Candidates for the department election shaping up
REDWOOD FALLS — Registration is under way for the 104th Department Convention, hosted by Redwood Falls Post 38.
The convention takes place July 13-15 at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel.
The Department Executive Committee meeting is at 7 p.m. July 12. Some committee meetings take place on July 12, too.
Attendees must make their own housing reservations with their hotel of choice. All delegates, alternates and guests must pay the $15 registration fee. Use the form below. After July 1, the fee becomes $18.
Hotel rooms are $120 plus tax per night. Use block “American Legion State Convention.” Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis.
Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel can be reached at 507-679-8000 or 800-946-2274. It is at 39375 County Highway 24, Morton.
“The convention is a time to conduct the business of The American Legion,” said Department Commander Jennifer Havlick. “Thank you for taking three days out of your busy lives to come to Redwood Falls. We hope to see new faces and familiar ones, too.”
Candidates for office
Elections of officers take place at the convention, and a new slate of department officers will be announced on the final day of the convention.
Here are the announced candidates for department officers and their home posts:
Commander
• Paul Hassing, Bloomington Post 550
Vice Commander (vote for five)
• Victor Gades, Morris Post 29
• Paul Edwards, Nisswa Post 627
• Chuck Stone, Owatonna Post 77
• Bill Gordon, St. Michael Post 567
• Another candidate is expected to have an endorsement in the July issue.
Chaplain
• Joe Tappainer, Apple Valley Post 1776
• Dean Knutson, Ashby Post 357
Historian
• Christopher Anderson, Hastings Post 47
Sergeant-at-arms
• Brad Pagel, Slayton Post 64
Here are the announced candidates for national officers from Minnesota and their home posts:
NECman
• Bill Barbknecht, Underwood Post 489
Alternate NECman
• Peggy Moon, Zimmerman Post 560
National Vice Commander
• Michael Ash, St. Paul Christie-DeParcq Post 406
• James Kellogg, Adams Post 146
Candidates announce their candidacies in the form of endorsements printed in The Minnesota Legionnaire. This way, the entire Minnesota American Legion membership can be aware of candidacies.
Keep in mind, there remains time to announce a candidacy. In fact, nominations even can come at the convention.
One interesting aspect at the convention in Redwood Falls is the selection of a national vice commander for the region. It’s Minnesota’s turn to nominate a national vice commander, and this convention determines the nominee.