Iraq War veteran, St. Paul Park American Legion Post 98 member and motivational speaker John Kriesel is the keynote speaker for the Fall Conference.
In December 2006, the blast from a 200-pound improvised explosive device killed two of his best friends. Kriesel lost both of his legs and suffered many broken bones and internal injuries. He wasn’t supposed to survive, and he died three times on the operating table. He spent nine months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Yet he is alive today. Kriesel is director of veteran services for Anoka County, a part-time radio personality and an award-winner author.
Come to the Fall Conference and hear John Kriesel share his message of hope and how to overcome life’s obstacles.
Cost to register for the Fall Conference is $20. Catered meals are available for $15 per meal. (Here’s the deal: The conference hotel has a restaurant, but it gets filled fast, so many Legion Family members prefer the catered meals.)
Register online with NO FEES with Zeffy by clicking here.
To pay by check, download this PDF, print it, fill it out and mail your check to the address indicated on the form.
Download the printable registration found in the Legionnaire here.
Blood Drive: 23 October 2025, 12:00-5:00p.m., State Room. Sign-up to donate at Red-CrossBlood.org and enter “Legion Conference” or zip code “56301”. If you prefer to call and reserve your spot call; 866.236.3276
The Fall Conference is one of our most important gatherings of the year. It is our annual school of instruction. There is discussion, patriotism and camaraderie. We hope it’s the kind of event you can talk about when you return to your post home and your fellow Legionnaires.
Your attendance at the annual Fall Conference shows your dedication to our great organizations and the four pillars of The American Legion.
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“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” — Herbert Spencer
What: 2025 Fall Conference
Where: River’s Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave S. St Cloud, MN 56301
When: Oct. 24-25, 2025,
There will be some committee meetings on Thursday afternoon with the DEC meeting Thursday evening. General training sessions begin Friday, Oct. 24, and finish Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
Who: Hosted by the Department Convention Corp.
Pay by check: Use the form from the Legionnaire by clicking here. Registration received by Oct. 13, 2025 is $20, checks can be made out to “Minnesota American Legion Convention Corp.” and mailed to Minnesota American Legion Convention Corp., P.O. Box 166, Princeton, MN 55371
Pay online: Use the Zeffy link at the top of the page.
Pay at the door: Registration at the door is $30.
Meals: Pre-purchased meals are available for $15 each. The meals are breakfasts on Friday and Saturday and a lunch on Friday. Please indicate with your check which meals you desire. You are able to purchase your meals using the Zeffy link at the top of the page.
Memories: Last a lifetime
We look forward to seeing all of you wonderful Legion Family Members at the Fall Conference. You will need to book your lodging yourself.
Headquarters hotel:
Best Western Plus Kelly Inn St. Cloud: 320-253-0606
Nearby hotels:
Courtyard by Marriott St. Cloud: 320-654-1661
GrandStay Residential Suites Hotel St. Cloud: 320-251-5400
Program for the 2025 Fall Conference, 23-25 October 2025
THURSDAY – 23 Oct
12:00 – 5:00 P.M Blood Drive Room: State
2:00 P.M. Gambling Seminar Ballroom/Sunwood
3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Committee Meetings
3:00 P.M. Convention Corp./Committee Room: University “A”
3:30 P.M. LIT Room: Poolside
4:00 P.M. Americanism Room: Senate
4:00 P.M. Children & Youth Room: Poolside
4:00 P.M. National Security & Foreign Relations Room: Congress
4:00 P.M. Strategic Planning Room: Sunwood
4:00 P.M. American Legion Foundation Room: Boardroom
5:00 P.M. Training Committee Room: University “B”
7:00 P.M. Department Executive Committee Room: Ballroom/Sunwood
FRIDAY – 24 Oct
8:00 A.M. – 8:20 A.M. Opening Ceremonies and Greetings Room: Ballroom
Commander
Sixth District Commander
Area Department Vice Commander
Mayor of St Cloud
St Cloud Convention & Visitors Bureau
8:30 A.M – 10:25 A.M. Breakout Training Sessions
Legion Legal
8:30 A.M. – 9:25 A.M. Instructor: Room: Senate
District Opertions
Instructor: Room: University “A”
Resolutions
Instructor: Room: Congress
Membership
Instructor: Room: University “B”
Breakout Training Sessions
9:30 A.M. – 10:25 A.M. Strategic 5-Year Plan FAQs
Instructors: Room: Senate
Post Operations
Instructor: Room: University “B”
Legion Legislation
Instructor: Room: Congress
Post/District Service Officer Responsibilities
Instructor: Room: University “A”
1030 A.M. General Session Room: Ballroom
10:35 A.M. – 11:20 A.M. NSFR Outstanding Enlisted Service Members
11:20 A.M. – 11:35 A.M. NEC Reporting Nationally and Introduction
11:35 A.M. – 11:55 A.M. Leading candidate for National Commander
11:55 A.M – 12:00 Noon Announcements
NOON LUNCH BREAK
1:00 P.M. – 2:55 P.M. Breakout Training Sessions
1:00 P.M. – 1:55 P.M.
