ANTHONY KOOP
6TH DISTRICT Commander
21910 Rocca Rd |Ironton, MN 56455
2023-2024
MARCH ISSUE
CHAPTER 8: GO!
6th District Mid-Winter Conference was held on January 27th at Aitkin Post 86 and so many informative and interesting things were reported from our committees about all of our wonderful programs!!!! Excellent afternoon joint session, Auxiliary Bake Sale and Silent Auction, and we are all excited for the opening of the Veterans Home in Bemidji to open!!
Pictured: Left to Right: Honorary Jr. Auxiliary President, Shania Mertens, President Patti Gunderson,
Commander Anthony Koop, and SAL Commander Robert Foss
I was able to visit several posts, including Rice Post 473 Meeting, Crosslake/Fifty Lakes Post 500, Deerwood Post 557, Crow Wing/Aitkin County Council at Aitkin Post 86 on January 22, Nisswa Post 627 for hosting the 6th District our Oratorical Contest on January 20 (which Mr. Lucas has will mention later) and the Department Sweetheart Rally on February 3 at Forest Lake Post 225.
Once again, at Sweetheart Rally, the BIG 6th took first place in Membership! Many of our District members were in attendance. Food was great, company was fantastic, and Forest Lake Post 255 took great care of everyone!
I am planning to attend Veterans Day on the Hill at the Capitol in St. Paul on Wednesday April 17. Sign up for the bus at Becker, Big Lake, Zimmerman, Elk River, or St. Paul Armory! The bus is sponsored by Zimmerman Post 560!
I am also looking to schedule more Posts visits in The 6th District!! Please email me your Post location, when your monthly meeting is, or if you have special events coming up in the next few months!
Communication is Key! We need to update and verify our 6th District list of monthly Post Meetings and County Council Days and times. Please report this back to your Vice Commander.
Chapter 8 : “Go!”
As we Roar like a Lion into March, we must be doing all things American Legion!
First, we should be talking to *OUR* members that haven’t renewed yet. *OUR* goal is 95% on March 13th. As of February 7th, (the last Membership Update before printing deadline), *OUR* District is at 94.2%. We are only needing 76 members for 95%! And then those last 5% are the hardest. Please contact them and check on them any means you can.
Secondly, our Legion Programs and Scholarships should be actively seeking participants. Please be actively working the programs. It is our Mission. Our Pillars. It is the engine of our American Legion machine. It is what makes us “GO!” Please advertise our wonderful activities and what we support in your Posts in your local newspapers, local schools, and social media. I will always share your Posts info on “MN SIXTH DISTRICT” Facebook page if you text, call, email, or Facebook Messenger me the details.
Lastly, WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. STRONGER TOGETHER. This is *my* vision, my belief, my heart. I want to remind everyone to focus on the importance of working together and building relationships between our Veterans, The American Legion Family, and Communities to strengthen our organization to better serve our mission.
SAVE THE DATES
3/24/24: 6TH District E-Board Meeting at BACKUS POST 368
4/25/24 – 4/28/28 MN American Legion Family College at Camp Ripley. Register by 4/01/24.
4/27/24: Department President’s Testimonial at MELROSE UNIT 101.
5/18/24: 6th District Family Leadership’s Testimonial at IRONTON POST 443.
5/31/24 6th District Past Commander’s Dinner – BRAINERD POST 255
6/1/24 6th District Convention – BRAINERD POST 255
6/22/24: MN Dept Commander’s Testimonial at MONTGOMERY POST 79
LEGIONVILLE
GOAL: $30,000+
My Commander’s Project is raising money for Legionville Educational Center & Summer Camp, which focuses on school safety, first aid, swimming/water safety and more. Although Legionville is a Department Program, it is in our district, and we should lead the way in supporting and utilizing it. I am hoping that all our Posts and Auxiliaries are sponsoring students to attend these summer camps.
Current Project Needs at Legionville:
- Sidewalk Repairs
- Remodel barn for volunteer/staff barracks
- Commercial Grade Water Heaters ($5,600 each)
- 21 New faucets with drains.
- Plow Truck (used)
- Many other projects
DONATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO:
To: GENE HESSE, FINANCE OFFICER
ATTN: 6TH DISTRICT COMMANDER PROJECT
611 1ST AVE SE
COLD SPRING, MN 56320
Make Checks out to “LEGIONVILLE CORPORATION” and in the Memo Line: “6TH DISTRICT COMMANDER’S PROJECT”
Gambling Funds can be used under the LPE CODE A-1. Legionville is a 501(c)3.
Post/Unit/Squadron/Individual/Other (Circle One)
Name of Individual/Organization :_________________________________________________________
Post Number __________ Address _______________________________________________________
Contact Phone and Email:________________________________________________________________
Donation Amount $ ____________________________ Receipt Requested: Yes or No (Circle One)
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING 6TH DISTRICT COMMANDER PROJECT!!!
6TH DISTRICT COMMANDER’S MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE
COMMANDER ANTHONY KOOP
“BETTER TOGETHER. STRONGER TOGETHER.”
2 in 2024!
Members who recruit 2 “GULF WAR ERA TO CURRENT” VETERANS
within the 6TH District Posts for the 2024 Membership Year.
These may be brand new members or members that have not paid for 3+ years.
New members must be paid up for the 2024 Membership Year.
Send in the form as soon as you get 2 Recruits. Use additional forms if you recruit more than 2.
Deadline is 15 days before 2024 6TH District Convention.
Each Recruiter will receive a special gift selected by Commander Anthony Koop.
Please print legibly.
