Commander: The mission is focus on the Four Pillars

I want to thank you for the opportunity to be your department commander. My theme for the year is “Back to the Basics – The Four Pillars.”

I want to emphasize the importance of going “Back to the Basics” and reiterating our commitment to these pillars that define who we are and what we stand for.

Since my election, I have had the opportunity to participate in many events. One of those events was the Division I Sr. Baseball State Tournament, which took place starting on Wednesday, July 30, with a banquet at the Medina Ballroom attended by approximately 500 baseball players, coaches, parents and volunteers.

Baseball falls under the Americanism Pillar. State Director Randy Schaub and Vice Directors Jeff “Slick” Miller and Brandon Raymo do an amazing job at making sure everything runs smoothly. Baseball holds five state tournaments. Four of them have eight teams, while the Div. I Sr. tourney has 16 teams. That’s 48 teams, each with 18 players and at least two coaches.

Each district has a director who works within their district to make this program a success, and the following Baseball Committee member were at state tournaments supervising or assisting: 1st District Director Scott McCready, 2nd District Baseball Director Vern Kitzberger, 3rd District Baseball Director Bruce Young, 4th District Director Gail Kalata, 5th District Director Michael Rothstein, 6th District Director Wes Thompson and 7th District Director Joe Dollerschell, alongside Schaub, Miller and Raymo.

Several people volunteered their time. They were Jack Strong, Brady Sweitzer, Sean Brierly, Joe Bares, Jason Storm, Warren Christopherson, James Huss, Jeff Lenz, Jon Sands, Jim Peck, John Sherman and Matt Baker. I want to give thanks to Brett Christofferson, manager for the Osseo Post 172 team, for his many years of running a substate tournament. I hear he is retiring.

Communications Director Tim Engstrom is also an integral part of Minnesota American Legion Baseball, not just taking pictures. He is the secretary and handles a lot of the administrative duties.

Without these individuals, our program would not be the premier program in the nation. Minnesota does have the most Legion Baseball teams in the country!

I also need to give a shout out to Scheels of St. Cloud for being a major sponsor of our Legion Baseball program. Thank you!

I want to point out that 9th District Baseball Director Mike Arvidson is also the state director for Minnesota American Legion Fastpitch Softball. Committee members helping with that tournament of eight teams were Vice Directors Luann McMahon and David Thompson, 2nd District Director Steve Fosness, 3rd District Director Mark Doble, 6th District Director Tom Fernlund. Also helping was Veronica Fernlund.

Finally, let’s thank Past National Commander Dan Ludwig for going to the Div. II Sr. tournament and thank National Vice Commander Jim Kellogg for going to the softball tournament. Past Department Commander Carl Moon went to the Div. II Sr. tourney, also.

Another event that I attended was not a scheduled event. It falls under the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Pillar.

Clearwater American Legion Post 323 Riders had a benefit and motorcycle run supporting veterans. They had a silent and live auction and a band. I was able to meet several groups that are nonprofits helping veterans: Roger Up, (Rogerup.org) focuses on Mental Health for Veterans and First Responders; Freedom Farm(freedomfarmmn.org) partners with the unique gifts of the horse to offer healing, hope, confidence, and strength and the Veterans Resource & Enrichment Center (vrecmn.com) helps veterans in a variety of ways, advocacy, food referrals, wellness, just to name a few.

In conclusion, as we reflect on the Four Pillars of the American Legion — Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism and Children & Youth. Let us remember that these principles are the bedrock of our organization. Going “Back to the Basics” means reaffirming our dedication to these pillars, ensuring that our commitment to veterans, national security, American values, and the next generation remains unwavering.

As members of The American Legion, let us continue to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, in service to our nation. Through our collective efforts, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of veterans, contribute to a stronger and more secure America, and inspire a sense of pride and unity in our great nation. Thank you for your dedication, and may we continue to uphold the Four Pillars of The American Legion with pride and purpose.

Linda Dvorak of New Prague Post 45 is the commander of The American Legion Department of Minnesota. Her theme is “Back to the Basics – The Four Pillars.”