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July 2026 Newsletter

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The Commander's Corner

I’m James Entinger, the new incoming 3rd District Commander. I have been a District Officer for 13 years; I’m not a newbie.


I have put together a great team. We are here to help you and yours post any way we can. Happy 250th Birthday America and God Bless us all.


P.S. Hope to see at the Department Convention this week.



Membership Update


Hello, Thundering Third! It’s July already! Happy 250th Birthday to the United States of America!


Attached are our end-of-year membership numbers as of June 30, 2026. The Third District finished 3rd in membership with 95.47%, just 0.55% out of 1st place. That is an accomplishment we can all be proud of. Thank you to every Post, Membership Director, Commander, Adjutant, and Legionnaire who worked so hard throughout the year.


We had 11 Posts reach 100% membership or better:

  • Post 3 - Jordan

  • Post 65 - Rosemount

  • Post 74 - Henderson

  • Post 150 - Waconia

  • Post 184 - Pine Island

  • Post 380 - Kilkenny

  • Post 407 - Winsted

  • Post 586 - Lonsdale

  • Post 598 - Bellechester

  • Post 620 - Hugo

  • Post 1995 - Victoria


Congratulations to each of these Posts on an outstanding achievement! Two of these Posts also reached the level necessary to earn a National Membership Ribbon.


District Commander Entinger and I are looking for two Posts that would like additional assistance with their membership program. If your Post is struggling with membership or would simply like some extra help, we are ready to assist. We will gladly come to your Post and work with your membership team.


Please contact me at 952-686-3311 or jebares@yahoo.com to schedule a visit.


I am also looking for two Posts interested in hosting a District Membership Workshop. Topics will include:


  • Finding 1982 and 1982AD At-Large members

  • Processing membership transfers

  • Sample renewal letters

  • Sample letters for recruiting and retaining members

  • Effective membership phone calls, including conversation starters and questions

  • Calling 1982 and 1982AD members to transfer them into your Post or another Post within the Third District


Whether you are an experienced Post commander, Membership Director, Post officer, or just getting started, these workshops are designed to share ideas, answer questions, and help every Post become more successful.


If your Post would like to host a weekend workshop, please get in touch with me. Together, we can strengthen membership throughout the Third District.


If your Post needs officer or Legion training in any area, please reach out to the Department Training Committee. They are available to help your Post succeed.


Thank you again for everything you do for our veterans, our communities, and The American Legion. Let’s keep the momentum going as we begin another membership year!


For God and Country,

Joe Bares Third District Membership Director



Sons of the American Legion (SAL)

Happy 4th of July everyone, 250 years strong. My name is Glen Neville, and I am the newly elected Commander for the 3rd District Sons of the American Legion. I am looking forward to having a great year and helping to make the American Legion Family stronger with the help of all the squadrons in the 3rd District. During the convention we held the yearly elections and here are the newly elected officers for the Sons of the American Legion.


  • Commander Glen Neville

  • Adjutant Dave Arend

  • Vice Commanders Kirtby Olesen, Tom Koch, Dave Vulcan, Gregg Wilwert

  • Membership Casey Lenort

  • Finance Gregg Wilwert

  • Sgt-at-Arms Dave Vulcan

  • Historian Casey Lenort

  • Chaplin Casey Lenort


Vice Commanders for the District are being assigned shortly and will be delivering Membership Card to you when we get them from National. As of this writing, we have not heard when Membership cards will be delivered. As soon as we get them, they will be sent out.


Have a great and safe 4th of July, enjoy the celebration of our nation with all your family and friends. Keep our deployed service members in your thoughts. Talk to you next month,

Glen


CALENDAR of EVENTS


July 9 – 11 Department Convention Willmar, MN


National Convention Delegates

1. Amy Larsen

2. Jim Entinger

3. Nathan Olson

4. Don Pankake

5. Mark Dvorak

6. Cindy Yanchury

7. Don Skow

8. Pat Logan

9. Terry Larsen


National Convention Alternante

  1. Rod Reifsteck

  2. 2. Carla Tappainner

  3. 3. Joe Tappainner



 
 
 
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