Department Convention elects Linda Dvorak 4 years after Mark Dvorak’s term

WILLMAR — Delegates to the 106th American Legion Department of Minnesota Convention in Willmar elected a new statewide commander on the final day, July 12.

Linda Dvorak of New Prague Post 45 in the 3rd District has been a Legionnaire since 2003. She served 27 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard. She retired from active duty in 2002 and retired from the Minnesota Air National Guard in 2019.

She announced her theme is “Back to the Basics — the Four Pillars.” Her project is the Minnesota Veterans Assistance Fund (Fund 85) and benches and pillars at the new Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum.

Dvorak named Joe Bares of Jordan Post 3 to be membership director. He said his theme is “Baseball.”

She is married to Past Department Commander Mark Dvorak, who was the Covid commander 2019-21 and served two years instead of the standard one-year term.

It is worth noting that Mark and Linda Dvorak are the second husband and wife who have served as department commanders. They follow in Peggy and Carl Moon’s footsteps. Denise Milton and Dennis Henkemeyer are married but weren’t when in office.

Linda Dvorak has held many positions within her post and district. She was the 3rd District’s Covid commander. She has served the department as Oratorical Contest chair and as chair of the Internal Affairs Committee. She served a year as department membership director and, as part of the Training Committee, has been instrumental in helping posts understand MyLegion.org as well as implementing Minnesota Legion College at Camp Ripley.

At the national level, she serves on the Aerospace Committee. She is a 2022 graduate of American Legion College.

Dvorak ran unopposed. There were two contested races at the convention, however.

Two past department commanders sought the alternate NECman spot. Paul Hassing of Bloomington Post 550 prevailed against Tom Fernlund of Waite Park Post 428. Both men are friends and even played golf together on the day before the convention began.

Hassing will replace Peggy Moon of Zimmerman Post 560. He takes office at the end of the National Convention in Tampa. Moon announced at the Appreciation Rally in March that she would not run again.

Jim Mead of Bloomington Post 550 was on the ballot for chaplain, having been endorsed by his post in March. Two delegates were nominated off the floor to run against Mead. They were Rochester Post 92 Past Adjutant Deb Williamson and Past Department Chaplain Dean Knutson of Ashby Post 357. The pair would be write-in candidates in a three-way race.

Past National Commander Dan Ludwig noted that if no candidate received a majority, then the lowest one would be dropped and a second election would be held among the top-two candidates. In other words, everyone would have the stay longer than planned. That didn’t happen, however, and Mead prevailed with enough votes to garner the white cap.

Carl Moon of Zimmerman Post 560 won unopposed in the election for NECman. He replaces NECman Bill Barbknecht at the close of the National Convention on Aug. 28.

The new department vice commanders are Karen Welander of Kerkhoven Post 223, Steve NaSalle of Fergus Falls Post 30, Myron Ehrich of West Concord Post 295, Daniel Siats of Northome Post 499 and Dennis De Long of Minneapolis-Richfield Post 435.

Sandy Gessler of Austin Spam Post 570 was elected historian. Gary Richardson of Mahtomedi-Willernie Post 507 is the new sergeant-at-arms. David “Chip” Manson of Spicer Post 545 was re-elected to the Board of Publications for a three-year term.

The Board of Publications also has a DEC-named member each year, and the DEC on July 12 returned Carroll “Bird” Partridge to the board for a three-year term.

 

Resolutions

The convention passed four resolutions, with three to be forwarded to the 106th National Convention in Tampa. They are:

Resolution 25-1: This one urges Congress and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to expand the presumptive exposure for veterans who served on the Korean DMZ for soil contamination for Agent Orange and for funding to research the impact of Agent Orange on veterans who served in the region.

The author is Marissa LaCourt of Red Wing Post 54, and the resolution was first approved by Lonsdale Post 586.

Resolution 25-2: It calls for National American Legion to distribute dues they collect no later than the 28th of the month of their collection. This one comes from Adams Post 146.

Resolution 25-5: The author of this resolution is Fairmont Post 36. It calls for the Minnesota Legislature to increase allocations to support and expand the Veterans Employment Program administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and that the state hires additional DVOP and LVER staff.

DVOPs are “disabled veterans’ outreach program” specialists, and LVERs are “local veterans’ employment representatives.” DVOPs provide career services to veterans, while LVERs engage with employers.

