9. them. apples in the teacher’s mailboxes reservations Information and the call to the like they used to do. So instead, Junior Conference will not be they were met outside by a staff are available sent out until we are sure that it Look for reports member who received them. The will happen on this date. The 2021 session of Ameri- in the mail Unit also presented its contribu- tion for the Give 10 for Education can Legion Auxiliary Minnesota Annual reports and trophy Girls State is still being planned program. This was notebooks for Poppy orders and award information will be all of the fourth-grade students. for June 13-19, 2021. The Girls sent out in the next mailing. State committee is diligently are accepted Masks and social distancing were Please make sure to look at the observed. working on plans to hold this Poppy orders are being ac- reports and instruction sheets. session — the question is what cepted in the Department of We understand that many units Tiny Engebretson, right, representing the Marietta Unit 156 type of session will we have? Minnesota office. We under- don’t think they have done presented applies to Madison-Marietta-Nassau Elementary After the Please stay tuned for notic- stand that most of you were not anything to report because of School Administrative Assistant Sharon Ronglein. They es on this in the near future. A able to have a Poppy Day last COVID. also presented a large amount of notebooks to be given pandemic ... decision will need to be made to the fourth-grade students. year due to the COVID closures. Have you assisted at blood Just a reminder that President whether to hold this session live But, if your unit is planning to drives, made contributions to on campus at Bethel Universi- originally scheduled to be sent Day and American Education Mary Hendrickson would love order poppies, we would appre- Auxiliary programs, donated to out in mid-January. It has been Week. It, of course, was not like to be invited to your Unit meet- ty or to hold a modified virtual ciate it if you could place your a food shelf, assisted a student session. rescheduled to be sent out Feb. in the past, but they did their ings and/or events when things orders soon with a delayed de- who is doing distance learning, 1. Members who have not paid best. After all, it’s the thought get back to normal. There is a All of this is new, uncharted livery date. Our poppy makers made masks for our veterans or territory for our organization. their 2020 dues by Jan. 31 are that counts. visitation form on our website have been very productive since community members, etc.? If considered to be delinquent and They distributed candy treats or just send her an invitation in There are many variables that last March when the pandemic your answer is yes, you have need to be considered for the may lose your rights, privileges to local veterans with a note that care of the Department office. struck. participated. and benefits of membership as committee, staff, speakers and Typically, we slow production Now, more than ever, we need well as continuous years of ser- Membership attendees. Stay tuned, and pray down in the summer but this you to report what you did even Membership Percent of vice. If you have not paid your District Goal Last Year that the spread of this virus is summer, these poppy makers if you don’t think it is much. To Date Goal behind us now that we have a 2020 or 2021 dues yet, please 12/18/19 needed the therapy and diver- Our reports trickle up to our One 3,994 2,971 74.39% 3,188 vaccine. do so as soon as possible. sion of making our poppies, so elected officials. They need to Two 4,015 2,978 74.17% 3,334 we continued sending them out. know that the American Legion Three 3,870 2,875 74.29% 3,189 Dept. Junior Now we have LOTS of poppies Auxiliary is a strong, vibrant or- Units are still Four 581 432 74.35% 495 to send out for distribution! ganization that takes care of our Five 572 360 62.94% 493 Conference is Shipment of poppy orders veterans, our communities and working the Six 5,170 3,919 75.80% 4,317 will be for the dates Units re- our children. ALA mission Seven 3,197 2,351 73.54% 2,646 still planned quest them. Upon receipt of your Eight 1,302 949 72.89% 1,014 order, please check it carefully The pandemic did not keep Nine 3,445 2,502 72.63% 2,895 Saturday, April 10, is the and report any discrepancy to Dues notice set scheduled date of the 57th the Marietta American Legion Ten 3,978 2,876 72.30% 3,160 the Department of Minnesota and American Legion Auxil- annual Department Junior Con- office immediately. Please do for February 1982 193 179 92.75% 167 ference. It will be held in the iary from observing Veterans Totals 30,317 22,392 73.86% 24,898 not wait to look at them until The second dues notice was    ‡ 

 

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Page 16 Minnesota Legionnaire January 2021 The coins are in,

