top of page

December 2025 Newsletter

Read the Highlights or Download the full PDF Version below!


Fall In for Fall Conference!

The Minnesota American Legion Fall Conference was held on October 24 and 25 with additional meetings and a blood drive on October 23. The Conference was at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. There were many opportunities to learn more about the American Legion. Subjects included: District Operations, Legion Legal, Membership, Post Operations, Resolutions, Strategic 5-Year Plan FAQs, Legion Legislation, Post/District Service

Officer Responsibilities, and Be The One Training through a partnership with Columbia

University.


Note: The Resolutions training was led by Paul Edwards, Nisswa Post

Commander while Post Operations was led by Beth Medeiros, Pequot Lakes Post

Commander.


Commander Frank Grittner (pictured above with 6th District ALA President Wendy

Grittner) made opening remarks and NEC Carl Moon introduced us to leading candidate for National Commander John “Jay” Bowen. John Kreisel, an Iraqi war veteran and

author was the guest speaker. No Legion Conference is complete without a poppy

contest. Our 6 District, along with the 9 District were the contest winners.


Message from the Commander:

Greetings BIG 6th District –

Well, here we are, winding down another year. I must say that the older I get, the faster the years seem to fly by. It is hard to believe that I am already half of the way through my second term as your 6th District Commander. It is such a privilege to be able to serve you in this way. I am so very proud of this District and all of the 6th District American Legion family. It never ceases to amaze me to see all the wonderful, kind, and selfless things you all do. From supporting a family in need, to presenting colors at our schools and other community events, to making sure our veterans know how very much they are appreciated. I always tell you TOGETHER WE CAN do wonderful things, and you never disappoint me, And now comes the time of year when we need to be especially sure that we BE THE ONE!


The Christmas and New Year season is proven to be the toughest time for those struggling to “keep it together”. Loneliness sets in, a sense of feeling not worthy overwhelms the spirit. So, we must BE THE ONE to reach out to make sure our absent friends and neighbors are ok. BE THE ONE to let them know they are not alone, that we are here for them, and with them. BE THE ONE to let them know we, as veterans and our families, will always be there for them. We took an oath to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic. And I can’t think of a more ferocious enemy than the despair and loneliness that leads to taking your own life. BE THE ONE to just be there for someone that needs an friendly face, or an unjudging ear to hear them. BE THE ONE!


Membership continues to go well here in the BIG 6th District. The majority of our Posts are at or ahead of their target goals for this time in the membership year. THANK YOU for all the hard work you put in every day. In my eyes it is a true testament to the dedication you all have for our veterans and to The American Legion. TOGETHER WE CAN continue to keep this a strong, vibrant organization that fights for the rights, privileges, and benefits our veterans deserve.


It is my sincere hope that our farmers had a safe, productive harvest, and that our hunters had a safe, successful hunt. As I said in my article last year at this time, by the time this newsletter is published and received in your homes, Thanksgiving will be over, and we will be on the way to celebrating the end of the year holiday season. While I know we all celebrate differently, in my house we celebrate Christmas. From everyone in the Grittner house, to everyone in our BIG 6th District, we hope that everyone has a Safe, Blessed, Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with all the very best.


Frank Grittner

Commander

TAL MN 6th District

TOGETHER WE CAN

Comments

bottom of page