September 2025 Newsletter
- Sep 2, 2025
- 3 min read
Read the Highlights or Download the Full PDF Version below.
District Commander Thomas Behrends
Welcome my Legion Family!
I hope that everyone who attended the National convention with me in Tampa had safe, uneventful travels home. It was a great time!
I have regrets in my life. One of them is that I did not attend District, Department, and National American Legion conferences much or at all in the past. I have found that being around good, like-minded people is good for the mind, body, and soul. There is much sharing of information, what works and what does not. Meeting new Veterans who have Veterans affairs near and dear to their heart. There is always something new to but in our ammo box for the war we fight for Veterans issues. Plan to attend upcoming events this year, I look forward to seeing my fellow Patriots!
As we close out summer, we are in the month that changed us all forever 24 years ago. As we reflect on 9/11, we will probably ponder what we were doing on that fateful day? Where and when will the next plane be purposely crashed in the terrorist attack on our homeland? When will it end? Eventually the skies were cleared, there was not a jet trail to be seen. And, our government started the wheels turning to find who was behind this heinous act and bring them to justice.
America pulled together, the Statue of Liberty rang her bell, and we were at war. That day was our generation’s Pearl Harbor, and life as we knew it would never be the same. This month, pause and reflect, cherish our hard-fought freedoms, tell your story of military service or patriotism.
And Be the One to those who may need a shoulder to lean on, a big hug, or just a thank you for your service. We are all in this together.
2nd District President Kristen Donnelly
Hello to the Solid Second District of the Great State of Minnesota.
As I look out the window this morning while writing this newsletter, I hope it finds you well.
This time of year is always so great. Kids are back in school, the units promoting programs and doing what the ALA has to offer working the mission of the Legion Family.
I want to hear from you on what your unit is doing to promote the programs of the ALA.
Just a quick idea on how to remember when it comes to report time to make sure we all know what is being done to promote the wonderful programs we have to offer. Keep a calendar or notebook and write down your activities with how many volunteers participated, hours by each person that volunteered for the activity and how many dollars or in kind monies donated to each activity. Remember pictures are always great and tell your story too.
For example: Halloween party for ages 0-Seniors in high school- 4 hours, 6 volunteers, 6 volunteer hours per volunteer and 120 dollars volunteered for this event between the food and the prizes for costumes. Then when report time you will have all the information needed to make report time easier.
On another note:
Mission Training that is hosted by the National ALA is coming back to Minneapolis on November 15th. Registration is now open for this event. Come get ideas to bring back to your units to promote the programs. This is a time to shore what your unit does best and bring back new and exciting ideas back to your units.
Remember you matter and you make a difference in someone else's life. Be a helping hand you never know when you will need a helping hand.
515-320-2125
2nd District American Legion Adjutant James Olson
Recently, a letter was sent to Post Commanders and Adjutants in the 2nd District regarding 3’X5’ U.S. flags that the 2nd District has for sale for $25.00 each. Apparently, there is some confusion on which flags they are. These flags were purchased from Flag & Emblem for $22.99 each plus shipping. If you look on the Flag & Emblem website or in the physical catalog, the flags are item P35. These flags are polyester with quadruple stitching on the fly end and double stitching on the stripes. They have embroidered stars.
Posts that purchase these flags can resell them as a fundraiser for their Post at a price they determine. It seems most Posts resell these for $30-$35.
Purchasing directly from Flag & Emblem will cost the Post about $25.00 after shipping. We have them on hand and will deliver to you.
Contact 2nd District Adjutant James Olson (Amboy) at 507-525-2957 or olson457@gmail.com or 2nd District Judge Advocate Brad Pagel (Slayton) at 605-366-3025 or bppagel@gmail.com if your Post would like to purchase flags.
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