I BUY AND COLLECT MILITARY ITEMS Including insignia, hats, helmets, and uniformsand from WW I,they WW II, look excellent! Korea, Vietnam, (I have not started my collection on Southeast Asia yet). I collect Army, USAF, USN, USMC patches, pins, pictures and souvenirs from all periods. CALL JOE, 612-801-4673The Legionnaire AFTER 6 purchased the coins from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales, so that money, too, goes directly toward American Legion charitable causes that aid Attention Veterans! This is your northern vets, such as Operation Comfort Warriors. Donate today! Minnesota resort. Barrier-free and open 12 months a year. Gateway to the BWCA. Name or group: ______800-777-7538 email: [email protected]

www.veteransonthelakeresort.org Address: ______All cabins have a lake view. Donate to get yours City: ______State: ______Zip: ______Donate $25 or more to The Minnesota Legionnaire, and we will mail you this antique brass 1.75-inch-diameter challenge Phone (please include): ______            coin. Donate $50 or more, we will send you two, $75 for                  three, $100 four and so on.        ­€‚   Ely, Minnesota Amount of donation: ______ ©ƒ    „  † † Your donation is tax-deductible! Cut out and mail to: With ads down, this fundraiser helps. RESORTThe Minnesota FOR DISABLED VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY AND ABLE BODIED The Minnesota Legionnaire Legionnaire is a nonprofit publication VETERANS,and is DISABLEDclassified GENERAL as a PUBLIC AND FAMILIES. 20 W. 12th St., Room 300A And thank you! 501(c)4 organization. St. Paul, MN 55155-2000

I BUY AND COLLECT MILITARY ITEMS Including insignia,Are hats, you helmets, the son and of uniforms a veteran? from WWMaybe I, WW you II, Korea, Vietnam, (I have not started my collection on Southeast Asia yet). I collect Army,are USAF,a veteran USN, andUSMC the patches, son or pins, grandson pictures and of Independent Rural Living souvenirs fromone? all periods.Either CALLway, joinJOE, 612-801-4673your local AFTERSons of6 Reverse Senior apartments for elderly and those with the American Legion. disabilities. Safe, convenient, comfortable, and affordable rural living in Southeast Minnesota. Attention Veterans! Mortgages Also available: This is your northern Minnesota resort. Barrier-free The future doesn’t have to Housing with and open 12 months a year. Services, Nurs- Gateway to the BWCA. be uncertain. ing Home, Sub- sidized Rent, 800-777-7538 Contact: email: [email protected] Homemaker The lower the Margin, the services Samantha www.veteransonthelakeresort.org 507-864-7714 All cabins have a lake view. more you qualify for. Call or www.goodshep-rushford.org for our low rates. Libor American Margins as low as 1.5%. Call or email me for a free Legion and consumer guide and a Auxiliary personal quote. The Minnesota Legi onnaire Official Publication of and Owned Exclusively by Ely, Minnesota Let a retired active duty The American Legion, Department of Minnesota veteran you can trust show Al Zdon, Editor you how you may benefit First published in 1920 as the Hennepin County Legionnaire, from a Reverse Mortgage. RESORT FOR DISABLED VETERANS, the Minnesota Legionnaire is now in its 100th year of publica- ACTIVE DUTY AND ABLE BODIED NMLS ID #283509 tion. It is published monthly by The American Legion, Depart- VETERANS, DISABLED GENERAL ment of Minnesota, Room 300A, 20 West 12th Street, St. PUBLIC AND FAMILIES. Paul, MN 55155-2000. Periodicals postage is paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. The Legionnaire is a You member of the Minnesota Newspaper Association and the National American Legion Press Association. served SUBSCRIPTION: $10 for non-members. Members receive Mike Kraus Serving MN and WI the Legionnaire as part of their dues. 7365 Kirkwoodyour Court North, Suite 300 PHONE: 651-291-1800, 866-259-9163, FAX: 651-291-1057 Reverse ADVERTISING RATES: Contact Al Zdon, 651-291-1800 Maple Grove, MN 55369 country E-MAIL: [email protected] 763-355-8540 [email protected] WEBSITE: www.mnlegion.org As a veteran, BOARD OF PUBLICATION MEMBERS: President Mark your life Dvorak, Le Center; Vice President Don Amundson, Blue Mortgages Earth; Secretary Randy Tesdahl, Elk River; Treasurer, Bill of service Goede, Plainview. Board Members include: Joe Bayer, Min- has just begun. The future doesn’t neapolis; Carol Patridge, Oakdale; Darrel Redepenning, Coon Rapids; Paul Edwards, Brainerd; Patti Coleman, Circle Pines, have to be uncertain. Help your Mary Kuperus, New London. community, your The lower the Margin, country and POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to The Min- nesota Legionnaire, 20 W. 12th Street, St. Paul, MN, 55155- the more you qualify fellow veterans — 2000. (USPS No. 013-679.) (ISSN No. 1644270) for. Call for our low all while having a rates. CMT Margins good time making as low as 2.1%. Call differences with or email me for a free people who consumer guide and a get you. personal quote. Be part of the legacy. Let a retired active- Share the vision. duty veteran you can MIKE KRAUS trust show you how Loan Officer you may benefit from a Reverse Mortgage. NMLS ID #283509

Mike Kraus Serving all of Minnesota 7365 Kirkwood Court North, Suite 300 Maple Grove, MN 55369 Join the Legion 763-355-8540 [email protected] at mnlegion.org