North Dakota Legion News March 2020 Page 7 Four Chaplains Day Winter Conference Memorial Service Honors Held in February Auxiliary Members A Memorial Service honoring deceased Auxiliary departed members are missed by their families and their members was officiated by Department Chaplain Sandra units and we appreciate their past loyalty and commitment Petermann at the 2020 Winter Conference on Saturday, to the American Legion Auxiliary and its mission to support January 25. District Presidents and Department Officers veterans and their families. read the names of 230 members, including three Past Submitted by Department Chaplain Sandra Petermann Department Presidents, who passed away in 2019. Our On Saturday, February 1, 2020, a display in honor of Four Chaplains Day was set up at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, North Dakota. Sunday, February 2, 2020, was named Four Chaplains Day to Participants in Winter Conference Memorial Service: (L to R): Gloria Covert, District 3 President; Marcy commemorate the events of February 3, 1943, when Schmidt, Department Secretary; LoAnn Dick, District 8 President; Gigi Moore, Past Department President; Peggy the troop ship USAT Dorchester sank after suffering a Moran, District 5 Vice President; Berniece Froiland, District 1 President; Kathy Tuma, District 2 President; Rose torpedo attack by a German submarine. Laning, District 7 President; and Joan Lasher, District 4 President. The Dorchester left New York on January 23, 1943, as part of a convoy of three ships carrying four chaplains, 902 service men, merchant marines and civilian workers. The Dorchester was torpedoed by German submarine Veterans and Auxiliary Members Honored U-223 off the coast of New Foundland at 12:55 AM, February 3, 1943, and sank less than 20 minutes after the deadly attack. During Christmas at Nelson County Care Center When the Dorchester began to sink, four chaplains Just before Christmas, Ole Semling Post 135 of of different religions, Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. McVille made a decision to ensure the veterans and the Alexander D. Goodell, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, American Legion Auxiliary members residing at the Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Polling, Dutch Nelson County Health System Care Center in McVille, Reformed were helping to calm passengers and organize ND, were remembered at Christmas. an orderly evacuation. Life vests were passed out to the Nineteen (60” X 80”) fleece throws were ordered men, but the supply ran out before every man had one. and Past Department President Judy Twete embroidered The four chaplains gave up their own life vests to others names on each of the nineteen gifts to be delivered. and assisted as many men as they could into lifeboats. Each recipient also received a holiday gift bag filled They then linked their arms together, reciting prayers with chocolate treats and personal care items. and singing hymns as they went down with the ship. Each veteran and Auxiliary member received a The Four Chaplains were posthumously awarded personal visit by Post Adjutant Larry Johnson and Ole the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross Semling Unit 135 member Judy Twete, who thanked on December 19, 1944. The Four Chaplains Medal them for their service or membership and presented was introduced on July 14, 1960. Those medals were their gifts. There were many thank yous and even some presented to the next of kin of each of the four Dorchester chaplains on January 18, 1961. In 2006, the chaplains tears as each happy resident received the surprise gift. were also posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. It was a heartwarming experience to see the joy on The display in the lobby of St. Patrick’s Catholic the faces of these veterans and Auxiliary members who Church was well-received with a lot of curiosity from served their country in some way in the past. The soft attendees about this mostly unknown, unheralded World and cozy blankets will be a reminder for a long time War II tragedy and story of sacrifice. Materials were that these very special people are appreciated. made available to educate and mark the occasion. Submitted by Past Department President Judy Larry Johnson, Post 135 Adjutant (L) and Judy Submitted by Department Chaplain, Sandra Twete Twete, Past Department President and Unit 135 Petermann Auxiliary Member (R) Auxiliary Spring District Meetings The dates and times for Spring District Meetings have been set. More information on meeting venues will be announced as plans come together. Make arrangements now to attend your respective District Meetings. District 5 – Hazelton, ND District 1 – Hope, ND Districts 6 and 9 – New Town, ND Monday, March 23, 2020, 7:00 PM Wednesday March 25, 2020, 7:00 PM Saturday, March 28, 2020, 11:00 AM (CST) District 