Post Talk
North Branch Post #85
By Ron Rollins, Adjutant

Membership Meeting: Dec 14th @ 7PM
Auxiliary Meeting:  Dec 14th @ 7:30PM
SAL Meeting: Dec 21st @ 6:00PM
Coffee Talk with the CVSO: Dec 21st @ 9:AM

Rick Hals, Post Commander – Greetings to all and I hope everyone is well and everybody had a great Thanksgiving Holiday. Things are going great at the post, Carene has started up the bean bag games on Fridays and it is picking up the sales and getting people together again.

We have the new pull tab booth coming in the next several weeks, with the bar to follow. The Legion family is sponsoring a Santa Claus Day on Saturday Dec. 4th from 1 to 4 P.M.

The next membership meeting is on Dec. 14th at 7:00 P.M. Remember the CVSO, Bryan Brown will be the Legion on Dec. 21st  with Coffee Talk starting at 9:00 A.M. Wishing all a merry and safe Holidays!

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – The school supplies project was a success! Our American Legion Family donated approximately $120 worth of school supplies to Phoenix Academy. The school was very happy to receive the variety of items. I want to thank everyone who helped with donations of items or money for the supplies. We  do so much together for our community. I wish you a very, Merry Christmas

Jim Hunt, SAL Commander – Greetings and Happy holidays! The SAL is having a member appreciation dinner on December 21st starting at 6PM. We will hand out continuous membership awards as well. This event will be paid from our tips from Omelet breakfasts and Midsummer days. Please RSVP to jjhunting24@yahoo.com.  See you there!

Randy Koivisto, Past Commander –

Cemetery grave stone project update: The veteran’s headstones at the Sunrise Cemetery are looking presentable as of this summer. The project was started in 2017, and next year will be the first where it doesn’t appear any chemical will have to be applied. This was the second year for treating the headstones at the cemetery in Taylors Falls. They are coming along nicely, and with the help of member Myles Gunia, armed with a plastic bristled brush, they will be up to par sooner. The chemical used is the same as the product used at Arlington National Cemetery, and the White House.

Take time to visit both sites. You will find Civil War vets buried among more current members. You’ll find no better place in the county for quiet reflection than at the Sunrise Cemetery. The setting among the huge white pines is remarkable.

Our November 5th Red Cross blood drive was very successful. The appointments were all booked, and 38 units were collected. That had a potential of saving 114 lives. Please note that the next drive will be held on Friday, February 4th, 9am – 3pm.  You can reserve a spot by going online to the Red Cross website.

On Veteran’s Day our color guard consisting of Post 85 members, and those of local VFW Post 6424 attended three events at North Branch Schools. The day started by greeting the middle school kids as they entered the school and was followed by VFW Post 6424 commander Larry Lattimore leading students and staff by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom.  That was followed by a ceremony in the high school gym, composed of a great marching display provided by the cadets from the Jr. Air Force ROTC program, followed by an inspiring speech by program instructor, Col. Paul Johnson. Next stop was to the high school auditorium where we were treated to a variety of patriotic songs provided by the 5th graders from the Sunrise School. Our color guard joined with the AF JR.ROTC color guard to present the colors. If you need evidence that patriotism is alive and well in our community, just attend one of these events to see first-hand the outstanding job our school system is doing to help produce decent, upstanding, and respectful young citizens.

Veteran’s Memorial update: I wish I had better news to pass along, but our city council, with one exception, has decided to make a production out of our simple request for a yes, or no, for our planned project in Central Park. The proposal was to move and upgrade the current memorial on the site.

The city has announced that they will be posting a survey online, and on Facebook, running from December 10th through January 7th. There will also be a public meeting to be held at the Lakes Region EMS building on Tuesday, January 18th, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm to discuss the project. The mayor and several council members say they unsure of exactly what was proposed for the site, but the presentation by the committee was clear. The objections raised to date include, but are not limited to, the following.

The memorial will reduce available space for the annual events in the park.The Chamber of Commerce has stated that it will not impact their planned events. As most people know, we are the entity that puts on the annual Midsummer Festival, and the carnival company that we hire has stated that it would be no problem for them.

The memorial will impact kids on the playground and basketball courts. ( offered up was a plan to interview school age kids to see what they thought of the idea)The planned site for the memorial is between the present gazebo and highway 95. The proposal is for a site with a 60 ft. diameter circle, or something very close to that, which will not in any way adversely affect those activities in the back of the park.

