A Sign at Bastogne

Transcription

A Sign at Bastogne

Legionnaire
The Minnesota American Legion and Auxiliary
Volume 96, Number 12
Minnesotans named
to national Legion
committees, panels
Minnesota Legionnaires were named to four chairmanships and two vice chairmanships for this coming year by
National Commander Mike Helm of Nebraska.
Serving as chairmen at the national level:
-- Mike Bredeck of Madison will chair the Committee on
Youth Education.
-- Chuck Kruger of Byron will be the chair of the
Conventional Armed Forces Committee.
-- William Goede of Plainview will chair the National
Guard and Reserve Forces Committee.
-- Thomas Mullon of Eagan will chair the Health
Administration Committee.
The two vice chairmanships announced included:
-- Peggy Moon of St. Joseph will be a vice chairman of
Continued on Page 7
Huey pilot
had three
choppers
shot out from
under him
Past Commander
Bob Flaherty, 86
ROBERT FLAHERTY
By Al Zdon
Are you eligible for VA care, and did you get your
Veteran’s Choice card yet? You will.
All those who are eligible for VA health care — all
nine million nationwide — will receive the Veterans
Choice card by sometime in January. Nearly 700,000 eligible veterans have already received their card.
What can you do with the card? The Veterans Access,
Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 was signed into
law in August, and the program began in November.
Essentially the Veterans Choice program, which is
temporary, tries to answer the issues that were raised by
the Legion and other veterans groups about long
appointment times and
long distances from VA
facilities.
Two groups of veterans will mainly benefit.
One will be those who
have appointments longer
than 30 days out. The second group are those who
live more than 40 miles
from a VA hospital or
By
clinic.
Those veterans can
Tom Newman
use their card to get care
from non-VA facilities.
Is it possible that Santa,
The program will last working in cahoots with the
for three years, or until United States Federal
the money runs out.
Government, decided to
The American Legion deliver the holiday season a
warned in a recent press bit early to Veterans this
release, however, that year?
“the care is not a free pass
That’s what I asked
for unlimited health care myself after clumsily
from any provider you unwrapping the official
may choose in the private looking envelope marked to
sector.”
my attention from the U.S.
Before you can use the Department of Veterans
card, the VA must verify Affairs. Contained in the
your eligibility and pro- envelope were my new
vide advance authoriza- Veterans Choice Cards.
tion. You can’t simply use
In addition to the card
the card to get treatment was a letter outlining the
at your local clinic. It Veterans Choice Program
must be pre-approved by and who to call in order to
the national VA.
access non-VA healthcare
In Minnesota, VA under the eligibility stanoperators
at
the dards and rules of the proMinneapolis VA Health gram.
Although it wasn’t the
Continued on Page 3
But hang on, it’s not quite like
winning the publisher’s lottery
A Christmas story
A Sign at Bastogne
By Al Zdon
December 2014
VA, Congress roll out new
Veterans Choice program
Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation
Pages
8-10
Past
Department
Commander Bob Flaherty
of Forest Lake died Nov. 6,
2014.
Flaherty served as commander in 1988-89, part of
a long Legion career spanning over 40 years.
He served as Third
District Commander, 197980,
Department
Membership
Director,
1982-83, and Department
Vice Commander, 1985-86.
He was also commander
of his home post, Forest
Lake Post 225.
Continued on Page 5
For God and Country
Sgt. Joe Powell hunkered down
further in his fox hole.
Above his head, the world was
exploding as another barrage of
German artillery rocked the
ground, tore huge craters in the
snowy landscape and shattered the
tall pines above.
Two days earlier, an 88 shell
had exploded among the pines and
sent wicked splinters of a tree
hurtling down on the troops in their
fox holes. One piece, about the size
of a baseball bat and sharp as a
razor, had hit his best friend, who was in the
same fox hole, in the back. Stan Kaminski
was dead before Joe Powell could even
extend his hand to him.
He and Kaminski had been best friends
for over two years, starting with Airborne
training at Camp Taccoa in Georgia. They
had trained together, jumped out of airplanes together, and planned what they
might do together after the war. Now,
Powell couldn’t get the memory of those
lifeless eyes staring back at him out of his
mind.
qqqqq
Continued on Page 6
most comprehensive letter
I’ve ever received outlining
a new program of such
magnitude, I’ll concede it
provided all the necessary
information to understand
the very basics of the program and what it may mean
for our Minnesota Joe and
Jane Veteran.
It certainly was a better
read then the federal regulation itself - which by the
way made me feel very
sleepy.
But not so fast, Batman.
Unfortunately, I happen to
be a nervous-nellie and my
one bad eye has a frequent
tendency to begin twitching
uncontrollably when I
receive information I
believe either too good to
be true or is information I
judge to be BS. It’s a super-
power I guess I’ve developed somewhere, somehow, over time.
I’ve learned over the
years that in such
inevitable instances of
learning news “too good
to be true” that in most
cases it’s important to do
your homework.
Some years back I had
once before received an
official looking piece of
postal communication.
On that particular occasion it was an envelope
stamped
“URGENT.”
Contained was my notification from Publishers
Clearinghouse declaring
me their official winner of
over a million dollars in
cash and prize.
I remember dancing
my version of the Irish jig
believing my ship had
finally arrived - I had hit
the big time.
Now I generally don’t
prefer to revisit disappointing chapters from
my early adult life, but
let’s just say that with the
exception of receiving a
Continued on Page 3
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December 2014
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Contact:
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National Commander’s Tour slate revealed
The
National
Commander’s Tour schedule has been announced for
2015. The tour will take
place across the state from
Feb. 2-5.
National Commander
Mike Helm of Nebraska
will be visiting 12 posts in
four days in a tour that
crosses both northern and
southern Minnesota.
Helm was elected at the
national convention held
this year in Charlotte.
The meetings at the
posts will include breakfast,
lunch or dinner. The dinner
meetings will be preceded
by a 5 p.m. social hour.
Traveling with the
national commander will be
Department Commander
Peggy Moon, Department
Membership Director Pat
Logan, and Department
Adjutant Randy Tesdahl.
All posts that are at goal
by the time of the visit will
receive a certificate and
have their picture taken
with the national commander. Those pictures will
appear in the Minnesota
Legionnaire.
Those who plan to attend
should made reservations
with the hosting post. All
details about the meal and
its cost are being handled
by the local post.
The place, time and contact information are listed
below.
The schedule includes:
Monday, Feb. 2
-- Moorhead Post 21, 8
a.m.; Delyle Ishaug, 701361-3652.
-- Detroit Lakes Post 15,
noon; 218-234-7315, Eric
Wilkens.
-- Walker Post 134, 6
p.m., 218-547-1011, Tony.
Tuesday, Feb. 3
-- Grand Rapids Post 60,
8 a.m., 218-326-9141.
-- Brainerd Post 255,
noon, 218-829-2249.
-- North Branch Post 85,
6 p.m., 651-674-6100.
Wednesday, Feb. 4
-- Rosetown Post 542, 8
a.m., 651-483-3535, Tosha.
-- Le Center Post 108,
noon, 507-357-4787.
-- New Ulm Post 132, 6
p.m., 507-354-4016.
Thursday, Feb. 5
-- Redwood Falls Post
38; 8 a.m., 507-641-5406,
Jerry Ludwig.
-- St. Peter Post 37,
noon, TBA.
-- Apple Valley Post
1776, 6 p.m., 952-4311776, Joan.
Display, Protect and Preserve Your Memorial United States
Flag in a Beautifully Handcrafted Solid Oak Flag Case
with a Glass Front, Removable Back and Engraved Plate
with Name and Branch of Service of Veteran.
Minnesota Veterans Home
1200 E. 18th Street
Hastings, MN 55033
“Made by Veterans for Veterans”
Phone: 651-539-2486
Fax: 651-480-0058
Tom Newman: Let’s look at the
fine print of Veterans Choice
Continued from Page 1
very handsome set of emblazoned steel
Szechwan stake knives with authentic high
polish bamboo grips, and which were in
fact very nice, the really big cash prize I
had expected didn’t come to fruition like
expected.
When I had attempted to complain it
was eventually demonstrated to me that I
had in fact been negligent of having not
read the fine print next to my signature
block.
So, concerning Veterans Choice - What
if anything is included in some of the fine
print that you should be aware? In essence,
all Veterans currently enrolled in the VA
Healthcare System (VHA) prior to 1
August 2014 as well as any new enrollees
in the VA Healthcare System, provided this
particular group are Combat Veterans, will
be receiving the new Veteran Choice Card.
As it’s a possibility that all currently
enrolled Veterans as described above could
at some point be eligible for Veterans
Choice, as a result all Veterans will receive
the cards.
The cards are part of the Veterans
Access, Choice and Accountability Act
(VACAA) of 2014. VACAA is intended to
accomplish several things, which include
affording Veterans with the opportunity to
access non VA Healthcare services closer
to a Veterans home during instances when
accessibility or other timeliness access to
care standards can’t be met using traditional VA Healthcare services.
Two categories of Veterans will be eligible for Veterans Choice. First, I’ll
explain the category of Veteran I’ll refer to
as group A. Group A Veteran will be determined eligible for Choice based simply on
residing greater than 40 miles from a VA
Healthcare System hospital or clinic, as
calculated by straight line distances.
Under Veteran Choice, Group A
Veterans will simply need to call the 1-800
phone number listed on the Choice card in
order to schedule their medical care by a
non VA provider closer to home. The 1800 number is managed by a VA
Contracted Third Party Administrator
(TPA). In addition to the third party
administrator (TPA) authorizing care for
group A Veterans they will also be responsible for making a determination of the
medical necessity for any episode of care
appointments requested by the Veteran.
Veterans will only be eligible to receive
the health care services offered all other
Veterans as described within the VA
Healthcare Benefits Package - which
shouldn’t be stressed about as it’s fairly
comprehensive.
The second category of Veterans I’ll
refer to as group B Veterans. Group B
Veterans are those who can’t get care from
within the VA Healthcare System within 30
days of either the clinically indicated date
(CID) assigned them by their VA doctor or
in some other instances can’t receive timely access to VA Healthcare within 30 days
of a Veterans desired appointment date.
Theoretically you could live directly
across the street from a VA Medical Center
and at some point be found eligible for
Veteran Choice as a group B Veteran. As
an example, if Veteran B sees their urologist and the doc concludes that the Veteran
is to return to be seen in four months for
follow up care - the Veteran would be
assigned a clinically indicated date (CID)
which is approximately 120 days out.
If that Veteran can’t be seen until 130
days out, then that Veteran would be notified by the VA and placed on the official
Veteran Choice List (VCL). The VCL is
uploaded daily to the TPA. After Veteran B
is notified by the VA as being approved for
Veterans Choice it’s at that time the
Veteran would be responsible for making a
“Choice”.
Veteran B would contact the TPA (TPA
determines that the Veteran has been
placed on VCL and is therefore authorized
care by the VA). Veteran B can either
schedule their appointment by contacting
the TPA for scheduling care close to home
and in the community or will “choose” to
wait to receive care from within the VA
despite the delay in doing so.
In some cases a Veteran may find that
despite the delay accessing VA Healthcare
and thereby prompting a Veterans eligibility for Veterans Choice - the VA is still
capable of seeing you at a much earlier
date than can be found in the community.
VACAA requires by law that Veterans
disclose other healthcare insurance held.
Not doing so will disqualify you from
using the program as the TPA will also be
the responsible party for processing insurance claims.
It’s been stated that qualifying insurance held by the Veteran, with the exception of Tricare & Medicare, will be billed
for healthcare costs associated to any condition being treated which is not service
connected.
It’s important for Veterans to realize that
a Veteran may have medical billing liability depending on the nature of their health
insurance. Here are a few examples provided in the VA training I attended.
*Veteran is seen for a specialty appointment.
The visit is $250 and the Medicare Rate
is $250 for the care provided. If the
Veteran has no other health insurance the
total cost assumed by the VA is $250. The
total charges to the Veteran would be $50
(Includes VA copayment and insurance
cost share). In another example, Veteran
receives the same care mentioned above,
but the Veterans health insurance denies
the claim.
In this case the total cost to the VA is
$250 and the total charges to the Veteran is
$50 (VA Copayment Rate). In another
example, Veteran receives the same care
mentioned above, Veterans insurance pays
the medical bill in full, VA has $0 cost, and
the Veteran has $0 cost as the Veterans VA
copayment is offset by insurance.
In the last example, Veterans health
insurance requires $250 of outpatient
deductible applied to the claim and therefore insurance pays nothing. Total cost to
the VA is $250 and the Veteran’s liability is
$50 for the VA copayment.
I’ll disclose that what I’ve written in
this article concerning the Veteran Choice
program is in no way intended to be a complete or comprehensive assessment for
how this program will/will not impact
those Veterans who “choose” to utilize
Veteran Choice.
I believe this program has some potential to positively impact certain Veterans,
perhaps none more so then our Veterans
impacted by hefty traveling distances
which make accessing VA Healthcare
impractical.
Its simply unfortunate it may likely
remain the case that for many of our
Veterans who live in our more rural areas
of Minnesota, they may still find difficulty
accessing quality care close to home.
It’s simply a fact that medical hospitals
and clinics, especially those with high
skilled medical specialist, tend most often
to locate themselves within larger metro
and suburban population centers.
Although Veterans having a “choice” is an
awfully good thing - It should be promoted
that a Veteran making a choice should
include a strong encouragement for our
Veterans to continue “choosing” the VA
Healthcare System designed specifically
for what we need it to be.
I encourage you to read more about this
program
-- you may do so at:
www.va.gov/opa/choiceact
[email protected]
December 2014
Did you get your card yet?
Care System have been trained to refer
veterans to the national Choice Act
number to verify eligibility. That number is 1-866-606-8198.
In addition, there will be eligibility
staff located in the Minneapolis VA
Medical Center on the first floor atrium
from 7:30 to 4:30 p.m. to answer veterans questions. And, each Community
Based Outpatient Clinic in the state will
have a “champion” who is prepared to
answer questions.
In St. Cloud, staff has been trained to
answer veterans’ questions about
Veterans Choice, but Public Affairs
Officer Barry Shelton pointed out that
this is a national program and the
administration of the program is being
handled by third-party health care companies.
Shelton also noted that as veterans
make their health care choices, “the
local VA medical center is a choice as
well.”
Shelton said the St. Cloud system
held a meeting with county veterans
service officers and others recently to
help ramp up for Veterans Choice.
The American Legion also pointed
out that Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE are not approved plans under the
Veterans Choice program, and if a veterans uses these plan instead of the
Veterans Choice card, he or she will be
liable for any out-of-pocket expenses.
