Photo Album
Events & Activities 2022
Holiday in OJ - December 10, 2022
Winner announcement of the $500 Coon's Corner meat and/or groceries certificate.
Winner is Fisher Bisinger
Shown left are the SAL Wapsie Squadron members
Bill Goodman and Robert Hines.
Drawing the name is Dillion Brokaw
Jim Riley, Robert Hines,Ron Nowachek, and Alan Lasack
Volunteers serving soup,
Loretta Busch, Pat Vacek, and
Kathye Hall Clark
Maria Clark with Santa and one of
his elves
Horse drawn rides given by Davidson's Belgians of Stanwood
Veteran Group Picture of
November 10th meeting:
Back row left to right
Joe Tubbs - Marine Corps Veteran, Ron Nowachek - Army Veteran,
Al Smith - Army Veteran, Pat Fowler - US Marine Corps Veteran,
Curtis Thornhill - Air Force Veteran, Bill Goodman - Air Force Veteran,
Les Paarmann - Army Veteran, Don Benhart- Army Veteran
Front Row
Kurt Keller - Army Veteran. Maria Clark - Army Veteran,
Linda Peterkin - Army Veteran, Christian Bousselot - Army National Guard Veteran
Sons Group Picture of November 10th Meeting
Back Row left to right
Joe Hartwig, Murray Shedeck,
Derek Feuss, Marshall Shedeck,
Pat Fowler. Bill Goodman
Front Row
Troy Behnke, Robert Hines
Kurt Keller (not pictured)
Veterans Day Rifle Volley
Midland Schools 2022 Veterans Day Assembly
Courtesy of The Oxford Junction Post - October 16, 2022
Courtesy of The Oxford Junction Post - October 16, 2022
There are events scheduled for both buildings on Friday,
November 11, 2022.
The elementary school program will start our Veterans Day events.
• 10am
• Elementary School Gym
Contact dmartens@midland.k12.ia.us for more information.
The high school program will finish our Veterans Day events.
• Lunch will be served 11:30am - 12:30pm.
• Midland High School Gold Gym
• We encourage guests to park in the activities parking lot and enter through the Activities Entrance doors. This will lead you directly to the luncheon and Gold Gym.
• There will be priority seating for veterans and active-duty service members on the gym floor, west side.
• The guest speaker for the assembly is scheduled to
be Jones County Chief Sheriff Deputy Brian Eckhardt.
• Contact skaftan@midland.k12.ia.us for more information
We would love to include your Veteran(s) in the digital presentation. If you would like, EMAIL any Veteran's military information (provide a photograph, name, years of service, branch, and highest rank) by Friday, November 4th: skaftan@midland.k12.ia.us.
Proudly presented by the
Midland High School National Honor Society Chapter
Midland High School Student Council
Midland High School Golddusters Dance Team
Winners of the 5th Grade Flag Essay Contest and the Posts that they represented in the 2nd District competition.
Jonathan Holmlund, representing Menzo Widle Post 381, Lost Nation
Bailie Feddersen, representing Wapsi Post 473, Oxford Junction
Max Becker, representing Wyoming Post 259
Legion members that attended the elementary school veterans day assembly:
Wapsie Post 473 Virginia Carter - Air Force Veteran
Maria Clark - Army Veteran,
Christian Bousselot - Army National Guard Veteran
Wyoming Post 259 Steve Agnistch - Army Veteran
Menzo Widle Post 381 Dave Burmeister- Air Force Veteran
Enos Ihns - Army Veteran
Wapsie Post member Brian Eckhardt (left) - Marine Corps Veteran
Guest Speaker at the Midland High School Veteran's Day assembly
Christian Bousselot Presents the Colors
Halloween Hijinks - October 31, 2022
It was a great night at the Fire Station in OJ! Passing out candy and goodies to the little ghosts and goblins of the community.
Maria Clark
Positively OJ Facebook Group
On November 2nd, Veterans traveled to Washington D.C on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
One of the Veterans of the Honor Flight was of the Oxford Junction Wapsie Legion Post 473 Veteran Tom Shannon. His son, Doug Shannon, traveled with him as his Honor Flight guardian.
