BILL SCHA AD, CUSTER COUNT Y AMERICAN LEGION

The 98th Annual Custer County Convention was hosted by Oconto Post 250 on Sept. 20, at the Community Center in Oconto. The Oconto Post did an excellent job of decorating the center with 250th celebration banners, military memorabilia, uniforms from all periods of service and a table with many newspaper articles and pictures of what the Custer County American Legion family has been doing in the last year.

The joint session was called to order by County Commander Bill Schaad. Opening prayer was given by John Phillips.

Opening ceremonies were observed with PFC Bryn Eggleston singing the National Anthem. Guests of the County Commander and County Auxiliary President Linnea Eggleston were District 6 Commander Brian Rapp, Area B Commander Julie Schnizler, Department Auxiliary President Vicki Cyborn, and District 6 Auxiliary President Barb Darsey. Veterans Service Officer Emory Haynes addressed the joint meeting about veterans claims issues and also about the use of AI to assist with shortening the time of claims processing for veterans by the VA. The final review process will be done by humans at the VA. Care packages are being prepared for two veterans who are members of the Broken Bow Post and the Callaway Post that are currently serving and deployed in Africa.

Commander Schaad awarded Maynard Strumpler of Oconto as the 2026 Custer County Legionnaire of the Year and presented him with a certificate.

Commander Schaad announced that Patrick Jorgenson of Squadron 59 of Callaway has been named the Custer County SAL Member of the Year. This award will be presented at a later date.

Callaway Unit 59 provided a memorial service for all American Legion family members that had passed away in the last year.

It was announced that the District 6 convention will be held Oct. 17 at Post 53 in Grand Island. County Government Day will be held in Broken Bow on Nov. 16, with Senator Storer as guest speaker. The lunch prayer was given by John Phillips, and the joint session was adjourned.

After lunch, the Auxiliary remained in the community center for their meeting, and the Legion and SAL moved to the Legion Hall to conduct their meeting. Roll call of posts and SAL were taken with them reporting on all that they had done in the last year. Commander Schaad gave his report on the last year. Time and Place Committee reported that the 99th Annual Convention will be held in Sargent at the Community Building on Sept. 19, 2027, and will be jointly hosted by Sargent and Comstock.

Elections were held. John Phillips of Arnold was elected as County Commander; Randy Caryl of Sargent was elected as County Vice Commander; and Gene Hendricks of Broken Bow was retained as County Adjutant. Area B Commander Julie Schnizler swore in and installed the new officers. A resolution was read thanking Oconto Post 250 for hosting an outstanding convention.

A moment of silence was observed, followed by a prayer by John Phillips. Door prizes were drawn that were donated by local businesses. Closing prayer was given by John Phillips and a salute to the flag concluded the 98th Annual Custer County Convention.

We would like to thank the following fine businesses and individuals for donating door prizes for the 98th Annual Custer County Convention: Rocks Underground – Oconto; Eggleston Oil – Oconto; Evans Feed – Oconto; Post 142 Mason City; Security First Bank – Callaway; Trotters Whoa and Go West - Broken Bow; Trotters Whoa and Go Downtown - Broken Bow; Trotters Service - Broken Bow. We would also like to thank Mary Hall (Motherhood Printing) for donating the printed programs for the convention as she has for many years.