Veterans are also cautioned not to
throw away their regular VA identification card. The Veterans Choice card
does not replace it.
While the primary users of Veterans
Choice immediately will be those who
live outside the 40 mile limit or who
have appointments of more than 30
Page 3
days out, the card is being sent to all VA
enrollees because there may come a time
in the future when they might qualify for
Veterans Choice.
Even before the roll out of the
Veterans Choice program, the VA had
options to purchase non-VA care for some
veterans. That program is still in place,
and was enhanced by the Veterans Choice
Act.
The 40-mile limit will be determined
by a straight line measurement from the
veteran’s residence to the nearest VA
facility. It does not matter whether or not
that facility provides the exact care the
veteran needs.
When veterans call to verify their eligibility, they will be asked to provide
information what other health insurance
they have. If a veteran does not receive
approval before he or she uses the card,
they may be responsible for all or some of
the expense incurred.
The act provides $10 billion for this
increased access to non-VA care. About
$500 million would be spent on hiring
more nurses and doctors to work for the
VA.
Other provisions of the bill include
authorization for the Secretary of the VA
to fire top executives, money to build 26
new facilities, and a requirement that colleges and universities offer veterans the
in-state tuition rate.
Each card that is sent out will come
with a letter explaining the new benefits.
A Chistmas gift
for the reader in
your family
Give the gift of military history as experienced by
Minnesotans to your loved
one.
War Stories II
has 35 stories about
Minnesota veterans and
over 300 pictures.
To order, you can use the
blank below and enclose a
check. Or you can go to
www.mnlegion.org. and use
your credit card.
Mail to: Books
Room 300A
20 West 12th Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
Name__________________________ Phone____________
Address__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Please send me _____ copy(ies) of War Stories Volume II
Cost is $29 per book. Includes shipping and handling.
Please send me _____ copy(ies) of War Stories Volume I
Cost is $23 per book. Includes shipping and handling.
Total amount enclosed: $ ___________
Page 4
December 2014
COMMANDER’S
COLUMN
By Peggy Moon
Happy December.
It seems like winter arrived with a loud bang, and with
very little notice. We are all learning how to drive again in
this messy slush. As I drive around this state, the main
roads seem to be in good shape, however, the side roads are
miserable. It reminds me of the great Halloween storm
where your hubcaps would travel down the road faster than
the car.
Last month we celebrated Veterans Day, and I hope you
all had the opportunity to share a meal and friendship with
the other veterans in your community. Carl and I attended
the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Ceremony,
and it was wonderful. We listened to addresses by
Commissioner Larry Shelito, Senator Amy Klobuchar,
Senator Al Franken, and Representative Betty McCullum.
We also heard a fantastic performance by the Red Bull
band, and witnessed approximately 15 new enlistees take
their oath of office. We also attended the Walker Post that
evening, who, once again, did a fantastic job. Thank you.
It was a memorable day.
While we were there, we stopped in at Northern Lights
Casino outside of Walker and signed the contract for my
testimonial. It is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2015.
A block of rooms will be available under The American
Legion. We have some special entertainment planned, and
it should be a fun evening. I know there are other events
planned that day, but it was the only slot available. I hope
most of you can make it.
We received the news this month that yet again, another
700 members of the Minnesota National Guard will be
Editorial
Veteran’s Choice Act
In response to the VA’s problems with scheduling and
dealing with claims, the Congress in August came up with
a comprehensive bill to deal with some of the problems.
Part of the bill is the Veteran’s Choice Card which every
veteran who’s enrolled in the VA will receive by January.
It’s not a get out of jail free card, but it will help two
groups of veterans who’s ability to get VA care has been a
problem.
The first group are those veterans who live in the hinterlands. Sometimes the price for living in God’s Country is
that you are far away from services. Many veterans in
Minnesota live a considerable distance from a VA facility.
Those veterans, who live more than 40 miles from a VA
Mail Call
Destroyer action
To the Editor:
It was with great interest that I read the story about Lee
Nordgren in the October issue of the Minnesota
Legionnaire. You see, that was our first “action” in the
Pacific.
Prior to this, we, the Destroyer USS Benson, DD 421,
had been deployed in the Atlantic Theater. After the invasion of Africa at Casablanca, we entered the Mediterranean
and took part in the invasion of Sicily at Gela, and later in
Itala at Saleno and in southern France at St. Tropez.
Toward early summer, German air and submarine power
were just about nil, so we were ordered to the Pacific.
When we were off the coast of the Carolinas, Germany
surrendered. We sailed through the Panama Canal to Pearl
Harbor where we were assigned to a carrier group, including the Cowpens on which Nordgren was assigned.
It was “booked” as a 500-plane raid on Wake Island as
we passed by and headed on to the Philippines.
The USS Benson went on to convoy the occupation
troops into Yokohama Harbor, and on Sept. 2, we were
anchored astern of the USS Missouri as the Japanese signed
the surrender.
Former chief gunner’s mate
Kenneth R. Felt
Shevlin
SAL Deer Hunt
To the Editor:
The 2014 John Zgoda Memorial Disabled Deer Hunt on
Oct. 3-5, solely sponsored by the Sons of The American
deployed this spring to West Africa to assist with the Ebola
outbreak. That means it is up to us to spring into action,
again, to reassure them we are here to help their families in
whatever way we can during their absence. Stop by your
local Armory, and make it known that The American Legion
is here to help in any way possible.
Since we are entering the last month of 2014, how is
your Post doing on membership? Anyone who has not paid
their 2015 dues will no longer be an active member. Have
you personally contacted them? Not only do we need their
voice and support, but our troops need their assistance as
well. District membership teams should be ready to support
any Post that is below goal. Visit them, and help them make
those calls. The 10th District will be doing a revitalization
the first week in December. They could also use some help,
and it will give your own teams the opportunity to learn
some new tools to help with your own district membership
programs. Let’s work together to keep Minnesota on top!
Due to the death of my father, Elmer Kriesel, I missed
the membership dinner at Royalton, and also the 95th
Anniversary Dinner of The Hellenic Post. Thank you for
your understanding. On a personal note, thank you to
everyone for the outpouring of cards and condolences. It
was heartwarming to see so many of you at his memorial
service. He was a wonderful man, and I miss him. During
the last month, he was unable to travel, but I know he is
with me now as I navigate my way around the state. I can
actually feel his strong, guiding presence. Thanks, Dad.
By the way, if you’re keeping track, I just passed 14,000
miles on the odometer. Mid-Winters start in January.
In closing, Carl and I wish all of you a very Merry
Christmas and a safe, joyous New Year. As we pause to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, it is with that same
excitement and anticipation that we await new life in our
own family. Our daughter, Angie, is scheduled to give birth
December 1, if the little bundle of joy doesn’t arrive earlier, and, after this month, I am looking forward to holding a
new baby. Since we know this one is a girl, it is doubtful
they will name her Elmer -- but there is a chance for an Ellie
-- so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Don’t forget to say a prayer for all those serving in various locations around the world. They’re missing this wonderful holiday at home so that we are free to celebrate with
our own families. God bless them.
Until next month........
hospital or clinic, will now be able to use the card to get
care at a local clinic or hospital of their choice.
The second group will be those who cannot get an
appointment within 30 days of what their doctor thinks is
proper. For instance, if a doctor wants to see you in 90 days,
and no appointment is available for more than 120 days,
you’re eligible.
Both these circumstances must be pre-approved, though.
You cannot act on your own. And it should be remembered
that this is a temporary program, lasting for three years or
until the money runs out.
For a few, this will be a great program allowing them to
get care closer to home or to get medical treatment on a
more timely basis. It’s not a cure-all, but there are veterans
who will greatly benefit.
Legion, Detachment of Minnesota, was another success
story.
The four hunters enjoyed the opportunity to hunt deer
this year at Legionville with all the hunters seeing deer. We
harvested three deer with the four hunters. The four were
from different Legion districts and represented the 3rd, 4th,
6th and the 10th districts. They were all happy that they
were chosen for the hunt. They all commented on the special treatment, camaraderie and fun memories they will
have the rest of their lives.
Our hunt would not have been a great success without
Commanders Peggy Moon and Dennis Henkemeyer adding
to the deer camp camaraderie for both commanders taking
the time to be at our hunt. Thank you also to Randy
Tesdahl, Department Adjutant and SAL North Advisor,
Walt Folendorf, for helping to make it a success.
The success of the hunt always relies on our volunteers.
Starting the weekend of the American Legion Riders Romp
we thank Tom Kunkel, Greg Teigland, Steve Sullivan and
Daryl Rossberg. Also helping with the hunt were Cal Van
Horn, Joe Lembeke, Doug Handley, Justin Borden, Lee
Borden, Steve Bilderback, Dave Vulcan and Bill Stein.
Thanks to all of you that made the 2014 hunt a great success.
The Sons of The American Legion would also like to
thank the Legionville Board of Directors for their continued
support of this event. Also thank you to Roy Kruger for all
his work at the camp to make this event possible.
Bill Stein
Co-chair John Zgoda Memorial Disabled Deer Hunt
Co-Chairs – Dave Vulcan and Steve Bilderback
Chaplain’s
Corner
By
Steve Klinkner
It’s hard to believe we are already into the month of
December and the Holidays are here to be with family and
friends.
I received a call from my brother on Sunday informing
us that his son, who is a member of Madelia Legion Post 19,
is among the 698 soldiers with the 34th Red Bull Infantry
Division to be deployed to Monrovia, Liberia, to assist with
the Ebola mission. Holidays are always tough on families
when they receive such news. If you know of a family that
has a loved one that will be deployed and in need of help,
contact the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon group for assistance.
I would like to congratulate Alberta Marth Wohlfeil of
New Ulm Post 132, 2nd District, who will be inducted into
the MN American Legion Hall of Fame. The award was
announced at the Department Fall Conference.
Congratulations, Bert, on this great achievement.
And here we are, the Season of Advent when Joseph and
Mary were packing their donkey, sneaking out of town and
traveling through the desert on their way to Egypt. They
probably didn’t feel exceptionally heroic. They didn’t make
any headlines at midnight by their simple acts of faith and
love on Christmas Day. Today God is reminding us that he
wants us to do the same thing in our lives. When you get
stuck in traffic on the way to work, when you are having
trouble paying the bills and keeping food on the table, when
an unforeseen crisis wakes you up at midnight and demands
immediate action, and when suffering takes up residence in
your homes, these are not just life’s accidents to be endured
and ignored. God is present in them; God is acting through
them. And when we struggle to stay faithful to Him in the
middle of it, to live thru all of our tasks, responsibilities,
and challenges as Christ would want us to live, we can be
sure that through God’s grace working in our souls, we are
doing our part to save the world. God is saving the world
through all of us as long as Christ is at the Center of our
Hearts, our Families, our Dreams and our Country.
I often hear people saying, especially as we get closer to
Christmas,”Well it is just one thing after another.” In reality that is a pretty good description of life, isn’t it? We never
do stay in one place. We never stay the same, we just get
through one thing and no sooner do we say “Whew, I’m
glad that is over,” and then something else happens.
I read in an old magazine a story about two elderly ladies
both over 80 years old. They were living on a farm. It was
a dumpy farm. In fact, it was the dumpiest farm you had
ever seen. The chicken coop was falling down. The barn
was falling down, the rusted machinery was falling apart
and the elderly ladies were falling apart. But they were
tough as nails. They had weathered every storm for the past
sixty years. Well, it so happened that a nephew came to visit
them one day from the big city and he took out his new ipad
and took a picture of his weathered aunts, with the barn and
the chicken coop and the rusted machinery in the background. The aunts stood there, straight and stiff for the picture. The nephew later sent them a copy of the picture and
the old aunts loved it. They decided to use it for their
Christmas card and at the top of their picture they put the
words “MERRY CHRISTMAS” in bold letters. At the bottom of the picture in bold black letters were the words:
“God is with us in this mess.”
Merry Christmas to all.
The Minnesota
Legionnaire
Official Publication of and Owned Exclusively by
The American Legion, Department of Minnesota
Al Zdon, Editor
First published in 1920 as the Hennepin County Legionnaire,
the Minnesota Legionnaire is now in its 95th year of publication. It is published monthly by The American Legion,
Department of Minnesota, Room 300A, 20 West 12th Street,
St. Paul, MN 55155-2000. Periodicals postage is paid at St.
Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. The Legionnaire
is a member of the Minnesota Newspaper Association and
the National American Legion Press Association.
SUBSCRIPTION: $10 for non-members. Members receive
the Legionnaire as part of their dues.
PHONE: 651-291-1800, 866-259-9163, FAX: 651-291-1057
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The American
Legion, 20 W. 12th Street, St. Paul, MN, 55155-2000. (USPS
No. 013-679.) (ISSN No. 1644270)
ADVERTISING RATES: Contact Al Zdon, 651-291-1800
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.mnlegion.org
BOARD OF PUBLICATION MEMBERS: President Peggy
Moon, St. Paul; Vice President Don Amundson, Blue Earth;
Secretary Randy Tesdahl, Elk River; Treasurer, Richard
Horn, Melrose. Board Members include: Bob Locker, Fridley;
Clinton Burt, Slayton; Joe Bayer, Minneapolis; Pat Logan,
Bloomington; Virgil Persing, Columbia Heights; Chris
Ronning, Maple Grove; Sandy Fredrickson, Glenville.
What’s Happening
Calendars are out
The 2015 Minnesota American Legion official calendar
has been mailed to the membership. The company that produces and mails the calendar does not send them to every
member, but instead sends them to members who have
made contributions in the past plus a sampling of the entire
memberbership. In all, 35,000 calendars are sent.
If you have not received a calendar and would like to,
please contact Jennifer Kelley at Department Headquarters,
866-259-9163.
The calendar contains the photo winners from veterans
in this year’s calendar contest. The photos were taken while
veterans were serving.
Rally is moved
The Dec. 6 Pearl Harbor Rally has been moved from
Apple Valley to Montgomery Post 79.
The membership turn-in will be from 3-4:30 p.m. and
dinner will be at 5.
Bowling Tournament
The 2015 Minnesota American Legion Bowling
Tournament will take place from February through April at
the Brunswick Zone XL in Brooklyn Park. The 68th tourney is being sponsored by Osseo/Maple Grove Post 172.
There is a $22 entry fee per event. There is also an all
events category available for $2 per person.
Entries and fees for reserved shifts must must be postmarked by the end of the year. For information or to register, contact John Torma, 7724 82nd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park,
MN
55445.
Cell:
612-749-3704.
E-mail:
[email protected].
