Learn how students can enter the annual American Legion Oratorical Contest and gain mastery over public speaking, plus scholarship opportunities. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security. Oratorical Contest The American Legion Oratorical Contest is intended to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. There are a number of benefits for students competing in the annual Oratorical Contest on both the State and National level: Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year The National winner gets a $25,000 scholarship Second place receives $22,500 and third $20,000 Each state winner who participates in the first round receives $2,000 and those who advance to the next round receive an additional $2,000 Scholarships may be used at any college or university in the U.S. High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers. Find all the rules and information on the National American Legion website. Details The American Legion’s oratorical contest “has instilled in me a greater appreciation for our country.” 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

Joining the American Legion Third District means finding support, camaraderie, and so many more benefits. Make life-long friends who support the same values as you. We Are Legion Becoming a member means a lot. It means joining a community dedicated to honoring and uplifting those who have served their country, providing a network of camaraderie, resources, and advocacy. WHY JOIN HOW TO JOIN ELIGIBILITY RENEW Your Membership Matters Becoming a Member is a wonderful step forward on your journey, whether you have served or not, you'll find a new world of meaning & support along with these benefits: Veteran Support: Access to resources, benefits, and advocacy for veterans and their families. Community Service: Opportunities to give back and make a difference in local communities. Camaraderie: Build lasing friendships and connect with fellow veterans and like-minded individuals. Advocacy: Influence legislation and policies that affect veterans and their families. Programs & Activities: Participate in various events, programs, and activities that support veterans and the community. Scholarships & Education: Access to educational scholarships and programs for members and their families. Health & Wellness: Resources and programs focused on physical and mental well-being. Patriotic Involvement: Promote patriotism and honor those who have served. Youth Programs: Support & engage in programs that foster youth development and education. Networking: Connect with a diverse network of veterans, business leaders, and community members. Exclusive Benefits: Enjoy member-only discounts, insurance programs, and other perks. Legacy: Contribute to preserving the legacy and history of the military service. LEGION.ORG Joining is easy All you need is a little bit of information to join the Legion, Auxiliary, SAL and Legion Riders. Here are three ways you can join: Find a Post and stop in and complete the form and pay your annual dues. Download the Registration Form below, complete and mail to your Post of choice. Join online by going to MyLegion.org and completing the information requested. Once the Membership coordinator receives and verifies your information, you'll receive a Member card in the mail and possibly an email too (depending on the Post.) Who Can Join? You do not need to have served in order to join the American Legion. If someone in your family lineage has served or been a member you may be eligible to join the Sons of the Legion and / or Auxiliary. All Legion Riders must already be a Member to join the rider group. Did you also know that Juniors can join? Find criteria specific to your needs in the links below. Legionnaire / Post Membership Auxiliary Membership Sons of the Legion Membership ALR Membership Renewing your Membership You should receive a renewal notice each year in the mail, but if you don't for some reason you can always: Stop in at your Post and complete the form and pay your annual dues. Download the Registration Form below, complete and mail to your Post. Renew online by going to MyLegion.org and completing the information requested. You will receive a new card in the mail once processed with the current year associated. Please also note, you can save on dues by applying for a Multi-Year Membership . Find out more online . Legion Membership Application SAL Membership Application Auxiliary Membership Application Questions? Stop in, email, or call any Post of your choosing or visit Legion.Org for more information. Learn more at legion.org

