Post 555 Minneapolis, Minnesota

Post 555

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Post 555 Minneapolis, Minnesota

About This Post

Post Namesake
Arthur and Leonard Falldin
Notable Members
Edward L'Herault; first vice commander Richard Anthony; second vice commander Bruce E. Duemke; adjutant John P. Knutson; finance officer Lawrence Wall; service officer Jerry L'Herault; historian Norman Drager; chaplain James Pestello; sergeant-at-arms
What Makes this Post Unique
Our Post had an objective from the very beginning to start a youth program to help make better citizens of the young men and women in the Northeast community of Minneapolis.Their main project was in the area of athletics. Many of the members were coaches for various sports teams. The Falldin Post at that time had over 500 young people in their organized sports programs. Many of the youths that participated over the years have became champions in football, speed skating, baseball and wrestling. Some went on to become national champions, some to the Olympics and some to professional sports.

Photos

HISTORY

1940

FALLDIN AMERICAN LEGION POST 555

Feb 5, 1946

Following the cessation of WWII, a group of local Veterans joined together to establish a Post in Northeast Mpls. in the American Legion, receiving their charter on September 24, 1946. The Post was named in honor of Arthur and Leonard Falldin who sacrificed their lives for our country. The Falldin family consisted of one daughter and ten sons, nine of whom served in WWII. Currently one is still alive, John Falldin. On February 5, 1946,..

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FALLDIN AMERICAN LEGION POST AUXILIARY

FALLDIN AMERICAN LEGION POST AUXILIARY

Sep 12, 1946
Falldin American Legion Auxiliary, organized September 12, 1946 when they elected officers at the Fifth District headquarters, 603 Second avenue south, at 8 p.m. Monday. Eligible for membership were mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of American Legion members, woman veterans and mothers, widows, sisters and daughters of any deceased servicemen. Falldin post and auxiliary regular separate meetings were held on the second Monday of each month at Fifth District headquarters. The first officers were: President..
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JULY 4TH PICNIC - DOLL BUGGY PARADE

Jul 4, 1947
Morris Falldin, 2415 Hayes street, is arrangements chairman for the golf tournament, which will start off the Grand East side picnic to be sponsored by the Arthur and Leonard Falldin American Legion Post at Columbia park July 4. Teeing off will start at 6:00 a.m. Mrs. Charlotte Pestello, 2630 Buchanan street, has been named arrangements chairman for the Doll Buggy parade entries. Janet Wyckoff, 5, of 2630 Buchanan St. N.E. and Corrine Carlson, 14 months,..
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JULY 4TH PICNIC - DOLL BUGGY PARADE
JULY 4TH PICNIC - PIE EATING CONTEST

JULY 4TH PICNIC - PIE EATING CONTEST

Jul 4, 1947
Columbia Park pie-eaters (left to right) Bob Mialow, 4, 3626 Two-and-One-half street NE; Gerry Melbo, 5, 646 Fillmore street NE., and Gary Pestello, 5, 2630 Buchanan street NE., look up from the competition to greet the judges with a sticky smile. Picnics were the order of the day in many Minneapolis parks. The Columbia park picnic was sponsored by the Falldin American Legion Post.
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1950

FALLDIN TALENT CONTEST MARCH 12 AT EDISON HIGH

Mar 12, 1953
According to General Chairman Ed Piersak of Mpls.-Falldin Post, Jimmy Valentine, radio and television personality, will be master of ceremonies for Falldin-Legion talent contest finals at Edison high school, Minneapolis, on March 12. The 17 contestants will be competing for $100, $50, and $25 defense bonds. Sponsored by Falldin Post and Unit, this is a benefit for Northwest Variety Club heart hospital. Entire proceeds will go to this charity. Tickets are $1 in advance at..
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FALLDIN POST STARTS WORK ON NEW HALL, HEADQUARTERS

FALLDIN POST STARTS WORK ON NEW HALL, HEADQUARTERS

Dec 28, 1953
The Falldin American Legion Post 555 turned over the first shovel of dirt in ground-breaking ceremonies Monday noon for the organization's new $65,000 hall and club rooms at Central Ave. and St.Anthony boulevard N.E. The project has been in the planning stages for three years and is expected to be completed in five months. The Post, which has a membership of 1,115, now headquarters at the IOOF hall, 22nd and Central. On hand for the..
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FALLDIN POST DEDICATES NEW HOME