Divison I is for Legion competition with at least one
Legion member per team. Division II is for Auxiliary with
four Auxiliary members per team. The tourney is open to all
Legion members and all SAL member who are over 18.
There will be handicap and scratch brackets, kangaroo
bracket and a 30 Clean Jackpot.
Legion Day at Gophers
The annual American Legion Family Day at the Gophers
Mens Basketball will be held Friday, Dec. 19, in a game vs.
Taps
Breth, Reinhard, 87, Army veteran of the Korean War,
died Oct. 26, 2014. He was a member of Upsala Post 350.
Jensen, Wayne D., 70, Marine Corps veteran of the
Vietnam War, died Oct. 15, 2014. He was a member of
Hopkins Post 320.
Nash, Eric, 57, Navy veteran of the Persian Gulf War,
died Oct. 27, 2014. He retired after 22 years as a chief petty
officer on nuclear submarines. He was a member of Park
Rapids Post 212.
Poeppel, Joseph, 85, Army veteran of the Korean War,
died Oct. 25, 2014. He was a member of Little Falls Post
46.
Hamersly, Winston C., 89, Navy veteran of the Korean
War, died Oct. 17, 2014. He was a member of Albert Lea
Post 56.
Wright, Ethmer E., 88, Army veteran of World War II,
died Oct. 5, 2014. He was a past commander of Albert Lea
Post 56.
Lovin, Eugene, 84, Navy veteran of the Korean War,
died Nov. 1, 2014. He was a radio operator on the USS
Hunt. He was a member of Park Rapids Post 212.
Norby, Loren C., 87, Navy veteran of World War II,
died Oct. 28, 2014. He was a member of Mora Post 201.
Kroll, George J., 83, Navy veteran of the Korean War,
died Nov. 3, 2014. He was a member of Little Falls Post 46.
Hockert, Alfred, 94, Army Air Corps veteran of World
War II, died Nov. 3, 2014. He was a member of Cold Spring
Post 455.
McNulty, Leo B., 90, Army veteran of World War II,
died Nov. 5, 2014. He was wounded in the war. He was a
72-year member of Park Rapids Post 212.
Reiss, Darrell Eugene, 72, Navy veteran of the Vietnam
War, died Oct. 15, 2014. He served on the USS
Northampton, CC1, President Kennedy’s flagship. He was
a member of Rochester Post 92.
Gylfee, Robert, 83, Army veteran of the Korean War,
died Nov. 8, 2014. He was a member of Cold Spring Post
455.
Kriesel, Elmer W., 88, Army veteran of World War II,
died Oct. 29, 2014. He was a member of Zimmerman Post
560. He was the father of Department Commander Peggy
Moon.
Girard, Kenneth, 89, Army veteran of World War II,
died Oct. 14, 2014. He was a member of the Rainbow
Division. He was a member of Tri-City Post 513.
Tobias, Norman, 90, Army Air Corps veteran of World
War II, died Nov. 9, 2014. He was a member of Park Rapids
the University of Seattle.
Discount tickets are available by contacting the Gopher
Ticket office by phone, Steve Walter, 612-626-1592. Or you
can purchase the tickets online by going to the Minnesota
American Legion website, mnlegion.org, and clicking on
“Discount Gopher Basketball Tickets.”
The official Minnesota Color Guard from the Third
District will do the colors before the game.
Operation Homefront
The Operation Homefront holiday toy distribution will
be held Sunday, Dec. 7, at Fort Snelling, 506 Roeder Circle,
St. Paul, 55111. Eligible recipients include deployed military, wounded, active duty personnel, active and inactive
Guard and Reserves, all ranks. Priority is given to E-1
through E-6.
Registration is required and may be done at the website:
www.events.OperationHomefront.net.
Upcoming Department
events
The Department Convention Corporation has announced
the schedule of events for upcoming conventions and fall
conferences.
Conventions will be held at: Redwood Falls, 2015;
Rochester, 2016; open, 2017; Rochester, 2018.
Fall Conferences will be held at: Pequot Lakes, 2015;
Marshall, 2016; Willmar, 2017; open, 2018.
The convention this coming year will be held from July
16-18, and the Fall Conference will be held Oct. 23-24.
Snowmobile Ride
The 7th annual snowmobile ride, sponsored by MSEAF
and MnUSA will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at Silver Bay.
All veterans are welcome to join, and those who do not
have sleds, snowmobiles and gear will be furnished.
Pre-registration is required. Contact the Minnesota
Snowmobilers Association at 866-811-7669 or email: [email protected] or go to the website:
www.mnvetsnowmobileride.org.
Post 212.
Vokes, Wallace, 90, Army Air Corps veteran of World
War II, died Nov. 11, 2014. He was a ball turret gunner on
a B-17. He was a member of Park Rapids Post 212.
Erdmann, Elroy H., 78, Air Force veteran of the
Vietnam War, died Nov. 16, 2014. He served 25 years in the
Air Force. He helped found the Legion Children’s Fishing
Contest. He was a member of Hackensack Post 202.
Hanna, Lewis Edward, 86, Army veteran of the
Vietnam War, died Nov. 16, 2014. He had a 21-year Army
career and served in Germany, Vietnam and Japan. He was
a member of Lanesboro Post 40.
Welsh, Walter, 72, Army veteran of the Vietnam War,
died Oct. 31, 2014. He was a member of Eyota Post 551.
Burmeister, Albert D. “Abbie,” 81, Army veteran of
the Korean War, died Nov. 13, 2014. He served in Alaska.
He was a member of Lakefield Post 4.
Keller, Jack D., 88, Army veteran of World War II, died
Oct. 7, 2014. He served in Europe. He was a member of
Alexandria Post 87.
Gross, Lloyd, 95, Army veteran of World War II, died
Oct. 26, 2014. He was wounded during the war. He was a
member of Pierz Post 341.
Torborg, Alfred, 85, Army veteran of the Korean War,
died Nov. 5, 2014. He was a member of St. Joseph Post 328.
Reischl, Richard J., 70, Army veteran of the Vietnam
War, died Oct. 31, 2014. He was a member of St. Joseph
Post 328.
Phinney, Norma, 92, Navy veteran of World War II,
died Oct. 6, 2014. She was a pharmacist mate second class.
She was a member of Cloquet Post 262.
Klaphake, James L., 69, Army veteran of the Vietnam
War, died Oct. 15, 2014. He was a member of St. Joseph
Post 328.
Helgemoe, Leonard Alan “Skip,” 86, Navy veteran of
World War II, died Oct. 7, 2014. He served in the Pacific.
He was a member of Rochester Post 92.
Hanneman, Donn C., 88, Navy veteran of World War
II, died Oct. 2, 2014. He served in the Pacific. He was a
member of Rochester Post 92.
Holland, Joseph, 88, Navy veteran of World War II,
died Oct. 6, 2014. He was a ship’s cook aboard LST 1029.
He was a member of Rochester Post 92.
Matson, James T., 76, Army National Guard veteran of
the Vietnam War, died Oct. 16, 2014. He was a member of
Thief River Falls Post 117.
Skluzacek, Norbert John, 84, Army veteran of the
December 2014
Page 5
Legal Clinics
There will be drop in legal clinics in several locations,
sponsored by the Minnesota Assistance Council for
Veterans. The clinics offer help on housing, employment,
benefits, wills, debt collection, and family law.
Clinics include:
-- Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the VA Medical Center
in Minneapolis, co-sponsored by Fredrikson Law.
-- Dec. 16, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the St. Cloud VA
Medical Center, co-sponsored by LSC.
-- A legal consultation session will be held at
Montevideo CBOC from noon-2 p.m. on the third Friday of
each month. Call 320-403-1051 for an appointment.
For more information, contact Sara Sommarstrom at
651-224-0292.
Round Tables
The Scott Hosier Roundtable in Rochester will meet
Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. and the program will be “Liverpool,
England in WWII.” There will be theater and singing.
Admission is $5 and the location is the Autumn Ridge
Church.
The World War II History Round Table at Fort Snelling
History Center will meet Thursday, Dec. 11, with the program “Christmas at Bastogne.” Leo Barron and Don Cygan,
authors of “No Silent Night” and veterans will explore a
turning-point battle in the Battle of the Bulge. Admission is
$5.
Town Hall Meetings
A town hall meeting will be held for veterans in
Rochester on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the National Guard
Armory in Rochester. Another will be held Wednesday,
Dec. 10, at the Monticello American Legion Post 260 on
Elm Street in Monticello. Both meetings are at 5 p.m.
The town halls will provide veterans with a chance to
express their concerns and hear from VA staff. The
Monticello meeting will be staffed by St. Cloud VA staff,
and the Rochester meeting will be staffed by the
Minneapolis VA officials.
In the future, Town Hall meeting are being slated for
Alexandria, Montevideo and Brainerd.
Korean War, died Oct. 19, 2014. He was a past commander
of Lonsdale Post 586.
Bies, Richard E., 86, Army veteran of the Korean War,
died Oct. 12, 2014. He was a member of Pequot Lakes Post
49.
Gasow, Alexander O., 88, Army veteran of World War
II, died Oct. 18, 2014. He was a chauffeur for a general and
a mechanic. He was a member of Gaylord Post 433.
Sward, Ray, 86, Army veteran of the Korean War, died
Oct. 2, 2014. He served in Korea. He was a member of
Mora Post 201.
Anderson, Herbert, 85, Marine Corps veteran of the
Korean War, died Nov. 18, 2014. He was a member of the
Little Falls Post 46.
Skogquist, Robert, 91, Marine veteran of World War II,
died Oct. 24, 2014. He served in the Pacific. He was a past
commander of Falldin Post 555. He also served as Fifth
District Adjutant.
Bob Flaherty
Flaherty was a veteran of
the Korean War.
He was survived by his
wife, Joan, four children, 22
grand children and five
great grandchildren.
“He was passionate
about the Legion and a
great
teacher,”
Past
National Commander Dan
Ludwig said.
Ludwig noted that several times in the 80s and 90s,
he and Flaherty held district
or department level positions at the same time.
“Before Bob Flaherty,
the Third District was kind
of a ho-hum district. He
brought the district from
obscurity into a position of
respectability and leadership.
“If you approached him
about anything, he would
enthusiastically give you
the time you needed.”
Ludwig said Flaherty
was commander when the
Brain Science campaign
topped the $1 million goal.
Past
Department
Commander Lloyd Ricker
said, “He followed me as
commander, and he was a
very good commander.
“Not a lot of people realize that Bob started the
Minnesota
American
Legion Foundation. He also
had a hand in the old
Minnesota
Legion
College,” Ricker said.
“And except for maybe
Don Miller, Bob Flaherty
was the best at parliamentary procedure. He know
the Legion and he knew
parliamentary procedure.”
A Christmas Story: A Sign at Bastogne
Page 6
December 2014
The paratroopers had been in this group of trees for
seven days, holding the line against the German soldiers
who were encamped in the woods nearby. A wide clearing
separated the enemies.
The Battle of the Bulge had begun on Dec. 16, 1944,
when the German tanks and soldiers had ripped through the
American lines in a long line, mainly in Belgium. Powell’s
airborne division had been resting in France, following a
tough time in the Netherlands for Operation Market
Garden, when the offensive began.
The men had been loaded into open air trucks without
enough winter clothing and without enough ammunition.
The paratroopers were considered America’s best fighters,
and it was their job to protect the encircled Bastogne. If the
Belgian town fell, the German advance would have control
of a vital transportation junction.
Now, it was Christmas Eve. Powell felt the ground
around him shake. He made himself as small in the hole as
he could.
A tree-burst not more than 30 feet away sent a shower of
splinters, large and small, down upon him.
Powell vaulted out of the hole. As the shells continued to
rain down on the American position, Powell stood on the
edge of the fox hole, waved his fist at the sky and yelled,
“Come and get me! You killed Ski, you might as well kill
me. Come on, you bastards, drop one right here!”
Troopers in adjacent foxholes yelled at Powell to get
back in his hole, but he continued to rant at the sky.
And then the shelling stopped. The silence was deafening.
Powell stood there, shaking. He was soon joined by several of his comrades. “Hey, buddy, what’s going on? What
happened, Joe? You’ve got to hang in there. Don’t let those
Krauts get to you. That’s not what Ski would have wanted.”
The little knot of men around Powell soon parted to
allow Lt. Ben Greaves to approach.
“What’s going on soldier?” Greaves asked, putting his
arm on Powell’s shoulder. “You trying to kill yourself?”
“No, sir,” said Powell. “Well, I’m not sure. Maybe I was.
They killed Ski, they might as well blow me up too.”
The lieutenant looked at Powell for a few moments.
“Come with me, sergeant. There’s somebody I want you to
talk to.” Greaves grabbed Powell by the arm and led him
toward the rear. “You know what you just did could get you
a ticket to the hospital. They call it battle fatigue. You could
sit in a ward with the rest of the wackos.
“But you’re one of my best guys, Powell. You’re a real
leader in this company, both you and Kaminski. The new
guys need your help. So I’m going to give you a chance to
redeem yourself, but you’ve got to see my friend.”
The lieutenant put Powell in a Jeep and told the driver.
Take this man to headquarters. He wants to see Captain
Peters.
“Wait a minute, sir,” protested Powell. “I don’t want to
see no damn chaplain.”
“Okay, fine,” said Greaves, turning to the driver. “Then
just take this man to the field hospital and tell them that he
was last seen standing on the edge of his foxhole during an
artillery barrage, yelling and shaking his fist at the sky.”
“Okay, wait,” said Powell. “I’ll do whatever you say,
sir.”
qqqqqqq
The chaplain’s office was in an abandoned farmhouse.
Powell was told to wait outside until the chaplain was
ready. He stamped his feet on the snowy ground to stay
warm as he waited. Finally, an aide showed him in.
Captain Peters was a man in his early 40s, with a touch
of gray in his hair. He rose from his desk and greeted Powell
with a warm handshake. “Have a seat. I just read a note
from your company commander. He thinks we should have
a heart to heart. Apparently he doesn’t approve of his sergeants leaving their foxholes at inappropriate times.”
The chaplain smiled.
“I understand you were close to Sgt. Kaminski,” the
chaplain inquired.
“Yes, sir. He was my best friend.”
“Well, I knew Kaminski pretty well too. In fact, I was
just writing a letter to his parents. It’s the worst part of my
job. Kaminski was a great guy, and he rarely missed mass if
he could make it.”
“Yes, sir, I know that.”
The chaplain stared at Powell for a long second. “Tell me
son, are you a Christian?”
“Yes, sir. Well at least I was raised that way. I’m not so
sure anymore. How could God allow this war? How could
he let the best guys get killed? We lost three guys in our platoon in the last three days. I’ve known those guys forever,
and then they’re blown up. The shelling never stops. I don’t
know what I am anymore.”
