Hear from the current Third District of Minnesota American Legion Auxiliary President and what projects are planned for the upcoming year. Message from the President Ann Bovy Greetings Third District Auxiliary Members. My Name is Ann Bovy, and I was elected your 2025/2026 district president. I am very excited to work with the different units in our district this year. I hope we can come together and have some fun, a lot of laughs, and show support for our fellow veterans. I am planning two projects. The first is Hastings Veterans Home landscaping. I will be working with the Third District Honorary Junior President Mae; we will be creating a place where veterans can go to feel at peace. My second project is at St Peter Regional Treatment Center; they were asking for a frisbee golf course. I am working with Past Department President Darlene Wondra on both these projects. We will keep you posted on how we are doing. I would like to thank those units who have already donated to our project. I would also like to mention that if you would like me to visit your unit, please send me an email to let me know what the date and times are. I look forward to meeting the members of the Third District. Let’s put our veterans first and make this year a year of wonderful memories Contact For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security. Key Links MN ALA Website National Website Third District Social Media MN ALA National ALA For Veterans Third District ALA Facebook Get In Touch Committees Officers 2025 By Legion Social. Contact the Webmaster. Minnesota Third District Who We Are Presidents Message Decades of Making a Difference District Officers Mission / Preamble Past Presidents Past President Photos Presidents Message Decades of Making a Difference District Officers Mission / Preamble Past Presidents Past President Photos Programs/Committees Auxiliary Girls State Essay Contest Oratorical Contest Poppy Program Auxiliary Girls State Essay Contest Oratorical Contest Poppy Program Membership Application Book of Annual Reports Eligibility Membership Transmittal Membership Video Application Book of Annual Reports Eligibility Membership Transmittal Membership Video Upcoming Events Fall Conference Pearl Harbor Rally Unit Events Fall Conference Pearl Harbor Rally Unit Events Media Book of Annual Reports Bulletins/Newsletters Poppy Video Presidents Message Book of Annual Reports Bulletins/Newsletters Poppy Video Presidents Message Resources Auxiliary Forms Contest Rules Honor Flight Video Quilts of Valor Wreaths Across America VA Wish List Auxiliary Forms Contest Rules Honor Flight Video Quilts of Valor Wreaths Across America VA Wish List Key Links Auxiliary District Facebook Auxiliary Department of MN Auxiliary Department of MN Facebook Auxiliary National Headquarters MN Third District National Headquarters Emblem Sales Auxiliary District Facebook Auxiliary Department of MN Auxiliary Department of MN Facebook Auxiliary National Headquarters MN Third District National Headquarters Emblem Sales Menu Close

Learn about The Department of Minnesota American Legion Annual Fall Conference, held in late October each year. Fall Conference Iraq War veteran, St. Paul Park American Legion Post 98 member and motivational speaker John Kriesel is the keynote speaker for the Fall Conference. In December 2006, the blast from a 200-pound improvised explosive device killed two of his best friends. Kriesel lost both of his legs and suffered many broken bones and internal injuries. He wasn’t supposed to survive, and he died three times on the operating table. He spent nine months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Yet he is alive today. Kriesel is director of veteran services for Anoka County, a part-time radio personality and an award-winner author. Come to the Fall Conference and hear John Kriesel share his message of hope and how to overcome life’s obstacles. REGISTER 2025 Fall Conference Cost to register for the Fall Conference is $20. Catered meals are available for $15 per meal. (Here’s the deal: The conference hotel has a restaurant, but it gets filled fast, so many Legion Family members prefer the catered meals.) Register online with NO FEES with Zeffy by clicking here . To pay by check, download this PDF, print it, fill it out and mail your check to the address indicated on the form. Download the printable registration form . The Fall Conference is one of our most important gatherings of the year. It is our annual school of instruction. There is discussion, patriotism and camaraderie. We hope it’s the kind of event you can talk about when you return to your post home and your fellow Legionnaires. Your attendance at the annual Fall Conference shows your dedication to our great organizations and the four pillars of The American Legion. “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” — Herbert Spencer The Details 📍 Where: River’s Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301 📅 When: Oct. 24–25, 2025 🧾 Who: Hosted by the Department Convention Corp. Schedule Thu, Oct. 23: Committee meetings (afternoon) & DEC meeting (evening) Fri, Oct. 24 – Sat, Oct. 25: Training sessions Registration $20 if received by Oct. 13 (check payable to Minnesota American Legion Convention Corp., P.O. Box 166, Princeton, MN 55371) $30 at the door Online payment available via the Zeffy Meals Pre-purchase for $15 each (Fri & Sat breakfast, Fri lunch) Indicate meals with your check or purchase via Zeffy Lodging (book directly) Headquarters Hotel: Best Western Plus Kelly Inn St. Cloud – 320-253-0606 Nearby: Courtyard by Marriott St. Cloud – 320-654-1661 GrandStay Residential Suites – 320-251-5400 ✨ Memories last a lifetime. We look forward to seeing our Legion Family at the Fall Conference! FULL SCHEDULE For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security. Key Links MN ALA Website National Website Third District Social Media MN ALA National ALA For Veterans Third District ALA Facebook Get In Touch Committees Officers 2025 By Legion Social. Contact the Webmaster. Minnesota Third District Who We Are Presidents Message Decades of Making a Difference District Officers Mission / Preamble Past Presidents Past President Photos Presidents Message Decades of Making a Difference District Officers Mission / Preamble Past Presidents Past President Photos Programs/Committees Auxiliary Girls State Essay Contest Oratorical Contest Poppy Program Auxiliary Girls State Essay Contest Oratorical Contest Poppy Program Membership Application Book of Annual Reports Eligibility Membership Transmittal Membership Video Application Book of Annual Reports Eligibility Membership Transmittal Membership Video Upcoming Events Fall Conference Pearl Harbor Rally Unit Events Fall Conference Pearl Harbor Rally Unit Events Media Book of Annual Reports Bulletins/Newsletters Poppy Video Presidents Message Book of Annual Reports Bulletins/Newsletters Poppy Video Presidents Message Resources Auxiliary Forms Contest Rules Honor Flight Video Quilts of Valor Wreaths Across America VA Wish List Auxiliary Forms Contest Rules Honor Flight Video Quilts of Valor Wreaths Across America VA Wish List Key Links Auxiliary District Facebook Auxiliary Department of MN Auxiliary Department of MN Facebook Auxiliary National Headquarters MN Third District National Headquarters Emblem Sales Auxiliary District Facebook Auxiliary Department of MN Auxiliary Department of MN Facebook Auxiliary National Headquarters MN Third District National Headquarters Emblem Sales Menu Close

