But commander concerned about future of Post 75
A LOT OF HISTORY — The New Richland American Legion Andrew Borgen Post 75 has a lot of history, as pointed out by commander Syvert Berg (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
As you look around the walls of the New Richland American Legion’s hole-in-the-wall headquarters on N. Broadway Ave., you see a lot of history.
The original charter is there, along with photos of local soldiers killed in action, a list of past commanders, and other items.
How much more history they’ll make is anybody’s guess, but as of this year the Andrew Borgen post is exactly 100 years old.
The sad truth is the Legion has gone downhill since it sold its building several years ago. It was tough to do, according to current commander Syvert Berg, but something that had to be done.
“Times have changed,” said Berg. “That was an expensive building to maintain, and the patronage was way down. The public doesn’t drink like it used to. People are afraid of DWIs.”
Berg laments the fact the Legion is no longer able to support the community the way it used to.
“We were supporting (the Legion) with Bingo nights,” said Berg. “We used to get quite a crew in here on Tuesday nights. Food and beverage sales were big.”
And all profits from Bingo and pull tabs were donated back to the community. Schools, youth sports, police, the fire department and families hit by catastrophe all benefited.
“I was at one meeting where we had $22,000 to get rid of,” said Berg. “We gave a lot to the community.”
The local Legion had about 300 members then. Now there are 53.
Berg became the commander two years ago when former care center administrator Don Alexander moved to Duluth. But it’s not the only hat he wears. Winston Evenson, the chaplain, is the only other officer, leaving Berg to pick up the slack as commander, adjutant, membership director and finance secretary.
“I found out all these offices are tough to fill, so I did it,” said Berg.
The biggest problem, according to Berg, is that the Legion is simply not getting enough new members. Any veteran — male or female — is welcome to join. New Richland has one female member, Audrene Smith.
“The younger crowd doesn’t seem to get involved in anything,” said Berg. “I couldn’t get one guy to march with me in the Homecoming parade, and I called Hartland, Ellendale and Geneva. So the school had to do it.”
It also doesn’t help that everyone’s getting older.
“I’m the pup of the bunch,” said Berg, 68. “We have two younger members, but they both have very demanding jobs.”
The Legion doesn’t participate in nearly as many parades as in the past, but it does try to have people at as many veterans’ funerals as possible.
“We do funerals, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the Farm and City Days Parade,” said Berg. “Funerals are the biggest thing.”
One of the more memorable funerals for Berg was that of Ray Mudgett, held in a machinery shed on his farm.
Berg also got a call two days before Father’s Day requesting his help in Albert Lea. His first thought was, “Albert Lea? They have plenty of members.”
But, since the funeral was on Father’s Day, they wouldn’t do it. Berg got six guys from New Richland and two from Freeborn to honor a woman, 95, who was a 70-year Legion member who joined the Navy in 1942 and later became a school principal.
“We covered it real good,” said Berg. “The weather was perfect.”
The Legion sponsors one boy while the Auxiliary sponsors one girl to attend Boys and Girls State.
Surprisingly, though, no boy applied last year, so New Richland instead sent two girls.
The primary source of income for the Legion sits across the street.
“That trailer (with cans for recycling) is our main source of income,” said Berg. “The community donates cans to us.”
The Legion’s main expense is the building it rents just north of the Star Eagle. They also have to pay a bugler for funerals.
The Legion does not have regular meetings.
“There’s no sense to meet once a month,” said Berg.
Berg is retired after a 24-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard that took him all over the world. His last action was helping with the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1995.
“There was never a dull moment in the Coast Guard,” said Berg. “Every day was different. It’s kind of like being in law enforcement. You never know what you’re in for that day.”
Berg doesn’t know how much longer the New Richland American Legion will be in for anything.
“It’s not good,” he said of the outlook. “We won’t be the first to go down, but we won’t be the last either.”