“You know what they say, Powell. There are no atheists
in fox holes.”
“Well I don’t know, sir. I don’t see God making things
any better.”
“Yes, I understand that, son. Well, let me ask a dumb
question, and I think you know the answer. Do you think
Stan Kaminski would want you to do something foolish that
could get you killed?”
Powell paused. “No, sir, I don’t suppose so.”
Chaplain Peters looked at Powell. “I’ve got a problem
here, sergeant. What if I send you back to the front and you
do some other looney tunes stuff? What if I tell Lt. Greaves
that we had our little chat and you’re okay and then you do
something stupid and get killed? What if I have to write
your parents a letter? That would make me both very sad
and very angry.”
Powell shuffled in his chair. “I don’t know what to tell
you sir. Maybe I can’t take it anymore. Maybe I have that
battle fatigue or whatever the lieutenant called it. Maybe the
next time the shelling starts I’ll climb up in one of those
trees. Maybe I don’t think God is in charge around here.
Why should I?”
Powell was visibly agitated. “What are you going to tell
me, padre? That everything’s going to be all right? That
God will provide? My buddy just died in my arms. Where
was God? Where was his mercy and goodness? Why should
I trust in God?”
The chaplain stood up and walked around his desk. He
sat down on a corner of it, and took a few breaths.
“Son, if I was you, I’d probably feel the same way. I
can’t explain why your friend got killed. I can’t explain why
the shelling never stops. I can’t guarantee that you won’t
lose another buddy tomorrow.
“But you know what? Tomorrow is Christmas. I know
that doesn’t mean a great deal in the midst of this hell on
earth, but you know what happened on Christmas? God sent
his son down to save us. God became one of us so that we
could fix this world and find a little heaven on earth. Well,
we haven’t done it yet.
“But we’ve all got to keep the faith, sergeant. We keep
the faith not just to honor God, but to honor our friends. I’m
telling you without a doubt, it’s what Kaminski would have
wanted.”
Powell didn’t look convinced. “I know what you’re saying, padre. I know we’ve got to carry on. But it’s just been
so unrelenting. It never gets better, it only gets worse.
Sometimes I think if I could just see one little sign of God’s
grace, I could get my hope back again. But that doesn’t
seem very likely.”
The chaplain smiled again. “You know you can go
through life looking for that big sign from God and never
get it. And then, maybe, you look back and see that God
often gives us hundreds of smaller signs rather than one big
one.
The chaplain looked directly into Powell’s eyes. “But
you know what. I think you’re going to get that big sign. I
can feel it.”
“Whatever you say, chaplain.”
“Powell, I’m going to send you back. I think you’re
going to be okay. Don’t let me down. Your buddies are
depending on you. Kaminski is up in heaven, and he’s
depending on you.
“And you know what, I hear they might even get some
hot grub up to your position tomorrow. Maybe that’s the
sign you’re looking for.”
“Yes, sir,” said Powell. “Maybe that’s it. Thanks for talking to me, padre. I’ll be okay. I’ll stay in my fox hole. I
promise. I’ll survive.”
qqqqqq
The next day the sun came out for the first time in a
week. Powell eyed the woods across the fields. Somewhere
over there the Germans were also cold, hungry and maybe
scared too. They were also trying to make the best of a
Christmas far from home.
One of the first sergeants came by. “Get your tummies
ready for a treat,” he shouted. “Word is that there will be
some hot chow here in about an hour.”
The happy announcement was like a signal for more bad
things to happen. All heads turned as the faint whine of the
88s could be heard coming their way. The men dove for
their fox holes.
No replacement had come for Kaminski, and so Powell
still had the two-man hole to himself. Again the ground
shook, and again the air-bursts shattered the trees and sent
lethal shards toward the ground. Again the sound was loud
beyond belief.
Powell had lost his urge to get killed, and he stayed as
low as he could while the forest blew up around him.
There seemed to be a silence for just a moment, and then
one last shell came screaming in. Powell could tell it was
going to be close, very close.
Suddenly the shell landed right in Powell’s fox hole with
a tremendous thump. Dirt flew up and covered Powell as he
instinctively put his arms over his head and closed his eyes.
Then it was quiet again.
Just as he had the day before, Powell sprung out of the
hole like he’d been launched. He stared at the hole the shell
had made and could still see the backside of it just sticking
out. It had to explode. But it didn’t.
For a minute, Powell stood alone by the side of the hole.
As they realized the barrage was over, other paratroopers
slowly emerged from their holes. They saw Powell staring
in his fox hole and they gathered around. It didn’t take long
to see what had happened, and the men began to clap
Powell on the back. “Why you lucky son of a gun,” one
shouted. “It was a dud.”
First a few men, then dozens came up to the hole to see
the miracle. Powell could only stare as his comrades oohed
and aahed, offering congratulations to the sergeant.
qqqqqq
An hour later, Powell and the others had their mess kits
out and were enjoying some hot turkey and dressing. It was
like heaven. They washed it down with hot coffee. There
was general contentment all around.
Powell, with some tremors still running through his
hands, ate with relish. He was bent over his task, when he
saw some boots just in front of him. He looked up, and there
was Lt. Greaves.
“Powell, I think you’d better come with me. There’s
something I think you should see.”
Powell, with mess kit still in hand, followed his officer a
short ways away where a small group was gathered around
a shiny object.
“The bomb disposal guys got that shell out of your fox
hole,” Greaves said, “and they found something very interesting.”
Powell walked up to where the group was examining the
shell. One of the bomb disposal experts looked up. “Oh this
must be the luckiest guy on earth. You’re the guy that was
in that fox hole when this came down?”
“That was me,” admitted Powell.
“Well, look here,” the man said. “We took this thing
apart because we always like to know why a shell doesn’t
explode. You see that gap here in the workings of the
shell?”
Powell leaned over and peered at the guts of the shell in
the dim light. “Yeah I see it.”
“Well, that’s where the detonator should be. This shell
was a non-starter from the time it left the ordinance factory.
I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Powell said, “Well, I’ll be darned.”
“Oh that isn’t the best part,” said the bomb expert. “Look
at this.” He turned the shell over, and there in the shiny casing were etched two words. Powell leaned closer and could
just make them out.
“Frohe Weihnachten.”
Powell looked up. He was puzzled. “What does that
mean?”
“Well, I just know enough German to translate. It means,
‘Merry Christmas.’ I mean somebody not only left the detonator out, but they wrote you a message. Damndest thing
I ever saw.”
“That’s incredible,” said Powell, looking at the other
men.
“I’ll tell you what it is,” said the bomb expert. “It’s like
a sign from above. I’ll tell you, it’s just like a sign from
above.”
Hospital Association
claims declining
The American Legion Family Hospital Association had a
drop in the number of claims made during the 2014 fiscal
year.
The Association, which helps Legion, Auxiliary and
Sons of the American Legion members with hospital bills,
received 34 claims in 2014.
Claims Representative Roger Myren said that number
compared to 45, 47, and 42 claims over the prior three
years. Myren made his report at the annual meeting of the
Association at the Fall Conference.
Total medical assistance, totaling $31,000 in 2014, was
about the same as last year. The prior three years show
assistance expense at $44,000 for 2011, $52,000 for 2012
and $31,000 for last year.
Incoming money was also down a bit. Dues from the
three groups served totaled $34,000 last year compared to
$35,000 in 2011, $36,000 in 2012 and $38,000 in 2013.
Donations in the last four years have been $11,800 (2011),
$15,000 (2012), $15,000 (2013) and $7,900 this year.
Total income for the fund dropped from a hight $52,000
in 2012 to $48,000 this year.
Because the medical assistance paid out by the
Association has been declining, the net assets of the
Association are growing, Myren said. This past year,
$19,000 in medical assistance was paid to Legion members,
$12,000 to Auxiliary members and nothing to the SAL.
The Hospital Association currently has $242,000 in net
assets, compared to $231,000 in 2011.
The Association elected two incumbents to their positions. Nick Kakos, representing The American Legion, and
Dennis Blue, representing the SAL, were re-elected without
opposition.
Orv Otterness asked President Blue why he hasn’t seen
Hospital Association board members at district or other
meetings talking up the Association. Blue said it is the policy of the board to only go to meetings if they are invited.
Later, at the board meeting of the Association, Marie
Goede was elected president of the Association, Marland
Ronning was elected vice president, and Jan Walker was
elected secretary.
Other members of the board are Jim Kellogg, Peggy
Moon, Chris Ronning, and Dennis Henkemeyer.
National appointments
the Committee on Children and Youth. Moon was also reappointed a member of the committee.
Thomas Schottenbauer of St. Louis Park will be vice
chair of the Conventional Armed Forces Committee.
(The following list reflects only those who were appointed or re-appointed to national positions and not those who
will continue to serve from previous appointments.)
Marie Goede, and Auxiliary member from Plainview,
was named to the Committee on Youth Education,
American Legion Auxiliary Representatives.
Phil Bellefeuille of Callaway, John Bey of Baudette,
James Copher of Mound, Wayne Gilbertson of
Zimmerman, Carl Hendrickson of Cloquet, and Richard
Wog of Willmar were named to the Americanism Council.
Ray DeZurik of Breezy Point was named to the
Convention Committee Liaison Committee.
Don Hayden of LeCenter was appointed to the Internal
Affairs Commission. Richard Janssen of Richmond was
named as the National Commander’s Representative to the
Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
Don Pankake of Hutchinson was named to the
Membership and Post Activities Committee. Curt
Norenberg of Roseville was named as a Consultant to the
Aerospace Committee.
Michael Ash of St. Paul, Wayne Hammon Jr. of Le Roy,
and Robin Picray of St. Paul were named to the Media and
Communcations Council.
Don Amundson of Blue Earth, Richard Gosse of
Wabasha, Robert Haugen of Moorhead, Steven Johnson of
Olivia, Jim Kellogg of Taopi, Lloyd Ricker of Dawson,
Mike Schaffer of Fulda, Don Schroedl of Minneapolis, E.
Jerry St. Michel of Grand Rapids, Wes Thompson of
Sartell, and Cal Van Horn of Morris were all named to the
National Security Council.
Jeffrey Olson of Green Valley, Arizona, will be the
National Commander’s Representative on the Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission. William
Barbknecht of Underwood will be a member of the commission.
Floyd Kumerow of Lamberton will serve on the National
Cemetery Committee.
Clinton Burt of Slayton, James Blakesley of Aitkin, Tom
Conway of Argyle, Denise Milton of Bagley, and Orville
Otterness of North Branch were named to the Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Council.
Marland Ronning of Maple Grove and John Torma of
Brooklyn Park were named to the Veterans Employment
and Education Council.
December 2014
Page 7
Sons of The
American Legion
By
Dennis Henkemeyer
SHOP, SHIP AND SHARE -- Commander Peggy
Moon, center, helped pack boxes at the Fourth
District’s annual Shop, Ship and Share at the
Maplewood Mall. The event, in cooperation with the
U.S. Postal Service brings gifts to those men and
women serving overseas.
VETERANS DAY -- State Commander Peggy Moon
handled the emcee duties at the official Minnesota
Veteran’s Day celebration at Inver Grove Heights.
Sen. Al Franken and Sen. Amy Klobuchar were also
part of the program.
MOON ON RADIO -- Department Commander Peggy
Moon recorded her Veterans Day message at the
KFAN studios in St. Louis Park. The ad was run on
Veterans Day on a statewide network.
Thank you
I am overwhelmed with
emotion as I write a heartfelt Thank You to all in the
Minnesota
American
Legion Family for their
recognition of my induction
into the National Sons of
The American Legion Hall
of Fame in Pasadena,
California this past month.
Special
thanks
to
Detachment Commander
Dennis Henkemeyer for his
introduction of me at the
ceremony and to Steve and
Diane Sullivan for accompanying the Minnesota
Delegation to the event. It is
certainly an unexpected
honor in my Sons of The
American Legion career.
Joe Mayne, PNC
Squadron 85
North Branch
I just returned from Pasadena, California, where I had
the true honor of introducing PNC Joe Mayne of the Sons
of The American Legion. Commander Mayne was inducted into the SAL Hall of Fame along with four other individuals at a gala event at the Pasadena American Legion
Post 13. What an exciting time for me, and I am sure for
Commander Mayne and his children as well. It is an award
that is truly deserving of Commander Mayne. As I stated in
my introduction of him, when Joe Mayne talks about the
Sons of The American Legion, it is all about passion. His
ability to communicate is something more than a skill; it’s
even more than a talent. His love for the organization
comes in loud and clear, with quick wit and eloquence, that
comes straight from the heart. That’s why whenever Joe
Mayne talks about the Sons, those who listen are inspired to
take this organization to new levels of effectiveness and
advocacy in timeless respect of those who fought for our
freedoms. Congratulations PNC Mayne on an honor that
you are so deserving of.
As for our annual fall conference, I want to label it as a
huge success. In addition to all of the fine reports, we had
a class on parliamentary procedure and a proposal on some
possible changes to the detachment that would mirror those
of The American Legion. We had many guests address our
members including Dale Barnett, leading candidate for
National Commander of The American Legion. I want to
personally thank Detachment Adjutant for keeping me on
track for the entire conference. I also had the opportunity
to receive a good number of donations for my commander’s
project, the Fisher House in Minneapolis.
Under the direction of our Detachment Membership
Director Paul Spyhalski, the Detachment of Minnesota is
well ahead of pace for the year. As of this writing,
Minnesota continues to be in the top ten nationally and is
the only detachment with a membership of over 10,000 that
is in the top ten. We are presently in third position in the
Central Region. Thanks to everyone for their hard work.
Since this will be my last article before the holiday season begins, I want to wish everyone a belated
Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous
New Year from my beautiful wife Denise and myself. May
2015 be a year of peace and may all of our troops return
home safely. Please keep all of our troops in your daily
prayers not only during the holiday season, but year around.
MAYNE INDUCTED -- SAL Past National Commander
Joe Mayne from Minnesota was inducted into the SAL
Hall of Fame in Pasadena. From left: Detachment
Commander Dennis Henkemeyer; Connor Mayne,
Amanda Mayne, Joe Mayne, Spencer Mayne.
