New London in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Robert lhlang Post 537, The American Legion
1946 Forty-two veterans met and signed the petition for a charter. The post was given its name in memory of Robert Ihlang who was killed in Italy during World War II. The charter was granted, and the officers were: commander, Victor Suneson; 1st vice commander, Eric Anderson; 2nd vice commander, Lester Harsted; finance officer, Ragnar Moline; service officer, Reuben Skeie; historian, O.A. Nelson; sergeant-at-arms, Allen Dilley.
1947 Land was purchased for a building 48 feet by 62 feet. The first meeting in the new basement was held later that year. It was also the first year that the post directed the observance of Memorial Day in the village of New London. Every year from then on, many individuals and organizations have received grants and gifts and scholarships. The post also has sponsored and supported various village programs such as summer recreation, school patrol and scouting.
1948 A charter was granted for the American Legion Auxiliary. There were twenty seven members. This organization has contributed generously to community projects, and also to outside charities such as child welfare, aid to families in distress, and cash donations to veterans hospitals. They also furnished a complete kitchen for the legion building.
1954 A lighting project costing $3,800 was donated to the village of New London for an athletic field. This field was used by the schools and by the town softball team.
1955 Land was purchased from Oak Hill Cemetery and named Soldiers Rest, dedicated in memory of Robert Beaudette who was killed during the Korean War.
1958 A flag pole was erected on the cemetery plot. Every Memorial Day there is a short service, the reading of names of all deceased veterans buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. The legion also provides and places small flags on individual graves.
1962 Another community project, a bathhouse building at Tourist Park was sponsored and completed at a cost of $3,000.
1995 A new Legion Post was built at a cost of $851,022.
1997 Copies for these memorials written by Jerome Miller.
1998 An addition was added at a cost of $67,541.77.
Erected 2013 by Robert Ihlang American Legion Post 537.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations.
Location. 45° 18.02′ N, 94° 56.648′ W. Marker is in New London, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street South (State Highway 9) and 1st Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling south on Main Street South. The American Legion monument is the second northernmost monument of five granite monuments located at New London Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 60 Main Street South, New London MN 56273, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Federal Fish Hatchery (here, next to this marker); Early History of New London (here, next to this marker); Origin Of Crow River Dam and Mills (here, next to this marker); Lundborg-Broberg State Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); The West Lake Massacre (approx. ¼ mile away); This Historical Inclosure (approx. ¼ mile away); Green Lake Village and Mill (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New London.
Also see . . .
1. New London Memorial Park. (Submitted on December 13, 2014.)
2. New London American Legion Post 537. (Submitted on December 13, 2014.)
3. Sgt Robert E Ihlang. Find A Grave. As mentioned in the text, the post was given its name in memory of Robert Ihlang. (Submitted on December 13, 2014.)
4. Sgt Bob Beaudette. Find A Grave. As mentioned in the text, Soldiers Rest in Oak Hill Cemetery was dedicated in memory of Robert Beaudette. (Submitted on December 13, 2014.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.