February 2026 Newsletter
- 10th District
- 14 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Greetings Mighty 10th.
Greetings from the Mighty 10th District. Beannachdan bhon 10mh Sgìre Mhòr. I recently consulted my friend, ChatGPT, about the importance of learning from the past. Here is what they shared; “Learning from the past is essential for personal growth, societal progress, and the prevention of repeating mistakes.” ChatGPT. Everyone is affected by the culture they are raised in, the culture they live in, and with it, the knowledge and understanding available to them based upon their place and time in history. No one is going to be able to question everything they were raised to believe or accept, even if and when they understand, like we do, how their foundation influences the way we think. As veterans we have a special bond a bigger wider view of the world we live in, an insight that few people get to experience. Our families learn lessons other families will never understand. Loss, loneliness and separation from family, friends, community, and country. Words such as gender, race, religion, color and ancestry mean that we are made up of many serving the greater good. Our services the Army, Navy, Maries, Air Force, Space Force, Cost Guard, Reserve, National Guard. We and our families stand together; no one person is more important than the other. We know what it really feels like to come home. I am not telling you anything new here, I am just reminding you. We DO NOT stand alone!! Our sacrifices and those of our families are to serve our county. When you look at another veteran or their family you are seeing comrades, friends who stood with you and supported you and continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you every day.
I'm proud and honored that you and your family continue to serve our posts, communities, cities, state, and nation as, Legionnaires, Auxiliary, Junior Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Riders. All are members of the American Legion Family working for one cause. Veterans and their Families. “Coming together is the Beginning, Keeping together is Development, Working together is Improvement. To clarify.
Coming together signifies the initial stage where individuals unite for a common purpose, marking the beginning of collective efforts.
Keeping together refers to the commitment to maintain that unity over time, which is crucial for sustaining progress and overcoming challenges.
Working together highlights the active cooperation and coordinated effort necessary to achieve success, indicating that true success is realized through harmonious collaboration.
This quote serves as a reminder of the foundational role of teamwork and collaboration in any successful endeavor.
Bill Gordon
10th District Commander
Wgordon2494@hotmail.com 320-491-5665
Membership
Hello Mighty Tenth District,
I hope everyone had a Great Christmas and New Years celebration! Now that’s it’s 2026 we need to start concentrating on completing our Post and District membership goals for the year 2026. As it stands right now, we are at 82.82% of goal as a District with the goal of 6846 members district wide by the beginning of the 2027 Membership year starting July 1st.
Six posts have achieved 100% of goals: twelve are over 90%, ten are 85% or better and fifteen are between 80% and 85%. We have met every National Membership Goal for the year as a District so far this membership year. The next National goal of 85% is February 14th and we meet this goal as a District. I’m asking all the Post at this time to call or write to their members that have not renewed their 2026 dues to encourage them to renew. Also recruit new members as usual remember all you have to do is ask if someone is a veteran and encourage them to join men and woman.
The Department Membership Director has issued a membership challenge to all the posts of the Department wide. The top four recruiters will receive two seats to the American Legion night at the St Paul Saints game on May 22nd it includes free food and refreshments. Qualifications are to recruit 3 plus new members between January 1st and March 1st.
Post Commanders and Membership teams thank you for all the hard work on membership and the other American Legion programs any questions or if you need help on anything reach out to your Vice Commanders or any other District Officer.
KEEP THE FAITH
Jim Copher
10th District Membership Director
612-396-9730
Chaplain
It was nice seeing so many attendees at the Mid-Winter Conference. It was also impressive to see so many attended the Riders Conference. A lot of great information was presented at both.
As we move into February, we start Americanism Month with several youth programs ramping up for spring. Also in February we celebrate President’s Day and an important date for Chaplains is “Four Chaplains Sunday”. Many Posts have a special program to commemorate this date in history. If your Post does not maybe it should be part of your future plans?
Dear Heavenly Father, we gather here in this month of Presidents giving thanks for this great country and for the many freedoms afforded us under the flag. We are mindful of the many men and women who gave their all to preserve those freedoms. May their souls rest in peace. And for those suffering the ravages of wars in hospitals and homes, we ask a special blessing. And, Dear Lord, for the good of us all, we reverently ask that “God Bless America”. Amen.
Tom Merino
District Chaplain
SAL Commander
Hello SAL Members and Legion Family
We just got done with Mid-Winter; time is going by fast. There was a good turnout for the Joint Morning Session. The SAL meeting not a very good turnout. If you want a voice in the District, show up for meetings, there are some openings for this coming year for Vice-Commanders and other positions. If you would like to be a Vice Commander or other positions let me know.
Colby Sherman was endorsed as District Commander from the Mound Squadron. Colby is new to the District but has been the Squadron Commander in Mound for many years. So please support Colby in his new position. He will take over at the District Convention on May 30th in Buffalo.
We still have 1 Squadron on the goose egg for membership, and some have just a few. Let’s get membership as soon as you get them. And congratulations to the Squadrons that have reached 100% or more. Thank you for your hard work.
Here are some Dates for the SAL and Legion Family Dates
Feb-21st is the Sweetheart Dinner at Lino Lakes Legion, 11:00 is Social Hr. Noon is Lunch they will be serving Lasagna, then after lunch there will be a program. There will be a rep from Helping Paws. This is Commander Jeremy’s Project, they will be talking about the service dogs that they provide.
Feb. 22 is the Fish Fry at the Clearwater Legion from 11:00 to 6pm
They do a great job.
Put this on your calendar for May 16th as the Aux is having a Family Picnic at the Train Park in Sandstone. There will be more info to come.
May 29-30 is the District Convention in Buffalo. The SAL meeting will be at 10:00 on the 30th, location TBA.
Thank You everyone for everything you do.
Tom Olson
10th District SAL Commander
Rider Director
Greetings to everyone on this miserably cold January of 2026. Currently the temperature outside is -22 degrees, but I'm not letting that dampen our American Legion enthusiasm for helping veterans in need everywhere.
Our American Legion Riders Mid-Winter Conference meeting was held on January 17th, immediately following the conclusion of the Legion Family Mid-Winter Conference. We discussed a number of topics, including upcoming events, road guard certification and recruitment, event insurance, and making training materials for posts that want to start a new Legion Riders chapter. And a belated congratulations to our newest chapter, Brooklyn Center.
Our Tenth District Suicide Prevention Ride will be held on Saturday, August 8th. The Anoka post has graciously volunteered to host this year. And if you're a chili fan, our Tenth District Chili Cookoff is being held at the Hopkins post on March 7th at noon. Everyone is welcome. These are just a small example of the many great events going on in 2026. Goodbye for now, and I hope to see you when the weather's warmer!
Matt Berens
District Riders Director mtberen@yahoo.com or 763-203-5285
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