Post 152 Menno, South Dakota
Post 152
Menno, South Dakota
About This Post
Post Namesake
Rames-Bender Post 152
The original name was the Matson Rames post, named after the first Menno man who was killed during WWI. Matson O. Rames was born on March 11, 1896 on the Rames farm North of Olivet, South Dakota. He was the son of Stephen and Charolotte Rames. After attending a country grade school, he came to Menno High School and graduated. He then attended Yankton College three years until he entered military service on May 25, 1918. He took basic training at Camp Lewis until June 28, 1918. He then was assigned overseas, arrived in New York on July 4, 1918 and arrived in England on July 19, 1918. Later, Matson Rames was assigned to Company E, 316th Ammunition Train, 91st Division, A.E.F. in France. On September 2, 1918, Mrs. Charolotte Rames received a letter from Billom, France stating that her son was killed on August 31, 1918. He was killed in a motor truck accident while hauling ammunition and supplies to the front. He was buried in the new American cemetery just outside Clermont-Ferrand, Puy do Don, France. The body of Matson Rames arrived in Menno, South Dakota on June 4, 1921.
The name was changed in 1945 to the Rames-Bender Post 152 to honor Wilmer V. Bender, the first Menno man killed in WWII, as well as Matson Rames. Wilmer V. Bender was born on June 4, 1917. He was the son of Emmanuel and Hulda Bender. Wilmer graduated from Menno High School in 1935. He attended the University of South Dakota for one year in 1935-1936 and the Grand Island Business College for six months in 1938. Wilmer enlisted in the Army and was called for induction on January 27, 1941 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Later, he was transferred to Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and left the United States in January 1942 arriving in Australia. He then was transferred to New Guinea in November 1942. He was killed in action on March 11, 1943 somewhere in the South Pacific. On March 21, 1943, Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Bender received a telegram notifying them of the death of their son.
Notable Members
Men killed in War
- Matson Rames (WWI)
- Wilmer Bender (WWII)
- Calvin Hoff (WWII)
- Alfred Huber (WWII)
- Harry Koerner (WWII)
- Fred Ott (WWII)
- Melvin Quast (WWII)
- Raymond Gaub (Vietnam)
HISTORY
1910
Membership Information (1st Year)
Dec 1919
In the inaugural year of the Rames Post #152, there were 10 charter members: Ammon Auch, Henry Hagge, Lewis Hess, Lee Hosterman, Edward Kuhlman, Reinhardt Langholz, Barney Nieman, Reinhold Seydel, Joseph Stern, Otto Trottnow.
1920
Membership Information (2nd Year)
Dec 31, 1920
Membership count remained 10 Legionnaires for the second year in a row.
Membership Information (3rd Year)
Dec 31, 1921
Membership count remained at 10 members for the third year in a row.
Membership Information (4th Year)
Dec 31, 1922
Membership count remained 10 members for the fourth year in a row.
Membership Information (5th Year)
Dec 31, 1923
Membership count was 10 members for the fifth year in a row.
Membership Information (6th Year)
Dec 31, 1924
Membership count was 11, up 1 member from 1923. New Legionnaire was: Julius Ulmer, Jr.
1930
Membership Information
Dec 31, 1934
Membership count was 16, up 4 members from 1933. The new Legionnaires were: Bethuel Aisenbrey, Henry Rebel, John Schempp, and Sefred Schwitzer.
1940
Membership Information and Post Officers
Jan 1, 1940
Membership count was 19 members, down 1 member from 1939.
The officers for the 1940 year were as follows:
Commander: Edward Kuhlman
Adjutant: Reinhold Seydel
Purchasing New Legion Hall
Oct 31, 1940
During the October meeting, it was decided to make a $15 down payment to the Reformed Church for their school house. The total amount offered for the school house was $190. This would eventually turn into the local American Legion hall, which still stands and operates in Menno.
Armistice Day program
Nov 11, 1940
The Matson Rames Post #152, with co-operation with the Legion Auxilliary, put on an Armistice Day program. Chaplain Rev. A.A. Bergland gave the address.
Poultry Raffle
Nov 18, 1940
The Matson Rames Post #152 held a raffle to give away turkeys, ducks and geese starting on November 18th and continuing on the 19th, 25th, 26th, and 27th. November 18th and November 25th would also be family nights for fun and fundraising.
Membership Information and Post Officers
Jan 1, 1941
Membership count was 38 members, up from 19 members in 1940. The new Legionnaires were: Gotthielf Bietz, Ted Bird, Jasper Boegler, Christian Mettler, William Olsberg, William Rempfer, F.A. Ritterhaus, Jr., Wilhelm Shaeffer, and William Steffen.
The elected officers for 1941 were as follows:
Commander: Reinhardt Langholz
Vice Commander: Henry Brodland
Adjutant: Reinhold Seydel
Finance Officer: Julius Ulmer, Jr.
Sergeant-at-Arms: Albert Eberhardt
Service Officer: Lewis Hess
Chaplain: Rev. A.A. Bergland
Memorial Day Service
May 30, 1941
The Matson Rames Post #152 held the annual Memorial Day service in Menno, SD. With co-operation with the Legion Auxilliary, addresses were read and prayers were said.
Poultry Raffle
Nov 26, 1941
The Matson Rames Post #152 held a Thanksgiving raffle for ducks and geese.
Membership Information and Post Officers
Jan 1, 1942
Membership Count was 36 members, down 2 members from 1941. New Legionnaires added were: Aron Mellinger and Frederich Reiser.
Officers for 1942 were as follows:
Commander: Reinhardt Langholz
Vice Commander: Henry Brodland
Adjutant: Reinhold Seydel
Finance Officer: Julius Ulmer, Jr.
Sergeant-at-Arms: Albert Eberhardt
Service Officer: Lewis Hess
Chaplain: Rev. A.A. Bergland
Purchase of a Paper Bailer
Apr 15, 1942
During the April meeting, the Matson Rames Post #152 decided to purchase a paper bailer, and pick up all the unwanted paper and magazines around town. It would bring in some extra money to help with the restoration of the Legion Hall, as well as be a good community service project around the town of Menno.
WWII Veterans Acceptance
Apr 15, 1942
During the April meeting, Adjutant Seydel was instructed to advise the Legion headquarters that the Matson Rames Post #152 is in favor of taking all veterans of the present World War (WWII) into the American Legion. During the year 1942, the American Legion (as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars) decided to become perpetual organizations, rather than die off like the Grand Army of the Republic (Civil War Era veterans) was rapidly doing. It..
July Dances
Jul 20, 1942
The Matson Rames Post #152 held two dances at the Menno Rec Center. The first dance was July 20 with the Norwegian Dance Band and the second dance was on July 21 with the Happy Bill Band.
Christmas Raffle
Dec 15, 1942
The Matson Rames Post #152 decided to hold a Christmas raffle on December 15th-17th. The winner would receive free grocieries from the local grocery store.
Membership Information and Post Officers
Jan 1, 1943
Membership count was 41 members, up 5 members from 1942. New Legionnaires were: Eli Meyers and Julius Schorzman.
Elected officers for 1943 were as follows:
Commander: Reinhardt Langholz
Vice Commander: Henry Brodland
Adjutant: Reinhold Seydel
Finance Officer: Julius Ulmer, Jr.
Sergeant-at-Arms: Albert Eberhardt
Service Officer: Lewis Hess
Chaplain: Edward Kuhlman
