The American Legion posts and Auxiliary units of Gackle, Streeter and Fredonia and the American Legion Post of Kulm co-hosted the 106th American Legion Birthday Party/Vietnam War Veterans Day event at the Gackle Legion Hall on Saturday, March 29. Approximately 100 people attended. A light meal was served, followed by a program.
Gackle Legion Post #250 Commander Jon Metz welcomed everyone to the event and led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Guest speaker Randy Entzminger, Gackle Legion member, shared a presentation titled “The History of the Gackle American Legion Memorial Hall” that included names and pictures of the founding members of the Gackle Legion and Auxiliary and pictures of the progression when building the Legion Hall.
A main highlight of the event was the presentation of North Dakota Welcome Home coins to 16 veterans who served between 1959 and 1975. The coin has a circle of 238 dots representing the known North Dakota lives lost in Vietnam surrounding the state and POW/MIA flags, state bird, state flower and 10 panels of the Vietnam Wall representing the remaining unrecovered North Dakota MIA. The presentations were made by Veterans Service Officers Jim Hilzendeger, Logan County, and Dave Bratton, Stutsman County. The audience gave a standing ovation to thank these veterans and provide the recognition they did not receive when they first came home.
Marella Presler Sebring read the elements of the “Missing Man Table” and Entzminger led prayers. Sharon Schlittenhard, pianist, provided accompaniment to the group songs “Star Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America” and “Happy Birthday.”
Milestone Service Awards were presented including a Legion 60-year and 70-year award and two Auxiliary 60-year awards. They awards presented include:
American Legion – Gackle
50 years: Luxton J. Brooks, Leslie Wirkkunen, John Henke, Michelle Pich, Rod Gilmore
60 years: Wilbert Denning
70 years: Darrell Ova
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American Legion Auxiliary – Gackle
35 years: Rachael Smaage
45 years: Rebekah Wilke
50 years: Brenda Mayer
55 years: Doreen Mickelson
60 years: Nedina Denning
American Legion Auxiliary – Fredonia
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60 years: Isabel Weber
The Trust Project
