Photo Album
Awards & Honors
Post 473 Legionnaire Alex Lehrman, son of Nathan and Pam Lehrman of Wyoming, is currently serving on active duty with the United States Air Force. He is assigned to the 11th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida and was recently selected for a "Below The Zone” (BTZ) promotion to Senior Airman (E-4).
Below the zone is a competitive early promotion program offered to Air Force enlisted personnel in the grade of Airman First Class (E-3). This early promotion opportunity is restricted to exceptional Airmen who stand out from their peers and perform duties at a level above their current rank.
Alex was nominated for this BTZ promotion by his Chain of Command and was then considered by a board of judges. Upon his selection, 30 November 2024 was set as the date of his promotion to Senior Airman. The effective date of promotion is six months earlier than what would be his normal promotion eligibility date, hence “Below The (promotion) Zone.”
Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Alex on this noteworthy achievement.
Shown below is the certificate that was presented to Alex, along with the front and backside of a Challenge Coin that was presented by the Air Force Special Operations Command Director of Intelligence (AFSOC/A2).
The 2024 Second District Fall Conference was held at the Veterans Memorial Building, in Cedar Rapids, on Saturday, October 5th. These certificates were presented during the conference.
Appreciation Letter (100% Membership) - Post 473
Four Pillar Squadron Certificate
Citation of Achievement - Wapsie Squadron 473
Certificate of Appreciation - Post 473
Appreciation Letter (100% Membership) - Post 473
Wapsie Post 473 honored at the 105th annual American Legion Department Convention
The Oxford Junction American Legion Wapsie Post 473 was awarded at the Department of Iowa Convention that was held in Des Moines in July.
They were recipients of the Hanford Post Trophy.
This is awarded to the Post that submits an impressive and comprehensive Consolidated Post Report. This report details the activities, in Service to Veterans and community during the prior membership year.
Every year, the Department holds a Media Contest with four separate categories: (1) Single Sheet Newsletter; (2) Multiple Sheet Newsletter;
(3) Electronic Newsletter (Email); and (4) Website.
The Oxford Junction American Legion Family website (OJLegion.com) was once again chosen for the second consecutive year as the winner of the Website Category for…Best website in the Department of Iowa. The webmaster for the site is Robert Hines, also serves as Finance Officer for Sons of The American Squadron 473. Robert has worked tirelessly to build, maintain and continuously improve this website and he should be congratulated on a job well done!
Congratulations to The American Legion Post 473 Family for these outstanding achievements!
Wapsie Auxilliary Honored with
Best Burger in Jones County
Best Burger in Jones County
Wapsie Auxiliary Unit 473 was nominated for the best burger in Jones County by the Jones County Cattlemen.
The plaque was presented April 28, 2024.
Wapsie Post 473 awarded 4th Road Runner
On Saturday, April 20th, Iowa’s 2nd District Spring Conference was held in Blue Grass, Iowa. Wapsie Post Membership Chair Tom Zaruba is shown receiving a “Road Runner” Award from Department Vice Commander Steve Colcord (l) while 2nd District Commander Dick Bries looks on. The Road Runner is a Department of Iowa award that is given to Posts who attain at least 105 percent of their assigned growth goal for the year. Oxford Junction is the only Post in Iowa’s 2nd District to be awarded a Road Runner for 2024 and this marks the fourth time in the past six years that Wapsie Post 473 has earned this award.
Wapsie Post 473 Garners another Membership Award
In November of every year, The American Legion of Iowa holds a statewide rally in an effort to get the nearly 600 Posts in Iowa to boost the number of Legionnaires within their respective Post. The American Legion of Iowa is divided into nine districts; Oxford Junction falls within the 2nd District, which includes Linn, Jones, Jackson, Clinton, Scott and Dubuque counties.
The R. W. Colflesh Trophy is presented each year to the District that is in 1st place with membership as of Veterans Day, and to the Post within that district which has obtained the highest percentage of their membership growth goal on Veterans Day. This past year, the recipient was the 2nd District and Wapsie Post 473 of Oxford Junction.
