Cokato American Legion and Auxiliary
celebrate Legion’s 100th birthday
The Cokato American Legion and Auxiliary members
celebrated the 100th anniversary of the organizations
March 18, with a potluck supper, awards presentation,
and a white elephant auction. There were approximately
45 members and guests in attendance.
Continuous membership awards were presented. Aux-
iliary Unit 209 member Mary Cole received a 65 year
award, and Paul Hillmeyer and Rodney Petit received 50
year awards from Cokato Legion Post 209.
Nearly everyone has heard of the American Legion, but
perhaps many don’t understand the Legion’s role when it
comes to veterans, active duty military, and community.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profi t
organization, with great political infl uence.
A member Legionnaire’s sense of obligation to com-
munity, state, and nation drives an honest advocacy for
veterans.
The American Legion was founded March 15, 1919, at
the conclusion of World War I in Paris, France by mem-
bers of the American Expeditionary Force.
It was chartered by Congress in 1919, as a patriotic
veterans organization focusing on service to veterans,
service members, and local communities. The Legion
evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World
War I into one of the most infl uential nonprofi t groups in
the United States.
Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million people,
and local posts sprang up across the country.
Today, membership stands at nearly 2 million people
in more than 12,000 posts worldwide. The posts are or-
ganized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states,
along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France,
Mexico, and the Philippines.
Cokato American Legion Post 209 was awarded its
charter on Sept. 29, 1919. There were 26 members listed
on that original charter.
Sadly, the common idea of what the American Legion
is seems to be that of the “Legion Club,” a place that
promotes the availability of beverages, dining, and pull
tabs to raise funds.
However, Legion Post 209 in Cokato doesn’t have a
bar, restaurant, or pull tabs. Post 209 and the Legion
Auxiliary raise funds by working hard reaching out to
businesses and individuals through an annual turkey sup-
per in October, and the annual Fly the Flag campaign in
late April and early May.
Both Post 209 and Unit 209 host their meetings on the
third Monday of the month at Cokato City Hall.
All plans for activities and fundraising are made dur-
ing those meetings.
After the meetings, the Legion and the Auxiliary gath-
er together for coffee and fellowship.
Cokato American Legion Post 209 and the Cokato Le-
gion Auxiliary Unit 209 are committed to helping the
local community and, of course, military veterans.
During 2018, Cokato Post 209 contributed fi nancial
assistance to the following causes: Cokato Fire Dept., the
American Legion fund for veteran’s assistance, Cokato
Ambulance Service, American Legion fund for wildlife
10
dinners for veterans, the local high school marching band,
Cub Scouts, Fisher House, Cokato Elementary School
Safety Patrol, veterans receiving care at VA facilities,
the Boy’s State Program, Minnesota veteran’s homes, a
trip to Guatemala for Dassel-Cokato language students,
the VA Medical Center at St. Cloud, Brooks Lake clean
up, and American Legion Baseball, The Post also assists
members of our Post with medical expenses, and gives
a $1,000 scholarship to a Dassel-Cokato High School
graduate,
In addition to these contributions, members of Post
209 visit with veterans at Cokato Manor once a month to
reminisce about times in service, and life in general.
Branch of Service caps are provided for Cokato Manor
residents who are veterans.
The Legion Post
sponsors the Cokato Memorial Day Parade and program
every year.
Post 209 also participates in Veterans Day programs
at Cokato Elementary School, DC Middle/High School,
and presents a program honoring veteran residents at Co-
kato Manor.
The Post Honor/Color Guard and Auxiliary proudly
lead the Memorial Day and Corn Carnival parades.
More importantly, however, the Honor Guard performs
Military Honors for veterans’ funerals and graveside ser-
vices.
In addition, the Post sponsors a table at the annual DC
Expo with information about how to apply for VA health
care, and other VA programs. Pamphlets with informa-
tion about Legion programs for families and children are
available.
Cokato American Legion Post does all this and more
with an ongoing decline in membership.
The American Legion’s success depends on an active
membership, participation, and volunteerism.
Sadly, as members age and are no longer able to be ac-
tive in the Post activities, few younger veterans step for-
ward to help continue and carry on the Legion’s efforts.
Local veterans will sometimes opt to join other nearby
Posts that have a bar and/or restaurant rather than join
local Post 209.
Veterans are encouraged to consider joining Post 209,
and help continue the programs and duties of the Post.
Veterans are welcome to come to a meeting, or talk
with one of the members.
They are invited to call for information at 320-286-
2711, or 320-286-2372. Leave a message if there is no
answer.
MOTORCYCLES WANTED!
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