The founding of the organization has been significant to the American Legion Clarence McCormack Post #195 in Donnybrook. One of its own, Donnybrook soldier Christe Barke, who served with the American Expeditionary Force, attended the Paris Caucus in March 1919 that established the organization as a patriotic veterans group focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities. The American Legion was chartered by the U.S. Congress later in 1919.

The American Legion Auxiliary in Donnybrook spearheaded the anniversary observance.

“We like to celebrate all veterans and military families because we wouldn’t be able to have the freedoms we have if it wasn’t for them,” Auxiliary President Marilyn Bott said. Donnybrook’s post was chartered on July 28, 1920, but the auxiliary decided not to wait but to honor its military members now.

“We are a small organization, and we keep losing veterans more and more every year. We thought, let’s do something while we still can and celebrate the ones we do have,” Bott said.

JIll Schramm/MDN Dennis Sundby of Turtle Lake drives one of the military vehicles in his collection, accompanied by Jeff Birkeland of St. Paul, Minnesota, formerly of Carpio. Sundby had vehicles in the parade and on display at the 100th anniversary celebration of the American Legion in Donnybrook Saturday. Sundby is a member of the North Dakota Military Vehicle Collectors Association.

The town of about 25 people expected to balloon to at least 250 people and possibly as many as 500 people, which is two to three times the number of people accommodated at the annual Memorial Day observances and meals each year.

State Legion Commander Glenn Wahus of Watford City and State Auxiliary President Jeannie Roman of Minot served as grand marshals in the parade. Dennis Sundby of Turtle Lake and Ken Yuly of Minot brought military vehicles from their collections and others brought uniforms and equipment for display. Other activities included an old-time USO show, silent auction and street dance.

North Dakota has 209 American Legion posts with 12,633 members, according to the state office in Fargo. A number of posts are celebrating their 100th anniversaries this year or next. The Legion kicked off its statewide observance at its convention in Fargo last June and will be celebrating again June 27-30 in Grand Forks.

The Donnybrook post has about 40 members, although some now live out of state. The post remains active with an honor guard and firing squad that serve at funerals. The Legion and auxiliary sponsor students to Boys and Girls State and provide educational presentations in the school.

The Legion this spring installed a veterans memorial at the Legion hall, which houses a veterans museum.

Jill Schramm/MDN The flag of the American Legion Clarence McCormack Post #195 waves in the wind on a parade float in Donnybrook Saturday.

A wall of honor, dedicated a few years ago, is installed in the gymnasium of the former school building, now used as a city hall. Mary Ann Michel, who had been named the North Dakota American Legion Auxiliary’s Woman of the Year, redirected funds from her awarded trip to Washington to the design and donation of the wall of honor, which includes veterans as far back as the Civil War.

Jill Schramm/MDN Former military uniforms were on display in Donnybrook during the American Legion anniversary observance Saturday.