MN Thundering Third District Posts Shakopee 2 Website 1266 1st Ave E. Shakopee MN 55379 952-445-5253 Robert Patterson 3 No Website 843 Lodge Drive. Jordan MN 55352 952-686-3311 William R. Witty 37 No Website 229 Nassau St. St Peter MN 507-934-6435 Faribault 43 Website 112 5th St NE. Faribault MN 55021 507-334-8784 John Vessey 44 No Website PO Box 111 Lakeville MN 55044 952-435-6487 Charles Borak 45 Website 300 Lexington Ave S. New Prague MN 56071 952-758-4603 Nelson-Lucking 47 Website 50 Sibley St. Hastings MN 55033 651-437-2046 Stillwater 48 Facebook 103 3rd St S #1 Stillwater MN 55082 651-437-1435 Leo C. Peterson 54 Website 218 W 4th St. Red Wing MN 55066 651-388-6223 Le Sueur 55 No Website 203 S 2nd St. Le Sueur MN 56058 No Phone Chaska 57 Website 102 W 4th St. Chaska MN 55318 952-448-4090 Rosemount 65 Website 14590 Burma Ave W. Rosemount MN 55068 651-423-3380 Sibley 74 Website 815 Minnesota St. Henderson MN 56044 507-248-3544 Joseph A. Gates 78 Facebook 601 2nd St. Kenyon MN 55946 507-789-5691 Montgomery 79 Website 102 Elm Ave SW Montgomery MN 56069 507-364-7779 Northfield 84 Facebook 304 Water St. Northfield MN 55057 507-645-8541 William E. Blair 95 Website PO Box 145 Glencoe MN 55336 320-865-5992 Hutchinson 96 Website 35 3rd Ave SE Hutchinson MN 55350 320-587-2665 Richard Dingle 98 Website 328 Broadway Ave. St Paul Park MN 55071 651-459-8016 Le Center 108 Website 97 S Park Ave Le Center MN 56057 507-357-4787 Eugene Early 121 No Website 405 Franklin Ave NW Watertown MN 55388 763-289-5984 Degree-Fleisch 125 No Website PO Box 214 Stewart MN 55385 320-562-2609 Silver Lake 141 Website 241 Main St W. Silver Lake MN 55381 320-327-2404 Kraft-Ostrum 142 Facebook 218 4th St N. Cannon Falls MN 55009 507-263-2412 Edward Ewald 143 No Website 310 2nd St N. Brownton MN 55312 No Phone Leo B. Neubeiser 144 Facebook 221 N Meridian St. Belle Plaine MN 56011 952-873-4669 Roy Leider 149 Facebook 101 W Main St. Morristown MN 55052 507-685-2288 Waconia 150 Facebook 233 S Olive St. Waconia MN 55387 952-442-5340 Zumbrota 183 No Website 940 Mill St Zumbrota MN 55992 No Phone Charles Cowden 184 Website 108 1st Ave SE Pine Island MN 55963 507-356-8991 Clifford Larson 189 No Website PO Box 186 Farmington MN 55024 612-327-8959 Ray Keenan 207 Facebook 319 Broadway St. Cleveland MN 56017 507-931-1837 Forest Lake 225 Website 355 W Broadway Forest Lake MN 55025 651-464-2600 Loftness-Bandow 226 No Website 31824 633rd Ave Gibbon MN 55335 507-834-6321 Scharmer-Berger 250 PO Box 451, Arlington MN 55307 No Phone Lafayette 300 No Website 591 5th St. Lafayette MN 56054 507-228-8318 C. Adams-R. Stierlen 311 Facebook 104 E Main St. Elysian MN 56028 507-267-4487 Ernest Gedig 314 No Website 106 Renville St. Winthrop MN 55396 507-647-2591 Edward Born 343 No Website PO Box 343 Norwood MN 55368 No Phone John Balfe 380 No Website 15166 Dodd Road Kilkenny MN 56052 No Phone Martin Krueger 407 Facebook 161 1st St N. Winsted MN 55395 320-485-4366 Green Isle 408 No Website 250 Parnell St. Green Isle MN 55338 No Phone Inver Grove Heights 424 No Website 6710 Cahill Ave. Inver Grove Heights MN 55076 651-451-5872 Manthey-Asmus 433 Facebook 329 Main Ave E. Gaylord MN 55334 507-237-9976 Prior Lake 447 Facebook 16306 Main Avenue Southeast, Prior Lake, MN 55372, USA No Phone Ray Kirkpatrick 463 Facebook 161 1st Ave N. Lester Prairie MN 55354 320-485-4366 Amber Rude 481 No Website 821 2nd St N S. St Paul MN 55075 651-450-0031 Hesley Jensen 491 Website 263 3rd St N. Bayport MN 55003 651-439-5463 Woodbury 501 Website 8301 Valley Creek Road Woodbury MN 55125 703-851-5416 Kramer Berg 507 Facebook 319 Stillwater Rd. Willermie MN 55090 651-426-6598 Nicollet 510 Website 715 3rd St. Nicollet MN 56074 507-225-3850 North Mankato 518 Website 265 Belgrade Ave North Mankato MN 56003 507-625-1264 Challenger 521 No Website PO Box 18244 W St. Paul MN 55118 No Phone Chanhassen 580 Website 290 Lake Dr E. Chanhassen MN 55317 952-934-6677 Lonsdale 586 Facebook 115 2nd Ave NW Lonsdale MN 55046 507-744-2387 Daniel R. Olsen 594 Website PO Box 211488 Eagan MN 55121 651-497-0971 Bellechester 598 Facebook 101 Main St. Bellechester MN 55027 No Phone Lowell Stender 601 No Website 300 Broadway St E. New Germany MN 55367 952-657-2431 Hugo 620 Website 5383 140th St N. Hugo MN 55038 651-255-1432 Plato 641 No Website PO Box 164 Plato MN 55370 No Phone Dan Patch 643 Website 12375 Princeton Ave. Savage MN 55378 952-894-6940 Patrick Kopp 1700 No Website PO Box 1834 Burnsville MN 55337 763-258-3070 Apple Valley 1776 Website 14521 Granada Dr. Apple Valley MN 55124 952-431-1776 Victoria 1995 No Website 233 S Olive St. Waconia MN 55387 952-442-5340 Filter by County Filter by County View Interactive Map

All Posts MN Third District Aug 12 1 min 100th Birthday of Veteran Paul Esparza Congratulations Paul on your 100th Birthday, thank you for your service to this great country. 51 0 comments 0 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 MN Third District Jul 15 1 min Dedication to Transparency: Make sure you Subscribe & Follow the State, District, & National Social Media Platforms Find links to the District, Department, and National level social media platforms. Connect more, learn more. 4 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked MN Third District Jun 24 3 min When to Display the American Flag: A Guide to Proper Flag Etiquette Knowing when and how to display the American Flag is a matter of pride and respect. This guide will help you understand what is proper. 8 Post not marked as liked