Feb 1, 1955
The New Falldin Post home pictured represents an investment by the Post in the sum of approximately $85,000. It has an auditorium, three game rooms, a kitchen and a club room. About one-fourth of the members of the Post are Columbia Heights residents. The aim and purpose of the Post is to eventually make this home available as a center for the extensive youth program that is to be developed. This is the only Legion..
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FALLDIN POST DEDICATES NEW HOME
MORTGAGE BURNING BANQUET

MORTGAGE BURNING BANQUET

Nov 1, 1958
The American Legion Arthur and Leonard Falldin Post 555, 3141 Central Ave. N.E., held a Mortgage Burning Banquet on Nov. 1, 1958 to celebrate the final payment on an $85,000.00 club room. The charter for this Post was issued in 1946 and the present building begun in 1954. Mr. and Mrs. John Falldin were guests of honor along with many others, including Richard "Dick" Grant as master of ceremonies. With this "Burden" behind them, the..
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"Ho Bo" Dance To Be Held

Feb 7, 1959
Falldin American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, 3141 Central Ave. N.E., will sponsor a 'Ho-Bo" dance Feb.7, 1959. Proceeds from the dance will go to purchase a portable respirator lung for the veteran's hospital. Prizes will be awarded to the best lady "Ho-Bo" and the best gentleman "Bum". There will also be door prizes and modern and old time music by Eddie Emerson's orchestra. The public is invited. A $385 portable iron lung was presented Friday to..
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1960

FALLDIN SPORTS PROGRAM KEEPS STAFF OF 26 BUSY YEAR AROUND

FALLDIN SPORTS PROGRAM KEEPS STAFF OF 26 BUSY YEAR AROUND

Feb 21, 1961

Although it is one of Minnesota's youngest Legion Posts and is far from being a "king-sized" Post, Arthur and Leonard Falldin Post 555 of Minneapolis can boast of an athletic program that far outstrips similar programs of older and larger Posts. The Falldin sports program directed by Fran Van Auken, Post athletic director, keeps a staff of 26 members busy the year around coaching peewee, cub, midget light and midget heavy football teams; cub, midget..

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FALLDIN POST DISTRIBUTES MORE THAN 600 TOYS TO DESERVING CHILDREN

Dec 1, 1961
American Legion Posts and Auxiliary units throughout Minnesota did much to make Christmas a happy occasion for hundreds of children, who otherwise had little to look forward to, by sponsoring a variety of Christmas parties and gift projects. One of the most ambitious projects was undertaken by Falldin Post 555 of Minneapolis and its Auxiliary unit, which distributed more than 600 toys to deserving and needy children. Receiving this "tide of toys" from the Minneapolis..
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FALLDIN POST DISTRIBUTES MORE THAN 600 TOYS TO DESERVING CHILDREN
FALLDIN VISITS VETERANS AT ST. CLOUD HOSPITAL

FALLDIN VISITS VETERANS AT ST. CLOUD HOSPITAL

Sep 28, 1962

Those pictured for the St. Cloud Hospital visit are as follows; left to right, A. Rosenberger, Earl Sayre, W.J. Fielder, M.K. Dahl, E. Johnson (all from St. Cloud) and Falldiners Cy Lien, George Gorski, Pat O'Toole, Leroy Knealing and Dale Leider.

For the 3rd consecutive year, Falldin has cooperated with St. Paul Grand Arie of the Elks and St. Cloud Minnesota Chapter of the Red Cross, to give hospitalized Veterans from the St. Cloud Vets Hospital..

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HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAGS

Apr 15, 1963

Juniors of Falldin Unit No. 555 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, present their flag pageant which is much in demand by patriot groups in their city. Two Past Presidents of the Unit, Lillian Smuder and Mary Jane Emerson, put together the story of the flags as used by the Juniors. The earlier American flags were hand-sewn. Juniors in the picture are, left to right: Barbara Nihart, Charlyss  Bennek, Sandra Freyberger, Linda O'Toole, Sandra Duffee, Michelle Stevens, Teresa..