The award was presented at the Department of Iowa's annual Mid-Winter Conference, in Des Moines, on Friday, February 2nd. The award was then re-presented to Post 473 at their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 14th 2024.
Shown (I to r) is Department of Iowa Commander Stan Elliott presenting the Colflesh Award to Wapsie Post member Bill Goodman and 2nd District Commander Dick Bries, of Epworth Post 650.
Shown (l to r) is 2nd District Commander Dick Bries re-presenting the Colflesh Award to Post 473 Membership Chair Tom Zaruba and Post 473 Commander Pat Fowler.
Shown holding the Colflesh Award is Wapsie Post 473 Membership Chair Tom Zaruba.
Wapsie Post 473 Awarded Grant
On the evening of Tuesday, December 12th, the Jones County Community Foundation (JCCF) awarded grants to 23 Jones County non-profit organizations. Wapsie Post 473 was the recipient of an $8,000.00 grant to help with replacing the roof on the Legionnaire Ballroom. Members of the Oxford Junction American Legion Family wish to thank the JCCF board members for their generosity in helping us fund this sorely needed project.
Shown (l to r) are Post 473 members Bill Goodman, Kurt Keller, Mark Denniston and Pat Fowler, who is receiving the award certificate from JCCF board member Patty Manuel
Post 473 Awarded at Fall Conference
At the 2023 2nd District Fall Conference, Vice Commander Curtis Thornhill is shown accepting a Certificate of Appreciation from District Commander Dick Bries and Department Commander Stan Elliott. The certificate, from Past National Commander Vincent Troiola, was for Post 473 exceeding their membership goals for the 2023 year that ended on 30 June 2023.
At the Post’s October meeting, Vice Commander Thornhill is shown presenting the award certificate to Past Post Commander Ron Nowachek. Special thanks was given to Post Membership Chairman Tom Zaruba for making this award possible.
Donation Made in Memorial of Legionnaire
At our September 14th meeting, Steve Feuss (shown on the right) presented a donation to the Post in remembrance of his father, Duane Feuss. Duane had purchased a rifle just before he passed away, with the intention of raffling it off and donating the money to Post 473. Duane's family carried through with their father's plan and $3,240.00 in proceeds were presented to the Post. Steve's sister, Marsha Lasack, also donated a beautiful, framed lithograph to be hung in the Legionnaire Ballroom. Post Commander Pat Fowler graciously accepted these donations. The Legionnaires of Wapsie Post 473 thank the Feuss family for their extreme generosity.
Auxiliary Officer Installation 2023-2024
Our Auxiliary Unit had their Officer Installation Ceremony Wednesday September 13, 2023 This photo was taken thereafter.
Pictured (l to r) are:
Kristina Stevenson - Chaplain
Jenny Eckhardt - Secretary
Kathy Barber - Vice President
Stacy Agnitsch - President
Karen Lineburg - Treasurer
Wapsie Post 473 General Monthly Meeting | August 10,2023
Membership Award
Department Vice Commander Steve Colcord (l), of West Branch Post 514, and 2nd District Commander Dick Bries (r) present Wapsie Post 473 Membership Chairman Tom Zaruba with the 2023 Spafford Trophy. This is a Department Membership Award that is given annually to the Post that has the greatest numerical increase over their previous year's membership. This is a significant accomplishment, for a Post in a small, rural community of less than 450 people, to increase membership more than nearly 600 other Posts in Iowa.
Media Contest Winner
Department Vice Commander Steve Colcord (l), of West Branch Post 514, and 2nd District Commander Dick Bries (r) present a certificate to Sons of The American Legion Squadron 473 Adjutant Robert Hines for winning the Website Category of the annual Department Media Contest. Robert serves as the webmaster of the Oxford Junction American Legion Family website and he has done a magnificent job of building, maintaining and constantly improving the website in order to keep members informed and to make the general public aware of what the Legion Family is all about.
