North Dakota American Legion Post 93
The North Dakota American Legion Post 93, Anderson-Hefta Post, is a member of the Department of North Dakota American Legion’s Eastern Region, First District and located in Portland, North Dakota.
Charter
The Anderson-Hefta Post 93, initially the Charles M. Root Post 93, received its national organizational charter on November 21, 1919. The Post disbanded and its charter was cancelled on June 15, 1925. The Post reorganized as the Clarence O. Anderson Post 93. It received its second national organization charter on August 19, 1944. At a September 7, 1982 meeting the Post members passed a unanimous motion to change the Post’s name to Anderson-Hefta Post 93.
Charles M. Root
Charles Martin Root was born at Mendon, Michigan on December 11, 1894 and was inducted into the United States Army at Hillsboro, North Dakota on June 24, 1918. He served as a Bugler (Private) and had “Died of Disease”attributed to pneumoniain San Francisco, California on October 24, 1918.He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Union City, Michigan.
Clarence O. Anderson
Clarence O. Anderson, son of local grocery store owners, was born in Portland, North Dakota on January 9, 1924 and was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps at Fort Snelling, Minnesota on January 19, 1943. He served as a Waist Gunner (Staff Sergeant) on a B-17 with the 364th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group (Heavy) in the European, African and Middle East theatres. He “Died Non-Battle” on November 16, 1943 after his plane was hit it during a bombing run over Germany and crashed-landed in England. He is buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridge, England and is memorialized with a military grave marker in Bruflat Cemetery in Portland, North Dakota. In addition to his awards and commendations, he received the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
Kenneth Hefta
Kenneth Hefta was born in Portland, North Dakota on August 6, 1928 and entered the United States Army at Fort Lewis, Washington on October 1, 1950. He served as a Corporal with “L” Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. While serving in the Republic of Korea, he was captured by the Chinese Army on February 14, 1951 and “Died Non-Battle” attributed to pneumonia while on a forced march with minus 30-degree temperatures and very little clothing. His remains were not recovered and he is memorialized on the “Tablet of the Missing” in the Honolulu Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D. C., and with a grave marker in the Aurdal Cemetery in Portland, North Dakota. In addition to his awards and commendations, he received the Prisoner of War Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Post Home
The Portland Opera House was purchased in 1946 by the Post and re-named The Portland Legion Hall. The Hall was used for legion meetings and community events such as dances, weddings, anniversaries, and business meetings. The popular dances were a source of income for the Post and drew patrons from several surrounding communities. A clubroom addition was added in early 1950’s. The Post sold the Legion Hall to Floyd’s Bar of Portland in 2001.
In 2003 the Post built a veteran’s memorial monument in the center of Portland to honor all Post members and veterans of the military. The cost of the project was covered by the proceeds from the sale of the Legion Hall, generous donations from current and past members of Post 93, and volunteer labor from members and local contractors. The monument consists of two, 3’ by 5’ granite tables with individual name tags for each veteran. To be eligible for a name tag an individual must have a Portland address when entering the military or have been a member of Post 93. To date there are 845 names on the monument and includes seven KIA (Killed-in-Action) and Two POW (Prisoner-of-War) veterans. The monument was dedicated June 25, 2003 in conjunction with a Portland High School all class reunion. Following an F-16 fly over from North Dakota Air National Guard, Harold Tastad, a WWII POW did the unveiling. The guest speaker was retired Navy Capt. Gil Rud, a Portland native and life member of Post 93. A mural painting on a building next to the monument depicting infantrymen in Vietnam was added in 2005. In 2006, six granite pillars were added to represent the five official branches of the military (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard) plus a pillar for the Merchant Marines.
Programs
The Anderson-Hefta American Legion Post 93 has been, and continues to be, very active in veterans and community events. In 1951, the color guard was established and was very active and popular serving as both a color guard and an honor guard for veterans’ funerals and at numerous events in Portland and the surrounding area. The squad’s original uniform consisted of bright blue Eisenhower jackets and orange pants and was very recognizable and served as a source of pride for the Post for many years. The distinctive uniforms are no longer used by the Color/Honor Guard, but the Post continues to be active participating in local parades, Veterans Day and Memorial Day programs, placing flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day, and serving as an honor guard for funerals. In addition, the Post is active in sponsoring American Legion Baseball, Boys State and speech contests, as well as numerous other charitable activities in the community.
Post Auxiliary
The Portland American Legion Auxiliary was organized on February 27, 1946 with 30 members. Over the years meetings have been held at member homes, the school, and the American Legion Hall. The Auxiliary has been involved in many community activities to include: The Memorial Day program; blood drives; donations and volunteer time to school libraries and the nursing home. Over the years they have hosted Santa Claus Days, Halloween Parties, and bingo. Since 1948 they have sent 133 girls to ND Girls State, including the 1987 Girls State Governor. Longtime member Lorraine Brovold Sorteberg was the past North Dakota State Department American Legion Auxiliary President in 1984/85. Current membership is 51 senior members and 28 junior members.
