Back in the Saddle Gets Zero Action by Tim Engstrom
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The Minnesota American Legion Legionnaire Family $3 • Vol. 103 No. 4 For God and Country April 2021 Zero tax bill Back in the saddle gets zero action By Tim Engstrom ST. PAUL — An effort to reduce property taxes to zero on Posts be- longing to congressionally chartered veteran organizations seem pretty much dead for the 2021 legislative session. Past National Commander Dan Ludwig speaks Saturday, Bills that have not passed out of March 6, at the DEC meeting at La Crescent Post 595. “God, committee by the Easter break typical- it’s good to be here. It’s been a year,” he said. ly are left behind. In both the Senate and House, the bills have been stalled in tax committees. Department Adjutant Mike Maxa called on Post leaders to contact law- Minnesota Honorary Juniors President Emily Seuss is surprised by the $667 makers and help push this bill for- raised by the room for her project to help veterans in care of the Minneapolis ward. It is HF182 and SF 259. and St. Cloud VA hospitals. She told the audience she was $345 short of her In the House, the Property Tax $2,000 fundraising goal. Emptying his hat is SAL Detachment of Minnesota Division is chaired by Rep. Cheryl Membership Director Tim Weaver. Behind him are 7th District Vice Commander Youakim of Hopkins, with Jerry Garylee Davenport and Past SAL Detachment Commander Shawn Davis. Walking Hertaus of Greenfield as the minori- away after emptying his cap is SAL 4th District Commander John Weiss. ty lead. Contact info: Rep. Cheryl Youakim 591 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Department of Minnesota Commander Mark Dvorak Jr. Blvd. describes being near the end of serving two years. The St. Paul, MN 55155 Department did not hold a convention in 2020 and 651-296-9889 extended officer positions a second year. [email protected] Rep. Jerry Hertaus 389 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 651-296-9188 [email protected] In the Senate, the Subcommittee on Property Taxes is chaired by Bill Weber of Luverne, with Matt Klein of Mendota Heights as the minority lead. Sen. Bill Weber National Executive Committeman Bill Barbknecht gifts a bottle of Fireball Third District Commander Linda Dvorak laughs as her 2109 Minnesota Senate Bldg. Cinnamon Whiskey to Minnesota American Legion Riders Director Paul Hassing husband, Minnesota Commander Mark Dvorak, cracks St. Paul, MN 55155 on Saturday, March 6, in La Crescent, in appreciation for all he has done for the a joke at the podium on Saturday, March 6, at the 651-296-5650 Legacy Scholarship Fund. Appreciation Rally. See stories, pics on pages 8 and 9. [email protected] Continued on Page 13 Litchfield student wins Oratorical Contest, $7,700 for college ANOKA — A senior at Litchfield scholarship from the Legion’s District High School is the champion of the 7 of Minnesota. Minnesota American Legion Oratorical That means Hazel has a grand total Contest. of $7,700 in American Legion schol- Hazel Chvatal, 17, earns a $1,500 arship funding. scholarship from The American Legion “Seeing young people grow in their Department of Minnesota. skills and their knowledge of the coun- Normally, she would move on to try, this is what it means to be a Le- compete at the national level in April, gionnaire,” said Minnesota American but the National American Legion Or- Legion Commander Mark Dvorak of atorical Contest has been canceled as a New Prague. “We look forward to this result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If contest every year.” the national contest had been held, the Finalists from four American Legion winner would have received a $25,000 districts across Minnesota qualified to scholarship. Instead, the national con- compete at the state finals on Saturday, test is awarding all state champions Feb. 27, at Anoka Post 102. Hazel was $5,000. sponsored by Litchfield Post 104 and Minnesota American Legion Oratorical Contest champion Hazel Chvatal, She won a $500 scholarship from was the winner of the Legion’s 7th right, a senior at Litchfield High School, stands for a photograph with Litchfield Post 104 and a $700 Continued on Page 2 her mother, Kristi, on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Anoka Post 102. Page 2 Minnesota Legionnaire April 2021 Eagle Scout of the Year enjoys ... engine repair MOORHEAD — The Minne- and breaking down. sota American Legion’s Eagle His troop also built a ramp Scout of the Year hails from the and a deck for a person who 9th District. needed wheelchair access to a Karson Ferden is a student at house. Park Christian School In academics, in Moorhead. He was Ferden regularly made a Cub Scout for four the honor roll, letter- years, a Boy