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Department of Minnesota, 6th District

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AMERICAN LEGION MEMBERSHIP IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT

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Dewayne Collins, Sr. Obituary

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Dewayne J. Collins, Sr., 75, of Brainerd, passed away Friday, January 24, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family and loving wife, Brenda. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 30, 2025, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. Family and friends are welcome to gather Wednesday evening from 4-7 p.m. at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home. There will be two short prayer services at 4 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. There is also a visit one hour prior to Mass at the church on Thursday. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley. Lunch will be held at the American Legion.

Dewayne was born January 15, 1950, the son of Fayette “Louis” and Madonna “Donna” Collins in Brainerd. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from Brainerd School. He served in Vietnam on the USS Knox DE 1502. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Brainerd and worked as a welder for the Brainerd Rail Shop. During a layoff in 1982, Dewayne decided to purchase a small refuse business of 375 customers, which grew to over 6,000 under his operation. When Dewayne returned to the Railroad in 1992, he continued to grow the business for the next 35 years. When he retired, Dewayne and the family made the decision to sell the business so he could focus on his community involvement in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars – he enjoyed supported these organizations and especially his involvement with Wreaths for the Fallen and Legion Riders. He held numerous offices at the local and district levels. For many years, Dewayne was also on the Crow Wing County Fair Board. One of his true joys came from playing the role of Santa at many Christmas gatherings throughout the area.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Brenda; son, Dewayne, Jr. “DJ” (Krista); daughter, Stacie (Dan) Bednarek; grandchildren, Delani (fiancé, Noah Johnson) Collins, Blake Collins, Ayden Bednarek, Isabell Bednarek; and Ian Britton; step-daughter, Jennifer (Matthew) Britton; siblings, Janice (Darrell) Vogt and Julie (Joe) Jedlicka; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. Dewayne was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Charlotte; and grandson, Linden Bednarek.

Dewayne was truly loved and will be missed by his family, friends, community and the many veterans’ organizations he supported.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dewayne John Collins, Sr., please visit our floral store.

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URGENT NOTICE!!!

Nefarious forces are in action trying to deceive our veterans and most especially the officers in our Department, District, and Posts. In specific, these people are "SPAMMING" or “SPOOFING” our The American Legion leadership. More clearly, they are sending electronic messages (through email, text, etc) that look like they are coming from our leadership, and asking for funds to be sent via gift cards, etc. Most often the emails say something like "I need your help with. . . " or "I'm in meetings all day, and I need your assistance. . . ", or "Did you receive my previous email? . . . ", or something along those lines. Then they describe a situation and ask the person getting the message to get gift cards for a certain amount and send them the numbers. In one recent incident the person that got the email actually went and got the gift cards and sent the information out.

The 6th District leadership is advising the following . . . DO NOT ever send any money in any form unless you have spoken directly to the individual asking for the funds. This means, before you send any money, in any form, pick up the phone and speak to the person that is asking for the funds. Double check the email address that is sending the request, if it is not something you recognize, DO NOT send any money.

I will NEVER send an email asking you to get gift cards for me. NONE of the 6th District leadership, when acting in their official capacity, will ask for gift cards to be sent to them.

If you receive any suspicious electronic communications that look like they are coming from any leadership of The American Legion asking for you to send gift cards, make sure you look up the contact information for that individual on official websites, and call them directly. Report any suspicions of this type of fraud to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Sincerely Yours,

Frank Grittner

Commander

TAL MN 6th District

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District Leadership

Chaplain and Legion Rider Liaison, Jason Pierce. District Commander, Frank Grittner. District Auxiliary President, Dory Hamilton. District Sons of the Americal Legion Commander, Robert Foss.

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This website is for all members of the 6th District Legion Family. On it you will find the most up to date information that we can provide.

Posted on this page are the monthly District Newsletter, current newsletters provided the individual posts in the distrct and other information affecting the members of the 6th District.

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