Membership Chart
District
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
At-large
Totals
As of Nov. 19, 2014
2015
Goal
9,976
8,110
12,486
2,554
2,959
12,698
7,245
4,768
7,443
11,243
2,340
81,822
Total
2014
9,918
8,026
12,421
2,530
2,936
12,627
7,167
4,727
7,378
11,189
2,338
81,257
Total
2015
7,883
6,315
9,847
2,008
2,271
10,100
5,599
3,586
5,836
8,846
2,079
64,370
Percent
of Goal
79.02
78.00
78.86
78.62
76.75
79.54
77.28
75.21
78.41
78.68
65.83
77.91
Same
Date ’13
8,241
6,525
10,219
2,129
2,354
10,403
5,949
3,963
6,139
9,340
1,934
67,196
THREE
CHOPPERS
DOWN
Page 8
December 2014
G
By Al Zdon
en. Colin Powell fixed his gaze on the 21-yearold warrant officer.
It was 1971 in Vietnam. Powell wanted to learn firsthand about the Huey helicopter that had been shot down a
few days before.
“The report says you were shot down in Laos,” Powell
said.
“Yes, sir,” replied Warrant Officer Les Rasset.
“We’re not fighting a war in Laos,” said the general who
would one day be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
then Secretary of State.
“Oh, yes, sir,” replied Rasset and began to tell him about
the covert missions, the involvement of the CIA, and other
details of the Laos missions.
“Stop,” interrupted Powell. “I don’t want to hear another word.” He sent the young Minnesotan back to his unit.
After all, the United States was not fighting in Laos, therefore it could not lose an attack helicopter there.
L
rrrrrrrrr
ester Rasset grew up in Maple Lake on a dairy
farm. “From the time I was six years old, I was
with my dad all the time. I was his right-hand man.
I thought it was wonderful. I had good parents, a loving
family and I grew up in a great community.”
He graduated from Maple Lake High School in 1968,
and went to the University of Minnesota. He made it into
his second year before he dropped out and volunteered for
the draft. It probably wouldn’t have taken very long for
Uncle Sam to grab him anyway, since his draft lottery number was 61 out of 366.
“I thought I’d get in, do my two years, and get out.”
In January, 1970, he was sent to basic training at Fort
Bragg. “But then we had an orientation on helicopters, and
I decided I wanted to be a helicopter pilot.” He filled out the
appropriate paperwork and took a physical.
He had already been assigned to Fort Sill to become a
forward artillery spotter when he got his orders to helicopter flight school. He was told to report to Fort Walters in
Texas.
Rasset’s prior experience in flying was limited to a
neighbor taking him for flights in a little plane. He had
never been in a helicopter.
“That’s the great thing about the Army,” Rasset said.
“Who else can spend a half million dollars to train somebody to fly a helicopter? I thought it was great.”
The training was intense and challenging and included
six to eight hours of classroom study each day combined
with time on the flight line and the other duties of a soldier.
Rasset said he was fortunate enough to have the fundamental skills of a pilot including a good math background,
and good hand-eye coordination and depth perception.
Others were not so blessed. “I think we had about a 60 percent attrition rate.”
Training was in the small Hughes T-55 Osage helicopter,
a flying machine that consisted of an engine, a rotor, a bubble where the pilot and trainee sat, a tail and a tail rotor.
“When it crashed, you could pick everything up and put
it in the back of a pick-up truck.”
His first journey into the air was with a pilot who had
just completed two tours in Vietnam. “He lifted the helicopter about five feet off the ground and just held it there.
It looked like he wasn’t even moving his hands. I thought,
‘This is so easy.’”
During an orientation flight, though, the trainer told
Rasset, “Okay, you have the aircraft now.”
The next few minutes were not pretty. “You read about
this stuff, the power and the pedals and everything, but I got
the helicopter into a pendulum, swinging side to side. I was
over-reacting to everything. It was a humbling experience.
But you get better at it. I thought it was fun.”
After about 10 or 12 hours with the instructor, the
trainees get to solo. “You’ve got to take off and land and do
all this other stuff. I was sweating bullets. And then you
have to listen to the instructor’s critiques. I remember he
told me I should be watching my airspeed, and I told him I
was so busy flying, I wasn’t watching anything. He said,
‘Well, you should be.’”
Rasset recalled one exercise where the new pilots were
sent off in their Hughes 55s to find a series of check points,
re-fuel after two hours, and find their way home. He and
another trainee were cruising over the West Texas countryside and they saw a group of other Army training helicopters in front of them.
“We laughed. All we had to do was follow the other aircraft. It was so easy. But then we heard over the radio that
the lead helicopter had reached the check point. The people
on the ground radioed back wondering why they thought
they were at the check point. They said they could see the
water tower. The ground people replied there was no water
tower at that check point. You should have seen all the little
helicopters heading off in every direction. They finally had
to look at their maps. Just when you think you’ve got it
mastered, you find out how pathetic you are.”
After four months at Fort Walters, it was on to Fort
Rucker in Alabama for training in the Army’s primary
workhorse helicopter, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, usually
called the Huey.
One foggy morning, he was to go up with a veteran trainer. “It was rainy and cloudy and foggy. I was sure they
would cancel, but the pilot said, ‘Let’s go up for a little
weather check.’ He told me, ‘When you get to Vietnam, it
won’t be up to you. You gotta go.’”
Rasset was still surprised they were going up. “I couldn’t even see across the parking lot. We got up about 30 feet
above the deck and we went right down the road. He told
me that in monsoon season in Nam, you just had to find
landmarks, like a road or a river. He asked me what I
thought, and I said, ‘I hope there’s no tall telephone poles
around here.’”
The training, he said, stressed safety, taking precautions,
and doing a good pre-flight of the aircraft. He earned his
wings and his warrant in early 1971.
Rasset estimates that ninety or ninety-five percent of his
class got orders to Vietnam. By March of 1971, thirteen
LES RASSET
At home in Maple Lake
Les Rasset signed up for
helicopter school in the
U.S. Army in 1970. His
career in Vietnam included
having three Hueys shot
out from under him. But
he, his crew, and his soldier/ passengers walked
away unscathed all three
times.
months after he was drafted, he was in the war zone as a
helicopter pilot.
“We went from Oakland to Anchorage to Japan to Ton
Son Nhut airbase near Saigon. It finally hit home where we
were going when they turned off all the plane’s directional
lights and cabin lights before we landed. I thought, ‘This is
serious.’”
T
he next day he was off to Da Nang in the northern
region – at that time the busiest airport in the
world handling nearly 2,600 flights a day. And
from there it was up to Camp Eagle, near Hue, even further
north. It was the home base for the famed 101st Airborne
Division.
“I thought Vietnam was hot, dirty and dusty. It was just
so different.”
He was shown into the office of the executive officer.
“He said, ‘Well, Mr. Rasset, we’ve been looking for you.
We’re glad you could make it. Welcome to the party.’”
He was shown to his quarters. “There were all these guys
hanging around with cut-off fatigues, t-shirts and slippers.
Then I realized, these are the pilots. I thought, ‘Well, I’m
over-dressed.’”
The pilots in his unit were called the Kingsmen, and
LES RASSET
As a warrant officer in the Army
Rasset was given the handle, Kingsman 11. They served in
the 101st Airmobile Battalion.
He was assigned to his room in the “hootch.” “It was
about an eight-by-twelve foot room with two bunks in it.
That’s where you spent your year. You put all your stuff in
there, everything you owned.”
Rasset was welcomed into the group. “There was a lot of
camaraderie. It was a very tight-knit group. We were basically on call 24/7, but we’d get a day off now and then.”
There was one little initiation ceremony the new pilots
had to go through. In the Kingsman officer’s club, late one
night, the new pilots were each given a glass of booze. “I
don’t know what it was, but it burned.” The concoction was
lit on fire, and the trick was to drink it dry while keeping the
fire going.
If the fire went out, or the glass wasn’t empty, the new
guy had to do it again.
“The first time, I didn’t do very well, but then I got the
hang of it. On the second try, I burned off half my mustache,
and I had second degree burns all down my neck, but I did
it right. I could join the older pilots. They thought it was
hilarious.”
The pilots’ main job was to bring troops to a landing
zone (LZ), extract troops from an LZ, and bring supplies
and ordinance to the fight. Each Huey had a crew of four
including the air commander, the pilot (actually a co-pilot
or “peer pilot”), a crew chief who was in charge of maintaining the aircraft, and a door gunner. Both of the latter two
manned .30 caliber machine guns at the Huey’s doors.
His first job was as the pilot in the right hand seat, training under veteran pilots. “If anything happens to the pilot,
your job is to get the chopper back home.”
The helicopters were sometimes so loaded down with
ordnance or people that they would have to bounce down
the runway until they could build up enough speed to take
off. “If it was 70 degrees, it would have been easy, but when
it’s 106 degrees and humid, it’s a little more difficult.”
The first missions were easy and involved little danger –
often just bringing someone to another base. “After a couple of weeks of this, the other pilots would ask sarcastically, ‘How’s the taxi service going today?’”
December 2014
Page 9
A Huey touches down in Vietnam to extract soldiers from a landing zone. (National Archives.)
F
inally the day came when he was assigned to a mission that would extract soldiers from a “hot LZ,”
one that was under attack. “I flew with the flight
commander, and I thought he would be a great high school
teacher. He was really by-the-book. I never wanted to fly
with him again.”
Rasset’s Huey was one of four on the mission. “It was
my first exposure to real combat. We had the Cobra gunships along with us. As we got over the LZ, I could hear
these ticks or thuds. I asked, ‘What is that?’”
He was informed that it was bullets hitting the helicopter.
“Just then the crew chief was on the headphone. He said,
‘Let’s get the hell out of here. They’re shooting up our fuselage. I don’t want to be up all night patching holes.’ ”
After the extraction, the pilot took the Huey up to about
five thousand feet. “There were two theories about that.
One was to get high enough to get out of the small arms fire.
The other was to just go along the treetops. They could hear
you coming, but its jungle and they can’t see you. By the
time you’re over them, you’re gone. It would take a lucky
shot to get you.”
During Rasset’s time in Vietnam, he said the war would
heat up and then cool off for different periods. About three
months into his tour, it heated up, particularly in the A Shau
Valley near Hue, where the 101st was conducting operations.
“There was a lot of activity, and it got pretty ugly. We
lost a couple of pilots. There was a lot more contact with the
enemy than before. They were behind you, and then they’d
be in front of you. It was often our job to get the wounded
out.”
The enemy had RPGs, rocket-propelled grenades, that
could take down a helicopter in a hurry.
One day in this campaign, Rasset, who was still the copilot on his Huey, helped bring in a load of troops, about
eight or nine soldiers. “We were third in line of four choppers. We had about thirty seconds to get the soldiers on the
ground and then get out of the way for the next chopper. We
knew this LZ was hot. We had just landed our guys, and we
were beginning to pull off when we got hit by an RPG.”
The explosive shell hit the helicopter with a shock. “All
of a sudden, you’re not going anywhere. All you can try to
do is slow down the crash. We were now over the jungle
and as we went down the rotor was cutting off the trees. The
pilot did a great job. He was pulling all the pitch he could
from the rotor just before we hit the ground. We all walked
away.”
The Huey was crushed, but the landing had been just soft
enough for survival.
“We didn’t spend much time on the ground. We walked
back to the LZ and the next Huey coming in picked us up.
It worked out really well.”
The action got even more intense in the following
weeks. “It was a real reality check. It changed the whole
dynamic of the war. It wasn’t somebody else that crashed, it
was guys we knew, crews we knew.
“Guys that drank, drank a little more. Guys that had a
bad attitude, got a little worse attitude. It was just stress.”
The officer’s club for the Kingsmen pilots at Camp
Eagle near Hue was the scene of some relaxation and
recreation.
An initiation rite for new pilots was to down a glass of
burning booze without putting the fire out. A pilot is
shown attempting the trick in the upper right. Note the
warrant officer, lower right, with the fire extinguisher.
A Huey lands in Vietnam with its doors closed, an unusual event. Rasset said some Hueys didn’t even have
doors anymore. “The ones we were flying were pretty beat up.” (National Archives)
The Huey
BELL UH-1D IROQUOIS
Crew: 1-4
Capacity: 3,900 lbs (14 troops, six stretchers or cargo)
Length: 57 ft.
Width: 8 ft. 7 inches
Height: 14 ft. 5 inches
Power plant: Lycoming T53-L-11 turboshaft,
1,100 horsepower
Main rotor: 48 feet
Maximum speed: 135 miles an hour
Range: 315 miles
Service ceiling: 19,390 feet
Rate of climb: 1,755 feet per minute
Introduction: 1959
Produced: 1959-1986
Number Built: 16,000
Armament, combination of: 2 M60 machine guns
2 19 round rocket pods
2 .303 Browning Mk II
A
Page 10
December 2014
bout that time, Rasset was promoted to the left
hand seat as air commander. He had to fly a
check ride with an experienced pilot to make sure
he could do all the things that might be required on the missions.
Again, he was only assigned to safe missions for a time.
A typical day usually started with breakfast at 4:30 a.m.
followed by a thorough pre-flight of the aircraft, and making sure everybody had done their job, such as loading
ammo for the guns. “These are really high maintenance
vehicles.”
The day might include operations off and on.
“Sometimes at 10 at night I’d still be helping the crew chief
get the chopper fixed.”
Rasset generally flew with the same crew, but when the
chopper was down for maintenance or to fix bullet holes,
the crew would get a break and Rasset would take up another chopper. “The crews worked hard, and we liked to give
them a break and not beat them to death back there.”
The Hueys nearly always flew with the doors open, and
the crew chief and gunner would have to deal with the
wind, the elements, and everything else. “Some of the
Hueys didn’t have doors at all. I don’t know what happened
to them.”
Rasset said the constant flights into dangerous neighborhoods became somewhat addictive for the pilots. “There’s
just that adrenaline rush of doing it.”
During this time, the pilots could volunteer for what was
called Command and Control North. “It was basically a
classic CIA covert ops thing. We’d fly special forces recon
teams in so they could do surveillance.” Many of the flights
were into Laos.
On one flight, the group of helicopters was joined by a
silver-painted Huey. “They flew right with us. I looked over
and these guys were wearing white shirts and ties and the
reflective sunglasses. And they had their doors closed. They
just gave us the thumbs up. There was no radio contact. Did
we know who they were? We had no idea.”
The teams that would be brought in often consisted of
three or four Special Forces troops and maybe 12 indigenous fighters, usually Hmong or Cambodian.
“When we put people into Laos, they didn’t have any
trouble finding the bad guys. They were all around. And
they always knew we were coming.”
Rasset at the controls of his Huey during his tour in Vietnam.
O
n a mission to bring in a team, Rasset’s helicopter was the first of four coming into a hot LZ. As
the Huey was approaching the LZ, it was struck
hard in the tail section by an RPG. “You talk about those
Bruce Willis movies where the helicopter goes spinning
around. That was us. If that RPG had hit about 10 feet forward, we’d all been dead.”
