Legion to mark major milestone

It’s not very often that an organization gets to celebrate a major milestone like a 100thbirthday, but that’s exactly what will happen next week with the American Legion.
Blooming Prairie’s Otto T. Lund Post will be celebrating the 100thbirthday of the American Legion on Friday, March 15 in grand fashion. Post 52 Commander Karl Luiken is throwing a big party at the Servicemen’s Club in Blooming Prairie on exactly the same day that the Legion was founded in 1919. 
The Legion will be offering a dinner, special music and a program to commemorate the early beginnings of the veterans organization. Luiken also has a few surprises that he plans to reveal at the party.
During the festivities, Luiken plans to share the story of Otto T. Lund, the person whom the local Legion is named after. Lund, who grew up in Denmark, emigrated to the U.S. at 10 years old, and after a couple stops, he came to Blooming Prairie.  He ended up going back overseas to France to fight in World War I before being killed three months prior to the end of the war at age 18. 
Luiken will also show an original digital print highlighting the 15 original charter members of the local post. He will have displays and information of each of the charter members. 
“I don’t know of any other Legion going to this extent for this anniversary,” said Luiken, who is a Vietnam veteran. “Every Legion should be celebrating a birthday, especially this year when it’s going to be 100 years old.”
He pointed out that the Legion is the “strongest organization that represents veterans.” The organization offers scholarships, a baseball program, supports Boys Scouts and sends young people to Boys and Girls State as well as Legionville.
While the Blooming Prairie post remains strong with 109 members, Luiken says they could always use more. He has found it a struggle to get younger veterans involved. He said there are several hundred veterans from the ages 30 to 50 that are eligible to be members in the local area.  
Luiken noted that many Legion and VFW organizations are struggling to stay afloat.
“We are encouraging younger veterans to join these organizations to help them survive,” Luiken said. 
The menu for the birthday bash consists of Swedish meatballs. However, recognizing the time of the year during Lent, Luiken said a stand-by fish option will be available for those who request ahead of time. “That’s going to cover us for our sins,” he said with a grin.
Those interested in attending are asked to make reservations by calling the Servicemen’s Club at 507-583-7884 by Monday, March 11. The public is invited to attend this party.