American Legion Auxiliary Edward Born Unit 343 in Norwood Young America, MN

12/29/2025

Legion Auxiliary Celebrates 90th Birthday

In January of 1935 The Charter for a newly formed Auxiliary Unit was signed by eleven (11) local women. The goal of the Auxiliary Unit was to support the men of the Edward Born Legion Post #343. The official name of the newly formed Auxiliary is Edward Born Legion Auxiliary Unit #343. All Auxiliary’s are Unit’s and the Legion are Posts.

Mission Statement: In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the Mission of Legion Auxiliary’s is to support the American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those we serve by enhancing the lives of veterans, military, and their families, both home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.

All of the original members were related to a veteran that belonged to the local Legion or was deceased. A couple of the members had a special connection to Edward Born (who the Legion was named for) one was his mother and the other was his sister.

Policy at the time for naming Legion Posts was to name them after a local servicemen killed during WWI. All Legions were assigned a number and were known as a Post, the Auxiliary’s were Units with the same number of their Post.

12/29/2025

Edward Born Unit 343 American Legion Auxiliary
Thanks our Local Educators

Edward Born Unit 343 American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) extend our deep thanks and appreciation to the very important people who continually care for our children – the dedicated people that work for our community’s schools and public library system. We are aware of the sacrifices you make every day and thankful for your efforts towards making a difference in our community.

American Education Week (AEW) – gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate education and honor those individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. Hillary Clinton wrote a book in which she said “It takes a village to raise a child”. I know it takes an entire school staff – teachers, paraprofessionals, school administration, school secretary, custodians, lunchroom & playground supervisors and school bus drivers – to educate a child. Please thank all those individuals for what they do for our children.

Auxiliary members Carol Lagergren, Jeannette Bachmann, LaVonne Kroells, Bonnie Wigfield, Diane Hoffmann, Diane Mackenthun and Judy Schindler gathered at the Oak Grove Senior Residents Community Room on Monday, November 17th to assemble AEW Baskets. These baskets are given to the educators and staff of our area schools and public library in observance of American Education Week (November 17-21, 2025). The AEW theme is “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility”. These baskets are a small way to show our appreciation for the wonderful work they are doing with our children.

Each AEW treat basket included a Thank You notecard, “Honey Crisp” apples, a variety of cookies, popcorn and a red Poppy. Cookies were donated by ALA members and the apples were donated by Kwik Trip. Baskets were delivered to 8 locations: ISD #108 Public Elementary School, Public Middle School, Public High School, Kurious Kids/Kids Company, Community Education, St. John’s Lutheran School, Emanuel Lutheran School and NYA Public Library. The AEW notecards were handmade by ALA member Jeannette Bachmann:

12/29/2025

Veteran’s Day 2025 Celebrated in NYA

The Norwood Young America community came together on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 9:45 A.M. to Honor Our Veterans. The annual Veteran’s Day Program hosted by the American Legion Post #343 and VFW Post #1783, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #343 and VFW Auxiliary Unit #1783 was held at the Central High School gym (ISD #108). Central’s Veteran’s Day Program is known as the first school to have a Veteran’s Day Program in Carver County. All school children and area residents attended.

Patriotic music was performed throughout the program by the CHS Band and the students (age 3 prekindergarten through grade 12). Everyone participated in singing “The Star Spangled Banner” and recited the Pledge of Allegiance (led by preschool students). VFW Post Commander Ron Kroells welcomed everyone to the 2025 Veteran’s Day Program, Zachary Zabel read his VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay, the keynote speaker was Master Sergeant Eric Hoklin. Then the band played the “Armed Forces Medley” while veterans were encouraged to stand as their branch of service was highlighted. The program ended with TAPS, closing remarks by CHS Principal Rich Larson and the retirement of colors.

Following the program, Veteran’s and their guests were invited to a complimentary lunch served by CHS Taher Food Service. The School Superintendent Timothy Schochenmaier greeted the veterans and thanked them for their service and for attending this luncheon.

10/29/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=826190873386845&id=100079878202177

**NEW PROGRAM START TIME IS 9:30 AM**

Help us spread the word!
Veterans Day Program details. Hope to see everyone at the program supporting our Vets on November 11th, 2025.

04/15/2025

AUXILIARY OFFERS CITIZENSHIP LESSON, FLAGS TO STUDENTS
Did you know everything about the American flag has meaning? Our first flag had 13 stars and 13 stripes which stood for the first 13 colonies that later became our first 13 states. The Old Glory red stripes on the flag stand for bravery. The white stripes represent liberty or freedom while the Old Glory blue background for the stars stands for justice or fairness. There have been 28 different designs for the flag as more stars representing new states were added. The current flag with 50 stars was designed 61 years ago by Robert G Heft, a seventeen-year-old student, who originally submitted it for a high school project. Norwood Young America (NYA) Edward Born Unit 343 American Legion Auxiliary members Dottie Simmons and Mary Spille recently visited kindergarten classes at Central Elementary and kindergarten and second grade classes at St. John’s Lutheran School in NYA to present a citizenship lesson including these facts and more on the history and meaning of the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Each teacher received small American flags to send home with their students at the end of the day.

