October 2025 Newsletter
- 10th District
- Oct 8
- 4 min read
The Fall Colors are impressive this time of year. As you relax and read this please think back, to when you first decided to join your local American Legion Post. Now please close your eyes and remember, what was it that you saw in your local post that made you want to be a part of it? How have you benefited from being an active member? What are the things you enjoy about being a member of the largest and strongest military service support organization in the nation? The next time you start a conversation with a veteran about joining. Think about what drives you to be a member. Tell your new veteran friend about what we have accomplished, the benefits, the services they are using is a direct result of our efforts.
I cannot remember who said it. However, “If every member gets one new member to join this year, we will double our membership”.
Why are you proud to be a member of the American Legion ? “Coming together is the Beginning, Keeping together is Progress, Working together is Success” – Henry Ford
Bill Gordon
10th District Commander
Wgordon2494@hotmail.com 320-491-5665
District Commanders (Legion and SAL), President and Director combined project, MN Veterans Food Panty, is having a fundraiser this Thursday Oct 9 4:00-7:00 PM at the Butchery in Maple Lake.
National Media and Communications division has produced a flyer titled September Metric. See attached for all the hits Legion.org has had in September.
Membership
Hello Mighty Tenth District:
Here it is October Already and our membership is doing very well the District as we now stands at 64% of goal, far exceeding the 55% by fall conference. Two posts stepped up to my challenge of 100% of goal by Veterans Day.
CONGRADULATIONS to the Clearwater Post 323 with 108% 0f goal and Taylors Falls Post 392 with 100% of Goal. Both Posts achieved it on the same date, so the $100 challenge will be divided equally between them. Sixteen of the post are nearing 70% of goal or better and I’d like to see the entire District at that same or higher by mid-November and the start of the Holiday season.
It’s the time of year when Membership will start slowing down so Post Membership teams, please contact your unpaid member to entice them to rejoin. As always Thankyou to all the Post for your hard work on Membership and getting the word out on all of the American Legion programs to your members and the general public.
KEEP THE FAITH
Jim Copher
10th District Membership Director
612-396-9730
Chaplain
We bow before you in humble prayer to thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the sacred institutions of America. Preserve these inspired concepts. Keep our troops safe. Protect our homes, churches, schools, and all therein from harm. Guide our leadership to uphold our nation’s cherished democracy.
Now that autumn has arrived, we look forward to all the fall activities, bonfires, booya, and Octoberfest celebrations. Enjoy!
Tom Merino
District Chaplain
SAL Commander
Hello SAL Members and Legion Family
I hope everyone is enjoying the warm Fall weather. I need it to cool down a bit so I can get out with Major and do some Grouse hunting.
Every Squadron should have their Membership packets.
If for some reason you don't have it please let me know. Keep up the good work getting in your memberships. There is a lot going on in the couple of months. Fall Conference is the 23rd-25th of Oct. in St. Cloud.
On Oct. 9th from 4-7 pm there is a fundraiser for the MN Veterans Pantry at the Butchery in Maple Lake. There is a flyer with the newsletter for the fundraiser. The Pantry is the Project for the 10th District this year. Come out and support this to help Veterans that need food get the food they need.
Veterans Day is coming up also; there are a lot of events coming up for that Day also Thank you for everything you do.
Tom Olson
10th District SAL Commander
God Bless our Troops and
Rider Director
What is Legionville? It's a question I’ve been asked all too often this year. Legionville is nearly 500 acres of paradise on North Long Lake northeast of Brainerd. And if you’ve never been there, you’re missing out.
The Legionville property was donated to the Legion many years ago, and was home to the School Safety Patrol Crossing Guard program run by the Minnesota State Patrol during weeklong summer camp sessions. Recently however, Legionville has been redesigned as an education camp for kids with programs including first aid, 4-wheeler safety, basic firearms safety, swim safety, and other programs. Kids from 9-13 are welcome, and chances are that your local post will help defray the registration cost.
For those families that would like to visit and camp, Legionville has a special event called Camp-o-ree that takes place during the first weekend in September. Bring the camper, pitch a tent, or stay in the student dormitories.
For the bikers, Legionville is home to the state Legion Riders Motorcycle Rally, often called the "Romp". This takes place the weekend after Camp-o-ree. Lots of bikes and memories made.
Lastly, Legionville is home to the John Zgoda SAL Memorial Deer and Turkey Hunts for disabled veterans. I want to thank the SAL for selecting me for the first-ever turkey hunt, it was really an amazing experience. And thanks to the Legion Family dignitaries that showed up to support the hunt and the hunters.
Once again, if you don't know about Legionville, you owe it to yourself to take a look: legionville.org. You won’t regret it! As anyways, I can always be reached at mtberen@yahoo.com or 763-203-5285.
Matt Berens
District Riders Director
Personify 360 issues or comments, please contact Adjutant Paul Orson, paulorson@comcast.net, 612-325-2899.
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