American Legion Post 67Post Information
American Legion Post 67 celebrated its 98th year of existence in 2017. Back in September 1919, a group of World War I veterans got together, encouraged by Dr. Gustav Eck, and began plans to organize a Legion Post in Lake Mills. The Lake Mills American Legion Post was the first Post to be organized in Jefferson County. In May 1923 the Legion purchased a granite memorial stone with bronze tablets that listed local World War I veterans and placed it in the city park, next to the stone the Post also planted a memorial tree which was surrounded by a cement bordered flower box. Both of these memorials can still be found at their original locations in the park. Since 1923 Post 67 has continued to organize and provide for the Memorial Day programs.
As a community service organization, the Legion Post 67 has always looked to provide a variety of support activities where needs were recognized. Admittedly, the original goals were to provide care for only ill & disabled veterans, their widows & children, however, there were other stated goals,listed in detail in the 1936 Centennial book, which included: ” To provide for proper observance of Memorial Day, to provide firing squads & military honors at the funerals of the deceased veterans, to sponsor an annual community festival known today as Town & Country Days, to promote sports & physical activities for the young people, to provide a summer boys camp, and to support community enterprise which makes Lake Mills a better place to live.” Additionally, the Womens Auxiliary of the Legion, in association with National Poppy Day, (it was inspired by the poem, ” In Flanders Fields”), has always been involved in selling & promoting the wearing of the paper poppies made by disabled veterans.
Since 1934 it has been sponsoring the organization of the Boy Scout Troop 148 and Pack 136 later in 1938. Since 1944 Troop 148 has had 70 Eagle Scouts. 42 Eagle Scouts since the year 2000.
In 1939 the American Legion organization inaugurated “Badgers Boys State” It has also been a supporter of student attendance at the Youth Government Days held at the Jefferson Court House and of Oratorical Contests related to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
After World War II, the Legion joined other Posts in organizing and supporting a State American Legion Junior Baseball League and has financially supported a local team every year.
The Legion Post is famous their Legion Hamburgers, known to many locals as “Sliders” The Post operates out of the hamburger stand at 133 North Main St, Lake Mills. It opens it doors to the public every year on the first Friday of May and closes on the first Friday of October. The hamburger stand is open from 10am until 8pm or until they run out of supplies. People come from all over to get a taste of the delicious sliders. The Post also operates out of the Slider Mobile which is placed in Commons Park during the Town & Country Days.
Post 67 offers Bingo night every 1st ,3rd, and 5th Friday.
In 2015 local artist Joe Kiefer wanted to Honor our local military men and women, he did so by painting a huge military mural on the exterior of the Shopko building for everyone to see.
In 2016 the Post held a fundraiser to help raise money for a Memorial Stone in Honor of our Military Men & Women. The fundraiser was greatly received by the community and was a huge success. Sentry Foods Store and the Lake Mills Market helped with a round up and local business help contribute to the event. With the additional money raised above and beyond the cost of the stone, $5,500 was donated to the Badger Honor Flight and $5,500 was donated to Camp American Legion. The Post held its first ever float in the parade during the town and country day displaying the Memorial Stone and thanking the community. The stone will be placed at the Legion Post building.
American Legion Post 67 wants to Thank everyone who helps support the Post and Special Thanks to our Men & Women who have served and are still currently serving in the Military.
God Bless America!
