Redistricting Committee receives additional time
It is now a DEC-formed ad hoc, not a commander one
BLOOMINGTON — The Appreciation Rally on Saturday, March 14, raised $5,515 for Department Commander Linda Dvorak’s Project, bringing her fundraising total to $116,338.
She surpassed the $100,000 goal in January. Her project goes 75 percent to the Minnesota Veterans Assistance Fund (Fund 85) and 25 percent to tables and chairs at the new Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum outside Camp Ripley.
Bloomington Post 550 provided the meal at no cost to attendees. In lieu of a meal payment, attendees, if they desired, donated to the Commander’s Project.
A Department Executive Committee meeting was held prior to the rally.
Redistricting
The notion of redistricting the 10 districts of the Minnesota American Legion remains a hot topic within the statewide organization.
Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee Chairman Chip Manson provided an update at the Appreciation Rally.
“We decided it was better-suited for a standing committee out there,” he said. “There is a resolution to form a committee to continue the mission.”
A commander-appointed ad hoc committee ends when a commander’s term ends.
On March 14, the DEC approved a resolution to make the committee a DEC-formed ad hoc committee, so it can continue after Dvorak’s term ends. The committee ends when its mission is done.
Manson said the committee has had to deal with a lot of rumors and false statements over the past eight months.
Manson told the DEC that redistricting is not about starting over. It’s not a loss of legacy. He said it is about stewardship, ensuring the structures supporting programs, leadership and posts remain capable.
“Maybe, hopefully, it will strengthen mentorship opportunities,” he added. “We are creating a more level playing field for all districts to survive.”
Judge advocate
Department Judge Advocate Greg Colby retired from his position. He has been in the role since 2017.
The judge advocate is the legal counsel for the department. An election was held to fulfill the judge advocate spot. NECman Carl Moon nominated Lyndsey Olson. She prevailed on a voice vote.
Olson is retired from the Army National Guard and served in the Gulf War and GWOT eras. She was the staff judge advocate for the 34th Infantry Division. She deployed to Iraq in 2008, where she served as trial counsel for international law. She is a member of Minnesota Post 1982. She previously was a member of Rosemount Post 65.
Her husband is an executive chef at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. He served as an Army MP.
Colby said it was Ray Ozmun of Northfield Post 84 who had asked him if he would be interested in the job as department judge advocate. He was interviewed twice by Past National Commander Dan Ludwig, who “had suspicions about why a wild-eyed liberal would be interested in working for The American Legion.”
The fact is that Colby’s father was a Navy dentist. Colby is an Air Force veteran.
“I found late in life that I like veterans a lot. There are a few political differences, but we have a common view of life,” he said.
Colby listed the department commanders he toiled under: Denise Milton, Mike Schaffer, Darrel Redepenning, Mark Dvorak, Tom Fernlund, Jennifer Havlick, Paul Hassing, Carl Moon and Linda Dvorak.
“It was a wonderful experience. I would do it again in a minute,” he said.
Department service officer
Dvorak appointed Assistant Department Service Officer Jason Storm to department service officer. Dvorak asked the DEC to ratify to move. The motion carried. Storm is an Army veteran of the GWOT era who is a member of St. Francis Post 622.
Senior vice commander
Dvorak described the need for the department to add the position of senior vice commander. The other officer positions would remain. The idea is to train — and vet —what is essentially a leading candidate for department commander beforehand.
Her husband, Mark, is a past department commander.
“Before Mark was commander, he was running opposed. He didn’t get to see what the past commander did. I ran unopposed, and [then-Commander] Carl [Moon] kept me appraised of the issues. It doesn’t mean the person will definitely be commander,” Linda Dvorak said.
The matter will come back for a vote in July.
Comptroller
Adjutant Mike Maxa announced Comptroller Rachael Hill is moving to Tennessee this fall. The Department of Minnesota is searching for a new comptroller.
Convention Corporation
This will be the fifth of a five-year agreement with the Kelly Inn & River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud to host the American Legion Family Fall Conference.
Chairman Tom Fernlund said there is a proposal for St. Cloud to host it another five years.
“We want more post and district participation,” he said. “Every post should be committed to having participation at district and department events.”
He cited Fall Conference attendance in 2002, which was 945. In 2025, it was 452. Those figures include Legion, Auxiliary and Sons.
Strategic Planning
The DEC approved a five-year strategic plan on March 14.
Strategic Planning Committee member James Olson said it was the culmination of several years of work. It is posted on department website, mnlegion.org, under About, then Governing Documents.
The motion was approved on a voice vote with a few DEC members voting in opposition.
Candidates
Dvorak requested candidates for department office stand and announce their names. Department commander remains the only contested race:
Garylee Davenport of Spicer Post 545 in the 7th District is running for department commander. Pam Krill of Fairmont Post 36 in the 2nd District is running for department commander.