The other Hueys aborted the mission and headed home.
“That’s what they were supposed to do. They did the right
thing.” Rasset’s Huey corkscrewed into the ground. “We
were lucky we didn’t get hung up in the trees.”
The next thing Rasset knew, he was coming to with his
Huey crashed into the jungle. “I must have been stunned,
because I kind of woke up and the crew chief was telling me
we had to get out of the aircraft. He unhooked my harness
and got me out of my seat and told me we’d better f—-ing
get out of there.”
But Rasset’s training was taking over. Despite his mental fog, he knew he had to get his gun. “All I could think of
was do I have enough ammunition?” He got his gun and his
ammunition, and the crew chief thought he could get Rasset
away from the crashed chopper, but not quite yet.
“I told him I had to get the black box. They train us that
we have to get the black box. He looked at me and said,
‘Really? Just leave that piece of crap. The whole aircraft is
going to burn in about 10 minutes.’ But I said, ‘What if it
doesn’t burn?’ What a fiasco.”
The crew of the Huey joined the team they were supposed to land. “These were the specialists. They knew what
they were doing. They immediately started using the hand
signals, and we moved off into the jungle without a sound.
I knew enough to keep my big mouth shut and follow the
leader. If I’d been in charge, we’d have ended up in
Thailand or China.”
To this day, Rasset doesn’t understand why the enemy
didn’t come to finish them off. “They knew exactly where
we were. We were sitting ducks.”
By the second day, the little group of survivors found a
river bed, and the going got somewhat easier.
They still had their radio, and on the third day when they
came to a clearing along the river bed, they were able to call
for a helicopter to pick them up.
“They took us to Da Nang and then back to Camp Eagle.
The next day, this guy shows up and says that Gen. Powell
wants to see me and that a vehicle is waiting. I said, ‘Holy
shit.’ I had to go through about three layers of offices, and I
told the secretary I had an appointment with Gen. Powell.
They brought me in.
“My knees were shaking so bad, I was sure that he could
hear them.”
The two chatted a bit about the 101st, and then Powell’s
demeanor changed. “Now let’s get to the point. What were
you doing in Laos?”
After Rasset’s stumbling account of Command and
Control North and the CIA, and after Powell had silenced
him, he said to the young warrant officer: “Okay fine. But
Rasset had his wings pinned on him by one of his
friend’s sister.
Chistmastime brought a bounty of treats from families
back home.
just between you and me and the mouse, we were never
there.”
Rasset replied, “That works for me, sir.”
And that was the end of Rasset’s interview with the man
who many thought would run for president of the United
States in years to come.
Months later, near the end of his tour, Rasset and others
were in a ceremony where medals were being presented.
Rasset had earned two Bronze Stars, several Air Medals and
other awards during his time in Vietnam. Present for the
ceremony was none other than General Colin Powell.
“When he got up to me, he looked and said,
‘Congratulations, Mr. Rasset, we meet again. Have you
been staying home?’ I just said, ‘Yes, sir.’”
what it was like in Vietnam. There would be a war going on
over here, and a few miles away they’d be having pot luck.
That’s the way that crazy war went on.”
Despite the fact that in 11 months in Vietnam, having
flown over 900 combat hours and having crashed three of
Uncle Sam’s helicopters into the ground, he said none of
those miraculous escapes were his most exciting mission.
That came when the pilots were asked to go down to
DaNang and pick up Bob Hope’s Christmas show and bring
it to Camp Eagle.
“They told us we’d probably have to stay overnight, but
they told us not to get too drunk so we couldn’t fly back. We
said, ‘Yeah we can do that.’
“I remember writing my mother that I was giving a ride
to Miss World. I told my mom that my life was pretty damn
good right now.”
He said Bob Hope came over and talked with the pilots
and crew and was very friendly.
B
ut he hadn’t been staying home. While still chauffeuring troops back and forth to Laos, Rasset
guided one more chopper to the ground. “We were
extracting a team. But the LZ was being hit with mortars
and was basically overrun. The guys on the ground were
trained for that stuff. I wasn’t.”
The Huey never actually landed, but tried to pick up the
team by hovering just off the ground. “They were piling in,
and then it was go, go, go. We were probably doing 90
miles an hour over the tree tops. Just then, the crew chief
said on the headphones, ‘There’s a couple of those little
guys hanging on the bars outside.’ Somehow he was able to
drag them in.”
Afterwards, Rasset said the Huey started acting sluggish.
“It was probably a mortar that got us, but it hit a hydraulic
line. Everything on the helicopter runs on hydraulics. Pretty
soon I couldn’t do anything with the aircraft.”
By this time, though, the helicopter had crossed back
into Vietnam and Rasset found an abandoned airstrip to
crash on. “Luckily it wasn’t booby trapped.” Again, everyone survived.
“We called Triple A, and they came and got us. That’s
And then it was time to go home. “Some pilots stayed in
and did other tours. But I could see it wasn’t my calling. I
enjoyed what I did, and I liked the people, but it was time
to move on. You can feel it. Your mind and body just wear
down.”
Rasset was sent back to Fort Lewis in Washington and
was expecting duty somewhere in the States or Germany to
complete his enlistment. Instead, he was immediately
processed out of the Army. “Talk about culture shock.”
He returned to Maple Lake and the dairy farm which he
worked for the next 30 years. Eventually he found that a
small dairy operation could not survive in the new world of
mega-agriculture and he sold the farm some years ago. He
took a job in town.
He and his wife, Kitty, who just celebrated their 40th
wedding anniversary, have six children, four boys and two
girls.
December 2014
District Commanders
FIRST
DISTRICT
Myron Ehrich
Commander
Greeting from the Big Red.
The month of November was a busy one here. I was at
Triton school for their Veteran's Program. The kids sure put
on a good program for us.
I went to Kellogg Post 546 for their program as well as
a meal. Thank you to them for the invitation.
I also attended a meal at Dodge Center Post 384 on
November 12. It was a good turn out.
Now December is here. The Pearl Harbor Day Rally is
to be held in Montgomery.
The 1st District Christmas Party is Dec 14th. It will be
held at the Stewartville Legion Post.
I would like to wish all Legion members, Auxiliary
members, SAL members, and Legion Riders a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Please as always, keep our service men and women and
their families in your thoughts and prayers.
SECOND
DISTRICT
Jennifer Kafka
Commander
Greetings and Merry Christmas to all, as I write this a list
of everything from rallies, midwinter and holiday celebrations run through my head. Like many, this is a busy time
of year so I’d like to take a moment out of my busy schedule to remember why I get to have the freedoms to celebrate
and say Merry Christmas. We have them because of
unselfish American men and women who stand watch, safeguarding some of our most cherished traditions, while they
and their families sacrificed theirs. Many have come home
yet, tens of thousands of others will continue their difficult
and lonely missions of protecting us.
The holidays can be a time for many to remember loss
and sacrifice. We as an American Legion Family need to be
there when our Veterans and Soldiers need us most. A
moment of our time is the best gift we can give but a card
or letter, sending a package to those away from home, or
visiting a family who has a member overseas these are just
a few things we can do to show we appreciate their sacrifice
so we can celebrate with our families.
Thank you my fellow Legionnaires for everything you
do day in and day out, I am honored and humbled to be part
of such a great organization. May you all have a Merry
Christmas.
THIRD
DISTRICT
Duane Anderson
Commander
Greetings from the Thundering Third
Last month was again full of activities involving duties
of a District Commander. Attending the Fall Conference at
Mahnomen was a good time and a learning experience
again this year. This conference is always a good time to
reunite with other Legionnaires, Riders, Auxiliary and SAL
folks that you’ve met in the past and to meet new ones. Last
week was Veteran’s Day with a couple of days attending
and speaking at various activities in our area. It is a good
feeling to see school children and other folks expressing
their gratefulness and appreciation of the sacrifices that our
veterans have given to keep our country free and strong. I
read an e mail message that stated that it seemed appropriate that Thanksgiving Day and Veteran’s Day were in the
same month because they represented similarities in appreciating our country and our freedoms that we many times
take for granted. I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving
and were able to participate in Veteran’s Day in some way.
We now are only a couple of weeks away from Christmas
and the holiday season. I wish you all a very merry
Christmas and when the next newsletter is in print we will
be enjoying 2015.
Embrace Change/Maintain Mission
FOURTH
DISTRICT
Dan Williams
Commander
Greetings from the “Fabulous Fourth.” Always give
thanks.
This is the time of year when most of our nation is in the
hustle and bustle for “The Holidays.” Let me remind you
of a portion of our preamble. For God and country we associate ourselves together… It’s within this association I say
“Thank you to God” for allowing us to live in the greatest
nation on earth. I am very thankful to be a member of this
great organization. We take care of our veterans and support
those men and women now serving at home and abroad.
We also care for their families and our communities.
Legionnaires, “thank you” for that and for supporting the
2014 Shop, Ship and Share. It was a great success. I’m
sure we will receive wonderful reports from our troops.
Congratulations to SSG Johnny Angelo, American
Legion Department of Minnesota’s Outstanding NCO of
the Year.
Mark your calendars. January 31 is the date for the ALR
and Minnesota Veterans Homes Ice Fishing Tournament at
Disabled Veterans Rest Camp on Big Marine Lake. Don’t
miss this “cool” event.
The District (RCCC) meets the second Thursday in the
month starting at 7 p.m. Dinner is served after the meeting.
Our December RCCC will be held at Rosetown Memorial
Post 542. Our guest speaker will be a representative from
the VA Regional office. He will be making a brief presentation on retirement and survivor benefits. We hope you
will mark your calendar and plan to join us.
According to History.com, in December, 1914, warring
countries refused to create an official cease-fire. However,
Christmas Eve, many German and British troops sang
Christmas Carols to each other across the lines. At the first
light of dawn Christmas Day, some German soldiers
approached the Allied lines calling out “Merry Christmas”
in their enemies’ native tongue. In 1914, World War I, we
did have a Christmas cease-fire. I would to God that in
2014 we could have a world-wide cease-fire. Please don’t
forget our troops during this holiday season. Pray for peace
on earth.
FIFTH
DISTRICT
Wayne Glanton
Commander
Greeting from the Fighting 5th.
In membership, we are a little behind. Try using E-mail
to pay your dues.
The fall conference held in Mahnomen was well organized, and the 5th District had a number of our people in key
positions making it run very smooth.
Curt Norenberg did an excellent job. I met a Legionnaire
who is running for National Commander. He was trying to
visit all of us at the Fall Conference. To me this is a big job.
I wish him well.
Our consolidated post reports will be made easy if you
start making notes now of your activities. Thanksgiving is
over and we getting ready for the big one: Christmas.
SIXTH
DISTRICT
Carl Moon
Commander
Fall Conference has come and gone and I believe was
not only very well attended but very educational. Oh, bythe-way, did I mention that the 6th District took first place
in Membership.
Congratulations to the hardest working Membership
Director that I know, Mr. Jim Lucas, and to all of our posts
for such a great turn-in.
The leading candidate for National Commander 20152016, Dale Barnett of Georgia, gave an impressive speech
and I believe he will be an outstanding leader for our
organization.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful and successful
Veteran's Day program. I was able to accompany our
Department Commander to the Official Minnesota
Veteran's Day Program in Inver Grove Heights where
Commander Peggy was the MC. Wow, what an impressive
program. Great speakers , wonderful music by the Red Bull
Band and over 15 new inductees into our Armed Services
took their oath to serve our country.
As the holiday season is upon us, please consider helping those veterans and their families who are not as fortunate as we are. Invite them to a Thanksgiving or Christmas
meal, visit with them and offer your assistance and support.
Especially, during this holiday season, keep our active duty
troops in your thoughts and prayers. Have your post send
some goodies, personal supplies or just write a few notes to
those troops stationed overseas and let them know how
much they mean to us and our country.
The Pearl Harbor Rally will have come and gone by the
time you read this article. Will the 6th District be able to
retain their lead in Membership Turn-In? The 3rd and 10th
Districts look like they might be trying to give us a little
challenge for first place title. Good luck to all.
A very happy Thanksgiving and merry Christmas to all.
Minnesota Legionnaire Page 11
SEVENTH
DISTRICT
Victor Gades
Commander
Greetings from The Mighty 7th.
The holiday season is now in full swing. Let’s not forget
our active military members who are away from home and
their loved ones. You don’t have to be in a combat zone to
be away from family. Remember, we do have remote bases
and ships deployed at sea on watch 24/7. They all are
defending our freedoms and keeping vigilance for us 24/7.
A short note to them can immensely lift their spirits.
Similarly a brief conversation will have the same effect on
our Veterans. Some of them are in nursing homes, hospitals,
or are without family -- silently suffering. Remember this
season of rejoice is for everyone.
My theme this year is “Building a Stronger America”
and my Commander’s Project is raising funds for the shadow (memory) frames for the Fergus Falls Veterans Home
residents.
Membership is moving along at a fair pace, due to the
good work by the membership team. Now as we tend to get
busy with family, let’s not forget to make that one contact
for renewal or ask if someone you met is a Veteran and a
member of The American Legion.
A little housekeeping: District 7 Mid-Winter will be
January 17 in Olivia. We will be having a Mid-Winter membership rally the same day. This will be a full agenda, but
we can make this a productive event.
May your new year be filled with many blessings and
accomplishments.
EIGHTH
DISTRICT
Wilson Spence
Commander
Greetings from the Great Arrowhead 8th District of the
Minnesota American Legion.
Again the members of The American Legion have made
a difference in this nation and the Eighth District. Legion
members contacted their congressional representatives and
made a difference. The funding for active duty service
members at funerals has been reinstated. The presence of
the service members at funerals brings professionalism and
great dignity to the American hero about to be interned.
American Legion members obtained another benefit
after contact with their legislatures. On December 1, 2014,
the VA Twin Ports Clinic is scheduled to have the equipment to provide the new VA Veterans Health Identification
Card. The Veterans Health Identification Card provides
many different benefits. It identifies the VA patient with
their records at the VA Medical system. It provides proof of
a VA disability to allow the disabled veteran to ride any
public transportation at no cost. It also provides proof for
businesses that the cardholder is a former service member
for discounts of goods and services. Now the members of
the Eighth District may obtain the card in their district and
not have to go to Minneapolis. I want to thank every member who contacted the legislators and those who will contact the new members of congress.
I would like to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah and a
Merry Christmas with family and friends.
TENTH
DISTRICT
Tom Sanders
Commander
Greetings American Legion Family of the "Mighty"
Tenth District and the "Mighty" state of Minnesota. Here
we go into another month and I want to wish all the
American Legion Family a very happy holiday season and
a very properous new year.
