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February 2025 Newsletter

Updated: Dec 4

The American Legion Department of Minnesota Sixth District


View the Commander's update below or Download the PDF



Greetings BIG 6th District –

 


Frank Grittner

Well, here we are at the start of another new year. Looks like we are going to have Winter this year! That is a good thing for our folks that enjoy ice fishing (I’m hoping to get out myself sometime soon), skiing, hockey, and other outdoor winter activities. Let’s just make sure we are being careful while we are out enjoying the great outdoors.


I know that membership is hard at this time of year with our snowbirds being gone, and people either huddled up trying to stay warm, or out enjoying their favorite winter activities. But we must keep our focus on getting those renewals and new members coming in.


For those that are skeptical about being able to get new members let me give you some information. . .The BIG 6th District is not only currently number one in membership percentage at this time, we are, by far, the number one District for new members as well. That means, TOGETHER, we have recruited 175 new members into The American Legion. And that is being done while also getting our current members to renew.


I know you hear “us” talk about membership a lot. Sometimes it gets really tiring, but “we” do this because it is so important. Without members, Posts shut down. Without members, our local, state, and national legislators quit listening to issues concerning veterans. Without members, all of the good things done in our communities don’t happen. At our Post we recently had the opportunity to honor our only surviving charter member. He turned 100 on 1/1/2025 and has been a member for 77 years. I want to share a comment this Legionnaire made, “I am proud to be a Legionnaire and have always been impressed with how the leadership of our Post 560 has been able to do so many fine things for their members, our community, and our country.” This is the kind of message we need to be putting out to our members, and potential new members.

 

I keep hearing “How can we find new members?”, or “We need more information on where our younger veterans are.”, or “How do we get into XXXX to get in front of younger veterans?” While these are all valid questions, I would submit that you are already where these veterans are. You are in the grocery store, or hardware store. You are out ice fishing, or at a hockey game, or other youth sporting events. This is where you will find veterans. Sometimes, all you need to do is ASK, “Are you a Legionnaire?” You would be surprised how many times you’ll hear, “No one ever asked me.”

 

Remember the most important person in The American Legion is YOU. Nothing gets done without the folks that wear the Blue caps. And TOGETHER, those are the people that make up The American Legion, and that are doing all the good things happen in our communities.

 

I hope to see you as I travel around the BIG 6th District. Stay safe, stay warm, and God Bless!

 

Until next time remember to BE THE ONE and TOGETHER WE CAN!

Save the dates:

 

6th District Events:

  • Oratorical contest is 8-Feb-25 at Post 627 in Nisswa.

  • Executive Board meeting – 06-Apr-25 at Post 368 in Backus

  • Joint Testimonial held on 3-May-25 at Post 621 in St. Augusta. Registration info to come

  • Convention held on 6 & 7-Jun-25 at Post 255 in Brainerd


Department of Minnesota Events:

  • Sweetheart Rally – 08-Feb-2026 – Post 137 in Royalton

  • Department Oratorical Contest – 22-Feb-2025

  • Appreciation Rally – 08-March-2025 – Post 580 in Chanhassen

  • National Commander’s Tour – 23 thru 29-March-2025 – See Department website for schedule

  • Department Commander Testimonial – 05-April-2025 – Northern Lights Casino

  • Department Convention – 10 thru 12-July-2025 – Willmar Convention Center



Nefarious forces are in action trying to deceive our veterans and most especially the officers in our Department, District, and Posts. In specific, these people are "SPAMMING" our The American Legion leadership. More clearly, they are sending electronic messages (through email, text, etc) that look like they are coming from our leadership, and asking for funds to be sent via gift cards, etc. Most often the emails say something like "I need your help with. . . " or "I'm in meetings all day, and I need your assistance. . . ", or "Did you receive my previous email? . . . ", or something along those lines. Then they describe a situation and ask the person getting the message to get gift cards for a certain amount and send them the numbers. In some recent incidents the person that got the email actually went and got the gift cards and sent the information out.


The 6th District leadership is advising the following . . . DO NOT ever send any money in any form unless you have spoken directly to the individual asking for the funds. This means, before you send any money, in any form, pick up the phone and speak to the person that is asking for the funds. Double check the email address that is sending the request, if it is not something you recognize, DO NOT send any money.


I will NEVER send an email asking you to get gift cards for me. NONE of the 6th District leadership, when acting in their official capacity, will ask for gift cards to be sent to them.

If you receive any suspicious electronic communications that look like they are coming from any leadership of The American Legion asking for you to send gift cards, make sure you look up the contact information for that individual on official websites, and call them directly. Report any suspicions of this type of fraud to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Sincerely Yours,

Frank Grittner

Commander

TAL MN 6th District




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