Who is running for which position at convention?

By Tim Engstrom
Elected officers take oaths at the 2024 Department Convention.

There is one contested race so far for the 2025 convention. It is for the position of Alternate National Executive Committeeman.

Unless others come along or are nominated from the floor, the races have shaped up to be:

  • Department Commander: Linda Dvorak of New Prague Post 45.
  • Department Vice Commander (vote for five): 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 DeLong of Minneapolis-Richfield Post 435.
  • NECman: Carl Moon of Zimmerman Post 560.
  • Alternate NECman: Paul Hassing of Bloomington Post 550 or Tom Fernlund of Waite Park Post 428.
  • Chaplain: Jim Mead of Bloomington Post 550.
  • Historian: Sandy Gessler of Austin Spam Post 570.
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Gary Richardson of Mahtomedi-Willernie Post 507.
  • Board of Publications: David “Chip” Manson of Spicer Post 545.

Delegates vote either 30 minutes from time of recess on Friday, July 11, or from 8 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12.

Camaraderie

For members who arrive Wednesday, July 9, they are free to explore Willmar and the local activities. The website willmarlakesarea.com lists several local options for dining and things to do.

Of course, registration begins Wednesday at Willmar Post 167, so a good portion of Legion Family members will be there eating supper and playing pulltabs.

Willmar Post 167 will have entertainment on Thursday evening, July 10. Last year, there was live music and dancing. As of press time, the entertainment for 2025 hasn’t been confirmed, but it likely will be live music.

The Auxiliary Department of Minnesota hosts a mixer at 7 p.m. Friday, July 11, in the convention hall. The entertainment will be live music. A special guest is NW National Vice President Debra Albers.

 

DEC meetings

The Minnesota Auxiliary DEC has a meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Ruff’s Wings & Sports Bar. The place is attached to the Best Western Plus hotel.

The Minnesota American Legion DEC meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10, in Gallery 5-7 of the Willmar Conference Center, right before the convention itself begins in earnest at 10 a.m.

The Legion DEC meets once again 30 minutes after the convention adjourns shortly before noon Saturday, July 12. In between the convention and the meeting, department officers have their official photos taken.

All members are welcome to attend DEC meetings.

 

Registration

The Department Convention is July 10-13. Registration begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Willmar Post 167.

To sign up with a check, click here and download the form. The fee is $20. You also will find a schedule. You can download the rules and convention call in this PDF of the Legionnaire.

To sign up online, click here to go through Eventbrite. The fee is $20, plus a $3.18 convenience fee.

Registration after June 26 goes up to $30 by mail and $30 plus a convenience fee online. Registration at the door also is $30.

The convention is when the business of The American Legion gets done. New department officers are elected. Committee chairs give their reports on what they accomplished in the past year. Resolutions are voted upon and some are sent up the chain to the National Convention.

The event is also a time for sharing ideas. Membership directors learn membership tips. Gambling managers hear from Gambling Control Board staff. New district commanders learn from old district commanders.

Camaraderie and mutual helpfulness are on display, with great entertainment at Willmar Post 167. A shuttle service to the hotels is planned out, too.

A gambling seminar takes place at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 10. A joint memorial service is at 11:20 the same day. The full schedule is printed in this issue.