Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

March 28, 2007, Front page

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Salutes Greet Neillsville?s Legion Hall?s Grand Opening

Two months after the new Neillsville American Legion Hall and community center held its ribbon-cutting ceremony; the official grand opening on Saturday was the icing on the cake for the city and its veterans.

In fact, three large cakes topped with white frosting and miniature American flags greeted visitors coming through the front entrance of the Legion Hall to commemorate the event. But the enjoyment of eating those cakes, and another seven waiting in the kitchen, would come later in a day full of fun activities.

First, an array of guest speakers, some bearing gifts, had much to say about the new Legion Hall and its significance to the Post 73 Legion members, as well as the many benefits to the local community.

Willard Christensen, the American Legion State Commander representing the 7^th District, was clearly impressed.  ?This is one heck of a Legion Hall,? he said of the 14,000-square-foot facility that features a 400-person banquet hall, with two adjoining meeting rooms with additional capacities of 100 and 30 people, a spacious bar and state-of-the-art kitchen.  Christensen said he used to believe that his Legion Hall building in Onalaska was the best.  ?Right now, I think we have to take second place,? he conceded.

Bill Crowley, commandant of the veterans? home in King, Wis. brought a profound message to the ceremony. ?We are here today because of America?s veterans,? he said, going on to commend veterans for their sacrifice and service that has given all Americans the quality of life they enjoy today.

However, Crowley did not conclude without an observation about the new Legion Hall, ?What an absolutely marvelous building.  What a great salute to the veterans,? he said.

?We are here because of the veterans,? said Bill Crowley, commandant of the King Veteran?s Home.

Scott Suder, the Republican State Representative from Abbotsford, praised the community?s fundraising effort resulting in the construction of the $1.2 million building.  ?Its people coming together to say what is going to be a beacon of hope and remembrance of what veterans have done,? he said.

Suder, a member of Wisconsin Reserves? 115^th Fighter Wing, presented Legion Commander Rick Thoma with gifts that included an American flag flown over Iraq during a battle mission.  It represents a congratulatory memorial, he said, ?To what was done here.?

Pat Kreitlow, the Democratic State Senator from Chippewa Falls, was next to step to the podium.  ?This place is going to be a place of great celebration and great stories of those who served and returned to a hero?s welcome,? he said.  On behalf of himself, Suder and the rest of the lawmakers, Kreitlow read a citation that commended Neillsville?s Post 73 for its contribution to the community, as well as congratulations on its new hall.

Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy thanked those who made contributions to a building fundraiser that still continues.

She was speaking on behalf of a grateful city for those efforts in making a dream become a reality, said Murphy.  ?This building will be a place for social gathering for many years,? she said, adding that it will serve to bring other people to the community and boost the local economy in the process.

Dennis and Carol Fait, of Auburndale were there to present the Legion Hall with a framed picture depicting the heart felt visit of a veteran to the Vietnam War Wall memorial in Washington, D.C.

In accepting the artwork on behalf of the Legion, Thoma looked at the other gifts received that day.  ?We are going to need some more wall space,? he said kiddingly.

Thoma, in turn, took time to honor one of Post 73?s very own.  Walking over to Pink Van Gorden sitting in the front row of the audience, he presented the former Neillsville Legion commander with a certificate commemorating Van Gorden?s 60-year membership in the unit. 

Then, with the speeches and the honors having been dispensed, those at the grand opening were treated to the harmonic voices of the Clark County Male Chorus singing patriotic songs.

Those cakes and other refreshments would follow, along with tours of the building, live old-time music and games of bingo and cribbage.  Still later, the music continued as a country rock band played on, until 1 a.m. the next morning.

Chamber Joins in Legion Grand Opening