August 2025 Newsletter

Aug 2, 2025
5 min read

Read the Highlights or Download the Full PDF Version below.

District Commander Thomas Behrends

Welcome my fellow Legionnaires and American Legion Family. Thank you for electing me to be your 2nd District Commander for the coming year. Thank you James Olson for your time and devotion to duty the last two years as 2nd District Commander!

I am Tom Behrends from Post 464 Brewster, Minnesota. I have been a member there for 33 years, as well as a SAL member for 14 years. I was in the Minnesota Army National Guard for 29 1/2 years, serving as a 11C 81 MM mortarman, 11B Infantryman, and finished out my career as a 13B Artilleryman. I deployed to England to augment the Air Force Security Forces as a First Sergeant in 2003-2004, and then deployed to Iraq as a Command Sergeant Major from 2005 to 2007. Veterans' causes are near and dear to my heart.

My theme for the coming year is, What Can We Do to Help? The 2nd District leadership team is here to help, if you have a question or a problem let us know. We will find the answer for you and will help you resolve any issues.

My first goal is to get the 2nd District website updated and running so we can share information with each other. That should be completed in the coming month if all goes well.

My official Commanders Project is to raise funds for the Tails of Hope therapy dog program at the Bravo Zulu House near Winnebago, Minnesota. Initial donations will be used to help finish the state of the art kennel for 12 therapy dogs for the Veterans who are healing at Bravo Zulu House. Once that phase of the mission is complete, funds will be allocated for the dogs themselves and their upkeep. I know personally how healing a dog can be for a Veteran. Well, in my case it takes four dogs. Most days they are my therapy dogs, somedays I am their therapy human. It goes both ways. More to come in an official request for donations.

For God & Country,

Commander Tom Behrends

2nd District, American Legion

2nd District President Kristen Donnelly

A little bit about myself, Kristen Donnelly. I have been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since birth. I come from a long line of Proud American Legion Family members and am looking forward to serving with you. I am sure you have heard many things about me over the years. I have been the District President in the past 2017-2019, my daughters have been active in the Junior Auxiliary on the District, Department and National Levels.

I work full-time for Kossuth County EMS as an Advanced EMT. My youngest daughter is a senior in high school and the Honorary Department President of MN ALA Juniors. I am the proud grandma to two beautiful granddaughters under 2 years old.

My official project is to raise $4000 to be split between the Eagles Healing Nest in Redwood Falls and the Bravo Zulu House in Martin County. This would be so it can be split between the two of these facilities and they can purchase what is needed for their facilities in order to help these veterans and their families.

I would like to challenge all of you to donate to your local food pantries or set one up if you do not have one local to your community. Please keep track of the in-kind donations throughout the year. For the unit or units that donate the most to your local food pantries there will be a drawing at the District Convention.

The reason for this challenge is that no matter what our profession or status is, time gets tough sometimes. We should not have to feel embarrassed if we need to ask for help. If we can be the helping hand to those in need, it can make all the difference that day for that person and that is what matters.

2nd District Sons of the American Legion Commander

Randy Olson

Hello 2nd District Sons Of the American Legion! My name is Randy R. Olson. I was elected as the 2nd District S.A.L. Commander for the year 2025-2026. My address is 734 Cleveland Ave W, Winnebago, MN. 56098. My cell number is 507-525-6532. My e-mail address is rrolson7342@gmail.com.

I am a 32 year member of the Legion, 10 year member of the S.A.L., & an American Legion Rider. I am excited for our District this year. I would like to get to know each & every Squadron. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to hearing from you. As of this moment I do not have a list of the newly elected or continued Squadron Commanders, Adjutants, or Membership Directors! Could I ask of you to send me an e-mail of text with your Squadron information?

I would greatly appreciate it! Communication is the key to success!

I will be announcing my Project in the future newsletters to all of you!

We are currently helping Squadrons get connected with mylegion.org for membership & important Squadron details. If you need help, contact me & I will be happy to help you!

I would like to help any Post that would like to start up a NEW SQUADRON make it happen. I have start up packets available! It only takes 10 or more members to initiate a new squadron.

It is beneficial to each Post to also have a Squadron! Squadron members can grow the Organization! If you have an American Legion Rider Chapter, members that belong to the Legion, S.A.L., & Auxiliary are a way to pick up new members & Squadrons. Membership has started for the year 2025-2026 July 1st. Re-new now or become a new member as soon as you are able too! There is strength in numbers! If you know someone that could be a member but isn't one yet, just ask! They are waiting to be asked.

Thank you for your continued membership & everything you do for your Squadrons, your Posts, & your Communities!

2nd District American Legion Riders Director

Robin Olson

Hi Second District,

Let me take a few minutes and introduce myself.

I am Robin Olson. I belong to the Blue Earth American Legion Riders. I live in Winnebago. I love to ride and spend time with my family. I also love doing things to help our veterans and that is my why I belong to the American Legion Auxiliary and the American Legion Riders. I am hoping to have a great year. I am new at being your District Riders Director so please bear with me.

My goal this year is to make it to as many chapters meetings as possible to introduce myself. At the moment I don't have a project. I should have an idea by the next time the news letter comes out. If you have any questions please let me know and I will try to help as much as I can. I would like to see all the chapters work together this year and maybe do a couple of ac-tivities together.

Thank you!