The Crookston American Legion Nels T Wold Post 20 celebrated their 100th Birthday on Friday, April 12. Barry Bingham, Vice Commander of Post 20 stated: “We may not have a building anymore but we are still here and we still have a lot of heart”. Guests of Post 20 were the Crookston American Legion Auxiliary Nels T Wold Unit 20, Disabled American Veterans Chapter #14, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Chapter #14, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1902 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary to Post #1902.
The Program began with a Missing Man Table Ceremony conducted by Elaine Metzger, Unit 20 Chaplain assisted by Bill Cassavant, VFW Auxiliary President, Ella, Ethan, and Olivia Lanctot, Junior members of Crookston American Legion Auxiliary, Nels T Wold Unit 20. Speakers following dinner were the Honorable Guy Martin, Mayor of Crookston, who brought greetings from the City of Crookston and Margee Keller, American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Minnesota Chaplain, who brought Greetings from Tom Fernlund, Department of Minnesota Vice Commander for Districts 6 and 9 and Jean Walker, American Legion Auxiliary Department of Minnesota President.
John Vik, Emcee and a member of Nels T Wold Post 20 read a short history of the American Legion and included milestones of both National and Department levels. On the History of Nels T Wold Post 20, Mr Vik included the event whereby Private Wold, who the Post is named for, earned his Purple Heart and lost his life as well as the current activities of the Post. Paul Dubuque, Post Treasurer, spoke about the impact Boys State has had on his life.
Post 20 is a Centennial Post, chartered on May 17 of 1919. Today Post 20 has 153 members. We continue to support the programs that have always had support from Post 20. 50 to 60 percent of funds raised through gaming are donated to programs such as Home Delivered Meals, American Legion Baseball, Care & Share, North Country Food Bank, 9th District Band, Bingo at the Villa and RiverView, Christmas Baskets, Christmas wreaths for veteran’s graves, Community CPR classes, UMC scholarships, Crookston High School Citizenship Award for a male and female, Safety Town, Farm Safety, Fire Arm Safety, Veterans Facilities and youth programs at Camp Ripley, Boy’s State and Girl’s State.
