During their monthly meeting in May 2011, American Legion Post 13 members approved a motion to have a plaque built to display the past Post Commanders. Funds were donated several years ago in memory of the late Maurice Haver, a longtime Wakonda resident and farmer; however the idea was not put into action until recently. The idea had been discussed between newly appointed post Commander Michael Hessman and Adjutant Jim Logue this past spring. During the May meeting, Hessman & Logue presented some ideas of a plaque and members agreed to begin the process of developing it. Hessman offered to take the lead on its design. Logue provided a list of past Wakonda Commanders dating back to 1926. During the June 2011 meeting, Hessman showed members some computer generated sketches and layouts for members to look at. Once one was agreed upon, the plan was put into motion to get it done. Hessman ordered a large 5” Bronze American Legion emblem for the top left corner and five coins representing all the military branches for the bottom of the plaque. He then contacted several local engraving and trophy companies that could provide the brass nameplates as well as mounting of them. MD Engraving Specialists, Inc. of Sioux Falls was chosen to make the nameplates as well as providing a 6” bronze eagle and U.S. flag for the top right corner of the plaque. Legion member Erlin Ellison offered to fabricate the wood for the plaque. “I knew this was going to be a large project that would take some time. At the August meeting I set a deadline goal of October 15th to have the plaque installed. Along with the plaque we’re installing a permanent flag pole just north of the front entrance. Both of these projects were going to be done by the 15th, which is our annual Hunters Feed that is always held on the Saturday that Pheasant Season opens.” Hessman picked up the finished plaque from MD Engraving that is on a beautiful 19” x 34” piece of walnut wood that Ellison provided. It has 65 past Commander names as well as 29 blanks for future use. There are enough blanks to last the next 58 years if Commanders continue to hold office for 2 years each. “The plaque really looks outstanding”, Hessman said. “It’s taken many hours of work to get this done and I hope that the Haver family, Legion members, Wakonda residents and past Commanders enjoy this nice addition that the Legion now has displayed in the main hall as you enter the building. “I also want to thank Jim Logue for bringing this to my attention so I could help out in any way possible.” On October 1, several Legion members and Bernie Steffen began cutting concrete to install a new 30’ flag pole furnished by Ralph Westergaard. Hessman would like to thank all of the men and especially Bernie for providing their time and equipment for this job. The pole will have a 5’ x 8’ American flag as well as a P.O.W. flag below it. “Before we had some smaller building mounted flags that were acceptable, however, we really needed something larger and permanent that stood out and grabbed peoples’ attention. Of course, it’ll be lit up and flown 24 hours a day” Hessman says. Another project the Legion has in the works is residing and roofing the Union Cemetery’s outhouse facilities that are in dire need of repair. Kenny Peterson is leading a crew to replace the old wood siding and roof with tin that will be green and white. “The building has been part of the Union Cemetery probably since it began. It’d be a shame to see it torn down” Peterson said. The Legion has offered to pay for the materials and donate their time and craftsmanship to this effort. This should be completed within the next 2 weeks Peterson claims. Hessman hopes everyone has a chance to see both the new flag and plaque the next time you stop by the Wakonda American Legion hall.

 

 

Paul Jensen, John Haver and Bernie Steffen help pour concrete for our new 30' flag pole at the hall in October 2011.

 

Kenny Peterson removes the old restroom roof at the Union Cemetery. The Legion funded a replacement metal roof & siding.

 

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