Local organization gives back to community

Nearly six years after forming the Clearwater Sons of the American Legion, organization members are proud of its community service activities.

Yet, members believe there is more work to be done.

Sons of the Legion Commander Fred Thiele said the group holds a variety of events for the community and surrounding area, including an Ash Wednesday fish fry and Veterans Day supper a.

Members also hold poker tournaments, participate in Memorial Day services, sponsor a local softball team, bartend for wedding dances and private parties, present the flag at football games and funerals and set up shop on Main Street during Clearwater’s Big Rodeo street dances.

Funds raised from events are poured back into the community.

In 2018, members renovated the Legion building. Siding was replaced and a memorial wall, dedicated to Clearwater veterans who died during service, was added.

To make the building handicap-accessible, new doors were installed and sidewalks were replaced.

Currently, the guts of the building are getting an upgrade.

The organization also updated the facade of the former Santa Store, adding a tin front and smaller windows.

The purchase of the Clearwater Café property provides ample kitchen space to prepare boneless or bone-in wings, dipped in a variety of sauces, and crispy curly fries for wing night.

Members agree wing night is a popular activity. It is held from 6 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

Kelly Kerkman, a long-time wing night volunteer, said 7,000 wings were served during a benefit held for Scott Leisy.

“We served 1,500 once on a Wednesday,” he added.

In March, when COVID-19 forced bars to shut down, wing night halted. By June, it was up and flying again.

Thiele said like many organizations, more volunteers are needed to make wing night - and other events - run smoothly.

“We are now to the point where we need more participation from all of our members,” Thiele said.

The group will welcome assistance from non-members, also, especially if wing night is to continue.

Thiele said currently, a core group of members contribute constantly.

“The same few people working are getting burned out,” he said.

Membership in Sons of the American Legion is open to all male descendants whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military.

A SAL chapter, known as a squadron, partners with a local American Legion post to gain a charter.

Clearwater’s squadron was chartered in 2014.

Thiele hopes the organization’s community contributions can continue.

“If not, we are going to have to give up many of the listed activities and our chance to help our community,” he said.