Scout for ing in academics. He seven and received made it to regionals Eagle Scout in Sep- in STEM science fair tember 2020. He is competitions. STEM with Troop 635. stands for science, He wins a $1,000 technology, engineer- scholarship and his ing and math. application will be At school, he re- forwarded to the Karson ceived the Yale Sci- National American Ferden ence and Engineering Legion, where he Award, the Creativity could win a scholarship ranging in Technology Award and the from $2,500 to $10,000. Leonardo Largely Irrational Ferden has held the positions Math Prize. of chaplain, senior patrol leader, Ferden played percussion in assistant senior patrol leader, the band and would help young scribe, quartermaster and Order members learn to play the in- of the Arrow representative. He struments or read the music. In The four finalists of the Minnesota Oratorical Contest stand beside Minnesota American Legion Commander Mark also has helped out as a leader his last year, he was elected band Dvorak, of New Prague, on the left, and Minnesota American Legion Auxiliary President Mary Hendrickson, of for a local Cub Scout troop. He president. Duluth, on the right. The contestants are in order of finish, from left: Hazel Chvatal of Litchfield, Julia Schowalter helped at Camp Wilderness by He lettered in trapshooting of Eagan, Abigail Erpelding of Kasson and David Vickers of Minneapolis. doing service projects and just and was a member of the golf helping where needed. team. “I have done several small When Park Christian had a campouts with my troop and major renovation one summer, Mom: 'She's always been a motivated student' have helped teach merit badges Ferden helped teachers move Continued from Page 1 one of The American Legion’s and outdoor skills to the young- in and out of their rooms, re- District, which is Grant, Doug- Four Pillars. er Scouts. I have participated in paired equipment, move lockers las, Traverse, Stevens, Pope, Second place went to Julia many service projects for the and aided with summer events. Big Stone, Swift, Kandiyohi, Schowalter, a junior at Eagan community via Scouts and have And with band, he regularly Meeker, Lac Qui Parle, Chip- High School. She was spon- helped on nine different Eagle helped set up and break down pewa, Yellow Medicine and sored by Eagan Post 594 and Scout projects for other Scouts.” for concerts. Renville counties. was the winner of the Legion’s Ferden’s Eagle Scout project He volunteers, too: Minneso- The Oratorical Contest re- 3rd District. She earns a $1,000 was tool-shadowing a toolbox ta Steam Threshers Reunion, a quires contestants to be able to scholarship. and filling it with tools for the Bible camp, local food banks. deliver two speeches in front Abigail Erpelding, a fresh- Fargo Air Museum. Tool shad- He likes repairing engines for of a crowd without notes. The man home-schooler from owing is cutting foam for the friends. topics are related to the U.S. Kasson, won third place. She sake of organizing tools. He has Ferden said he always has had Constitution. The first speech was sponsored by Kasson Post been a regular volunteer at the a passion for mechanical things. is prepared beforehand and 333 and won the 1st District. museum, and he said the toolbox He said he might pursue North runs eight to 10 minutes; the She earns a $700 scholarship. available for restoration projects Dakota State University or Min- second is three to five min- David Vickers, a freshman was a mess. After he was done, nesota State University-Moor- utes, with just five minutes Minnesota American Legion Oratorical Contest Committee home-schooler from Minneap- the tools were neat, secured and head or attend a vocational to prepare. Winners receive member Amanda England of St. Paul congratulates Hazel olis, captured fourth place. He labeled. technology school to become a scholarships. Chvatal on Saturday, Feb. 27, for winning the 2021 contest. was sponsored by Minneapolis “I am hoping to keep seeing mechanical engineer technician. When the winners were an- In the background, contest chairman Cliff Newman looks Falldin Post 555. He earns a these tools in use for many years “My life’s goal, my ambition, nounced, Hazel did not expect on. $500 scholarship. and very happy with how much my purpose and my devotion is to come out the winner, she Chvatal of Litchfield. Litchfield Post 104 Ameri- The last time a Minnesota they have been used already,” to be like a light in a dark room said. “I am just so proud of her,” canism Chair Rueben Nathe, student won the National Ora- he said. to as many people as I can,” he “I was not expecting that at Kristi said. “She worked hard a Navy veteran. He also served torical Contest was 2003, when Ferden has been part of many wrote in his application.