Post 77 Owatonna, Minnesota
Post 77
Owatonna, Minnesota
HISTORY
1910
John R. Hartwig
Nov 26, 1910
John Hartwig was born 127 years ago. A lifelong resident of Owatonna, John served his community and county in many ways.
After a year with..
John S. Campbell: A Founder of Post 77 and Malt-O-Meal
Oct 20, 1912
Full Story Today is the 131st birthday of John Campbell. In 1912, John founded Northern Light Milling Company with his older brother. The Owatonna-based business sold flour and a new breakfast food called Malt-O-Meal.
Helga Gaardsmoe: “The One Lady Member” of Post 77
Jul 9, 1918
Full Story Today is the 126th anniversary of Helga Gaardsmoe’s birthday in 1894. She was one of the first (and for a time only) female members of American Legion Post 77 in Owatonna.
History of the Post 77 Headquarters
May 4, 1919
Full Story Over the last century, Owatonna’s Legion post has made its home in several different locations around town.
Jane Goodall and Floyd Parsons: “War Brought Them Together and Peace United Them”
May 10, 1919
A popular song during World War I, “I Don’t Want to Get Well,” told the story of a hospitalized soldier smitten with the nurse who cared for him. In wartime France, life would imitate art for two future Legion members.
101st Anniversary of Post 77’s Provisional Charter
Aug 16, 1919
Full Story Efforts to create an American Legion post in Owatonna culminated in August when local servicemen attempted to secure an official charter from the national organization.
Soldiers’ Day at the 1919 Steele County Fair
Sep 17, 1919
Next week is the start of the one hundred-and-second Steele County Fair. The second county fair took place in September 1919, ten months after the end of World War I. With most soldiers back home by then, the fair was the perfect opportunity to celebrate..
Post 77’s First Chance to Help Veterans
Oct 10, 1919
Full Story After the state legislature passed a law providing a cash bonus to World War I soldiers, some veterans needed assistance filling out their applications. Post 77 in Owatonna was eager to help.
1920
An April Fools Prank in September?
Sep 15, 1924
Full Story Since 1919, the American Legion has met annually at a national convention. According to one historian, “early Legion conventions were rather wild affairs, and things got out of hand at times.”
95 Years of Legion Baseball
Jul 17, 1925
Full Story The history of American Legion baseball dates back to July 17, 1925 when the South Dakota Legion created the first baseball program in the country. Minnesota Legion posts started to sponsor baseball teams in 1926, but Owatonna did not have a team until 1928.
Legion Baseball in Steele County: The Early Years
May 1, 1928
Owatonna’s Post 77 has been sponsoring local baseball teams for ninety-two years. Some had losing records. Others had winning records. But every team tried to “keep a stout heart in defeat” and keep their “pride under in victory.
1930
American Legion Corn Feed and School Patrol
Dec 15, 1938
Full Story Every year towards the end of summer, Post 77 and hungry guests raised money for the Legion’s School Patrol program with a Corn Feed.
1940
GIs Join the Legion
Sep 20, 1942
Full Story When the Legion was founded in 1919, membership was limited to World War I veterans. Another world war twenty-two years later again raised the question of membership. And it was far from inevitable that World War II GIs would join the Legion.
Gale Thorson: A Girl with a Star Spangled Heart
Feb 16, 1943
Seventy-seven years ago, Gale H. Ferris decided to put her talents to work for her country.
Originally from..
75th Anniversary of the Grandfather’s Club
Dec 16, 1943
Full Story Yesterday was Grandparents Day, a day to recognize grandmothers and grandfathers. 75 years ago, Legionnaires William Ringhofer and Robert Evans created their own way to celebrate grandfathers.
The American Legion and the G.I. Bill
Jan 11, 1944
Full Story Seventy-six years ago, a Legionnaire and World War I veteran introduced the G.I. Bill to the US Senate. The Legion played an important part in writing the bill and turning it into law.
Silvin Pribyl: “A Man of God and Country”
Jul 7, 1944
Full Story Seventy-six years ago during World War II, Silvin Pribyl became a navy pilot. He would later go on to command Owatonna’s American Legion post.
A Letter from Iwo Jima
Mar 21, 1945
Full Story Seventy-five years ago, PFC Joseph “Joe” Steinbauer settled down in a cave on Iwo Jima and composed a letter to a friend back in Owatonna.
Minnesota Boys State: “A Fun-Filled Week”
Jun 1949
Minnesota Boys State: “A Fun-Filled Week”
The American Legion is not just about helping veterans. It also seeks..
1970
Halloween with the Legion
Oct 31, 1970
Full Story Halloween is not just for kids. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Legionnaires at Owatonna’s Post 77 held several Halloween-themed events at the end of October.
