Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Glenn Pierce, Adjutant
Membership Meeting February 9th 6 PM
Auxiliary Meeting February 9th 7 PM
SAL Meeting February 16th 6 PM
Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – February is a good month to remind everyone that the American Legion Auxiliary offers many scholarships. Encourage high school juniors you know to check out the scholarships available with their high school career counselor. Also, Girls State will be held at Bethel University in June. This is an excellent program for learning responsible leadership and citizenship. For more information about scholarships and Girls State, contact me at 651-295-7260.
Happy New Year and blessings to you all. May 2021 bring everything you hope for.
Rick Hals, Commander – Greetings and I do hope everyone is doing well. We will be having our regular Feb. meeting at 6 PM on the 9th in the hall. We have several items that need to be taken care of, so please try to attend. the meeting will only be one hour so the Aux. can do their meeting at 7PM. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 9th.
Jim Johnson, Post Chaplain – Over the years as Post Chaplain, I have taken part in many funerals for our departed Comrades, both Legion and VFW members.
I must say that it is with great remorse, I am doing a post talk about “Orville Otterness”, a devoted lifetime member of the American Legion for over 65 years.
Orv joined the American Legion in 1956 after serving in the US Army. His first Post was Spring Grove Post 249, transfer to Paterson Post in 1958, then transferred to Rochester Post 92 in 1959. From there he went to Post 155 in St. Paul. In 1970 he moved to Onamia Post 395. His last move brought him to North Branch Post 85 in 1997.
He was a man of many talents and wore many hats.
Locally, he served 3 terms as Post Commander, starting in 1985 and 1986, his second term in 1997, his last term was in 2007. He also served on many committees including Executive Board, BFNA, and Gaming Manager.
He helped the Legion with many events including hosting two District 10 conventions and two National Commander visits to our Post. He organized the Sons of the Legion Squadron in North Branch.
He helped the community in many events, including many Midsummer and Memorial Day events and Color Guard.
He was elected to District Vice Commander for 2 years in 1991 and 1992, later he was elected District Commander. He served 12 years on the Finance Committee, and 4 years on Continuity/Advisory Committee.
In 1986 he married Bev, and together they traveled to many National Conventions across the country where he worked as Assistant Sergeant at Arms in 21 different National conventions.
After each National convention Orv would bring back a small memento that was mounted on our American Legion flagpole, which is carried during our events.
I write this to you Orv with tears in my eyes, we teased you a lot at our membership meetings. You would talk too much and too long, but in the end we learned a lot from you. You are a true Legionnaire to our cause.
We will miss you my friend, we salute you, we thank you.
May God bless you and keep you in our hearts.
WE THANK YOU “SIR”!!
Post Chaplain
Jim Johnson
Glenn Pierce, Gaming Manager – With mask requirements and social distancing in place we are again operating our Thursday and Saturday bingo programs. Thursday we are offering a Jackpot of $1900 in 58 numbers or less and Saturday is up to $1700 in 57 numbers with the halftime coverall a constant $500 in 57 numbers. The electronic linked bingo is a fast growing attraction with some mega jackpots exceeding $30,000. We have had some big winners at the Legion with one so far in excess of $4,500. All proceeds from Charitable Gaming go towards the American Legion and all our programs.