With reference to our first article Oct. 9, we had an acronym W.S.T.C. which we were not able to define. This past week I had a husband and wife text their thoughts. One mentioned having heard Mother talking about “Women’s Suffrage and Temperance Crusade.” The other said “Wayne State Teachers’ College.” As Mr. Reed was a school teacher, we presume W.S.T.C. relates to the college. Thanks for the input. Wayne State College (WSC) as we know it today was first Nebraska Normal College 1891; in 1909 the state purchased the college and renamed it Nebraska State Normal College; in 1910 Wayne State College was official name. Mr. Reed was 23 years old upon his passing, having received the Purple Heart and World War I Victory Medal.
Additional correction from Part II of Oct. 16. We had stated the final Wayne County Convention was in 1998 and Winside Unit was host. However, the last County Convention was in 1999, with Carroll Unit 165 as host. Wayne Unit 43 (now dissolved) was to host the 2000 County Convention but decided not to hold it and that more or less ended the annual convention.
The first Wayne County American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Convention was held in 1940 at Wayne. The last County Convention was in 1999 at Carroll. During those years the Winside Unit 252 was honored to have Unit members serve as County President; namely, Gladys Gaebler 1941; Mrs. Walter Maas 1944; Anna Wylie 1947; Mrs. H. L. Neely 1950; Irene Ditman 1953; Mrs. Harvey Podoll 1956; Gladys Reichert 1959 & 1974; Dorothy Jo Andersen 1962 & 1980; Beverly Voss 1965; Fern Deck 1968; Edna Wendt 1971; Charlotte Wylie 1977; Vera Mann 1983; Julie Kant 1986; Goldie Selders 1989; Lorraine Denklau 1992 & 1995; and Rose Ann Janke 1998. Currently, as we need to have on record a Wayne County President, Laura Novak, Winside Unit 252, holds that position with Mandi Fernau, Carroll Unit 165, as Vice President.
Over the past 100 years, Unit 252 has had 39 Unit Presidents leading the group. Many changes have occurred over the decades but one thing has not – Service Not Self – when it comes to our Veterans, military, children and youth and community. We have ventured into new territory and have left our mark of success along the way. Our premier program, Cornhusker ALA Girls State program has been quite successful. Our Unit first participated in the Girls State program in 1941 and it is still growing today. We have had 90 young ladies selected as Delegates to Girls State over the past 84 years. Seven of those years we sent two delegates and three of those years we sent three delegates. The Winside Sons of the American Legion has been generous to assist in funding our extra Delegates.
At this writing, we have 49 Unit members with one renewal hopefully coming in this week. As a result of our “Haunted Post” this past Saturday, we have another prospective member. That would bring us up to 50 Unit members. The highest member count was 74; we just could not get to 75 that year. It is noted that as a result of a rule change with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the National organization was more or less obligated to change eligibility to not include great-granddaughters or step-granddaughters. Those great-granddaughters could remain a current member as long as there was no break in years of renewal. Sadly, that is basically the reason we were at 74 and have lost members through that ruling and aging. But we continue to grow and prosper one by one and that is alright with us.
With the current member roster of 49 members, that is an accumulative total of 1,135 years in Roy Reed Unit 252. In 2026, we will have a 60-year continuous member; namely, Kathleen (Walter) Bleich of Norfolk. We will have Rose Ann Janke with 58 years and Marcella Schellenberg with 56 years. Not all of our members reside in Winside or Wayne County or even Nebraska. Norfolk 1; Wayne 5; Hoskins 2; Lincoln 7; South Sioux 1; Battle Creek 1; Papillion 1; Seward 1; David City 1; Emerson 3; Iowa 1; South Dakota 1; Kansas 1; Illinois 1; Wyoming 1; Texas 1; Minnesota 2; and Winside 19.
On the Third District level we have had some leadership positions held by Unit members; namely, Beverly Neel, District President 2001-2003 & 2022-2024; District President Laura Novak 2024-2026; District Co-Chaplains KayLynn and Brianna Novak 2024-2026.
On the Department level leadership roles were held by Beverly Neel, President 2018-2019; Vice President 2017-2018; Historian 2016-2017; Chaplain 2015-2026; several Program chairmanships beginning in 1989 at the Norfolk Veterans Home and concluding 2025 as Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation chair. Currently, KayLynn and Brianna Novak serve as Co-Chairs of the Junior Activities program for 2025-2026. Plus, Beverly served as a member of the National Executive Committee 2022-2023.
But the most important role of each of our members is being just that – a Unit member. With each member’s support throughout the years our Unit has grown and prospered and has been able to serve our community, children and youth, Veterans and military families based on the simple motto “Service not Self.” It has been a great 100 years for our Village of Winside and we are hopeful we will remain strong and can celebrate perhaps another 100 years. Thank you to all who come out to support our journey, our endeavors and our growth. We could not do it without you.
Members are inviting the community to join them on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Winside Legion Post for birthday cake and homemade ice cream provided by Roy Reed Post 252 and the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 252, respectively.