RECRUITER NAME: _________________________________ ID #____________
RECRUITER’S ADDRESS: ____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
RECRUITER’S PHONE NUMBER: ____________________________________
RECRUITER’S EMAIL: ______________________________________________
RECRUITER’S POST NUMBER: _________ TOWN:______________________
NAME OF 1st NEW MEMBER: ________________________________________
NEW MEMBER’S POST: ______________________ ID#: __________________
NAME OF 2ND NEW MEMBER: _______________________________________
NEW MEMBER’S POST: ______________________ ID#: __________________
Completed Forms may be sent to :
COMMANDER ANTHONY KOOP
21910 Rocca Road
Ironton, MN 56455
6th District American Legion Family Testimonial Dinner
HONORING
Anthony Koop Patti Gunderson Robert Foss
Commander President SAL Commander
Saturday, May 18th, 2024
ARMED FORCES DAY
Hosted by Ironton American Legion Post & Unit 443
232 4th Street Ironton, MN 56455
218-546-5975
Buffet Menu
Cost: $25.00 Beef Tips and Gravy
Pre-Paid Reservation Only (No walk-ins) Chicken Cordon Bleu
Reservation Deadline: May 6th, 2024 (Gluten Free: Grilled Chicken)
Social Hour: Cash Bar: 4:00pm to 6:00pm Mashed Potatoes
Dinner 6:00pm Green Beans
Program to Follow Dinner Side Salad
Dinner Buns
Lemonade & Coffee
Assorted Desserts
******************************************************************************************
Send Reservations to:
Ironton American Legion Post 443
C/O: Testimonial
P.O. Box 37
Ironton, MN 56455
Make checks payable to: Ironton Legion. Please put ‘Testimonial’ in the memo line.
Name: _____________________________________________________________________
Phone:____________________________Post/Unit/Sqd#:____________________________
Email:___________________________________
Name:_____________________________________________________________________
Phone:______________________________Post/Unit/Sqd#:__________________________
Email::_______________________________________
Gluten Free Meals #_______
# of Tickets:______@ $25 Each. Total: $_______
6TH DISTRICT AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY TESTIMONIAL DINNER
ANTHONY KOOP – COMMANDER
PATTI GUNDERSON – PRESIDENT
ROBERT FOSS – SQUADRON COMMANDER
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
Hosted By Ironton American Legion Post 443
232 4th Street Ironton MN 56455
218-546-5975
CROSBY/IRONTON/DEERWOOD/CUYUNA Lodging Options:
The Sanctuary at Crosby (Hotel): 222 NW 2nd Street Crosby MN 218-622-0321 or sanctuarycrosby.com
Crosby Lofts (Hotel): 30 W. Main St. Crosby, MN. 218-325-3317 or crosbyloftsmn.com
The Spalding House (Motel): 1 W Main Street Crosby, MN 218-546-6060 or Airbnb
The Bike Vault (3 Bedroom Loft): 101 W. Main Street Crosby MN 608-212-2429 or Airbnb
Cuyuna Cove: (Tiny Cabins): 22642 MN 6. Crosby, MN. 218-389-4087
Red Rider Resort (Cabins or Camping): 23457 Co. Rd. 31 Crosby, MN. 218-838-6858
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort: 25039 Tame Fish Lake Road. Deerwood (Actually Bay Lake), MN. 218-678-2885
Crosby Memorial Park (Camping): 2 2nd St. SW. Crosby, MN. 218-546-5021
True North Basecamp– (Cabins or Camping): 825 1st St. SW. Crosby, MN. 218-833-2267
Cuyuna Mountain Bike Park and Campground- (Camping): 24628 Tripp Ave. Crosby (Actually Cuyuna), MN. 218-546-5883
Portsmouth Campground MN DNR: (Camping): 18071 Co. Rd. 30. Crosby, MN. 218-546-5926
Cuyuna State Recreation Area – (Yurts or Camping): 307 3rd St. Ironton, MN. 218-772-3690
Deerwood Country Inn (Hotel): 23884 E. Front St. Deerwood, MN 218-534-3101
Cuyuna Lakes Stay Motel (Deerwood): 23688 Forest Rd. Deerwood, MN 218-534-3163
TONS of Local Airbnb’s in Ironton or Crosby. (Vacation Rental Homes). Search AirBnB ONLINE.
AITKIN Lodging Option:
Aitkin 40 Club lnn – 960 2nd St. NW. Aitkin, MN. ABOUT 14 Miles from Ironton Legion. 218-927-2903
Brainerd/Baxter Area Hotels Available: Brainerd/Baxter is approx. 15-19 miles from Ironton.
Quality Inn and Suites: 2115 S. 6th St. Building A. Brainerd, MN. 218-270-7333
Econo Lodge, Brainerd MN: 2115 S. 6th St. Building B. Brainerd, MN. 218-270-5001
AmericInn by Wyndam: 7836 Fairview Rd. N. Baxter, MN. 218-833-2062
Super 8 by Wyndham. 14341 Edgewood Dr. N. Baxter, MN. 218-828-4288
Days Inn and Suites by Wyndham. 14466 Dellwood Dr. N. Baxter, MN. 218-829-3080
County Inn and Suites. 15058 Dellwood Dr. N. Baxter, MN. 218-297-4816
Comfort Suites Rapid River Lodge. 7376 Woida Rd. N. Baxter, MN. 218-825-7234
Holiday Inn Express and Suites. 15739 Audubon Way. Baxter, MN. 218-824-3232
Arrowwood Lodge. 6967 Lake Forest Rd. Baxter, MN. 218-822-5634