Installation of Officers Ceremony
2nd District Commander Dick Bries, of Epworth Post 650, is shown installing the newly elected Officers of Wapsie Post 473. Shown (l to r) are Ron Nowachek, Outgoing Commander; Bill Goodman, Service Officer; Curtis Thornhill, Vice Commander and Chaplain; Kurt Keller, SGT-at-Arms; Maria Clark, Adjutant; Mark Denniston, Finance Officer; and Pat Fowler, Incoming Commander.
Post Raffle Winner Announced
The winning ticket was drawn for the Bear Creek .350 Legend AR-15 Rifle. The winner is: Cody Beitz of Hopkinton, IA.
The rifle was donated to the Post by fellow Legionnaire Joseph Tubbs. Joe is the owner of Terminal Lance Arms, LLC.
104 South Cedar Street, Monticello, IA 52310 | (563) 495-3397
Pictured holding rife at left is Joe Tubbs, with SAL members Murray Shedeck, Joe Hartwig, and Robert Hines.
Click for a larger version
Wapsie Post 473 honored at the 104th annual American Legion Department Convention
By Bill Goodman
The Oxford Junction American Legion Post garnered several awards at the Department of Iowa Convention that was held in Des Moines on July 14th-16th. Specifically, what they we were recognized for was:
They were presented with a Post Excellence Award. This is the second such award that they've received in the past three years and they are the only Post in the 2nd District, which includes 47 Posts, to receive this coveted award in the past several years. The Post Excellence Award is given under the hand of the National Commander for meeting a number of stringent requirements.
They were also presented with the Spafford Trophy, which is awarded each year to the Post that shows the greatest numerical increase over the previous year's membership. This was a significant accomplishment, considering that Post 473, in a small rural community of less than 450 people, increased membership more than nearly 600 other Posts in Iowa.
Every year, the Department holds a Media Contest with four separate categories: (1) Single Sheet Newsletter; (2) Multiple Sheet Newsletter; (3) Electronic Newsletter (Email); and (4) Website. The Oxford Junction American Legion Family website (OJLegion.com) was chosen as the winner of the Website Category…Best website in the Department of Iowa. The webmaster for the site is Robert Hines, who also serves as Adjutant for Sons of The American Squadron 473. Robert has worked tirelessly to build, maintain and continuously improve this website and he should be congratulated on a job well done!!!
2nd District Commander Jerry Becker presents the Post Excellence Award to Post 473 Legionnaires Curtis Thornhill and Kurt Keller, as incoming District Commander
Dick Bries looks on.
Post 473 Legionnaire Bill Goodman accepts the Spafford Trophy membership plaque from Department commander
Randy Johnson.
2nd District Commander Jerry Becker presents the "Best Website in the Department of Iowa" Certificate to Post 473 Legionnaires Curtis Thornhill and Kurt Keller, as incoming District Commander
Dick Bries looks on.
70 Continuous Years of Membership Recognized
By Maria Clark
By Maria Clark
Leonard Lasack was presented with a certificate in recognition for his 70 years of continuous membership with the Wapsie American Legion Post 473 of Oxford Junction.
Wapsie Post 473 member, Tom Zaruba, presented Veteran Leonard Lasack the certificate. Other Veterans of Wapsie Post 473 in attendance were Les Paarmann, Ken Hayden, Herold Rehmke, Larry Marek, and Maria Clark.
Following the presentation, the Veterans gathered at a table and enjoyed sharing military service experiences and stories.
Thank-you to the staff and residents of the Clarence Assisted Living Facility.
Congratulations Leonard!
2023 Road Runner Award
The Oxford Junction American Legion Post has been presented with the Department of Iowa Road Runner Award for achieving over 105 percent of their assigned growth goal for the 2023 membership year. It is the third such award that Post 473 has received in the past five years. Post member Curtis Thornhill (r) is shown receiving the award from Department Commander Randy Johnson at the 2nd District Spring Conference on April 15th. Curtis, in turn, is shown presenting Post 473 Membership Committee Chairman Tom Zaruba with the award at their Post meeting on May 11th.
