Peggy Moon will be first woman commander of the Department; Klinkner new chaplain.

Peggy Moon, St. Joseph, was elected Department Commander of the Minnesota American Legion at the recent Department Convention in Rochester.

Moon, 62, a Vietnam Era Veteran, defeated Mike Schaffer of Fulda by a vote of 491 to 278. Moon becomes the first woman commander in the state's history.

Another contested election developed at the convention when it was determined that the Department's constitution would not allow Department Chaplain Richard Wog to succeed himself. Wog was the only candidate for the position.

At morning caucuses, two candidates came forward, Steve Klinkner of Madelia and Darrel Redepenning of Fridley. Both were nominated, and Klinkner edged Redepenning by a 353 to 315 margin in the voting.

Other candidates elected, without opposition, were: Gary Olson, Moorhead, Department Historian; Clinton Burt, Slayton, Sergeant-at-Arms; Joe Bayer, Minneapolis, Board of Publications Member. Elected Department Vice Commanders were Glenn Mueller, St. Charles; Arne Gynild, Willmar; Dennis DeLong, Bloomington; Mel Buesseler, Hillman; Carl Hendrickson, Cloquet.

Moon is the first woman commander of the 98 who have held that office. "The historical perspective is very important to me," Moon said in an interview. "They say that women have to work twice as hard and be twice as qualified to be seen on equal terms with men. So be it. I just want to set the bar at a high and attainable level for other women Veterans to follow."

Her theme for the year will be "Celebrating Courage." "I like to think of it as knowing inside that some things are more important than fear," Moon told the convention. "Look into your district and find those stories about courage. As my husband (Sixth District Commander Carl Moon) likes to say, 'Say it loud and say it proud.' We're going to celebrate who we are."

Moon introduced Pat Logan, Bloomington, as Membership Director.

"I can tell you, I'll work my butt off as membership director," Logan said. "I will do what it takes. I will not stop."

He said his theme for the year would be baseball, and he had helpers throw out Cracker Jacks and peanuts to the delegates while he had "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "God Bless America" played on the sound system.

Mike Ash completed his year as commander and thanked everyone for their support and suggestions through the year. He joked, "How could I get lost this year with everybody telling me what to do?"

He said the job was tough, but worthwhile. "If I had to drive five hours to deliver a five minute speech that was okay. I was proud to do it."

He praised his wife, Teresa Ash, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee, for her work on helping the Department into the electronic age, in particular for setting up Facebook pages for the Department and all 10 districts. The four delegates at large elected by the convention were Joe Niessen, Wes Thompson, Larry Ryan and Dave Wendt.

Next year's convention will be at Redwood Falls. For more information on the Minnesota American Legion visit http://www.mnlegion.org.

(Article credited to the Minnesota American Legion Legionnaire)