Find resources to equip your Sons of the American Legion squadron to grow and connect further with the community and our veterans. Sons of the Legion District Events Find a Squad Officers Join the SAL Squad Resources 2025 Membership Report District Website Event Ideas for SAL Forms Using Social Media Programs We Support Disabled Vets Deer Hunt Legionville Safety Camp MN Boys State TAL Child Welfare Foundation Menu Close Sons of the Legion District Events Find a Squad Officers Join the SAL Squad Resources 2025 Membership Report District Website Event Ideas for SAL Forms Using Social Media Programs We Support Disabled Vets Deer Hunt Legionville Safety Camp MN Boys State TAL Child Welfare Foundation Resources for your Squadron Event Ideas We've curated a list of ideas to help you engage with the community and recruit more members, not to mention fundraising activities for your squadron. LEARN MORE Forms Find the latest forms on the Minnesota Detachment website. GET STARTED District Site Find more information and updates from around the district on the Minnesota Thundering Third District website! VISIT Social Media Tips Learn how to use social media to draw attention to your events, activities, contributions, and recruiting new members! LEARN MORE Submit your Event to be listed on our website. Do you have ideas to add to the website? Contact the Webmaster ! MN Third District Sons of the American Legion Sons of the Legion District Events Find a Squad Officers Join the SAL Squad Resources 2025 Membership Report District Website Event Ideas for SAL Forms Using Social Media Programs We Support Disabled Vets Deer Hunt Legionville Safety Camp MN Boys State TAL Child Welfare Foundation Created by Legion Social