2nd District Fall Conference
Sons of the American Legion (SAL) member Robert Hines, who was earlier named as the Detachment of Iowa Member of the Year for 2022, was recognized for receiving this award at the Legion's 2nd District Fall Conference that was held in Center Point on October 8th. Shown with Robert is Department of Iowa Legion Commander Randy Johnson (on the left) and Detachment of Iowa SAL Commander Jim Lastovka.
October 2022 Joint Meeting
During a joint meeting of Oxford Junction Legionnaires and Sons on October 13th, Robert was once again recognized by several District and Detachment leaders. Shown (left to right) behind Robert is: Steve Colcord - Detachment of Iowa Vice Commander; Ken "Rocky" Rochholz - Detachment of Iowa National Executive Committeeman; Jim Lastovka - Detachment of Iowa Commander; Jerry Becker - 2nd District American Legion Commander; and Dennis Kloser - 2nd District Sons of The American Legion Liaison/Advisor.
After meeting, a meal was served that incuded this delicious cake. There's always room for cake!
Sons Of The American Legion -
Charter Presentation Ceremony
Charter Presentation Ceremony
On Wednesday May 18, 2022, A Charter Presentation ceremony was held to officially recognize the formation of our Sons Squadron.
In attendace were representatives from various levels of the organization, as well as representatives from the Oxford Junction community, fellow Legionnaires and Sons members.
The Cake. It looks too good to eat, but we did anyway!
Commander Nowachek, with grandsons who are all charter members. Pictured (l to r) are Zain Sauer, Ty Jensen, Post Commander Ron Nowachek and Grady Sauer.
Post 473 Commander Ron Nowachek and 2nd District Commander Jerry Becker
Sons 473 Commander Derek Feuss and Post 473 Commander Ron Nowachek
Left to right, Ken “Rocky” Rochholtz - Past Department Commander now representing the Detachment of Iowa as the National Executive Committee member to the Sons of The American Legion, Bob Waugh - Department of Iowa Commander, Derek Feuss - SAL ßquadron 473 Commander, Jerry Becker – 2nd District Commander, and Ron Nowachek…Commander of Wapsie Post 473
Dennis Kloser – 2nd District SAL Advisor and Robert Hines - SAL Squadron 473 Adjutant
Robert Hines with Post 473 Service Officer & SAL Squadron 473 Advisor Bill Goodman.
Road Runner Award
Wapsie Post 473 Commander Ron Nowachek is shown accepting a Road Runner Award from Department Vice Commander Dick Hogan. This award was presented at the 2nd District Spring Conference, which was held in Clinton on Saturday, April 9th. In order to qualify for this award, a Post must achieve at least 105 percent of their membership goal. Post 473 was also presented with a Post Excellence Award; this coveted award is presented under the hand of the National Commander to Posts who meet stringent requirements in five different categories.
50 consecutive years of membership in
The American Legion
At their meeting on April 8th, Wapsie Post 473 Commander
Ron Nowachek (right) presented Tom Zaruba (left) with a certificate commemorating 50 consecutive years of membership in The American Legion.
Tom is currently serving as the Post Membership Committee Chair and has done a sensational job with a myriad of duties in the Oxford Junction Post over the years. Congratulations Tom!!!
Certificate of Recognition
At their October 14th meeting, Wapsie Post 473
was presented with a certificate of recognition, from
the National Commander for exceeding membership
goals for 2021. Pictured (l to r) Post Chaplain Curtis
Thornhill, Post Commander Ron Nowachek and Post
Membership Committee Chair Tom Zaruba.
Robert Hines, Wapsie Squadron 473 Adjutant & Finance Officer, was named the 2022 Sons of the American Legion Member of the Year for the Detachment of Iowa.