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January 2026 Newsletter

Read the Highlights or Download the Full PDF Version below.


District Commander Thomas Behrends



Happy New Years to the Scorching 2nd District,

We have reclaimed 1st place in membership in the Department of Minnesota! Hats off to all the posts who keep their nose to the grindstone getting memberships collected and turned in. Seaforth, Ruthton, Good Thunder, and Lismore have joined the 100% or better club in membership, joining Bricelyn, Cambria, Hills, and Dovray! Many more are over 90%, one more push and 100% can be achieved.


Mid-Winter conference is just around the corner on February 6 and 7. The conference is being hosted by Hardwick Post 478. Please support the Hardwick Post in this endeavor, and register early so they get an accurate headcount for the meal. Come and enjoy comradery with your fellow legionnaires, learn about topics near and dear to our hearts, and enjoy a delicious meal. I would be humbled if every post in our district was represented at the conference.


We are planning on hosting the Oratorical Contest on Saturday, February 7th during the Mid-Winter Conference. Contestants and parents are welcome to share the noon meal, courtesy of the 2nd District. Competition will start at 1:00 PM. Please register early for the contest, one contestant per post. Call or text me at 507-360-3057. More information is included in this newsletter.


For God & Country,

Tom Behrends

Commander

2nd District American Legion

Department of Minnesota



2nd District President Kristen Donnelly



Happy Holidays.

I hope you are all staying and keeping well. I know things have been hectic, busy, all days run together at least for our family so I am sure it is like that for all of you as well. I am going to be a grandma again so we have that excitement going on and preparing for as well as graduation in the same month.


I am looking forward to seeing people at mid winter in February.


I am also looking forward to reading your unit reports this year as well.


How is your community doing with a supply or food pantry?


I apologize if I have not gotten back to you in a timely manner. Things tend to get lost in my email account, texts and phone calls. I will get back to you if just might take me a bit due to my work schedule.


515-320-2125


2nd District Sons of the American Legion Commander

Randy Olson

"Happy New Year!"

2026 is going to be a year to remember! As the last report for 2025 from our Detachment Membership Director, 2nd District has moved into 1st Place! What that really means to me is that the 2nd District Sons of American Legion will be a dynamic force in serving our Veterans, our Communities, our Children & Youth, this coming year! Congratulations!


I would also like to acknowledge, Adrian, Fairmont, Slayton, Bricelyn, Walnut Grove, Sanborn, Lake Crystal, Belview, Wanda, Storden, Kiester, St. Clair, & Clements, Squadrons, on achieving 100% or greater!

Congratulations on this awesome achievement!


I would like each Squadron to reach out to me & e-mail me your Officer Reporting Form. Please include contact numbers, e-mail addresses, & home addresses. I will then, forward them to the Detachment of Minnesota.

Detachment has not received one from all of our Squadrons. This is important, as it helps me, help you all, to be successful.


I am currently helping a Post with a start up of a new Squadron. If you are a Post that has been interested, now would be a great time to. Please get ahold of me. I can help you with that. We currently have 32 Squadrons, soon to be 33. Imagine if every Post had their own Squadron to help them out! Recruiting new members is as easy as asking.

Have a very Happy New Year!


2nd District American Legion Adjutant James Olson

Greetings 2nd District!

I hope everyone had a good holiday and that you are recovering from all of the festivities.

We are moving into 2026 and are doing well with membership. Please continue to encourage the Legionnaires of your Post to get themselves renewed as soon as possible. Those who have not yet renewed will have a “grace period” until the end of January to get renewed so that the benefits of their membership do not expire. Things like the Minnesota Hospital Association are based on continuous years of service and will reset if a Legionnaire does not renew their dues.


For the second year, Brad Pagel and myself will be attending the Minnesota Ag Expo in Mankato to promote the American Legion and our programs. Hopefully we will get a few memberships out of the deal. Last year we had a lot of people stopping to talk with us and ask questions about what we do. I’m not picking on anyone, but we as Legionnaires do a subpar job at promoting what we do and who we are. The number of people who stopped by our booth and thanked us for showing the public “That the American Legion is not dead” was eye opening. Our Posts and the 2nd District need to do a better job at getting in front of the public to tell people what we do. We can assist your Post if you would like some help!


The American Legion is more than a bar. Let’s get out in the public and prove it!



2nd District Auxiliary Secretary/Treasurer

Raleen Tolzmann


Wishing You a Happy New Year!

Here’s to a successful and fulfilling 2026! Thank you for being an essential part of our American Legion family and your community. Together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.


Membership led by our auxiliary membership team is doing an outstanding job. With every unit doing all they to help them with new members or renewing membership, it is unbelievable what our 2nd District membership can be.


Just a reminder that when sending donations for the District President’s or District Honorary Junior President’s project, make the check out to the 2nd District ALA and in the memo, line put what the check is for.


The check is sent to the 2nd District Treasurer,

Raleen Tolzmann at 46590 Evergreen Lane, Cleveland, MN 56017.

There are still few units that have not paid their District dues, if your unit is one of them, please get sent in.

Mid-Winter is in February and if you are the District Chairperson, have your report written and give it to me after your report.

Stay warm and safe as winter is here.



Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne is in need of LARGE print word search books for our residents. NOT crossword books, NOT Sudoku books, etc. Just LARGE print word search books.

Please send to MVH-Luverne

Attn: Duane Mabon

1300 N. Kniss Ave.

PO Box 539

Luverne, MN 56156

Thank you 2nd District American Legion Family for everything you do for this Veterans Home and our residents




 
 
 

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