November 2024 Newsletter
- Minnesota Sixth District
- Oct 31, 2024
- 3 min read
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 –
Welcome to the cool, crisp, comfortable days of Autumn. Time to get out and enjoy the mosquito free days, get some last-minute yard work done, and just enjoy Gods blessings. Soon the frigid, snowy days of Winter will be upon us. I know we here in Minnesota often say, “Bring it on!” but remember that some folks can’t get around so easily. Let’s make sure we are checking on our friends and colleagues we haven’t seen in a while.
Once again, I’ll give a quick recap of the past month (and hope I don’t forget anyone):
It sounds like the Legionville deer hunt went well (last report I heard was 4 deer for 6 hunters). Congratulations to those that had success, and for those that did not have the opportunity to harvest a deer, I always say that is why they call it hunting and not shooting. Better luck next time.
The MVPA Convoy that came through our BIG 6th district was a wonderful event. I had the opportunity to attend their stop in St Stephen. To say that the community turned out in earnest would be an understatement. What a wonderful turnout. And, just before the convoy arrived, the staff at the St Cloud VA arrived with not 1, but 2 bus loads of veterans from the resident units. Those veterans had a front row seat to view the arrival of the vintage military vehicles. From my vantage point, everyone had a wonderful experience.
Thank you to all that attended the recent 6th District Executive Board meeting held at Post 12 in Long Prairie on October 13th. And a special thank you to Post 12 for the warm hospitality. We had a wonderful, constructive, productive meeting with some great participation, camaraderie, and information passed on.
I have been busy travelling around our district attending membership dinners, and membership meetings. Thank you all for the invitations to attend your events. The welcome I have received wherever I have visited has been quite overwhelming. It reminds me of why I stepped up to serve as your 6th District Commander. I look forward to visiting more Posts over the remainder of my tenure as your 6th District Commander.
Next up is the Department of Minnesota Fall Conference in St Cloud on October 25 & 25 (with some meetings held on October 24). This is a terrific opportunity to get some wonderful training on prominent issues and events impacting our beloved The American Legion. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you there.
I would be yelled at by our Membership Team if I didn’t remind you all to please continue to recruit new members, get our comrades to renew, and bring back members that may have fallen off our roles. When talking to veterans that are not Legionnaires, and they ask you, “Why should I join? What’s in it for me?” you can easily respond with, “What are you looking for? What do you need?” From there the conversation can easily flow with information on how
The American Legion participates in all aspects of supporting them, their families, and their communities. And if they say, “Well, I’d join, but I just don’t want to be a member and not participate. And right now, I’m just too busy,” you respond with “Just by being a member, you are already participating.” And then go on to inform them that just by being on our roles as a member, they have an impact on how our elected officials at all levels need to listen to us, because we continue to stand together.
As for myself, I initially joined because my dad was a Legionnaire for as far back as I can remember. I stayed, because I believe in what The American Legion stands for, and the actions they put into place to “Walk-the-Walk” and not just “Talk-the-Talk”. Every day, at every turn, I get to see the impact our organization has. I became a leader within The American Legion because I want to be a part in continuing that impact.
Until next time, keep doing what you do. The efforts you put forth are most definitely noticed. And HAPPY THANKSGIVING from my wife Wendy, myself, and the entire Grittner clan.
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