The Veterans of the Honor Flight had a busy itinerary of visiting historical sites and Memorials during their visit to Washington D.C.
The memorials visited were: WW2 War Memorial, FDR Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Wall Memorial, Women's Memorial, Airforce Memorial, and the Marine Corps War Memorial.
The Veterans also witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington Cemetery.
Upon returning to Iowa, the Veterans were greeted by a Welcome Home reception.
Eastern Iowa Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to sending local Veterans to Washington D.C. to visit historical sites and war memorials.
On Tuesday, September 20th, 88 Veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. One of these Veterans was Wapsie Post 473 Legionnaire Fred Rehmke (pictured left) along with his Guardian Jerry Atcheson of Johnston, Iowa. Welcome Home, Fred!!!
The New Horizon Band of Cedar Rapids was on hand at the “Welcome Home” reception playing patriotic music, along with many classic, World War II era tunes. They are always a crowd favorite. Thank you band members for honoring our Veterans!
Honor Flights - A Time to Remember
By Bill Goodman - Service Officer. Wapsie Post 473
On Sunday, August 28th, three Wapsie Post 473 Legionnaires attended an Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Orientation in Cedar Rapids. Pictured (l to r) are Fred Rehmke, Tom Shannon and Curtis Thornhill. Fred will travel on the September 20th flight, while Tom and Curtis will both be on the October 18th flight.
The Honor Flight Network is a national network of independent Hubs working together to honor our nation's Veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to the memorials in Washington, D.C., a trip many of our Veterans may not otherwise be able to take. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives Veterans the chance to share this momentous trip with other Veterans, to remember friends and comrades lost, and to share stories and experiences with each other.
The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 by Jeff Miller and Earl Morse with a mission of honoring our nation’s Veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. While originally focused on honoring our nation’s World War II Veterans, the Honor Flight Network also honors those who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, intermediary operations, and gives priority for those with terminal illness. Since its formation in 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 245,000 Veterans to Washington D.C. Today, the Honor Flight Network is currently comprised of over 128 hubs throughout the country dedicated to carrying out the Honor Flight mission. The Network, as a whole, serves over 22,000 Veterans each year.
Locally, there are Honor Flight Hubs in Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, Dubuque and Waterloo. While there have been a few of our area Veterans utilize the Quad Cities hub, most apply thru the Cedar Rapids (Eastern Iowa Honor Flight) hub.
There are three members of Wapsie Post 473 who are going on the two remaining 2022 flights out of Cedar Rapids. Fred Rehmke will be on the September 20th flight, and Tom Shannon and Curtis Thornhill are both going on the October 18th flight.
When these Veterans return to the Eastern Iowa Airport on the day of their flight, the public is invited to be there to welcome them home. The flights return in the evening and the exact time of arrival may vary due to circumstances such as weather conditions. Local radio and TV stations provide updates on arrival times. For those who wish to attend the "welcome home", parking at the airport is free.
There is a waiting list, so all Veterans who wish to go on an Honor Flight are encouraged to apply now. If you need help with submitting an application or need more information, please call Bill Goodman at (319) 821-1197 or send email to wggoodman@yahoo.com.
8th Annual Rockin' in the Park
By Maria Clark - Positively OJ Facebook Group
The Rockin' in the Park event is less than two weeks away on Saturday August 27th!
Rockin' in the Park is a fun filled day at the Oxford Junction Wapsi Park!
The day starts off at 9A.M with a Flea Market / Swap Meet! Throughout the day there will also be food vendors available at the event!
There is also a 50/50 raffle. Tickets will be sold at the event. Need not be present to win
Show n' Shine is from noon to 4P.M.
If it has wheels and you're proud of it bring it down and show it off.
There is no entry fee to participate!!
ANYTHING with wheels are welcomed to participate in the Show n' Shine! Cars, tractors, trucks, motorcycles, even garden tractors!
A cruise starts at 4P.M. The cruise travels to surrounding communities and there's a few pitstops planned along the way. A great way to show off your wheels to folks!