04/15/2025

Be My Valentine!
The American Legion Auxiliary Edward Born Unit 343 in Norwood Young America (ALA-NYA) hosted a Valentines Party in the Community Room at Peace Villa on Monday evening, February 3rd. Peace Villa senior residents enjoyed some sweet treats while socializing with members of the Edward Born ALA, while some simply stopped by to pick up a treat and just to say ‘Thank You’ and took the treats back to their apartments to enjoy later. Forty-four (44) guests chose from a variety of six (6) homemade cakes served with ice cream and candy. Nine ALA members were present for the party and the monthly meeting that followed: Photo L-R Janet Stolz, Bonnie Wigfield, LaVonne Kroells, Dottie Simmons, Mary Spille, Jeannette Bachmann, Diane Mackenthun and Christine Bachmann. Not pictured but present at the party is Judy Schindler.
The ALA-NYA meets the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Peace Villa and welcomes new members and is looking for new ways to impact our community. For more information, please call our Unit President, Diane Mackenthun, at (952) 467-3435 or join us at an upcoming event.

11/21/2024

Thank You, Educators of Our Community

The members of Edward Born Unit #343 of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the essential individuals who tirelessly care for our children—the dedicated teachers and staff of our community schools and public library system. We are keenly aware of the sacrifices you make each day and are profoundly grateful for your efforts.

American Education Week (November 18-22, 2024) offers a splendid opportunity to celebrate education and honor those who are making a significant difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. As Hillary Clinton famously said, "It takes a village to raise a child."

The ALA acknowledges that it takes an entire school staff—teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, secretaries, custodians, and lunchroom and playground supervisors—to educate a child. These baskets are our small way of expressing our appreciation for the outstanding work you are doing with our children.

On Monday, November 18th, ALA members gathered at the Oak Grove Senior Residents Community Room to assemble "Thank You" baskets for the educators and staff of our area schools and the public library.

Each basket included a heartfelt Thank You note, apples, pre-packaged cookies, and a bag of popcorn. The cookies were graciously donated by ALA members, while Kwik Trip generously provided the apples, additional cookies, and popcorn. Baskets were delivered to eight area locations: ISD #108 Public Elementary, Middle, and High School, Preschool (Little Raiders), Community Education, St. John’s Lutheran School, Emanuel Lutheran School, and the NYA Public Library. The AEW notecards were handmade by ALA member Jeannette Bachmann.


Photo left to right: Judy Schindler, Bonnie Wigfield, Diane Hoffman, Dottie Simmons, Jeannette Bachmann, and Mary Wilson with the completed baskets. Present but not pictured: Diane Mackenthun, Janet Stolz (photographer), and Project Chair Carol Lagergren, who made prior arrangements with Kwik Trip and delivered the apples, cookies, and popcorn before having to leave.

11/16/2024

Veteran’s Day 2024 Celebrated in NYA

On Monday, November 11, the Norwood Young America (NYA) community came together to honor our Veterans. The audience consisted of public school children (Prekindergarten through Grade 12), area residents, members of the American Legion Post #343 and VFW Post #1783, American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit #343 and VFW Auxiliary #1783 filled Central High School’s gym to honor all United States Veterans.

Prekindergarten children personally handed homemade “Thank You” cards to the veterans prior to the program. The program began with the Central High School (CHS) Band playing prelude music while the Honor Guard presented the colors. The audience sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and recited the Pledge of Allegiance (led by preschool students).

The VFW Post Commander, Ron Kroells, welcomed everyone to the 2024 Veteran’s Day Program. The Concert Choir and students in 2nd - 5th Grades sang patriot songs. Memphis Feist, an essay contest winner from Central, read his Patriot’s Pen Essay. The program’s Keynote Speaker was Carver County Veteran’s Service Officer, Steve Walker, who captivated the audience by his message.

During his speech, Steve shared that having no real plans for his future, he decided to join the U. S. Army National Guard shortly after high school. His three deployments gave him a much needed direction of purpose. “When you join you are the lowest ranking soldier, a Private. On my first deployment I was a Specialist and our squad was 12 soldiers. You look out for one another and work very closely together…you follow the orders given and rely on your buddies to protect your back and they know you will protect them” stated Steve. By the time of his second deployment he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. With a higher rank comes more responsibility. He was in charge of a squad of 12 soldiers. He must look out for all of these soldiers as best as he can. On his third deployment he held the rank of First Sergeant. This increased his responsibility to a Company of three to four platoons or 100 to 125 soldiers, sometimes in different countries from each other. Again, his responsibility increased to more and more soldiers. His perspective changed as his rank changed. Also, as his rank changed so did his age. This gave a different outlook for the future. He mentioned that when coming home from each of his deployments, he was always greeted with “Welcome Home” smile/cheers/celebrations… and he knows that has not always been the case. He wanted ALL soldiers to be welcomed home and thanked for their service to which the audience applauded.

The CHS Band played the “Armed Forces Medley” while veterans were encouraged to stand as their branch of service was played. The program ended with a Moment of Silence, TAPS, closing remarks by the CHS Principal, Rich Larson, and the retirement of colors.

During his remarks, Principal Larson commented that the Norwood Young America area has held a Veteran’s Day community celebration every year on November 11th (Friday or Monday if the date falls on the weekend) and with the support he has seen over the years, he is positive that NYA will continue this tradition for many years to come.

Several veterans like Legionnaire Dave Schwalbe celebrate Veteran’s Day in NYA with his daughters Buffy Knopik & Natasha Schmeig and granddaughter Chloe Knopik (Chaska ALA Unit 57).

After the program, veterans and their guests were invited to a complimentary lunch by CHS Food Service. Students assisted guests through the lunch line, escorted them to the beautifully decorated private dining area where they served beverages and desserts. The District Superintendent, Tim Schochenmaier, greeted these guests and thanked them for their service. This year’s seating overflowed the private dining area into the school commons area… it is the largest crowd of veterans and their guests ever in attendance.