American Legion
The American Legion S.P.O.B.O.W. Post 253 was formed by a group of veterans who received their charter in 1946. They meet the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at their local headquarters in the Community Center building. Meetings suspended during July and August. The post currently has 73 members.
The Legion gives to organizations such as Boys State and the Cortland and Hickman Baseball Associations. They sponsor an annual Pancake Feed and Veterans' Day Dinner. Every year on Memorial Day, the Legion provides military honors at the Cortland, St. James and Highland cemeteries. They also participate in providing military honors at veteran funerals in surrounding communities. For inquiries, contact the Post Commander at (402) 440-9096.
| Post Commander, Rod Rose | Chaplain, Ted Fuhrman |
| Vice-Commander, Richard Harms | Historian, Norval Papke |
| Adjutant, Harlan Wallman | Service Officer, Leon Deunk |
| Finance Officer, Gerald Guenther | Publicity Officer, Rod Rose |
| Sergeant-of-Arms, Ron Packard |
Photos:
Memorial Day 2011Flag Retirement 2009
Memorial Day 2009
District Convention 2009
Parades
American Legion Auxiliary
The American Legion Auxiliary S.P.O.B.O.W. Post 253 received its charter on April 9, 1957 with 15 charter members. They meet the second Thursday of each month in a joint meeting with the Legion members at 7:00 p.m. in the Legion room at the Community Center building. Meetings are suspended during July and August. Membership is presently 57 and new members are always welcome.
The Auxiliary, along with the Legion, place crosses decorated with poppies on the graves of all veterans in the Cortland, St. James and Highland cemeteries for Memorial Day. The Auxiliary gives to many organizations such as Girls State, Chapel of 4 Chaplains, Children’s Welfare, Nurse’s Scholarship and many more. They sponsor dinners for members and visitors in March, which is the Legion’s birthday; a December dinner for Christmas; and sometimes for a special occasion. They take turns with other units in the county hosting the fall county meeting, the fall round-up, and the Auxiliary spring fun night. For inquiries, contact the President at (402) 798-7737.
| President, Phyllis Deunk | Sergeant-of-Arms, Alice DeVries |
| Vice President, Freida Rose | Historian, Jean Boesiger |
| Secretary, Elda Saathoff | Poppy Chairman, Lila Papke |
| Treasurer, Lila Papke | Music Chairman, Sheila Guenther |
| Membership Chairman, Lila Papke | Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, Sherial Oltman |
| Jr. Chairman, Freida Rose | Americanism/Girls’ State, Julie Yeager |
| Chaplain, Kathy Rahorst |
Photos:
Hats Fun Night 2010
School Fun Night 2009
Parade Float 2009
Casino Fun Night 2011
Sons of the American Legion (SAL)
The Sons of the American Legion S.P.O.B.O.W. Post 253 received their charter in the spring of 2008. They currently have 20 members. They meet the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the local Legion Headquarters in the Community Center building. For inquiries call the Commander at (402) 858-1217.
- Commander/Finance Officer, Roger Olsen
- Vice-Commancer, John Hesser
- Adjutant, Randy Deunk
- Sergeant-of-Arms, Matt Bowman
- Chaplain, James Higgins
- Liaison Officer, Bob Baker
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Princeton, NE 68404Dave Weilage, Post Commander
Cell phone (402) 217-3973
Ron Packard, Senior District Vice-Commander Cell phone (402) 890-0333