Because it is aimed at state government, there was no need to forward it to national.

Resolution 25-6: The author of this resolution, Paul Edwards of Nisswa Post 627, wants the National American Legion Constitution to be changed from, “The American Legion shall be absolutely nonpolitical and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment,” to, “The American Legion shall be absolutely non-partisan and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment.”

Edwards teaches resolution-writing at national conventions and other places. He argues that the Legion is naturally political in advocating for the passage of veteran-related legislation, and the better word is “nonpartisan,” in that it does not adhere to any political party.

Two resolutions sent back for review dealt with forming a Department Grants Writing Committee and forming a Technology & Innovation Committee. A third resolution giving veterans free access to Minnesota State Parks was rejected as “irrelevant, already being pursued.”

The new members of Department Executive Committee convened 30 minutes after the convention ended, and they approved a resolution regarding the Department Constitution.

This resolution had been debated during the convention and restructured. It is:

Resolution 25-8: It authorizes administrative verbiage correction to mandates. This was passed in reaction to the use of some words that were common decades ago but are no longer acceptable. The author was the Children & Youth Convention Committee.

The convention spent time updating many mandates. The 2025 version of the Department of Minnesota Constitution & Bylaws can be found at mnlegion.org. To find it, hover on “Department,” then click on “Governing Documents.”

 

News & Notes

Here are tidbits from various reports given at the convention and two DEC meetings:

• Minnesota achieved 100 percent turn-in for Consolidated Post Reports, announced Sy Fix of La Crescent Post 595, whom the commander had tapped to spearhead the effort.
• Judge Advocate Greg Colby referenced the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, the assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted assassination of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, as well as 9,474 statements or threats were made against members of Congress in 2024, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

He said people may disagree on politics but called on members to not tolerate loose talk regarding dead politicians at post clubs. “You don’t have to put up with that kind of talk in your bar. You can put up signs right next to the no-smoking sign: violent talk will not be tolerated.”

He continued: “Let’s promote America by toning down the rhetoric and demanding respect for leaders on both sides.”

• Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Brad Lindsay said his agency, with the help of the Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force, passed the fourth Veterans & Military Affairs Omnibus Bill. He said his agency received funding adjustments to fully staff new veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston. Only Ramsey County remains before Minnesota can reach “functional zero” for veteran homelessness.

Efforts to strengthen protections around claim sharks were “stymied by lobbyists and their allies who represented them as a legitimate choice for veterans to use instead of the free services The American Legion and other service organizations, the county veteran service officers, or my department, provide to our veterans.”

He called on the Legion to continue its support for passage of the GARD Act in Congress, which would negate the need for states to pass claim shark bills.

Lindsay shared how the MDVA is partnering with The American Legion in holding its seventh annual Minnesota Veterans Suicide & Prevention Day on Oct. 4 in Marshall.

“At that event we will be highlighting The American Legion’s Be the One application,” he said.

Finally, he thanked then-Commander Carl Moon for serving as CTF chair the past year.

• Moon presented a check for his project: the Veterans Defense Project. It was for $45,382. Accepting was attorney Ryan Else. The VDP aims to expand veterans courts in Minnesota and across the United States.
• Minnesota Boys State has developed an SOP (standard operating procedure) outlining who has different responsibilities. Director Kyle Oldre reported Boys State experienced growth in attendance this year with 170 delegates and 30-plus counselors.

Surveys say 93.2 percent of Boys State alumni report the experience having an impact on the rest of their lives.

• The publishing of books from PCI documenting the experience of Minnesota veterans has been delayed.
• The Department of Minnesota received a check of $23,211 from American Income Life and the adjutant anticipates another $17,000, Adjutant Mike Maxa said.
• The DEC ratified Jason Storm as the assistant department service officer.
• The DEC on July 10 approved Hitterdal Post 13 and Ulen Post 412 turned in their charters. On July 12, the new DEC approved charter turn-ins for Willow River Post 163, Vesta Post 306, Mountain Lake Post 389, Revere Post 582 and Champlin Post 600.
• Maxa announced his plans to retire and will step down at the 2026 convention. Dvorak said the department plans to hire an assistant adjutant by Oct. 1 to be trained for the role.
• Maxa announced there is a conversation about redistricting the boundaries. A discussion ensued regarding the boundaries. Treasurer Al Davis said they are set to what congressional districts were in 1930.