The month of November went so fast and the hospitality
from all the posts that I and President Robin Dorf had dinner at, we will never be able to measure. Your Dictrict
President and I have had such a load of fun being able to
"mingle" amungst the American Legion Family and introduce ourselves. Thank you for the "invites" and "Cap's" off
to all for what you do for membership and the American
Legion Family and its programs as an organization.
This years District Project, which is a combined effort,
is "Helping Paws." We wish to thank everyone for there
kindness and their generous donations to our project. At the
10th District Midwinter Conference, which will be held at
Anoka Post 102 on Jan. 3rd,we will be having a demonstration of "Helping Paws" and its program.
As always the programs of the Ameican Legion Family
would not be complete without the effort of all you "Blue
Cappers", my Cap’s off to you and all you do.
Page 12
December 2014
Listening Post
News from around the State
BRAIN SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS -- At the annual American Legion Brain
Science Lecture, two graduate students received The American Legion scholarships of $1,000. Both are PhD candidates at the University of Minnesota’s
Neuroscience Graduate Program. From left: Jim Kellogg, president of The
American Legion Family Brain Science Foundation; Scott Warren, scholarship
recipient; Chris Ronning, Auxiliary President; Fatou Amar, scholarship recipient;
and Dr. Apostolos Georgopoulos, Director of the Brain Sciences Center.
AWARD PRESENTED -- Department National
Security /Foreign Relations Chairman Curt Norenberg
presented an Outstanding National Guard Award to
SSG John Angelo, Army National Guard, St. Paul. He
was unable to be at the Fall Conference where the
awards were presented originally.
NORTH BRANCH PINS -- North Branch Post 85 presented 45-year pins to Duane Damm, left, and Russell
Good, right. Presenting was Post Vice Commander
Darcy Doble. She also presented Randy Coe with a
pin for 25 years.
BACKUS BREAKFAST CREW -- The Backus Post and Auxiliary breakfast crew
wound up their nine-month season recently. From left, standing: Mickie Durheim,
Suke Wolf, Jean Dawson, Larry Whalen and Judy Johnson. Sitting: Mike Elsner,
Janine Thaler and Lynne Gagnon. Funds from the breakfast go to post and auxiliary programs throughout the year.
REDWOOD FALLS SHOOTERS -- Medals were presented to the top three regional shooting champions in
the American Legion Junior Shooting competition at
Redwood Falls. From left: Post Commander Jeff
Olson, Melanie Foy, Sarah Ludwig, Kylie Doering and
Jim Mertens.
FALLDIN POST VETS DAY -- Minneapolis Falldin Post 555 greeted veterans and
handed out gifts at Applebee’s Restaurant in St. Anthony Village. The restaurant
provided free meals for the vets on Veterans Day, and the post was allowed to set
up and help host the event. From left: Applebee’s Manager Mike VanVelkenberg;
Donovan Orttel, Milt Stacy, Dave Roberts, Bill Tiede, Virgil Persing and Ray Eiden.
WILLMAR SERVES VETS -- Willmar Post 167 served
43 veterans in area nursing homes a high quality
meal. Shown is Post Commander DuWayne
Underthun on the serving line.
DOG TAG RETURNED -- Matt Rybakowsk, left, was
digging in his garden in Holt when he found a dog tag
with the name Henry Horack inscribed on it.
Rybakowsk contacted his veterans service officer and
was connected with the Horack family in Mahnomen.
He presented the tag to Horack’s wife Bernice and son
Robert in Bagley. It is believed the dog tag had been
missing for over 55 years.
WELLS HONORS 60 YEAR MEMBERS -- Wells Post
210 honored 60-year members at the annual birthday
party. From left: Second District Commander Gene
Olswold, Donald Ehrich, Donald Schmidt, William
Barr, Larry Majeski, Department Vice Commander
Clinton Burt.
Henry Horack as a member of the Army Air Corps
in 1946. He died in 2013.
DONATION TO VIETNAM MEMORIAL -- Randy
“Hook” Eberling and his wife, Kerri, presented a check
for $2,200, that they raised, to the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Education Center slated to be built in
Washington DC. Accepting was Tim Tetz from the
VVMF.
World War II History Round Table
December 2014
Wild Bill Donovan founded America’s first spy organization
Wild Bill Donovan is one of the most intriguing, heroic
and dominant personalities in 20th Century America.
He earned the Medal of Honor in World War I, served as
President Roosevelt’s personal envoy before World War II,
and during the war established the OSS, the nation’s first
spy operation.
Oh, and along the way, he was also a founder of The
American Legion.
Two men with intimate knowledge of William J.
Donovan addressed the World War II Round Table in
November at the annual Harold C. Deutsch Lecture at
Historic Fort Snelling.
Douglas Waller, a journalist and former correspondent
for Time Magazine, is the author of “Wild Bill Donovan,
The Spymaster Who Created the OSS and Modern
American Espionage.”
Waller gave a physical description of Donovan: Five
feet, nine inches tall; piercing blue eyes, expert ballroom
dancer and singer of Broadway show tunes, non-smoker
and non-drinker, and what some called “penguin shaped.”
“He never laughed out loud, and he never told a dirty
joke,” Waller said.
Donovan was born in 1883 in Buffalo, N.Y., and for a
while thought he would become a priest in the Irish family
tradition. Instead he went to Columbia University where he
was a star running back. He later attended Columbia Law
School and was a classmate of Franklin Delano
Roosevelt’s.
In World War I, he led a battalion of the famed “Fighting
69th” Division out of New York, and received the Medal of
Honor. Waller said a compatriot at that time said of
Donovan, “He was the only man I ever met who actually
enjoyed combat.”
Waller attributes his Wild Bill nickname to an incident in
the Army, while other sources say it came from his football
days at Columbia. “He told people he didn’t like it, but later
his wife said that he secretly did enjoy the nickname.”
He hoped to become U.S. Attorney General, and was
promised the position by Herbert Hoover before he became
president, but once Hoover got into office, he reneged on
the promise. “To the day he died, Donovan never forgave
Hoover.”
He ran for governor of New York as a Republican and
lost, but as war approached he and FDR, though separated
by politics, found a common denominator. “FDR was trying
to build the country up for war, and Donovan agreed. They
were two very canny politicians who were seeing a common cause.”
FDR made Donovan a special envoy on several missions, including a key assignment to England to find out if
that nation could survive the war. “He came back with two
satchels of notes. He told Roosevelt that Britain could survive the war, but it would need a great deal of material support from the United States.”
Roosevelt won a tough election over Wendell Wilkie in
1940, but, Waller said, he was dismayed at his lack of information on international affairs. “Roosevelt was making
decisions largely blind about what was really happening.”
In July, 1941, as Roosevelt began his third term, he
signed a one-page document establishing Donovan as
“Coordinator of Information.” It started as a one-person
agency that later became the Office of Strategic Services.
It was Donovan’s job to coordinate the fractured information gathering being done by many government agencies, but he quickly began building his own agency which
eventually had thousands of employees.
Donovan had an endless stream of ideas, Waller said,
and wasn’t shy about trying them all. He used private companies that had sales forces overseas, he used the Kodak
Camera Club to gather intelligence photos, and he used a
major airline to get entry into other nations. “He was open
to any idea that crossed his desk.”
He also kept $2,000 in cash in his desk at all times to pay
for sources.
As the operation grew, it started to develop spy gadgets
like miniature cameras and exploding pencils. It also developed drugs to use while interrogating prisoners.
Some ideas were total flops, like the plan to attach incendiaries to bats and set them loose all over Japan. Another
plan was to find the source of Hitler’s vegetables and inject
them with female hormones so the German leader’s mustache would fall out and he would get a falsetto voice. “That
would have been a bummer for Hitler.”
In the end, Waller said, “He was a horrible manager, but
a very charismatic leader. The agents loved him.”
Donovan had a sense of derring-do about him that was
extraordinary. For instance, he landed with the troops on
every major invasion of Africa and Europe during the war.
After landing in Normandy, he stayed with the soldiers into
the hedgerow country.
“He had all these secrets in his head. If he’d been captured, he would have been quite a prize. When he was in
Normandy, he found himself in a place where the Germans
were shooting machine guns. Donovan reached to see if he
had his ‘L pill,’ which contained cyanide, but he had left it
Page 13
William Donovan earned a Medal of Honor and founded the OSS during his Army career.
in the bathroom at his London hotel.”
As the war progressed, he managed to make enemies of
many in top positions including J. Edgar Hoover, head of
the FBI, and Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester
Nimitz in the Pacific theater. “He once said that his enemies
in Washington D.C. were worse enemies than Hitler in
Germany.”
And Donovan was dismayed by the inter-service rivalry
in intelligence gathering. “How in the world can we spy on
other nations when we’re so busy spying on each other?” he
is reported to have said.
When the war ended, the animosity he had built up crippled his chances to lead any kind of post-war OSS. Plus, he
was not a great favorite of Roosevelt’s successor, Harry S
Truman.
The Central Intelligence Agency was formed in 1947
and was put under the control of one of Donovan’s former
employees, Allan Dulles. Donovan never held any major
position during his lifetime. He died in 1959.
B
ob Maynard, a Minnesotan who served for a time
as Donovan’s aide during World War II when the
OSS leader was doing work in China, recalled his
experiences for the Round Table.
Maynard was in the Field Artillery, but got recruited into
the OSS after officer’s training.
During an evaluation period, Maynard got drunk when
somebody spiked what they were drinking after a basketball
game. “We had all been given fake names and backgrounds.
But this one guy came up to me and said we should get
together later, and he asked my real name.”
The next day, Maynard found himself in front of a panel
of evaluators, and his “friend” from the night before was
part of the group. “I thought, ‘I’m out of here.’ But they told
me I talked too much, that I didn’t know how to hold my
liquor, but that I was still part of the OSS.”
When Donovan planned a trip to China, his regular aide
did not go with him, and Maynard was picked as his fill-in.
“I didn’t have a clue what an aide was supposed to do, but
they told me just to do whatever Gen. Donovan told me to
do. And that was the truth.”
Maynard confirmed that Donovan, who had earned
many medals in his long career, only wore one ribbon on his
uniform – the Medal of Honor. “It was light blue just like
the color of his eyes. It was my job to lay out his uniforms,
and it was on every one of them. I didn’t see it, but I suspect it was on his pajamas too.”
One time, Donovan asked Maynard to find him a good
barber, and Maynard brought in a native Chinese barber
who was known to be very skilled. “The barber laid out his
straight razor, and Donovan looked at him and asked me,
‘Has this man been cleared by security?’ I had to admit that
he had not.”
Luckily, Mayard had a backup, a corporal who could cut
hair. When it was over, Donovan quietly said to Maynard,
“The corporal was a better choice, wasn’t it?”
“Donovan never got mad, so that was like six lashes
from him.”
On another occasion, the base was flooded and other
arrangements had to be made for lunch outside the compound. The Army cleared all the native Chinese out of a
restaurant in town, and Donovan and his party dined there.
“Donovan had a briefcase that contained all his secret
papers. It had information about the atomic bomb and the
timing of using it. And it had his plans for the OSS after the
war. Donovan wouldn’t let anybody else carry it except
himself.”
Back in the Jeep after lunch, heading back to the base,
Donovan turned to the people on board and asked them if
they had the brief case. Nobody had it.
They hustled back to the restaurant, and Maynard was
sent in to find the brief case and retrieve it.
“I went back in, but now there’s about six Chinese eating at the table we were at. But there was the briefcase,
leaning against the leg of the table. I brought it back out to
the Jeep, and there was silence for a long time. Finally,
Donovan said, ‘I won’t tell anybody if you don’t.’”
Maynard’s final story was about a time when tee-totaler
Donovan was meeting with top Chinese leaders. He asked
the planners if there would be alcoholic toasts. He was told
there would be. He asked if he could have a designated
drinker. He was told he could. He picked Maynard, who
hadn’t had a drink since that day back in OSS evaluation.
“Whenever they had a toast, Donovan would hand it to
me and I had to drink it. As I recall, there were four large
glasses of vodka. I felt like a garbage disposal. I was rather
sick the next morning, but Donovan gave me a very nice
piece of jade he said he had bought for his wife. He said I
deserved it. I still have it.”
Dr. Connie Harris was the moderator of the evening, and
she gave a presentation on the connection between
Donovan and Deutsch, who was head of research for the
OSS during the war.
DOUGLAS WALLER
BOB MAYNARD
Page 14
The Auxiliary Bulletin
December 2014
No. 15-5
December 2014
President Chris Ronning
Secretary Sandie Deutsch
December is Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Month
Department Headquarters, Veterans Service Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
The
President’s
Column
By
Chris Ronning
As we gather with family and friends for Christmas, let’s
remember the less fortunate. As we sit in our warm houses
filled with laughter and joy, many sleep in the streets, under
bridges and some find shelter somewhere else. Many of the
homeless are Veterans, what a shame that these men and
women cannot be surrounded by loved ones. Lot of our servicemen and women are on foreign soil fighting so the
world can be a better place.
December is a time for our gift shop at our VA Facilities
and Veteran’s homes and it is the time when we bring a little sunshine into the Veterans life. Thanks to the V4V as we
are able to give them a little more this year. A check for
$20,000.00 was given to the American Legion Auxiliary at
our Fall Conference. We cannot thank them enough for
what they did and our Veterans thank them also. I want to
thank all the Units that have donated to the Gift Shop and
$5.00 bill shower.
With all the hustle and bustle, we still have a lot of work
to do especially with membership. We are in the top 4 on
the national level but we can’t stop now. This is now the
critical time when membership slows down. If your membership dues are not paid by December 31st, you will lose
benefits your membership gives you. Not only will you lose
your privileges but our programs will suffer.
December is Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation month;
this is one of our most important programs. It is all about
our Veterans and this is what we are all about, helping
Veterans and their families.
This month has been very busy, many, many miles, visiting with old friends, and I don’t mean age old, made many
new friends and let’s not forget all the delicious meals and
desserts. This is not too good on the waist line, but it just
tastes so good. I have attended membership dinners,
Veterans Day dinners, and 5 Pheasant dinners. Our driver
(yes, Marland the Chauffeur) took us to Silver Bay, New
London, Waseca, my own Post Osseo, Duluth, St. Paul and
the list keeps getting longer and still more food.
I do run into Commander Peggy once in a while, but
sometimes we are like ships passing in the night. Lots of
fun and good company where ever we go. Marland and I
had the honor to attend a dinner of the 95th Anniversary of
the Hellenic Post 129. The dinner was held at the Orthodox
Greek Church overlooking Lake Calhoun. What a great
experience, there were a lot of dignitaries in attendance and
I had the pleasure of sitting next to the Commissioner of
Veterans Affairs Larry Shellito.