Legion Legal
Instructor: Room: Senate
District Operations
Instructor: Room: University “A”
Resolutions
Instructor: Room: Congress
Membership
Instructor: Room: University “B”
2:00 P.M. – 2:55 P.M. Breakout Training Sessions
Strategic 5-Year Plan FAQs
Instructors: Strategic Planning Committee Room: Senate
Post Operations
Instructor: Room: University “B”
Legion Legislation
Instructor: Room: Congress
Post/District Service Officer Responsibilities
Instructor: Room: University “A”
3:00 P.M. General Session Room: Aux. Ballroom
3:05 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Motivational Speaker: John Kriesel Iraq War Veteran
Room: Auxiliary Ballroom {Joint Session}
4:00 P.M. Recess
Meetings
10:00 A.M. Finance Room: Boardroom
4:00 P.M. Hospital Association Meeting Room: University “A”
4:00 P.M. Legislative Committee Meeting Room: Congress
5:30 P.M. SAL Detachment Finance & Executive Committee meetings Room University “B”
SATURDAY – 25 Oct
9:00 A.M. Opening Ceremonies and Greetings Room: Ballroom
9:05 A.M. Legion Family Greetings
Department Auxiliary President
Honorary Department Jr. President
Sons of the American Legion Commander
Department American Legion Riders Director
9:25 A.M. Columbia University Lighthouse Project Adam Walsh, PhD
Suicide Prevention/Awareness Training Room: Ballroom Be The One
11:45 A.M. Donations & Commander’s final comments Linda Dvorak
12:00 Noon ADJOURNMENT
8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. SAL Detachment General Session Room: University “A”
1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. American Legion Riders Mtg Room: University “B”
- Subject Synopsis:
Legion Legal:
- By-Laws and Constitution – Post and District
- Four Rules of American Legion Programs and Subsidiary organizations
- Non-Profit vs For Profit
- Human Resources and Anti-Harassment
- Cannabis – Minnesota state Law
District Operations:
- District Officers Responsibilities
- Continuity of Officers
- Limits of Authority
- Running an effective meeting
- Parliamentary Procedure
Resolutions:
- Why
- How to Write a Resolution
- Process
Membership:
- Mylegion
- Legion + App
- Membership Retention
- Membership Recruitment
Strategic 5-Year Plan FAQs:
- Why a Five-Year-Plan
- How to Implement the Plan
- Goals of the Plan
Post Operations:
- Post Officers Responsibilities
- Continuity of Officers
- Limits of Authority
- Running an effective meeting
- Parliamentary Procedure
- Programs and Awards
- Annual Reports – Annual Post Data Form, CPR, Officer Reports
Legion Legislation:
- State Level
- Federal Level
- Voter Voice
Post/District Service Officer Responsibilities:
- Be The One – Buddy Checks
- Resources for Veterans
- Post Service Officer Reports
Columbia University:
As part of The American Legion Be the One mission to end veteran suicide, we have joined forces with Columbia University to develop training for those who want to learn more about interacting and responding with veterans who may be in crisis.
After the training, participants will be able to:
Use the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale to determine at-risk individuals.
- Identify risk factors and warning signs
- Outline the types of suicidal ideation and four behaviors that indicate imminent risk.
- Communicate effectively with an individual who may be at risk of hurting themselves.
Blood Drive: The national blood supply has fallen by over 25% since July 1. Blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations, rapidly drawing down the blood supply. The Red Cross is working with hospitals around the clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t do it alone. We need your help! This year at our Fall Conference we will have an opportunity to make a difference. You can sign up to donate on Thursday, October 24th from 1200 to 1700. Our drive goal is 35 units. This amounts to 3.5 donors per district. You can go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter legion conference or zip code 56301 or call 866-236-3276. There’s an urgent need for blood donors of all blood types to give now.
United We Stand
Terry Larson
Breakfast & Lunch: Served buffet style poolside. Breakfast starts @ 7:00 A.M… Lunch Starts @ 1145 A.M… You must purchase meal tickets at time of registration or at registration check-in.
Schedule of Upcoming Fall Conferences
2026: St. Cloud, Oct. 22-24