The roots of this skilled nursing facility were planted as early as 2013 through the dedication of local veteran advocates and volunteers. The Preston Veterans Home Committee was established in the summer of 2015. Co-chairs and Vietnam veterans Don Gildner and Ron Scheevel began with little more than a dream. Over time with the help of volunteers/advocates and numerous trips to … [Read more...]
One of Mabel’s Own
Eighty-one years after the crash of a B-24D in North Africa during WWII, the mystery of what happened on that tragic day, September 4, 1943, remains unsolved. Aboard that plane was one of Mabel’s own boys, Darol Milton Sherburne. Staff Sergeant Darol M. Sherburne was killed on September 4, 1943, at Craw Field, Port Lyautey, Morocco, North Africa. Immediately after take-off, … [Read more...]
A Gold Star Sister
Rosemarie (Johnson) Morken of Peterson, Minn., the sole surviving sibling of Army Private First-Class Jerry Allen Johnson declared that she is proud to be a Gold Star Sister. Rosemarie, Johnson’s youngest sister was only 11 years old when he was killed in Vietnam. She remembers the day when her family received the news that he had been killed. Jerry was born on October 15, … [Read more...]
Show Your Support for Our Country’s Veterans: Wear Your Poppy
It’s time once again to mark your calendar: the annual 2024 opportunity to wear a poppy showing your support for our country’s veterans is fast approaching! National Poppy Day is the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, May 24, however, poppies will be available at many local businesses and Lanesboro’s American Legion Post #40 from midweek through the holiday on May 27. Despite … [Read more...]
Preston VFW and Auxiliary Announce Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Winners
Preston VFW and Auxiliary are proud to announce the winners of the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contests. Audra Otto won first place at the district level and second place at the state level for the Voice of Democracy. Katelyn Scheevel won first place at the local level for the Patriot’s Pen, and Hayden Hjelmeland won second place at the local level for the … [Read more...]
Service Dog Becomes Rushford American Legion’s First Mascot
As of June 26, 2023, the American Legion Post 94 in Rushford, Minn., has its first ever mascot – a dog named Bella. But this four-year-old Golden Retriever is much more than just a pretty face. She is veteran Ron Petersen’s service dog. Petersen served in Vietnam with the Marine Corp and has been dealing with the aftereffects for many years. To help with this, one of his VA … [Read more...]
“Lady of the Lake” Floats into Preston Veterans Home, Courtesy of Preston Area Arts Council
In January 2024 the Preston Area Arts Council disbanded due to a lack of new members and current members aging out. But before that happened the council decided they wanted to present the Preston Veterans Home with a gift. The council was made up of five members: Kay Spangler, founder and co-director, Mariella TerBeest-Schladweiler, co-director, Eileen Linden, the late … [Read more...]
First Veteran Moves into Preston Veterans Home
Long-time Preston resident Walter Hanson was the first resident to move into the Preston Veterans Home, on his 91st birthday, January 3, 2024. The newly opened Minnesota Veterans Home in Preston admitted its first residents on January 3 – four veterans who served in eras from Korea to Vietnam. The Preston Veterans Home is the first of three new veterans homes scheduled to … [Read more...]
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. … [Read more...]
Prevent 22 Task Force Donates $10,000
Did you know that an average of 22 veterans commit suicide daily in the U.S.? That’s a shocking number of veterans who faithfully served our country, isn’t it? Well, Flo Litwinczuk thought so too when she learned the statistic and she and some friends decided they needed to do something about it. For 25 years Flo and her friends had been doing benefits and fundraising for … [Read more...]