News: Thorp American Legion (50th Anniversary – 1968)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Speich Benzschawel, Nolechek, Klouda, Jackey, Szerlong, Hansman, Glamkowski, Manzaik, Lasher, Snyder, Malinowski, Bogumill, Wagner, Tiedeman, Kronberg, Polnaszek, Masalewicz, Hedler, Wadzinski, Zukowski, Kubera Alberts, Artz, Peterson, Sweda, Schneider, Lehnberg, Rosemeyer

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 28 Mar 1968

The 50th Anniversary Banquet held by the Thorp American Legion Post was well attended at the multi-purpose room of the Thorp High School Saturday evening, with about 225 in attendance.

Two of the local post members were honored with gold life membership cards presented them by 7th District Commander, Kenneth Speich, during the ceremonies for 49 years of continuous membership. They included Charter members Joseph Benzschawel and Dr. W.F. Nolechek. Bill Nolechek accepted the award on behalf of his father who is in Florida.

Charter members 49 years ago included the following: Fred Jackey, Joseph Klouda, Michael Szerlong, Arthur Hansman, Stanley Glamkowski, John Lasher, Anton Manzaik, William Nolechek, Cecil Snyder, Tom Malinowski, Joseph Benzschawel, Peter Bogumill, William Wagner, Kenneth Tiedeman and Arthur Kronberg. All excepted the honored two members and Peter Bogumill, are deceased.

The Banquet Program got underway Saturday evening with a Call to Order by Banquet Chairman, Tom Polnaszek, having the advancement of Colors by the firing squad and singing of the Start Spangled Banner by Mary Rosemeyer.

Rev. Ed Masalewicz of St. Hedwig's Catholic Church here offered the invocation and welcomes were given by local Post Commander, Francis Hedler, and Mayor Frank Wadzinski. Banquet Chairman Polnaszek then introducted the Toastmaster, Robert Zukowski, 7th District Vice Commander.

Introduction of guests by the otast master included local Auxiliary President, Mrs. Alvin Kubera; 1927 Thorp Commander, Chester Alberts; County Commander, Gene Artz, of Loyal; Owen Commander, Ralph Peterson; Taylor and Lincoln County Assemblyman, Joe Sweda, and Frank Schneider, National Executive Committeeman from Wisconsin.

On Legionnaire Schneider's response, he said we are celebrating our 50th year for accomplishments carried out by the Legion, such as Thorp stating "our greatest force and strength is in Thorp and such communities throughout the nation."

The main speaker, John Lehnberg, Dept. of Wis. Vice Commander, elaborated on how the American Legion intends to celebrate their Golden Anniversary nationally, in the state, district and locally in the months to come. A more complete detail of his speech will be found on the editorial page.

At the close of the meeting those in attendance sang "God Bless America" and the benediction was then given by Rev. Masalewicz.

Prior to the banquet, which was served at 8 p.m., a cocktail hour was held at 7 o'clock and an Open House resumed at 10 p.m. at the American Legion Hall here, following the banquet.