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All (117) All Pages (105) Events (9) News (3) Results found for "" All Pages (105) Amber Rude Amber Rude ​ No Website Next Item Previous Item Joseph A. Gates Joseph A. Gates ​ Facebook Next Item Previous Item Lowell Stender Lowell Stender ​ No Website Next Item Previous Item View All Events (9) Harvest Rally September 21, 2024 | 5:00 PM Fridley, MN, USA District Family Gathering September 28, 2024 | 4:00 PM 100-, 198 E Main St, Elysian, MN 56028, USA Minnesota Legion College Fall 2024 Session October 11, 2024 | 12:00 AM 15000 MN-115, Little Falls, MN 56345, USA View All News (3) 100th Birthday of Veteran Paul Esparza Woodbury American Legion Post 501 celebrated with Veteran Paul Esparza on August 11, 2024 on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Paul served in WWII in the Army during the battle of bulge where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. He went on to serve 35 years in the Air Force, Retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. Congratulations Paul on your 100th Birthday. Thank you for your service to this great country. Dedication to Transparency: Make sure you Subscribe & Follow the State, District, & National Social Media Platforms In today’s digital age, staying connected and informed is easier than ever. For members and supporters of the American Legion. Following the Department of American Legion Minnesota, the National American Legion, and The Thundering Third District on social media is a vital step in staying engaged with the community and up-to-date on important information. The Thundering Third District of Minnesota Links: Facebook Minnesota Department of American Legion Links: YouTube Facebook Instagram TikTok The American Legion National Headquarters Links: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn It's helpful to also follow your fellow American Legion Posts! In the spirit of camaraderie and as a learning opportunity. Social Media is always evolving and there are always new ideas to be found. Thank you! When to Display the American Flag: A Guide to Proper Flag Etiquette The American flag is a powerful symbol of freedom, unity, and the values upon which the United States was founded. Knowing when and how to display the flag is a matter of pride and respect for many Americans. This guide will help you understand the key occasions and proper etiquette for flying the Stars and Stripes. National Holidays 1. Independence Day (July 4th): This is one of the most significant days to display the American flag. It commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. 2. Memorial Day (Last Monday in May): On this day, the flag is flown at half-staff until noon to honor those who have died in military service. After noon, the flag is raised to the top of the staff to symbolize the nation's resolve to continue fighting for freedom. 3. Veterans Day (November 11th): This day honors all military veterans. The flag should be flown at full staff. 4. Flag Day (June 14th): This day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. 5. Presidents' Day (Third Monday in February): A day to honor all U.S. presidents, the flag is flown at full staff. Other Significant Days 1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Third Monday in January): Honoring the civil rights leader, the flag is flown at full staff. 2. Labor Day (First Monday in September): Celebrating the contributions of American workers, the flag is displayed at full staff. 3. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7th): The flag is flown at half-staff to honor those who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. 4. Patriot Day (September 11th): The flag is flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. 5. National POW/MIA Recognition Day (Third Friday in September): Honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action, the flag is displayed at full staff. Daily and Special Occasions 1. Daily Display: The flag can be flown daily from sunrise to sunset. If the flag is illuminated, it can be displayed 24 hours a day. 2. Special Occasions: The flag is often displayed during parades, ceremonies, and other patriotic events. It is also appropriate to display the flag on election days and state holidays. Proper Flag Etiquette 1. Handling and Display: The flag should never touch the ground. When displayed, the union (the blue field with stars) should be at the peak of the staff. If hung vertically, the union should be at the top left from the observer’s perspective. The flag should never be used as clothing, bedding, or drapery. 2. Half-Staff Guidelines: The flag is flown at half-staff in mourning or on special occasions as directed by the president or state governors. When raising the flag to half-staff, it should be hoisted to the peak for a moment before being lowered to the half-staff position. When lowering, it should again be briefly raised to the peak before fully lowering. 3. Disposing of the Flag: When a flag is worn out or no longer fit for display, it should be disposed of respectfully, preferably by burning. Many American Legion posts and other organizations conduct flag retirement ceremonies. Conclusion Displaying the American flag is a meaningful way to show patriotism and respect for the values it represents. By following these guidelines on when and how to display the flag, you honor the traditions and history of the United States. Whether on national holidays, special occasions, or daily, flying the flag is a proud tradition that unites Americans in their love for their country. View All Search Results

Sat, Sep 28 | Elysian American Legion District Family Gathering The Third District will gather at the Elysian American Legion Time & Location Sep 28, 2024, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Elysian American Legion, 100-, 198 E Main St, Elysian, MN 56028, USA About the event Join us at Third District Post 311. 11:00 AM Social 11:30 AM Speaker Noon Meal and meeting to follow Follow our District Facebook page for updates and information: https://www.facebook.com/MNThirdDistrict Show More Share this event