Download the Full PDF below! Greetings to all the wonderful members of the 3 District, It was fun seeing everyone that attended Fall Conference and getting to talk at the get together near the pool on Thursday and Friday night. Thank you to everyone who brought food to share. As you all know my project this year at Hasting is a landscaping project and at St Peter Regional treatment center is a Disc Golf Couse for our Veterans. My goal is $4,000.00 dollars. Right now, Thanks to your support we are halfway there on each project, please keep those donations coming to help our veterans. This is reminder that on December 6, 2025, is the Pearl Harbor Rally sponsored by the American Legion Riders that will be held at Buffalo American Legion Post 270. I hope everyone can attend and enjoy the program and camaraderie of the American Legion Family from all around the state. Social Hour is 11 to 12, lunch is at noon with program to follow. Here is a little bit of history about Attack of Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor was attacked by a surprise military strike by the Empire of Japan on the United State Pacific on Oahu, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. At that time the U.S was neutral country in World War II. So, remember all that gave their all that day. I would like to thank Waconia Unit 150 and Chaska Unit 57. I really appreciated the opportunity to come and visit your units, and I enjoyed meeting your Auxiliary members and seeing the thing that your unit does at your meetings and post. Christmas and the holiday season are fast approaching. What can our units do for our Veterans and their Family's during the Holidays? Here are some ideas: donating food, essentials, care package, gift cards, Adopt a family for the holiday or provide direct support like a meal or seasonal items. I hope all of our units have the opportunity to provide support for our Veterans and their families this Christmas. I hope everyone has a great time with their families and friends during Christmas and the holiday season. One of my favorite things is making cookies with my mom every year. Moravian Sugar Cookies is one of my favorites cookies that we do. Here is the recipe. Moravian Sugar Cookies (Double Batch) ½ cup butter ¼ tsp salt 1 cup sugar 1egg 1 tsp baking powder 1 ¼ cup flour 1 tsp vanilla Mix all the ingredient together. Take 2 8 x10 well-greased cookie pan. Spread ½ of dough in each pan. Mix ¼ cup sugar, 1tsp cinnamon and sprinkle on dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Cut into squares, remove from pan while warm and enjoy. Have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season and a very Happy and prosperous New Year, Ann Bovy Third District President Mid-Winter Conference 2026: New Format The 2026 Mid-Winter Conference will feature a new schedule and structure. The event will begin at 9:30 AM and include a joint session with the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) and the Legion. Our guest speaker, Boima Freeman from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, will address the important topic of fraud and prevention. This issue hits close to home, as many families, friends, and members of our Legion family have been affected by fraudsters. Your participation is encouraged, and attending will also benefit your unit or post reports under the appropriate programs or pillars. For the Auxiliary Program Updates and Special Speakers This year, program chairmen will not be presenting their reports in person. Instead, you will receive their updates via email. To enrich the conference experience, several special speakers are scheduled to present on various topics, including: Can You See Me Now - a summary of our new website, Facebook, Twitter, X, Just Ask - Ask our special judges any questions about our auxiliary programs or have questions on what poppy funds can be used for. In the know - Stand or Sit. Pins, Motions, Gavel, oh my, what do I do? Do I need to do that? – forms/ 990/Dues Knowledge Is Power- What do I report and where do I send it. Celebrate Good Times- party ideas for the upcoming year We hope these sessions will inspire your units with fresh energy and enthusiasm. Please note that the order of the list above will change. Prizes and Recognition Prizes will be awarded to the unit that traveled the farthest distance, the unit that brought the most attendees, and additional categories. There will also be other drawings held throughout the afternoon. Roll call of units will take place, and gold stars will be presented to those in attendance. We guarantee that this year's event will offer a new and engaging experience, distinct from past Mid-Winter. Please send your registration early so we know how to plan for supplies that we will need. Hope to see you there. Read the full version in the PDF below!

View the Highlights or Download the PDF below The Commanders Corner Hello Mighty Thundering Third, As the leaves fall and the weather turns colder, we enter a time of year that can be lonely for many. Within our military and veteran community, this season often amplifies feelings of isolation. This is why buddy checks are more important than ever. As part of the American Legion, we are a family of veterans. I urge you all to reach out to your fellow comrades—and if they have fallen, to their spouses and children. A simple text, email, phone call, or quick stop-by to say hello can make a world of difference. For many of our members, we are the only family they have nearby—a vital link to this world and a human connection that makes them feel important, loved, and cared about. My Commitment: Helping Veterans Connect My theme this year is helping veterans connect, and a core part of that is ensuring every veteran knows they have at least one person they can reach out to. If you ever need someone to talk to, please know that you are not alone. Feel free to reach out to me or any of our 3rd District leadership. We are here for you. Amy Larsen Thundering Third Commander 612-306-4438 Pictured Below: Post 501 Commander Bob Dolan, Post Member Bob Wuggazer and Post Vice Commander JoAnne Kramer at the Woodbury Newcomer Event.

Download the PDF Version below Greetings to wonderful members of the Third District Thank you everyone who has donated to my project so far on Hastings (landscaping) and St. Peter Regional Treatment (Disc Golf course). My goal is 4,000 dollars. Right now, I am almost halfway there. Please keep our donations coming to help our Veterans. I attend the Third District Past President Parley. Were they discussed what we can improve in the Third District and mentor our members. This month on November 11 is Veterans Day Please attend a Veteran ceremony to thank our Veteran for their service. And to remember them every day, and to wear the poppy to show our support for the Veterans. In November, it is the American Legion Auxiliary Birthday. This is where the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) birthday celebrates the organization founding on November 10, 1919, and to recognize its century of service to veterans, military families, and their communities. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day Ann Bovy Third District President 25/26 Our unit 601 is having Bingo on November 25, 2025, that is Tuesday. Bingo starts at 6:45pm this is put on by the American Legion post 601. The American Legion Auxiliary will be sale Hamburg and cheeseburgers, pickles, chips, pop, and the Auxiliary will have the Bake sale too. We will start the Hamburg sale at 6pm. This will be held at the New Germany hall downstairs. Download the PDF Version below