Concern by the council was about possible future expansion.The plan is to honor all veterans, regardless of when they served. No expansion is anticipated.  While we can’t predict the future, It’s not in our current plans.

Concern from the council about traffic noise.Our position is that the purpose of this memorial is to remind those passing by to not forget the sacrifices made by those that served, and those that paid the ultimate price. The main street site is in a high traffic area, and would fit the purpose perfectly. If you want a quiet place to pay your respects, the aforementioned cemeteries are where you should journey to.

Our post has served  North Branch veterans, and our community since 1919! We allow free space for other civic organizations to meet in our facility. While many communities have canceled their annual celebrations due to lack of volunteers, we have produced our Midsummer Festival for 95 years. We sponsor awards for our local law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency responders.  We support our local students with numerous scholarships, and the Air Force Jr. ROTC program, along with the Boys and Girls State programs.

We deserve better treatment than what we are receiving from the city.
Randy Koivisto – Past Commander

Ron Rollins, Adjutant – Well, I’m hoping everyone is enjoying Thanksgiving leftovers and finished up with their Christmas shopping (Bahaha!). As we wind down 2021, let us reflect on where we’ve come and how well our Post has bounced back from the Covid Pandemic of 2021. From all events being shut down to being nearly fully opened. As with any other business or organization, workers are short. It is no different for our volunteer organization. We have many programs that are lacking leadership. I see the same people every year working the same programs, most working multiple programs within the Legion. Although, great for consistency, I’m also seeing burn-out.

While you are reflecting on the last year, consider your time availability to assist with some program in the American Legion. What can we be involved in in 2022? Well, here are some things we have and need help with:

American Legion Riders Liaison (membership required)
SAL liaison (SAL membership required)
Scholarship selection committees
Color Guard
Boys State activities
Girls State activities (Auxiliary program)
Legion Baseball
Public Relations Committee
Officer positions (i.e. Chaplain, 2nd Vice Cmdr, Sgt at Arms, Judge Advocate, Historian are all currently open positions)
Midsummer Planning, Staffing

This is just to name just a few. If you are able to take some time out of your week to volunteer to our fellow veterans, children, or community. We would like to have many doing a little work rather than a few doing much of the work of the Legion. If you are interested in a program or want to hear more contact Comdr Rick Hals, or myself.

On Friday, November 19th Post #85, teamed up with the Chisago County Veteran Service Office and distributed donated hamburger to veterans around Chisago County. It was great to see the smiles on these veteran’s faces to see VSO Bryan Brown show up on their doorstep. We are truly blessed to have dedicated people as he and Wendy Kowalke serving us as well as they do.

Pictured above: Randy Koivisto Post #85/Van Driver, Ron Rollins Post#85 Adjutant, Chisago County Veteran, CVSO Bryan Brown

Reminder: Midwinter Conference will be held on January 8, 2022 at Anoka Post #102. For more information visit the District 10 website http://www.mntenthdistrict.org/, or MNtenthdistrict on Facebook.

Let’s not forget our membership renewals. North Branch Post #85 is at 70% of goal. We need 67 more renewals to reach goal. If you have not renewed yet, send them in, or you may drop them off with the bartender or even better, in the mailbox just outside the meeting room at the Legion Hall.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Please watch the website and/or Facebook page for upcoming events.

Remember, “You Are the Legion”

Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Ron Rollins, Adjutant

Membership Meeting – November 9th 7 PM
Auxiliary Meeting – November 9th 7 PM
SAL Meeting – November 16th 6 PM

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – Veterans Day is November 11th and the auxiliary will be honoring our veterans in assisted living with cards and little treats this year. Do you know a veteran you can reach out to? Please let them know how thankful you are for their service.

Randy Koivisto, Veterans Memorial Committee – Veteran’s Memorial update – The proposed change to the Veteran’s Memorial location is still in process with the city council. For those that may have missed it, the North Branch Beautification Association, along with the Veteran’s Memorial committee have submitted a request to the city to have the memorial placed in Central Park, rather than the previously approved School grounds location. Cost of that proposed project and other factors drove the decision to look for an alternate site. The new site proposed is located in Central Park between the gazebo and Hwy 95.

The proposal was approved by the city Parks and Trails commission and forwarded to the council for action. The city council tabled the request asking for more information and a joint meeting was proposed with all parties, including two council persons designated to be the liaison to the project. A meeting was held with approximately 24 attendees in our hall in an attempt to bring the city representatives up to speed on the work done to date.

