They Keep Answering the Call to Serve

Acknowledging membership in the American Legion, Commander of Post 68, Nathan Pike and District Commander Mark Maloney presented pins and certificates recognizing 16 veterans.   “What personally does membership in the American Legion mean?” was the question asked to each veteran.

Among these awards were 70-year pins for two members, Roy Christopherson and Harlan Marchant.  Although unable to receive his award in person, Roy Chrispherson, in the Army 1952-1954, worked part of that time as

a mail clerk – stationed near Anchorage, Alaska.  Christopherson states he joined the Legion “right out of the Service” and believes “It’s something that’s necessary because it keeps those who were in the military connected.  We have a companionship that is different because of the experience we went through that we will always remember.”

Having one person retaining his membership seven decades is unique, having two members with this status is incredible and speaks volumes of the caliber of Post 68.  Harlan Marchant Army 1953-1955 also received his 70- year award.  After basic training at Fort Riley, Kans., he became a clerk typist eventually serving at Fort Carson in Colorado.  “Like many of us,” Marchant says, “After my time was completed, I was ready to come home, then my dad’s friend signed me up.  Over the years I’ve been active in parades, always keeping my dues paid, and helping when I was able. I have such great respect for all those who received pins this evening.”

Merchant’s wife Turby was at his side for the award ceremony as she has been for so many years.  The wives, children and families of veterans have an important role and many are members of the Legion Auxiliary.  She remarks, “Several of my relatives were in the Military and I am so grateful for the sacrifices made by those who serve.   The auxiliary does so much to support Legion Members and their families bringing awareness  by volunteering time and financial support.  My heart goes out to all especially, young veterans.   God bless them!”

The awareness of unity among those who have served was reiterated throughout the ceremony.  John Cavanaugh comments,  “My membership began in 2003.  During my eight-year enlistment in the Minnesota Army National Guard,  I was deployed to Iraq with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division (The Red Bulls) 2006-2007.  One highlight came when I randomly met George H.W. and Barbara Bush while on a four day pass in Qatar.”  Cavanaugh remains a member “for the important work the Legion organization does through supporting legislative initiatives on a State and National levels.  A great example was the recent passage of the PACT Act, securing health benefits for veterans exposed to toxins including burn pits for GWOT veterans.  Additionally, the Legion can partner with local County Veteran Service Officers to help file a claim on behalf of the veteran.”

From a different era, Bill Jones remarks, “I feel fellowship with others who served our country… I learned to be thankful for what we have in America.  Stationed in Korea (1965-1968), mainly serving at the DMZ line, I was put in charge of a repair shop – repairing generators and heavy equipment. Being in the service is an experience of a lifetime.”

Vince Mangan was one of the last veterans drafted in Fillmore County serving from 1970-1972 as a Surveyor in the 537th Engineer Company at Fort Belvoir, Va.  He states, “I’m honored to have served our country and like many others mentioned at this awards ceremony, I’m glad to be able to give back to our community.”

In October 1970, Gary Daggett headed to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Tex., for Basic Training then studied Tech Security police/canine.  Stationed in Southeast Asia at UTAPAO Thailand for 12 months, Daggett finished his time of service in 1974 at the Duluth International Airport.  He recalls, “When I came home, I joined the Legion, then the VFW.  I appreciate the ways our Legion and VFW work together in Spring Valley.  To those eligible I’d say, ‘Please join us!  Because of our time served, we are used to doing things that other people aren’t able to do or haven’t done.  We have a unique ability to reach out.’  We need young men and women to join us!”

Echoing Dagget’s sentiment, Kyle Pike comments, “The American Legion fosters a spirit of community amongst its members, provides an outlet of support for returning veterans, and affords veterans another avenue of service following their exit from the military.”  Pike enlisted with the Minnesota National Guard  2013.  He began Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S. C., then went directly to Fort Gordon, Ga., for the AIT program, trained as tactical satellite communications operator/maintainer and graduating July 2014.  He recalls, “I was told to get ready for pre-mobilization in March 2015 and eventually was deployed, between two units in Kuwait: Camp Buehring and 185th Theater Aviation Brigade and then transferred under a voluntary deployment extension to serve under the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade.”   

Pike continues,  “Ultimately, my hope and vision for the American Legion and its sisters organizations like the VFW and DAV are that these organizations continue to serve communities like Spring Valley, and that there is a passing of the torch to younger, returning military veterans that take to these organizations with a desire to continue serving their communities outside of a military uniform.”

Heading up membership for the American Legion is Jim Cavanaugh.  Enlisting in the Army 1966 serving until 1970, his last assignment was with the 1st Alaskan Scouts, an all Native American unit made up of Aleutian Island and Alaskan coastal natives.

His personal experience of being a Legion member for over 40 years has Jim remembering, “I was recruited to join by Art Larson and Sam Lindsay, both WWII veterans.  I really wasn’t active until much later when I had more time to devote.  By then a lot of the original group of Legion members had passed on and I felt I needed to help fill in with some of the duties they had performed. So few of the population are military veterans and when it comes to funding for veterans services, numbers count so we need as many veterans as possible in the veterans organizations.”

The 2019 LEGION Act changed the American Legion joining criteria.  See webpage https://www.legion.org/ for more information if you served one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941, and were honorably discharged or are still serving.