Tom Zaruba of Oxford Junction ( pictured below), a car enthusiast and Veteran, came up with the idea for the event 8 years ago as a fundraiser for the American Legion Wapsi Post 473. All funds raised benefits the American Legion Wapsi Post 473!
Volunteers are needed for the event. Please call Tom Zaruba at 563-826- 2568. You may also reach out to him for any questions about the event.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the Flea Market/Swap Meet please call Steve Feuss for further info 319-350-2390.
Deakon Feuss drew the lucky ticket to name the winner of the $500 Gift Certificate to TLZ Stop.
And the winner is... Bill Hines!
Easton Tubbs drew Meghan Janssen of Oxford Junction name for the Rockin in the Park 50/50 raffle!
Robert Hines and Mason Petersen working the Car Show registration table and selling raffle tickets.
Auxiliary members provided Walking Tacos and Brats to hungry attendees.
Steve Barber with the Jones County Beef Producers
Tom and Troy Zaruba
2022 Department Convention
The American Legion of Iowa held their annual convention in Des Moines during the period of July 8th thru the 10th. Wapsie Post 473 member Bill Goodman was in attendance to represent both the Post and Wapsie Squadron 473 of the Sons of The American Legion.
National Vice Commander Angel Narvaez, of Puerto Rico, addresses the General Assembly.
Department Adjutant John Derner being recognized for his 20 years of service to the Department of Iowa.
Past National Commander Dave Rehbein administers the Oath of Office to the new Department Commander Randy Johnson, the five new Department Vice Commanders and the nine new District Commanders.
July 4, 2022
And Ol' Glory!
Legionnaires and Sons riding to the starting position of the parade.
Photo by Anamosa Journal-Eureka
Thanks to these FFA members for helping clear tables tonight at the chicken dinner in OJ. Many hands make light work.
The winner of the $500 meat bundle from Coon's Corner is... Ryan Leonard!
Nothing says Independance Day like Chicken...
The American Legion of Iowa Boys State Graduation Ceremony
The American Legion of Iowa Boys State graduation ceremony, which was held on Friday, June 24, 2022 at
Camp Dodge.
Among the delegates who attended were Jay Bentley, sponsored by Oxford Junction Post 473; Logan Bicknese, sponsored by Wyoming Post Post 259; and Shayden Hansen, sponsored by Lost Nation Post 381.
Mason Petersen, who is a member of Wapsie Post 473, served as a Counselor at this year's event.
Delegates Await The Start of Graduation Ceremony
Boys State Counselors Await Start of Graduation Ceremony
The Ceremony Begins
Color Guard Prepares to Post the Flags
Presentation of the Department of Iowa Foundation Scholarship
Parents & Guardians Watch the Ceremony
Memorial Day 2022
Avenue of the Flags - Oxford Junction
Photo By - Patrick Fowler
DCA3FC63-16DD-4418-89FD-BEEF513FE779.movVideo Shared By - Oxford Junction Cemetary Association
Photo By - Julie Koranda
Drone photo of ceremony participants and attendees.
Photo By: Anamosa Journal-Eureka
2022 American Legion Scholarship
The 2022 American Legion Scholarship was awarded to Midland High School Senior Laura Ruley. Wyoming Post 259 Legionnaire Lennie Miller is shown presenting the scholarship. This scholarship, which is presented annually, is provided by The American Legion Posts from Lost Nation, Oxford Junction and Wyoming. Students from all three of these communities attend Midland High School.
2nd District Boys State Orientation
2nd District Boys State delegates attended an orientation session at the Marion Post on Sunday, May 1st. Jay Bentley, the delegate sponsored by Wapsie Post 473 is shown in the top row, fourth from the left.
Boys State is being held at Camp Dodge on June 19 – 24, 2022
2nd District's 2022 Spring Conference
Commander Ron Nowachek and Service Officer Bill Goodman listen to "words of wisdom" from District Commander Jerry Becker at the 2nd District's 2022 Spring Conference, which was held at the Wild Rose Casino in Clinton.