The city council was informed of the results of that meeting at a work session on October 19th, which was attended by many of our members. I was in attendance at the next formal city council meeting on October 26th, at which time the consensus was that yet more information was needed, and it was proposed by the council that the city gather a larger group of individuals to discuss the memorial project and to be asked a specific group of questions to get a clearer indication of the direction the public wants to go with the matter. NBBA representative Joe Scaramell was allowed to speak about the project to clear up some misconceptions. City staff advised the council to drop the request rather than table it, as it can always be brought forward again after the process moves forward. That action was taken.

We will await the results of the future group meeting to see if the Central Park location will be recommended for approval. If by chance, we fail to gain the spot in Central Park, it will NOT kill the project. There are other sites under consideration.
Attendance at the council meetings when this issue is on the agenda is important and highly encouraged. If you want to be put on a list to be notified of future action, you can send your e-mail address to me and I will include you on a group notification. We appreciate your patience while we continue forward with this important project!

For God and Country.
Randy Koivisto
Rkoi@midco.net
612-718-5609

Our Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Friday, November 5th, from 9 – 3. Spots are filling up fast. To sign up, call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767, or visit RedCrossBlood.Org and enter Sponsor Code: North Branch. Blood supplies are extremely low. Your help is needed!

We’re #1!!

Minnesota leads the way again! In Minnesota we raised $174,000 for the Legacy Fund, which creates scholarships for children of post 9/11 veterans who died on active duty or had a VA disability rating of 50% or higher. A distant 2nd was the state of North Carolina with $95,000. This program features a motorcycle run administered by the Legion Riders group. Hats off to them!

Carene Johnson, Club Coordinator – Hello Everyone! We have a very busy holiday season ahead of us in the club. Purse bingo, cornhole tournaments on Friday nights, football, meat raffles, and bingo. We are grateful to be open and happy we can still contribute to our community. Saturday is member day, buy one beverage and your 2nd is free. Please remember our hall for your family events.

Glenn Pierce, Gaming Manager – Our Fall Coach Purse Bingo is scheduled for November 5th at 7 PM. Our presale tickets are almost sold out so we will again have a full house for the event.

Join us in the clubroom for drink specials and food for all the Sunday Vikings games. Free drinks for all Viking scores and football tickets available to win up to $225 for the final score. Also pays per quarter.

Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Ron Rollins, Adjutant

Membership Meeting – October 12th 7 PM
Auxiliary Meeting – October 12th 7 PM
SAL Meeting – October 19th 6 PM

Rick Hals, Commander – Greetings to all. September has been busy, I am happy to say to we have the 2 members to fill the vacancies on the B & F Committee they are Larry Latimer and Kevan Swenson, thank you. The Legion and the Aux. had a booth at the annual Fall Festival, it was a long day but fun. I would like to thank all who helped set the booth up and those that took time to be there and those who helped take down the tent and remove everything. I would also like to thank Michelle Still for doing all the leg work and getting the permits etc. The front sidewalk has been removed and replaced, it definitely looks a lot nicer and safer. There was a Veterans Memorial meeting to discuss the city council actions or their lack of any actions, all I can say is disappointing at the
least. The October meeting will be on the12th at 7 pm in the meeting room, I hope everyone that can, will come, it’s nice when we have more people coming to the meetings. Have a great fall.

Glenn Pierce, Gaming Manager – Saturday Night Bingo for October 2nd is Cancelled due to a commitment in the Hall. Also, because the Hall is rented every Saturday in October we will be moving our Saturday Night Bingo to the Bar area only. We will review this again for our November schedule to see if it is practical to move it back to the Hall, which is the preferable location. We are scheduling our next Coach Purse Bingo for Friday Night November 5th, tickets will be on sale shortly.

Join us in the clubroom for drink specials and food for all the Sunday Vikings games. Free drinks for all Viking scores and football tickets available to win up to $225 for the final score. Also pays per quarter.

Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Ron Rollins, Adjutant

Membership Meeting September 14th 7 PM
Auxiliary Meeting September 14th 7:00 PM
SAL Meeting September 21st 6 PM

Randy Koivisto, Acting 1st Vice Commander

Afghanistan by the numbers.
America’s longest war.
Roughly, one in four American’s were born after the 9/11 attacks.
Prior to the recent Kabul Airport bombing, we lost 2,448 service members.
3,846 contractors were killed.
Afghan national military and police lost 66,000.
1,144 service members from other NATO member states were killed.
47,245 Afghan civilians died. (Again, prior to the recent airport bombing)
51,191 Taliban and other opposition fighters were killed.
444 Aid workers perished.
And 72 Journalists.
How many are still living with PTSD and physical disabilities?

