By Curt Hendel
Veteran Writer
On Saturday, July 20th, 2019 during Christmas in July, Argonne Post 32 of the American Legion finished its celebration of their centennial. The day started a bit rocky, with a Sons of the American Legion pancake breakfast at the post hindered by a severe thunderstorm that came raging in early in the morning. It certainly put a damper on the first half of the breakfast, but, after the rain subsided, people started to come in to enjoy a great breakfast.
The storm proved costly to a couple of functions that day though, with the tent behind Maine Street collapsing from the intense winds. Carl’s Farm Store was forced to move their 60th Anniversary Celebration to their home office and Argonne Post 32 also relocated to their Post Home.
From 4 till 6 the Legion hosted a community happy hour, with mostly Legionnaires in the building, but several others coming in to enjoy the social hour and check out the Nobles County Veteran’s Book that was revealed and offered for sale there.
At 5 PM Adrian Mayor John Faber presented Post 32 with a City of Adrian Proclamation noting the Posts one hundred years of service to our nation, its’ veterans, and our community. After this, Wayne Jones and Jim Voss were presented their 50-year membership certificates from the American Legion.
The parade followed, with 25 Legion members marching representing Post 32 and the Lismore, Lakefield, Hardwick, and Dundee Legions and the Buffalo Ridge Leathernecks of the Marine Corps League. Many that were unable to march were riding in several vehicles and three Legion Riders showed up on their motorcycles, even with the threat of weather.
After the parade the fellowship continued for several hours, with an enthusiastic bunch in the post.
As Commander of Post 32, I want to thank all of our members, Auxilliary members, and Sons of the American Legion members that worked so hard to pull off both of our functions in our centennial year. This couldn’t have happened without you!
On behalf of Argonne Post 32, I want to also thank all of our sponsors without who we could never have pulled this all off. Thank you also to Mayor John Faber, City Administrator Bruce Heitkamp, and the Adrian City Council for taking their time to recognize this milestone for Post 32. We look forward to working with our community for decades to come! Last, but not least, Thank You to the people of Adrian for supporting our causes, helping us in our times of need, and for using our beautiful Post Home as we hoped it would be used.
Here’s to another century!!