Frank Grittner of Zimmerman Post 560 in the 6th District is running for department vice commander.
Matt Berens of Hopkins Post 320 in the 10th District is running for department vice commander.
Tom Behrends of Brewster Post 494 in the 2nd District is running for department vice commander.
Carla Tappainer of Apple Valley Post 1776 in the 3rd District is running for department vice commander.
Joe Bares of Jordan Post 3 in the 3rd District is running for sergeant-at-arms.
Cynthia Yanchury of Eagan Post 594 in the 3rd District is running for chaplain.
National report
NECman Carl Moon delivered greetings from National Commander Dan K. Wiley. Moon attended the Washington Conference March 1-4. The Minnesota delegation of Legion and Auxiliary members presented the American Legion Legislative Agenda to seven of the eight House representatives from Minnesota and the two senators.
Wiley testified before Congress.
The American Legion presented the Physician of the Year and Healthcare Provider of the Year to two staff members of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
Physician of the Year was Dr. Karen Armbrust. Nurse practitioner Amy Stanwood was Healthcare Provider of the Year.
Auxiliary eligibility
There is a resolution originating out of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Florida to change the eligibility for the American Legion Auxiliary. The resolution adds grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses and adopted descendants of American Legion members.
Maxa wanted to know if Minnesota wants to join the bandwagon. He asked for posts to contact him if they wish to begin the same resolution up the chain.
The department prefers resolutions to begin at the post level.
Military award
During the rally, Post 550 2nd Vice Commander Chris Schmid, who is an active Navy officer who commands the Naval Reserve Center at Fort Snelling, pinned a Civilian Service Medal on the chest of Post 550 Commander Blaine Beste.
“He showed me that camaraderie and community are one and the same,” Schmid said.
Beste told the audience, “This is your brothers and sisters here, and we forget that sometimes.”
Beste greeted the crowd, and there were more than 200 in attendance.
Sons of The American Legion
Detachment of Minnesota Membership Director Dave Arend Jr. said Minnesota is in fifth place in its region for membership efforts.
The detachment, he said, was at 87.87 percent of its year-end goal. He said Minnesota has the highest goal of all the states in its region, almost double the next state.
He reported two new squadrons: Moose Lake Squadron 1918 and Lucan Squadron 467.
American Legion Auxiliary
ALA Department Membership Chairman Kollett Kaehlert said the department’s goal was 85 percent by March 15. It was achieved March 10. She hopes to see success by July 1. Her written Auxiliary membership report can be found on Page 15.
American Legion
Department of Minnesota Membership Director Joe Bares said his goal is for Minnesota to land in the top five among the 55 departments of The American Legion. It has been there most of the year so far.
However, it is at 90.6 percent of its year-end goal and has dropped to 15th place. He issued a challenge to hit 95 percent by April 18.
National American Legion announced Minnesota made the Big Twelve Competition because it finished second in Category 2-sized departments, just behind Michigan.
Bares announced district membership winners:
District 1
- Small: Rochester Post 446
- Medium: Mabel Post 299
- Large: Albert Lea Post 56
District 2
- Small: Wanda Post 385
- Medium: Pipestone Post 6
- Large: Fairmont Post 36
District 3
- Small: Arlington Post 250
- Medium: Northfield Post 84
- Large: Forest Lake Post 225
District 4
- Small: None given
- Medium: None given
- Large: None given
District 5
- Small: Mpls. Falldin Post 555
- Medium: Minneapolis Post 1
- Large: None given
District 6
- Small: Eagle Bend Post 280
- Medium: Big Lake Post 147
- Large: Little Falls Post 46
District 7
- Small: Wood Lake Post 556
- Medium: Wheaton Post 80
- Large: Litchfield Post 203
District 8
- Small: Keewatin Post 452
- Medium: Cloquet Post 262
- Large: West Duluth Post 71
District 9
- Small: Greenbush Post 88
- Medium: Roseau Post 24
- Large: Bagley Post 16
District 10
- Small: Waverly Post 305
- Medium: Golden Valley Post 523
- Large: Bloomington Post 550
His district Top Vice Commander Awards didn’t always go to vice commanders, which is allowed:
District 1: Mary Hanson, Spam Post 570
District 2: Jeff Olson, Bricelyn Post 165
District 3: James Entinger, Glencoe Post 95
District 4: None named
District 5: Carl Lundin, Faldin Post 555
District 6: Robert Albrecht, Hackensack Post 202
District 7: John Jones, Echo Post 204
District 8: Dan Siats, Northome Post 499
District 9: Tim Haugen, Moorhead Post 21
District 10: David Wendt, Robbinsdale Post 251