The phrase “All gave some, and some gave all”, certainly applies here.

While we of the Vietnam era know the bitter taste of having to leave a job unfinished, our current service members should be proud that they were able to run down and punish those perpetrators of 9/11. While completing that task, they also were able to show ordinary people in Afghanistan that life can be better in many ways. Note the throngs wanting to leave before the curtain falls over the country. Hopefully we planted the seeds of democracy and at some point in the future they will start to grow. Our young service members should be proud of their accomplishments!

Statistics via the Associated Press

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – We had a nice turn out of 6 team members for the Relay for Life event and raised over $1200 for the American Cancer Society! Our next event is serving concessions for the Wild Turkey Federation at their gun bingo night. I really need help with serving. If you would like to help serve, please let me know.Our next meeting is Sept.14th at 7:00 p.m.Please join us as we review Midsummer and plan for the upcoming year.

Ron Rollins, Adjutant – As new adjutant for our post I am hoping to do as good a job as Glenn Pierce has the past 12 years of his TEMPORARY assignment. I congratulate Glenn on all the hard work he has put in to keeping our post efficient and effective. I am actually realizing how much work he has tangled with over the years. Thank you Glenn. With that in mind I ask for your patience as I learn all there is to this new adventure for me, which Glenn is helping me through.

I would like to remind all Legion Family Commanders to document all volunteer hours of your respective entity. This will also include sub-group committee’s i.e.,color guard, law and order, scholarships, building repairs. Also, any personal volunteer hours in the community as a legion family member. These all are to be reported to National at the end of the fiscal year in June. If we can do it as the event happens we can be accurate at the end of the year. I will task leaders for the documentation to get to me and I will put it on a running total.

Upcoming Events:

52nd Annual Camp-O-Ree at Legionville will be conducted Sept. 9 – 12, 2021.Any questions email: legionvillecamporee@gmail.com
SAL Omelet Breakfast: Sunday, Sept 19, 2021 @ 8am – noon

Glenn Pierce, Gaming Manager – Our Saturday Night Bingo Jackpot is at the maximum $2000 payout in 58 number or less. Some lucky bingo player will be taking home this pot this month. If you want to try your luck come early, the first game will begin at 6 PM.
Our electronic pulltab players won a total of $42,340 in August while the Linked Bingo players made a total of 10,260. All Charitable Gambling proceeds go toward American Legion programs and community support.

Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Ron Rollins, Adjutant

Membership Meeting August 10th 7 PM
Auxiliary Meeting August 10th 7:30 PM
SAL Meeting August 17th 6 PM

Rick Hals, Commander – Greetings to all. Its been a very busy summer, as you have probably heard, the Midsummer Celebration was a huge success with a great turn out of people at the carnival and all the events going on under the tent. I want to thank all who helped at the Legion to put everything together, it wouldn’t have happened without your help. At the meeting in June we had presentation by the North Branch Beautification Assoc. on the Veterans Memorial possibly going to the City Park, have not heard if the Council has approved the move.

The Post is still short several officer positions, if you would be able help fill positions please call me or stop by the legion and leave your number. Also the Sargent at Arms position needs to be filled, there is a chance we will not be able to do funerals in the future.

The next meeting is August 10th at 7:00 PM, I hope to see you there.

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – The Chisago County Relay for Life luminary event is August 18 from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City. Our American Legion Family has a team again this year. If you would like to participate or make a donation, please contact me at still.michelle28@gmail.com.

Glenn Pierce, Gaming Manager – Both our Thursday and Saturday Bingo Jackpots are at $1600 in 56 numbers or less. We are expecting both these Jackpots to be won in August. Our Linked Bingo game “Booty Chaser” has rewarded several of our patrons with a few hundred dollars in prizes. Statewide Booty Chaser is paying out over a Million Dollars a month. Plenty of reasons to try your luck at the North Branch American Legion this month.

Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Glenn Pierce, Adjutant

Membership Meeting June 8th 7 PM
Auxiliary Meeting June 8th 7:30 PM
SAL Meeting June 15th 6 PM

Rick Hals, Commander – Greetings to all. Midsummer is fast approaching and Carene has everything under control, she has 4 bands lined up and the tent has been ordered. Glenn has the gaming taken care of for under the tent (I hear he went purse shopping also). WE are in need of help starting on Monday the 14th to bring everything from storage about 8 AM. Wednesday the 16th we have to barrels to set up the tent. we will need help on Friday and Saturday nights with the gates and change runners. Monday, we get to take it all down and back to storage, actually all this on any one the days does not take more than 2 hours. By the time you will receive the Post Talk, Memorial Day will be behind us so I want to thank everyone who help with put it. The last thing I will mention is the upcoming meeting on June 8th. We are going to have a presentation on the Veterans Memorial a movie/slide presentation will be given by the North Branch Beautification group, I encourage everyone to come learn how it has progressed also there will be chance for everyone to talk about the 2 locations that are being discussed and take an informal vote on the locations. See you at 7 PM Monday June 8th.

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – Again, it was a privilege to honor our veterans at six local cemeteries. Now it’s time to gear up for Midsummer!

Here is another great event that we can all participate in. We will have a team again this year for Relay for Life. The event is August 18th and it’s being held at the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church. If you are interested in joining us, please contact me at 651-295-7260.

Randy Koivisto, First Vice Commander – Our recent blood drive collected 30 units of blood, with the potential of saving 90 lives. All appointments were filled prior to the event. Be sure to get your reservation in early if you want to participate in our next drive to be held on August 20th, from 9am to 3pm. Thanks donors!

We had a crew installing the avenue of flags at our North Branch cemeteries on Friday, May 28th, in time for the holiday observance of Memorial Day. By the time you read this, they will have been taken down, but keep it in mind for next year. It’s an impressive sight when all of those flags are flying in the breeze!

Our newly minted 1st Vice-Commander, Mark Johnson, will be taking over membership duties starting in July. Many thanks to Mark for stepping up!

Glenn Pierce, Adjutant – The Minnesota Department of Revenue reminds Minnesota service members to take advantage of the refundable 2017 Credit for Military Service in a Combat Zone. The 2017 credit expires for most qualifying service members on October 15, 2021. You may qualify for $120 per month or partial month served. Service members have already claimed more than $705,000 in refunds for the 2017 credit, with an average refund of $664.

“Minnesota provides this important benefit for our military service members who served in a combat zone,” said Revenue Commissioner Robert Doty. “Minnesota service members earned this credit through their service. We want to do all we can to make sure they are aware of this benefit.”

Do I qualify for the credit?

You may qualify if all of these are true:

You served in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area anytime since January 1, 2017. For details about combat zones and qualified hazardous duty areas, visit the IRS’s webpage on Combat Zones Approved for Tax Benefits.
You were a Minnesota resident during your time of service.
You received combat pay.

How do I claim the credit?

Submit Form M99 online, or mail Form M99, Credit for Military Service in a Combat Zone, for the years your served. For copies of Form M99, review our current and prior year forms. You will need these documents to file:

Corresponding Form DD-214 for each period of qualifying service
Leave and Earnings statements for each month of qualifying service

If you are filing a 2017 Form M99 by mail, your documents must be postmarked by October 15, 2021.

Can I claim the credit for other years?

You may also claim this credit for tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020. To apply for these credits, file Form M99 for the appropriate year.

Where can I find more information?

For details on this credit, review our Credit for Military Service in a Combat Zone page
For details on Minnesota’s other military tax benefits, review our Military Service Members page

Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Glenn Pierce, Adjutant

Membership Meeting May 11th 7 PM
Auxiliary Meeting May 11th 7:30 PM
SAL Meeting May 17th 6 PM

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – I have been preparing reports for the district level and it amazes me how much our auxiliary members contribute to aid our veterans and military. This past year was tough for our unit to do everything we would have liked to. Nevertheless, we were able to honor our veterans with cards and gifts, support our community with gifts, and show appreciation for our military. Volunteers make a difference! Your membership is important! If you have not renewed your membership yet, you may do so by mailing your dues to Mary Lewis, P O Box 285, North Branch.

Randy Koivisto, First Vice Commander

Red Cross Blood Drive – Our quarterly Red Cross Blood drive will be held on Friday, May 21st, from 10-4. Most appointments are already filled, but you can apply to donate at RedCrossBlood.org and enter Sponsor Code: North Branch. You can also call 1-800-733-2767 to reserve an appointment.

Scholarships – Post 85 will be awarding five $1,000 this month to a group of outstanding North Branch Seniors. Having to choose from so many outstanding applicants is a tough job, but with our committee of Jim Johnson, Ron Rollins, and myself, did manage to pull it off.