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HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAGS
FALLDIN AUXILIARY LENDS A HELPING HAND

FALLDIN AUXILIARY LENDS A HELPING HAND

Apr 23, 1963

Robert Wood, chief of physical therapy at the Veteran's Hospital, is explaining this set of M.G. pulley panels and their use to members of the Falldin American Legion Auxiliary. Left to right, Mrs. Russ Bennek, 3100 Stinson Blvd; Mrs. Harold Emerson, 1513 Twenty-sixth Avenue Northeast and Mrs. Lloyd Hermes, 3250 Lincoln Street. These pulleys, invented by Professor Martin Mundale, University of Minnesota, are used to rehabilitate atrophied muscles in any part of the body. When..

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HOME OF MARIE LAWLER OLYMPIC SPEED SKATER

Jan 6, 1964

Marie Lawler, Olympic speed skater from Falldin, is picured on the far right with her coach, Caroline Dugas on the left and George Bauman in the middle.  


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HOME OF MARIE LAWLER OLYMPIC SPEED SKATER
FALLDIN AUXILIARY GIFT TO THE HENNEPIN COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL

FALLDIN AUXILIARY GIFT TO THE HENNEPIN COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL

Apr 8, 1964

Shirley Nelson, pediatric nurse at Hennepin County General Hospital, shows Mrs. Lloyd Hermes (right), president of Falldin Unit 555 of Minneapolis, and Mrs. Robert Skogquist, Unit child welfare chairman, one of the premature infants who will benefit from the air conditioner and purifier recently donated by the Unit for the septic nursery at the hospital. For Child Welfare Month (April), the Falldin Post and Unit will donate the proceeds from their annual spaghetti dinner to..

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FIFTH DISTRICT LEGION OFFICERS

Aug 8, 1964

New Officers of the Fifth District American Legion are shown following their installation at a joint cermony held August 8th at Falldin Post 555. Left to right are: George Evans, second vice commander; Donald Schroedl, third vice commander; Lyle (Pat) O'Toole, commander; Hal Leonard, chaplain; and Sam Goldman, first vice commander. Not present for the picture was William Dolan Jr., finance officer.  


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FIFTH DISTRICT LEGION OFFICERS
FIFTH DISTRICT AUXILIARY OFFICERS

FIFTH DISTRICT AUXILIARY OFFICERS

Aug 8, 1964

New officers of the Fifth District American Legion Auxiliary were installed in a joint ceremony held August 8 at Falldin Post 555. Shown left to right are: Mrs. Michael Cain, second vice president; Mrs. Russell Bennek, who stood in for Mrs. Duane Trombley, chaplain; Mrs. Ray Deming, treasurer; Mrs. Donald Schroedl, secretary; Mrs. Glenn Raffensparger, president; Department President Mrs. Cy Leivermann of Chaska, who was the installing officer; Mrs. Lester Forde, first vice president; and..

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FALLDIN JUNIORS SPONSOR MITTEN TREE FOR NEEDY TOTS

Dec 11, 1965

Pictured are Mrs. Gordon Struckman, 4847 Dupont Ave. N., junior auxiliary chairman and Linda O'Toole, 3114 Pierce St. N.E., president of the junior auxiliary, with a mitten tree. The juniors sponsored the mitten tree in conjunction with the annual Christmas party of Falldin American Legion Post 555, 3141 Central Ave. N.E., on Sunday, Dec. 11. All were invited to contribute a pair of mittens to be given to less fortunate children. Over 340 children and..

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FALLDIN JUNIORS SPONSOR MITTEN TREE FOR NEEDY TOTS

1970

FALLDIN SKATERS WIN AT WINNIPEG

FALLDIN SKATERS WIN AT WINNIPEG

Feb 25, 1972

Five speedskaters from Falldin Post 555 Skating Club were in Winnipeg, Canada the weekend of Feb. 26-26-27 for the Manitoba International Speedskating Championships. The children, three parents and coaches Caroline Dugas and Paul Sieverson made the trip by chartered bus.

Stephanie Meade, 1611 Adams St. NE, received a second place trophy for overall points in the Pony Girls division. She placed first in the 200 meter final and broke a Canadian record by skating it in..

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