I had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Apostolos
Georgopoulos, who is the U of M Brain Science Chair and
the Director of the Brain Sciences Center at the Department
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis.
By the time you read my article I will have attended the
Shop Ship and Share at the Maplewood Mall, getting ready
to ship packages to our Servicemen and Women that are in
harms way and bring a little Christmas cheer to make their
season a little brighter.
Also my Homecoming will be past and I want to thank
everyone that attended and I hope you all enjoyed your day
with me. As I write this I have no idea what’s in store, but I
know it will be fun.
God Bless all of you and God Bless this great country
and let’s pray for the safety of our deployed Service men
and women.
From our house to yours we wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year und Froehliche Weihnachten und
ein Glueckliches Neues Jahr.
December is Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation month.
There are a number of special programs the Auxiliary is
involved with this month, such as Gift Shop, our $5.00 Bill
Shower, Christmas parties, etc. These are in addition to the
regular activities our Hospital/Home Representatives and
their many volunteers sponsor at their respective facilities.
Is your Unit planning on doing something special for our
veterans?
Don’t forget the veterans in the local hospitals, nursing
homes and assisted living facilities as well as those who are
shut-ins in your community. Make December a special
month for them.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED - Our veterans
answered the call when our country was in need. Won’t you
answer the call when they are in need? Become a volunteer
at one of the VA Medical Centers, a Field Service volunteer
or a Home Service volunteer and assist our veterans. They
need you!
$5.00 BILL SHOWER - This year each hospitalized veteran in the nine hospitals/homes where we carry on our
department program will receive $5.00 during the holidays.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY HOSPITAL PROGRAM - We have nine facilities in which the Auxiliary carries on extensive programs for our hospitalized veterans.
This takes funding as we provide many of those extras to
our veterans. Your financial support is needed. Please send
your contributions to the Department Office earmarked
“$5.00 Bill Shower” and “American Legion Auxiliary
Hospital Program”. Thank you for your support. Please
call the Hospital Home Reps to see what their needs are at
this time.
On behalf of the American Legion Auxiliary Department
of Minnesota, each one of our members would like to shout
out a huge thank you to the V4V Board of Directors approving a grant to our Gift Shop Program. With this wonderful
donation our Veterans can enjoy an even better Christmas
for both themselves and their families this year.
V4V DONATION
Established in 1941 the Forgotten Children’s Fund is a
very important part of our children and youth program. Its
purpose is to provide those extra items and gifts for children
who are in the care and custody of the state as dependent or
neglected children. The state provides these foster children
with room, board, clothing and medical care. But there are
no funds available from the state for more than the necessities of life. Through the Forgotten Children’s fund, the
Auxiliary provides some of those extra comforts and needs
such as radios, graduation pictures, class rings, music lessons, instruments, bikes, class trips, etc. Application for
these funds is through the county social services department.
FORGOTTEN CHILDREN’S FUND
Information needed to reserve a place for your Girls
State citizen(s) for the 2015 session of the American Legion
Auxiliary Minnesota Girls State will be included in the
January Unit mailing. Please make sure and go through all
the information. The Committee has made some very exciting and positive changes to this year’s session! It will
include an American Legion Auxiliary Minnesota Girls
State informational brochure, a cover letter from the
American Legion Auxiliary Minnesota Girls State
Chairman and a reservation form. After the department
office receives your reservation form and your registration
check of $300.00 per girl, a packet will be sent to the Unit.
This packet will include a set of registration forms for each
girl you will be sponsoring. It will include the enrollment
card, information sheet, pledge, brochure, dress code, order
form for the polo shirts, etc. The packet will be sent to the
person who signs the reservation form. The registration
materials must be returned to the department office on or
before May 1. If you have any questions, please contact the
department office.
GIRLS STATE INFORMATION
Department President Chris Ronning has chosen as her
PRESIDENT’S PROJECTS
651-224-7634
special President’s Projects to purchase outdoor furniture, a
grill and recreational items for the Adult Daycare Center at
the Minneapolis Veterans Home. She also would like to
give both the Minneapolis VA and St. Cloud VA monies to
use for the Minnesota Creative Arts Program. Any additional funds raised would go towards the completion of the
Educational Building at Legionville. These programs
depend on donations to function. Your support of our
Department President’s projects is appreciated. Please send
your donation to the department office earmarked for the
Department President’s Project and indicate how much
should go to each part of her project.
How is your Unit doing in membership? Every Unit
should be at/above 75% of their Unit’s membership goal by
Saturday, December 6, the date of the Pearl Harbor
Department Membership Rally in Montgomery. Turn in
starts at 3:00 and dinner is at 5:00. These rallies are really
a lot of fun and everyone should attend one - hope to see
you in Montgomery.
Now is the time to recruit new members - explain our
organization and programs and the rewards that are reaped
from them towards our veterans and military families.
Make sure that after a new member is signed up you spend
time explaining our organization and get them involved.
MEMBERSHIP GOING UP
As our Department Chaplain Erma Redden is compiling
a book of prayers and devotional thoughts for President
Chris, she would appreciate you sending her any readings
you find that would be appropriate for Chris’ keepsake.
Please email or mail them to the Department Office or call
and we can get you Chaplain Erma’s address. Chaplain
Erma is also looking for prayers to be included in a new,
updated Department Prayer Book - please forward those on
now.
MEMORIAL/CHAPLAIN
When our Department President Chris visits your Unit
please send any newspaper clippings, pictures and snapshots to the Memory Book Chairman Jill Mueller, or to the
Department Office for our Department President’s memory
book. Your help in making this a special remembrance for
President Chris is appreciated.
MEMORY BOOK
What has your Unit done with the department and
national scholarship application forms you received in the
Unit mailings? Remember putting the application forms in
your file won’t help those who need assistance. Get those
applications into the hands of those who are eligible to
apply.
If you need additional forms, duplicate those you
received or contact the department office for additional
copies. The forms are also on our website.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Please see the Unit Guide for a list of those programs the
Department Executive Committee has approved for the
solicitation of funds. Please keep in mind those showing an
* by them are our own Auxiliary programs within the
Department of Minnesota. We need to support these causes – no one else does. Remember also that the Brain
Science Foundation and the Legacy Scholarship Fund has
been added to our list of funds to solicit for. It is a wonderful organization that is making tremendous strides to
help out veterans returning from combat duty.
DONATIONS
Kris Nelson has health challenge
Past National President Kris Nelson of Baxter is
being admitted to the University of Minnesota Hospitals
for tests. She will be having surgery the week of Nov.
24. Cards of well wishes can be sent to:
Kris Nelson
14678 Fairway Drive
Baxter, MN 56425
Auxiliary Bulletin
December 2014
Page 15
Continued from Preceding Page
Please encourage your schools to participate in the
Poppy Poster Contest. There are classes for all grades. All
of the rules are in the December Unit Mailing included in
the Trophy and Awards booklet. All of this information is
also on our website mnala.org. This is a great way to teach
our youth all about the Poppy, our Memorial Flower. Last
year the entries were very good. We have many talented
children - let’s do our best to promote the contest at our
schools.
POPPY POSTER CONTEST
We asked for your help in letting us know if you would
rather get the Unit Mailing electronically or continue to get
them by regular mail. Many of you have responded but we
are still waiting to hear from some Units. You will continue to receive them via mail unless we get your response.
Do let all of your members know that anyone can read or
print out any of the mailing articles from our website.
UNIT MAILINGS
The 2015 National Emblem Sales catalog is in the mail.
Every Unit President should receive her copy shortly.
These catalogs are mailed out bulk rate. If anything is in
error on a person’s address the catalog will be destroyed by
the post office. If a person has moved since August, the catalog was probably mailed to the former address.
If your Unit President does not receive her copy of the
2015 National Emblem Sales catalog she can request one
directly from National Emblem Sales, PO Box 1050,
Indianapolis IN 46206.
EMBLEM SALES CATALOG
On behalf of the office staff at the American Legion
Auxiliary, Sandie and Jan, we want to wish each and every
one of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
and hope Santa brings you everything you ask for. We are
sure you have been good all year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Sally Strasser, Department Gift Shop Chairman assembled her crew to sort and distribute all of the Christmas
Gifts for our Veterans and their families to be given out at
all nine VA facilities during their Gift Shop days.
Approximately $64,000.00 was spent on gifts this year.
Our Finance Committee and Executive Committee took a
very big leap of faith and again approved the increased
budget this year. Our veterans are what our organization is
all about and this small act of kindness at the holiday season is very important. Our Units have really stepped up and
increased the amount they are donating to this program.
Thank you so much for your help in making this program a
success.
Here is a reminder of the Gift Shop Dates:
Fargo VAMC - December 1 (evening)
Fergus Falls Veterans Home - December 8
Hastings Veterans Home - December 11
Luverne Veterans Home - December 4
Minneapolis Veterans Home - Dec. 3,4 & possibly 5
Minneapolis VAMC - December 2 & 3
Silver Bay Veterans Home - December 11
Sioux Falls VAMC - December 18
St. Cloud VAMC - December 1-3
GIFT SHOP DISTRIBUTION DAY
In last month’s Legionnaire you may have seen a job
posting for a Bookkeeper for our Department Office. Our
Department Treasurer Cathy Radil has resigned her position. I would like to thank her for all she did for our organization and wish her only the very best. I am very happy to
report that Jan Lauby, our Administrative Assistant has been
offered and accepted the bookkeeping position. Jan is a
very capable, valuable asset to our organization and she will
do a great job. I am now looking for an Administrative
Assistant. If you know of anybody with excellent office
skills, have them drop me a resume at [email protected]. I
won’t be writing again before the rapidly approaching holidays but I would like to wish each and every one of you a
very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Remember
this is your Department Office and if you need any help or
have questions, feel free to contact us at any time. I am still
reformatting the Annual Report forms and they may be a little late in coming this year. Last year they went out very
early in January. It may be closer to the end of January have patience - they are coming.
We initiated a Department Fundraiser this past spring
and are looking for interested buyers. We came up with a
Department of Minnesota polo shirt. They are $25.00 each
and we have all sizes from small to 4X. They are lightweight and easy to care for (no shrinkage). We bring the
shirts along to all membership rallies, conferences and conventions but you can order them just by either calling the
Department Office or sending an email. It is so nice to go
to functions and actually have one of our own Department
of Minnesota shirts.
DEPARTMENT TESTIMONIAL -- Department President Chris Ronning was helped in her Testimonial by the
highly talented district presidents.
Program of the Month: Vets Affairs and Rehab
Volunteers are always
needed.
Hospitals and
Homes need your help to
assist our veterans. If not
there, than maybe as a
Service to Veterans volunteer. Field Service and
Home Service were combined to form the Service to
Veterans program. Thanks
to Diane Strassburg for
chairing that portion of this
program. Help our veterans
at home – bake for them,
mow their lawns, shovel the
snow from their sidewalks.
Save postage stamps (commemorative and foreign)
and picture post cards.
Spend some time with the
people who serve or have
served OUR country when
called upon.
The Department of
Minnesota has 9 hospitals/homes where we carry
out
our
programs.
Following is the facilities
and the representatives:
Minneapolis VAHCS -
Mary Ann Davis, Pres Chris
Ronning, St. Cloud VAHCS
- Jan Benson; Sioux Falls
VAHCS - Gloria Lindquist,
LuVerne - Judy Kumerow,
Silver Bay - Phyllis Mealey,
Minneapolis Home - Sandy
Gibson, Fargo VAHCS Carolyn Albertson, Fergus
Falls - Doris Lafayette and
Hastings - Darlene Wondra.
Every hospitalized veteran
in these facilities will
receive $5 this year.
The “American Legion
Auxiliary
Hospital
Program” participates at
these nine hospitals and
homes. The representatives
of the Auxiliary work with
our veterans to assure they
have the extras they need.
They go on outings and
have birthday parties along
with making sure they have
all the personal care items
they need. Call the representative
of
the
hospital/home nearest you
and find out what their
SECRETARY SANDIE’S NOTES
SHIRTS FOR SALE -- Shirts are available in sizes
small through 4X. They can be ordered by emailing
[email protected] or calling 651-224-7634. The
cost of the shirt is $25.00.
Auxiliary
Membership
as of Nov. 19, 2014
District
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Seventh
Eighth
Ninth
Tenth
Depart.
Total
11-19 Tot.
3,147
3,678
3,225
551
588
4,464
2,936
1,099
3,196
3,791
103
26,778
Percent
52.82
64.61
64.26
63.33
57.70
63.12
64.32
56.80
63.16
62.95
59.20
61.88
Goal
5,847
5,693
5,019
840
1,019
7,072
4,565
1,935
5,060
6,022
174
43,276
needs are. Have a sewing
party or fundraiser to fill
these needs.
Another major area of
this program is the “Gift
Shop”. This area assures
that every veteran and
member of their immediate
family receives a gift at
Christmas.
Thanks to
Chairman Sally Strasser
and Committee member
Deb Bayer for buying and
distributing all the gifts
needed at the facilities.
Has your Unit sent in
your donation for these programs yet? Please send
your checks to the
Department Office.
The
American Legion Auxiliary
Veterans
Affairs
and
Rehabilitation program and
the Gift Shop combined
budget totals more than
$110,000 for our veterans.
We need your help.
-- Carol Kottom
Deb Bayer
Carol Kottom
Diane Strassburg
Sally Strasser
Hospital Representatives
Page 16
December 2014
Attention Veterans!
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Minnesota resort. Barrier-free
and open 12 months a year.
Gateway to the BWCA.
800-777-7538
email: [email protected]
www.veteransonthelakeresort.com
All cabins have a lake view.
JON BROWN
VA DISABILITY APPEALS
952-201-1799
Reverse
Mortgages
Call for a free consumer
guide and personal quote.
-- Must be 62 or older.
-- Never make a monthly
mortgage payment again.
-- Receive a lump sum of
cash, credit line or monthly
payments.
-- Income and credit not
required.
NMLS ID #283509
Let a retired active duty
veteran you can trust
show you how you may
benefit from a Reverse
Mortgage.
Mike Kraus
Serving MN and WI
7365 Kirkwood Court North, Suite 300
Maple Grove, MN 55369
763-355-8540
[email protected]
Former VA Decision
Review Officer
CALL TODAY!
www.vaappealsagent.net
[email protected]
RESORT FOR DISABLED VETERANS,
ACTIVE DUTY AND ABLE BODIED
VETERANS, DISABLED GENERAL
PUBLIC AND FAMILIES.

A Sign at Bastogne

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