Minnesota’s congressional districts remained the same from 1913 to 1931, when the state lost its 10th district. The only differences when compared to Legion districts are that, per the Department Constitution, Richfield and all of Minneapolis are in the 5th District. (The 1913-1930 5th congressional district didn’t cover all of Minneapolis.)

Charter revocation is not final until approved by the National Executive Committee.

• Finance Committee Chairman Richard Wog said department revenue exceeded expenses $302,357 as of June 30. In 2024, that figure was $280,083. It was $535,346 the year before.
• Training Committee Chairman Jennifer Havlick reported 28 people who attended Minnesota Legion College. The group training on post, district and department officers and discussed the 21st Century Report — a national American Legion effort to build membership and reshape the direction of the organization.

She said there are 128 alumni of Minnesota Legion College.

• Outgoing SAL Commander John Weiss reported the Detachment had elected Jeremy Copher of Mound Squadron 398 as its commander. The detachment switched region, from the Central to the Midwest, and it now is the largest detachment in the region.

Copher said his theme is “Charge Up for Veterans.” His project is Helping Paws in Eden Prairie. Dave Arend of Forest Lake Squadron 225 is the membership director.

• Junior Shooting Sports Chairman Carl Wilson said there are eight American Legion JSS clubs in Minnesota with 44 shooters. He encouraged posts to donate to Fund 87, which supports JSS in Minnesota.
• Children & Youth Chairman Karen Welander announced awards for Children & Youth programs: Minneapolis Johnnie Baker Post 291, Big Lake Post 147, Waite Park Post 428 and West Duluth Post 71.
• Blood Chairman Terry Larson announced 144 posts reported blood donations, totaling 10,040 units. (Winners of each district were listed in the previous issue, with a feature story on Zimmerman Post 560’s No. 1 efforts.)

Minnesota placed second among all departments in terms of blood donated.

He said there will be a blood drive at the Fall Conference on Oct. 26.

• Tom Clabo announced Community Service Awards. Recipients for Most Dollars Spent are Minneapolis Post 129, Fairmont Post 36 and Austin Post 91. Recipients for Most Volunteer Hours are Minneapolis Post 493, Mora Post 201 and Eagan Post 594.
• Bowling Committee member Tom Olson filled in for the chairman. The winner of the Bowling Tournament was Excelsior Post 259.
• Employment Chairman Luis Campero presented an Employer of the Year Award, in recognition of hiring veterans, to Guardian Fleet Services out of Clear Lake. Accepting were Steven Schrader and Lloyd Stimmler, who themselves are members of Clear Lake Post 354.
• Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Chairman Pam Krill announced Bloomington Post 550 as the recipient of the Pat Cliff Award.

“This post really stepped up to the challenge. They have donated over $25,000 in direct support to their veterans and veterans programs within their community,” Krill said. “Instead of having to reach out to the department to take care of it, they are really working in-house to take care of veterans.”

• School Safety Patrol Chairman Rod Reifsteck, with Legionville President Carl Moon, presented the George J. Kaisersatt School Safety Award to Department Comptroller Rachael Hill.
• Then-Membership Director Carla Tappainer announced that the 1st District wins the Premier Race and recognized people for their membership efforts.

Gold Brigade is a national contest among department vice commanders. Gold Brigade results were 1. Donny Scow of 1st & 3rd at 95.62 percent, 2. Veronica Fernlund of 6th & 9th at 94.26 percent, 3. Pam Krill of 2nd & 7th at 93.96 percent, 4. Bill Gordon of 8th & 10th at 92.4 percent and 5. Joe Jansen of 4th & 5th at 85.92 percent.

Posts achieving 100 percent are listed at mnlegion.org/posts-100-percent/.

Minnesota finished its membership efforts in 35th place. (For new members, that doesn’t mean 35th largest. It’s a ranking by percentage compared to the previous year.)

• NECman Bill Barbknecht presented a certificate of appreciation to Carl and Peggy Moon and Tess and Al Davis for their years of service to The American Legion.
• The Internal Affairs Committee held an evening session to discuss the draft of a five-year strategic plan it is developing. There will be more about this at the Fall Conference in late October.
• The DEC ratified the SAL slate of officers and endorsed Shawn Davis of Squadron 435 for SAL national vice commander.