By Tim Engstrom
The Minnesota Legionnaire
ST. PAUL — The Department Executive Committee met by remote communications on Saturday, March 21, during a time when America and the world were struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most newsworthy aspect? Pulling the meeting off in the first place.
The meeting had been planned for the Best Western Plus hotel in La Crescent as part of the Appreciation Rally. That was cancelled amid concerns of spreading the virus.
Instead, less than 10 people met in the Press Room of the Veterans Service Building in St. Paul — specifically eight people — and the rest called in through the room’s conference system.
There was no rally, to be sure. But the DEC dug deep into its bylaws and conducted its business.
Commander Mark Dvorak encouraged posts to be involved in their communities while staying safe. He cited National Commander Bill Oxford, who mentioned Hayfield Post 330 in his coronavirus updates. The Post provided toilet paper to the elderly.
Resolution
The Department Executive Committee on March 21 dissolved the Education and Training Committee, which began in 2017, and established a replacement called the Training Committee. The Training Committee will have eight members and two subcommittees — one for Legion College and one for MyLegion.org.
Five of the eight members will serve on the Legion College Subcommittee and three on the MyLegion.org Subcommittee, each with an annual rotation of appointments.
The resolution emerged from the three-person Department Training Ad Hoc Committee.
During discussion on the motion, it was noted the subcommittees would meet more frequently than the larger full committee.
Reports
National Executive Committee Man Bill Barbknecht gave a report on the Washington Conference, noting Legionnaires were able to meet with all Minnesota members of Congress save for two. In those cases, they met with aides.
Barbknecht the spring NEC meeting has been canceled. He said all gatherings of 50 or more people in Indiana are disallowed until May 5.
He said the National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, remains as planned for Aug. 28-30, and the American Legion World Series still is on for Aug. 13-18 in Shelby, North Carolina.
He encouraged Legion members to remain involved with Memorial Day by assisting in some manner and thinking creatively.
Legionville Vice President Eugene Leifeld reported a new camp manager has been hired for Legionville, a school safety patrol training center near Brainerd.
Adam Felten lives just down the road from the camp. Leifeld said he and his brother have taken care of the camp throughout the winter and know the area well.
Legionville plans on a teleconference meeting on April 4.
Dvorak mentioned the Department of Minnesota won the Big 12 membership contest, earning a $2,500 grant for the Department office to offset technology costs.
“We’re at 91 percent,” he said. “We lead the pack there.”
Denise Milton, one of the organizers for the new Minnesota version of Legion College, said the deadline to apply is April 15. Classes are planned for May 29-31 at Camp Ripley. She noted Camp Ripley’s closure to civilians. An April 10 meeting will decide its status going forward.
Judge Advocate Greg Colby reviewed the governor’s emergency orders.
Boys State in Minnesota, scheduled for the week of June 14, has been cancelled.
The National Oratorical Contest Finals, intended for April 17-19 in Indianapolis, have been cancelled.
Past National Commander Dan Ludwig called on Legionnaires to know the rules for staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and abide by the rules.
Legionnaires still can provide for their communities, particularly by being “a sane voice in the wilderness.” He called on members to be part of the solution, not the problem.
“This is an opportunity to shine,” Ludwig said.
