Post History
Revised 12/21/23
Legion Post 431
By mid-1944, Americans were confident that World War II was being brought to a victorious conclusion; many military personnel had already returned from their tours of duty.
Some of them and a group of World War I veterans met at the Three Lakes Town Hall(Currently called the Three Lakes Municipal Building and Police) on August 28, 1944, to consider forming a Legion post for Three Lakes. Until then, the handful of World War I veterans in Three Lakes belonged to the Eagle River Legion Post.
Twenty-eight veterans attended the meeting at which Harry M. Olkowski was appointed temporary commander, with Oscar Lawonn as temporary adjutant. A five-veteran committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of a suitable building for the about-to-be-formed Three Lakes Post. The decision to organize an American Legion Post resulted from the conclusion of these veterans that the American Legion was the representative veterans' organization in this country. That conclusion has been proven true, as today the American Legion is the largest wartime veterans' organization with nearly 13,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. Current national membership is over 2 million and combined with the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion, membership in what is known as The American Legion Family exceeds 3 million who care about America, veterans, their families, and our nation's youth.
The charter for the Three Lakes American Legion Post 431 was issued in January 1945.
A building in downtown Three Lakes, the John and Gladys Olkowski Store and Barroom, was recommended and eventually purchased from Alex Olkowski, Sr. That structure was home to the post until 1965, when it was razed and a modern building with a bar upstairs and kitchen and meeting room in the basement was constructed on the vacant lot next door.
Throughout these seventy-nine years, the Post has been active in local civic and Legion affairs. Post 431's much-in-demand firing squad and color guard appear regularly in parades, at funerals, and at patriotic ceremonies throughout the region. Three Lakes Post has a membership of 285 veterans today; it also has an active Auxiliary unit.
American Legion Post 431's belief in our young people is evident, as demonstrated by the educational scholarships it bestows on Three Lakes High School Students each spring and the selection of high school boys to attend Badger State Boys.
Unit 431 Auxiliary
An Auxiliary of American Legion Unit 431 was organized on December 7, 1944. The Auxiliary Unit Charter was signed in April 1945 by 31 members. The Legion has every reason to be proud of its Auxiliary. Auxiliary members are always anxious and willing to cooperate in every Legion activity. The first President of the Auxiliary was Marguerite Olkowski. The present membership is about 91, and Kay Coates is the current president.
The Auxiliary has always been a very active organization through the years, especially when the new Legion was being built they helped raise funds for the new building. The Auxiliary annually sponsors several students to attend Badger State for girls. They donate money to other organizations for their projects, and every year they sell Poppies before Memorial Day to help Veterans and their families when in need.
Sons of the Legion
A Sons of the Legion for American Legion Post ____ was formed on _______. The Legion has every reason to be proud of its Sons of Legion unit, which gained statewide recognition because of its programs of service.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Three Lakes community, the goal of every Veteran is to it's last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday.
Memorial Day Parade: Begins at 10 am at the Winery and the processional marches to the Three Lakes Cemetary. There is a short service at the cemetery. After the Memorial Day service, the processional marches to Cy Williams Park to raise the flag there.
VETERANS' DAY, which was once called ARMISTICE DAY originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. Veterans Day service is held at Three Lakes High School Auditorium at 10 am. The Legion Color Guard begins the ceremony, students sing a variety of songs, the Badger Boy and Girl share their view of Veterans Day, and the Commander and Auxiliary President give short speeches. All Veterans and Auxiliary members are welcome to stay and enjoy lunch served by the TLHS students. There is also a Veterans Day Service held at Sugar Camp Elementary School at 1 pm.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American Legion Post --- sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.