Elevator – Our elevator work is nearing completion. Some bad door rollers were causing problems with delayed signals resulting in slow operation. The project should be complete in the next few weeks.

Maintenance – Our floors in the hall and meeting room received a couple coats of wax, so we are looking good once again. Facilities manager Carene Johnson has scheduled a company to come in to straighten out our array of electronic devices. We currently have some systems in the hall that are difficult to use, among other issues.

Orv Otterness – Check out the pin display in the hall that recently deceased member, and past 3 time commander, Orv Otterness, had collected over 65 years of being a member.

Art – We are still looking to add artwork to our exterior wall that faces the parking lot. It’s a big canvas, so volunteers for that project are needed.

Monthly Meetings – Monthly meetings are starting to grow in size again. We are meeting back upstairs in the meeting room at 7pm on the second Tuesday of the month, with masks on. Come on in!

Glenn Pierce, Adjutant – We will be resuming our traditional Memorial Day honors at 6 local cemeteries this year. Our scheduled start times will be as follows on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021:

Kost Cemetery 8:00 AM
Salem Lutheran Cemetery 9:10 AM
West Oxford Cemetery 9:10 AM
St John’s / Weber Cemetery 10:00 AM
Spring Lake Lutheran Cemetery 10:30 AM
St Gregory’s Catholic Cemetery 11:30 AM

We are continuing to work at having our traditional Midsummer Days Celebration this year. The Carnival is booked and ready, we have several bands and other parade entertainment waiting for restrictions to be lifted so they can attend. We are working with the State and Local authorities to bring you a safe and festive celebration.

Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Glenn Pierce, Adjutant

Membership Meeting March 9th 6 PM
Auxiliary Meeting March 9th 7 PM
SAL Meeting March 16th 6 PM

Rick Hals, Commander – Greetings to all and I hope this post talk finds you in good health. This months meeting will be at 6 PM on March 9th, and will be opening the meeting and then have the awards ceremony followed by a dinner and then resume with the meeting. Several members have asked how the post is doing in these strange and difficult times. I can report that the bar has been steadily improving, not to fast but on the right track. Carene, our manager has been on top of our income and expenses. The gaming is doing well, especially with both bingo pots maxed out at $2000 each. We are still going ahead with all our Midsummer planning, of course that could change anytime with another up swing of Covid 19. I look forward to seeing everyone on March 9th.

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – The American Legion Auxiliary has a great program for junior members! They are taught to serve our veterans, military and their families through mentorship from the auxiliary. Junior members hold their own convention, fun events and have a patch program. Daughters and granddaughters of American Legion members from birth to 17 years are eligible. Applications can be found at the Legion Hall or by contacting me at 651-295-7260. I would love to share about these amazing young people.

Randy Koivisto, 1st Vice Commander – It’s time once again to recognize those Legion members that have achieved significant
milestones regarding their American Legion membership. The annual awards program was delayed this year due to the pandemic. We feel that the conditions now allow us to proceed. Unfortunately we will be unable to invite the VFW, community contributors, and staff, to join us due to the hall capacity dictated by the social distancing rules. Mask use will be required when not eating or drinking.
We will be honoring those members that have reached their 10,20,25,30,40, and 50 year continuous years of membership. We will be serving a spaghetti dinner after the ceremony. It’s to be held on Tuesday, March 9th, in our hall. We will be starting at 6pm sharp, so if you plan on attending, please be punctual. We hope to see you there!

Glenn Pierce, Adjutant – It’s time for a reminder that the North Branch American Legion Post 85 will again be offering 5 $1000 Scholarships to students of North Branch High School. Graduating Seniors should see their school counselor for applications and details.

The American Legion also offers a Legacy Scholarship to qualifying members.

To qualify and apply for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship, you must be able to answer YES to the following 3 questions.

Are you currently a high school senior and/or accepted at or attending an institution of higher education?
Is your institution of higher education a nonprofit and regionally-accredited institution? (If you are unsure, contact your institution’s admission office. Regional accreditation applies to the whole school not a program.)
Does at least one of the following statements apply to you?A legal parent of mine died while serving on active duty, U.S. military service on or after September 11, 2001. (Does not have to be a death out-of-country or in combat.)
A legal parent of mine is a Post-9/11 veteran of the U.S. military, who has been given a disability rating of 50% or higher by the Veterans Administration.

If you can answer YES to the previous 3 questions, you may fill out this online application.

If you have already created an account on the Legion.org website, please SIGN IN now. If you have not created an account on the Legion.org website, please click on the SIGN IN link and get started.