October 2025 Newsletter
- Oct 2, 2025
- 4 min read
Read the Highlights or Download the Full PDF Version below.
District Commander Thomas Behrends
Greetings to the Super 2nd District!
Strength in numbers, many hands make small work, membership is key. Congratulations 2nd district on being in 1 st place in the Department of Minnesota standings for membership! We are at nearly 66% of goal, nearly 2% ahead of second place. Great work, keep doing what you are doing. Let’s stay in 1 st place and show the rest of the districts how it’s done.
I had a great time at the National Security & Foreign Relations conference at Camp Ripley from September 12-14. It was good to see the old stomping grounds, and all the new construction. It was very humbling touring the State Veterans Cemetery, stop and see it if you get up that way. They have 5 beautiful paintings in the committal service building that are a site to behold. Construction of the new museum is coming along and it is scheduled to be opened in the spring of 2026. Camp Ripley also had an open house on Sunday, September 14, which showcased the post and many of the armaments that are used by our servicemembers. The American Legion Department of Minnesota had a booth there which we staffed through the event to spread the word about the four pillars; Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Many don’t know what we are about, let’s spread the word.
Keep our exceptional servicemembers in mind, nominate one for the “Outstanding Enlisted Person of the Year” for what they do to keep our country safe. Nominate someone in the Boy Scouts for the coveted “Eagle Scout of the Year.” Keep your eyes open for exceptional police work and nominate someone for “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.”
There are many awards, grants, and scholarships that are available for our fellow Americans. Let us use them to their fullest extent that are forebears intended.
Fall conference is coming up fast, plan to attend to further your education and understanding of the American Legion. It is scheduled for Oct 24-25 in St. Cloud at the Rivers Edge Convention Center. Fellow Iraq War veteran John Kriesel is the keynote speaker. Come hear his story of survival, hope, and inspiration. The link to register is: https://mnlegion.org/fall-conference/
Stay safe this fall as you travel about, farmers are hitting the fields reaping what was sowed. And please pray for our nation, that violence is not the norm to settle our differences.
2nd District Sons of the American Legion Commander
Randy Olson
Welcome back to all the 2nd District Sons of the American Legion! Fall Harvest has officially started & with that said I would ask everyone to keep alert, put safety first & foremost, & be patient with each other! Be thoughtful as it takes many different occupations working together to have a successful harvest! You are all very important to us & someones someone!
I am excited for our 2nd District S.A.L. as we are in the process of adding a new Squadron! The Lucan Post #467 at their regular meeting, have voted begin the process. I attended an informational meeting where there were many potential members in attendance. Almost all said they would join. If anyone you know from the Lucan area are sons or grandsons of a veteran, invite them to join! How awesome would it be to be part of a new Charter! There are other local Posts & communities that do not have an S.A.L. They could become members of the new Lucan S.A.L.! If you have any questions please let me know. If another Post would like to start an S.A.L., I would be happy to meet with you to discuss what it takes to make it happen!
Membership is in full swing for the 2025-2026 year. Re-new as soon as possible as it is important to each of your Legion Posts, they treasure what you all do for them & your communities! I ask that Membership Directors process your memberships as soon as you get them. It is important to each of your members, as their benefits begin as soon as they are processed. If you are using, mylegion.org this can be done daily within minutes, if mailing them in, it takes waiting for the mail to get delivered, Detachment Membership to process, then National to receive it & process it. This is a few of the reasons renewal notices overlap in the mail. If anyone needs help, don't hesitate to contact me!
Welcome to all of our new 2nd District S.A.L. members! I can't wait to hear about how your Squadrons make a difference! Remember to check up on each other, make it something that comes naturally!
American Legion Auxiliary Department Membership Director Kollett Kaehlert
You are invited to participate in the many awards that the membership team has this year:
• Family 3 Award – We believe that our success is a family affair, with unity in our mission. As we work together, we can do amazing things for our mission
• Recruit 10 Award – For the success of the ALA, we need to continue to seek growth.
• Retention Award – retention is the key to the future of our organization.
Ignite, spark, encourage, and mentor, that is how we will accomplish our goals this year.
Remember that all units that reach 50% of goal by Fall Conference will be placed in a drawing
for $75. At the present time 2nd District has 8 units at this goal, unfortunately the District also
has 22 units still at zero as of 9-27-2025. As shown on the Unit listing 2 nd District is at 17.22%
and in 5th place in the Department.
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