News
Lansford’s American Legion holds a unique and interesting history
Scott Wagar
07/02/2013
The Lansford Legion Post 279 is one of the younger veterans organizations in Bottineau County. The Lansford post was charted on Dec. 2, 1947 under the name Kenneth L. Renz Post 279. This post was named in honor of Kenneth L. Renz, a native of Lansford who was killed in World War II.
The first Commander of the Lansford Post was Raymond Vendsel and the first Adjutant was Arnold Sagsveen. One of Lansford’s charter members, Vernon Tarvestad, was a member of the original American Legion that was formed in Paris, France at the end of World War I.
The Lansford Post has been very active in the community since its inception. The post sponsored summer recreation programs for years. The Lansford Legion had American Legion, Babe Ruth and Little League baseball team for many years. The baseball program was started in the 1950s and lasted until the mid-1990s. The Legion team was having a hard time getting enough players, and had to co-op with four surrounding towns just to make a team. After that, the Legion felt it was time to end the program. Prior to the baseball program ending, the Legion also maintained the Richardson Baseball Field for the summer leagues. Another program the Legion used to sponsor was trips to the Roosevelt Park in Minot for swimming once per week, and to the Mohall pool for lessons.
The post also partook in the North Dakota State Legion bowling tournaments. In the 1970’s, a team consisting of Arnold Sagsveen, Harold Tarvestad and John Nelson, as well as current Commanders Fred Tyler and Hal Tarvestad, won the state tournament.
The Lansford Legion had an all-time high membership of 143 in 1974. The current membership of the Lansford post is now only 12 members, who are mostly WWII veterans. Tyler and Hal Tarvestad have shared the commander position for 20 years.
The Lansford Legion has had an annual Memorial Day program for 66 years. At this program, there is a speaker and a ceremony at the cemetery. Dora Mae Tarvestad has provided flowers for 65 years, and she has only missed one program.
The biggest project the Legion has been working on recently is two memorial statues at both the Catholic and community Lansford cemeteries. They would like to buy more American Flags, Prisoner of War Flags, lights and other items for the cemeteries in the future.