Bergstrom-Bodeen Post 128, in Hudson, SD received its charter from the National Executive Committee of the National American Legion on 30 December 1919.
The Post was named in honor of Harry Bergstrom and Olaf Bodeen, both Hudson boys killed in action in WWI.
From the beginning, the post was active in the community hosting barbecue feeds, dances, and many other events often with the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department. The post also sponsored Junior Baseball teams. The first mention of a Memorial Day program was in May, 1930. Armistice Day dances began in about 1937. Christmas trees were also put up and decorated in the town square, It was not unheard of for a carton of cigarettes, box of cigars, or a roll of Copenhagen be given as a thank you for donating a Christmas tree or other donations. Or even to a comrade in the VA or under the weather.
It has been said and agreed to by all that the Ladies Auxiliary has always been a driving force behind the early success of this Post. Even today, what would this organization be without the Ladies Auxiliary.
Our first annual Turkey Shoot was held in November 1927, and continues to be an annual event to this day as our main fundraising event. Back then live turkeys, ducks and geese were given as prizes for shooters at the trap shoot, bingo and other games. Now we offer frozen turkeys and ham and beef certificates as prizes. The turkey shoot was held on a local farmers land with big tents set up as shelter. In 1931, the trap shoot was moved to the Hudson Gun Club at no cost but to keep the facility in good repair. The search did continue for a more suitable place.
The first County meeting of Lincoln County was held here on January 11th, 1940. Also the first Boys Stater from Hudson was also selected in 1940. Ted Quarnstrom was selected to Boys State and Hobart Cole was selected as an alternate in 1941. Both are members of this Post today.
A “Book of Gold” honoring WWII Veterans was created and dedicated on April 16th, 1944. Professor Wylie, Superintendent of Hudson High School was asked to paint the names of local WW II veterans on the Book of Gold. This book is still on display in the current post home.
In late 1946, efforts began to build a Veterans Memorial Building by joining forces with the VFW. The building was completed in 1953 and continues to be the Post Home of Post 128.
In January 1960, The Post started a BINGO program that started every two weeks and continued to be a major fundraising for many years until 2005 when customers dwindled and help from the post also dropped to unsatisfactory levels.
The first mention of an oyster stew feed at our January meeting was January 1974. This feed also has continued to be an annual event to today.
In 1981, an Avenue of Flags was erected at our local cemetery. Originally 50 flag poles were erected, now, about 150 flag poles are standing with the casket flags of our deceased comrades. The flag poles are erected and the flags are flown every Memorial Day weather permitting.
In April 1985, The Post set up a membership fund to help prospect member who are in a financial bind to help pay their dues. The post continues to help their members and their families in hardship situations.
2003 was also the year that efforts began to erect a Hudson area Veterans Memorial. Fundraising efforts and design began, and the Memorial was dedicated September 30th, 2007. Currently, there are over 420 names inscribed on the memorial and efforts continue to include and accurately list all Hudson area Veterans.
Post 128 members have been active at all levels of the American Legion in South Dakota over the years, starting in 1938 when Jay Huisman was elected as District Commander. Fred Wood served as Lincoln County Commander, Richard Loe, Richard Ekle, and Mark Weinmann went on to serve as County Commanders, District Commanders, and State Vice Commanders. Mark Weinmann was elected as Department Commander in 2011.
The Charter members are listed as:
Ralph Thorpe H.L. Shaum Paul Nelson
Hiram Wood Bart Sanderson Iver Anderburg
Getl Hyde Gail Vallier Lawrence Rossum
Oscar Loe Oscar Olson Ralph Vipond
Carl Waterbury Olaf Lode R.E. Carter
Gus Laulters Harry Earl Vern Trickel
Albert Eide Mannie Gustafson Hugh Bemis
F. B. Ruttler Garrit Boerma Arlo Clausen
O.D. Jackson Harley Marshall Chalmer Saulters
Herman Nelson Carl Johnson Chris Serck
Guy Clark Elmer Anderson Alex Anderson
Martin Wold B. V. Larkin F. A. Dumermuth
Dale Roberts Carl Hermanson Riley McConel
Everett Hilton Milo Minor Frank Trickel
Everest Ring Johnie Johnson Olaf Grevoles
J. B. Nelson E. A. Schlup Julius Gustafson
Jay Huisman Charlie Anderson Helge Carlson
R. E. Iverson Charlie Larson Gilman Roti
Paul Houstan Palmer Paulson
Post Commanders who have served are:
1920-21 Olin Jackson 1969-70 Gene Johnsone
1921-22 Earnest Schlup 1970-71 John Homandberg
1922-23 Earnest Schlup 1971-72 John Homandberg
1923-24 Milo Minor 1972-73 John Homandberg
1924-25 Claude Larkin 1973-74 Roger Twedt
1925-26 Chris Serck 1974-75 Roger Twedt
1926-27 Hiram Wood 1975-76 Roger Twedt
1927-28 Palmer Paulson 1976-77 Roger Twedt
1928-29 Chris Anderson 1977-78 Ken Roti
1929-30 Palmer Roe 1978-79 Harry Vandemore
1930-31 Alex Anderson 1979-80 Harry Vandemore
1931-32 Hugh Bemis 1980-81 Burton Frederickson
1932-33 Olaf Lode 1981-82 Burton Frederickson
1933-34 Carl Hermanson 1982-83 Gerald Stoffell
1934-35 Chalmer Salte 1983-84 Gerald Stoffell
1935-36 Vern Trickle 1984-85 Roger Miller
1936-37 Earnest Schlup 1985-86 Gerald Stoffell
1937-38 Albert Eide 1986-87 Roger Smith
1938-39 Virgil Jones 1987-88 Charlie Bauder
1939-40 Olaf Brevik 1988-89 Charlie Bauder
1940-41 Chalmer Salter 1989-90 Richard Ekle
1941-42 Carl Hermanson 1990-91 Richard Ekle
1942-43 Earnest Schlup 1991-92 Richard Ekle
1943-44 1992-93 Roger Twedt
1944-45 Olaf Lode 1993-94 Bernie VerBurg
1945-46 Harry Earl 1994-95 Bernie VerBurg
1946-47 John Cole 1995-96 Bernie VerBurg
1947-48 Gordon Smith 1996-97 Mark Weinmann
1948-49 Bailey Horner 1997-98 Mark Weinmann
1949-50 Howard Hermanson 1998-99 Richard Ekle
1950-51 Earnest Schlup 1999-2000 Richard Ekle
1951-52 Vern Trickle 2000-01 Richard Ekle
1952-53 C.J. Vandemore 2001-02 Richard Ekle
1953-54 Oscar Loe 2002-03 Richard Ekle
1954-55 Merlyn Miller 2003-04 Fred Wood
1955-56 Merlyn Miller 2004-05 Fred Wood
1956-57 Leonard Groth 2005-06 Fred Wood
1957-58 Leonard Groth 2006-07 Fred Wood
1958-59 Gilbert Smith 2007-08 Fred Wood
1959-60 Gilbert Smith 2008-09 Fred Wood
1960-61 Gilbert Smith 2009-10 Richard Loe
1961-62 Eugene Ingibritson 2010-11 Richard Loe
1962-63 Eugene Ingibritson 2011-12 Gerald Stoffell / Richard Ekle
1963-64 Gene Johnson 2012-13 Richard Ekle
1964-65 Vern Trickle 2013-14 Don Paulson
1965-66 Gene Johnson 2014-15 Don Paulson
1966-67 Oscar Larson 2015-16 Don Paulson
1967-67 Oscar Larson 2016-17 Don Paulson
1968-69 Oscar Larson 2017-18 Don Paulson