10 – North Dakota Veterans Home District 2 – Park River, ND District 4 – Jamestown, ND Lisbon, ND Thursday, March 26, 2020, 7:00 PM Thursday, April 2, 2020, 7:00 PM Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 7:00 PM District 3 – Leeds, ND Districts 7 and 8 – Center, ND (Host Lester W. Peterson Post and Unit Friday, March 27, 2020, 7:00 PM Saturday, April 4, 2020, 191 of Gwinner) (Time and venue to be announced) Page 8 March 2020 North Dakota Legion News Hello, North Dakota Auxiliary Members. be a part of. Thank you to Joan In memory of Past As I write this note to you, I realize it’s already been Lasher, District 4 President, Department Presidents: Mae six months since I began serving you as Department other District Presidents and Ione Hande, District 8; Ardel President. It has been my honor and privilege to have members of District 4 for Ingwalson, District 9; and served you. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, but I believe hosting my recognition event Norma Treptow, District 2. it will be the last position I’ll hold within the Auxiliary. on Saturday afternoon. The “Not that I was ever in Thank you, everyone, for your support over these past six red velvet cake was simply need, for I have learned how months. Your continued support will help me get through delicious, and I enjoyed visiting to be content with whatever I the next six months as well. I want to thank everyone for with all of you. have.” Philippians 4:11. the gifts I’ve received and your donations to my President’s As you know, I appointed In our lives, we have Project. You are all so generous and I’m so lucky to have a committee to review and make recommendations for experienced enough to know that there isn’t a mirror that experienced this with you. revising our Department Constitution. Diane Kraemer can reflect what is in our heart and that is what counts. The My President’s Project for this year is the VA Medical presented the results at the conference and the Department beauty of comprehending life’s greatest treasure is finding Center in Fargo. The volunteer and professional staff at that Office has mailed a copy to all units for review. All units satisfaction and fulfillment with who we are and what we facility does so much for our veterans and I appreciate their will be required to review their unit constitutions and revise use, no matter how we look, imperfections included. So, dedication and commitment. A dear friend has painted a them as well. look in your mirror, and in whatever state you find yourself: beautiful ‘Poppy’ picture that will be donated to the North Year-end reports are due soon. Unit presidents, please Thank God! Rejoice in what you see! Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon for the enjoyment of the prepare your reports now so they are ready to mail to your Let us pray. “Dear Heavenly Father, we will give to residents there. I still have a lot of my president’s pins left respective District President for her report. The Department others as You give to us. We will bless, as we are blessed, so please contact me or your District President to get one. Office will be sending out a reminder. knowing whatever we give we will have forever. Guide The 2020 membership drive is going well. At this District meetings are being planned for March and our hearts and minds as we work together for You and The writing, North Dakota’s membership sits just over 81%. April and I hope many of you will attend. I look forward to American Legion Family. Amen.” Let’s keep the momentum going and sprint for 100% by seeing all of you again soon. Sandra Petermann June 1 in time for Department Convention. A big shout out It’s a big year for the American Legion Auxiliary. We and thank you for a job well done goes to Sandy Smith and are celebrating our 100th birthday this year and plans are her committee of unit membership chairs. Membership is a underway for celebrating at the Department Convention big job and Sandy I appreciate everything you’ve done to in June. I call upon all units to attend the convention and keep membership on the forefront. Thank you. bring some of your historical materials and artifacts with Winter Conference went well and for the most part the you. The convention committee is planning to display your weather and the roads cooperated. Thank you to all who items so everyone can see how far we’ve come in 100 Hello from beautiful attended. There’s always new information to absorb and, years. downtown Minot. of course, the comradery among members is always nice to Myrna Ronholm Experiencing North Dakota winter weather with its changing cold and welcome warm-ups, I just had to laugh when I saw a meme on Facebook about the groundhog who didn’t see his shadow which should mean It seems like we just got back from Winter Conference I want to remind all unit spring is coming early.