About 85 American Legionnaires and Axillary Legionnaires attended the District 5 Spring Conference at the St. Regis School Auditorium on Sunday, March 20.

Thirteen individual Posts make up District 5 covering four counties.

District conferences rotate from post to post, but Scott Burrows, Post 13 Adjutant, said it has been some time since the Ray Welch Post 13 in St. Regis has hosted a conference.

“I don’t know what the last year was, but it was before I got here which was 15 years ago.”

Burrows worked with St. Regis Principal Shaun Ball last year to use the school for the day.

“We (Post 13) do the color guard and flag presentation as the hosting post and of course organize the building and food for the conference,” explained Burrows when asked of the responsibilities. “Scott Burrows asked me about six months ago if I’d be interested in helping host this for everyone and most definitely, I told him I would,” smiled Dawn Palmer, St. Regis School Kitchen Chief, who volunteered her day to feed the delegates breakfast and lunch. 

She then became emotional and said, “It’s a big deal to honor veterans whenever we can, and it doesn’t happen enough. In this facility we can host all kinds of wonderful events, and this is one to show that people are still doing wonderful things. I take a lot of pride in being able to do this.”

With over 102 years of experience, the American Legion is the world's largest veteran’s organization. American Legion Boys State, American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, Junior Shooting Sports, Oratorical Competition, Youth Law Cadet Enforcement and American Legion Baseball are the most well-known activities for community involvement but tremendous support for veterans and their families is a hidden gem.

Ed Sperry, USAF Colonel (retired) Post 94 in Stevensville has been a member since 1986. He feels that the American Legion needs to explore new territory and presented three resolutions. One recommends that members of local posts become more involved with their area schools.

“Having a member or two attend school board meetings to keep an eye on things and especially when it comes to hiring teachers. We have superintendents and teachers coming into our schools and we do not know anything about them.”

Glen Sharbono, Commander at the Department of Montana American Legion, who lives in Ronan attended to observe and share a little information, but the meeting was all about District 5.

“This meeting covers their finances, membership, whatever local business they must do plus the time and place of next year’s meeting. It’s based on all the posts in this district and their activity.”

When asked about overall membership, Sharbono said it is declining.

“I would say part of it is complacency. Sometimes they blame it on Covid, but I think we are past that now. The membership is there. The veterans are there, so we just need to start branding our image and getting the word out.” 

Ray Welch Post 13 has 53 members and meets the first Monday of each month at 4 p.m. at 53 Mill Creek Road. Every veteran who served in the Armed Forces and received an Honorable Discharge is invited to attend with no obligation, but to meet fellow veterans in the area who are still serving their country and communities. www.americanlegionmt13.org