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NECman: State and federal cemeteries are busy

By Bill Barbknecht
Bill Barbknecht

Summer is nearly here.  This is the 100th season of American Legion Baseball. I hope your post has a team or pairs with another post for a team. Have you planned an event to honor and wish well, the players and coaches?

I hope you have a boy or girl going to Boys State and Girl State this summer. It is not too late to get those last-minute entries in.

District conventions are going to the end the first week of June. Please go and be willing to take an office or support your newly elected officers.

Please send in your Community Service Report along with your Consolidated Reports. They go a long ways to prove what we do for our veterans and their families, so we can continue to get the funding that is required.

Have you sent in your registration for the state convention in Willmar?  Again, Consolidated Post Reports and your new officers list is due on June 1 to the Department HQ.

There have been 1,147 burials at the Fargo VA National Cemetery. I am sure Minnesota state and national veteran cemeteries are the same — busy. They do an excellent job of taking care of our veterans that have gone to Post Everlasting.  Thanks to all the posts who help with those ceremonies there.

There is a BIG shortage of blood. Please donate if possible.  “Be The One” and do Buddy Checks in person.  Every post should exceed last year’s membership. It takes work by everyone.  It is not “his or her” job. It takes all of us.

Please remember what The American Legion has done for our veterans. Whether or not you used the G.I. Bill for college, the VA Loan is there for those who may need it to buy a home, and VA Health Care is helping veterans with medications, medical care, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental work and so much more.

Donna and I will be attending a district convention this Saturday as I write this.  Back to good health for us.

As always, if I can be of any help, please call 218-770-6264.  I am looking forward to a big turnout in Willmar for the Department Convention on July 10-12, 2025.

Bill Barbknecht of Fergus  Falls Post 30 is the Department of Minnesota’s National Executive Committeeman.