About
The American Legion
Members of the “Legion” are US Armed Services veterans. The “Legion Family” includes members of the Legion, the Legion Auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion, and Legion Riders. All Legion Family members are welcome to attend monthly Post 24 meetings.
Election of Post officers are held at the December Post Meeting and take effect on January 2 following the election/installation. At least 45 days prior to the election the Commander shall appoint a nominating committee of at least 3 members. This committee will seek to fill the officer positions with current Legion members in good standing and post the list of nominees for each position 30 days prior to the annual election. Additionally, nominations may be made from the floor at the November and December Post meetings prior to voting. Any nominee must have given consent prior to being nominated. If two or more persons are running for a single office, the vote will be by secret ballot for that position.
2025 Officers
Commander: Dan Hervey
1st Vice Commander: Dennis Friesen
2nd Vice Commander: Ken Gawanda
Adjutant: Richard Johnson
Finance: Jim LaDuke
Asst. Finance: Richard Johnson & Steve Root
Chaplain: Jeremy Bower
Asst. Chaplain: Richard Johnson
Historian: Steve Root
Sgt at Arms: Sean Simpson, D J Moore, Tim Davison, Gerald Garcia, Brandon Likely, Donald Wagner
Meetings
3rd Monday 6:00-7:00 PM in the Hall– open to all Legion Family members
American Legion Auxiliary
The McPherson American Legion Auxiliary is dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans, strengthening families, and serving our community. Through a wide range of projects and events, members come together to make a lasting difference in McPherson County and beyond.
Toys for Kids
One of the Auxiliary’s largest and most beloved projects is Toys for Kids, which provides Christmas gifts to children ages newborn through 12 in McPherson County. This project helps families with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level bring extra joy to their children during the holidays.
The program kicks off each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving with a community meal and auction to raise funds for toy purchases. Additional monetary and toy donations from generous community members help make the program possible. In 2024, Toys for Kids provided presents for 350 McPherson County children!
After toys are purchased and sorted by age, families who have registered through the McPherson County Christmas Project make appointments to choose gifts. The Auxiliary then wraps the presents, ensuring each child has a special holiday surprise.
Supporting Veterans
The Auxiliary proudly supports veterans receiving care at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita. Members contribute through programs such as the Coffee Tour, the Christmas Shop, and donations to the Veterans Store, providing comfort and encouragement to those who have served.
Serving at Post 24
At McPherson Post 24, the Auxiliary plays a vital role in many activities:
- Preparing and serving meals, including desserts, for the monthly Family Night meal, which raises funds for local nonprofits.
- Supporting Legion activities in the All Schools Day parade, including distributing poppy pins.
- Assisting with Memorial Day and Veterans Day commemorations.
- Preparing and serving meals for various Legion events.
- Helping in the concession stand for weekly Bingo.
- Handing out candy during Trick or Treat on Main Street.
Friendship, Service, and Community
The Auxiliary is more than a service organization—it’s a place to build lasting friendships, honor veterans, and strengthen the community. Whether wrapping toys, serving meals, or lending a hand at special events, members live out the values of service, remembrance, and connection.
If you’re an Auxiliary member who hasn’t yet found your favorite way to serve, we encourage you to reach out to one of our officers. There’s a place for everyone to get involved and make a difference!
2025 Officers
President: Tresa Rauh
Secretary: Jan Bieri
Treasurer: Barb Behrens
Chaplain: Pam Unruh
Meetings
1st Mondays 6:30-7:30 PM in the Hall – All Auxiliary members are welcome
Sons of the American Legion (SAL)
Sons of the American Legion are male descendants (biological or adopted) of US veterans who are members of the American Legion or are deceased. SAL’s mission places an emphasis on preserving American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation’s children, caring for veterans and their families, and teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.
In McPherson, SAL members support families of fallen service members through initiatives like the Folds of Honor golf tournament. They provide scholarships to Boys State for local youth. SAL members regularly volunteer selling concessions at the McPherson Legion’s weekly Bingo events. They also often use their skills to maintain and improve the facilities.
The SAL hosts performers at the Legion a few times a year as a way for members to have some fun and enjoy each other’s company.
2025 Officers
Commander: Mike Price
1st Vice: Roy Dunham
Adjutant: Gary Grant
Finance: Dan Hervey
Advisor: Dan Hervey
Meetings
3rd Monday 7:00-8:00 PM in the Lounge– open to all SAL members
American Legion Riders
Chapter 24 of the McPherson American Legion Riders was formed in June 2006 with about 30 members. The Riders have a passion for active-duty personnel and veterans. For years now, along with other Kansas chapters, they have provided Thanksgiving meals to the Wounded Warrior Battalion families at Ft. Riley and continue to this day. They also provide Christmas gifts to all the children at Ft. Riley each year. They have provided several wheelchair ramps to area veterans. Their primary revenue comes from holding raffles and the annual All Schools Day Burger Burn. Oh, they also like to ride! They hold their officer elections on the 4th Sunday in January.
2025 Officers
Director: Ken Gawanda
Asst Director: Allen Whorton
Secretary: Mike Morgan
Treasurer: Dan Hervey
Ride Captain: Tim Davison
Chaplain: Keena Longstaff
Meetings
4th Sunday at 1:00 pm in the Lounge – open to all Riders members
Executive Committee
In previous years the Post decisions were made by elected trustees and were generally Past Commanders. In 2018 we re-wrote our Bylaws, and the “trustees” are now called the Executive Committee. Seven board members are elected in December along with the other Post officers. All Past Commanders in good standing are automatically Executive Committee members unless they opt out. The Executive Committee makes all the major decisions of the Post including major finance, hiring of employees and Post operations.
2025 Officers
Chair: Dennis Friesen
Secretary: Dan Hervey
Jim Toews
Kathy Nicholson
Danny Schafer
Tim Davison
Jim LaDuke
Roy Wash
Gerald Garcia
Jeff Purdy
Shaun Carlson
Meetings
Meetings are held as called.
American Legion History
The American Legion is the largest U.S. veterans organization with more than 1.6 million members who strengthen the nation through programs, services and advocacy for those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, youth and communities.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country.
Over the years, the Legion has built its identity by achieving hundreds of benefits and services for veterans, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and instilling the values of responsible citizenship among young people. From the nation-changing of The American Legion-drafted GI Bill to relief for veterans exposed to toxic contamination in the service, veterans of The American Legion have worked for over a century to improve and strengthen the nation they swore with their lives to defend.
Harry B. Dorst Post 24 – McPherson, Kansas, History
The Post Name
The all-county American Legion Post was first organized and received a charter from the Kansas State Department to function under the name of McPherson Post #1. But very shortly after the post was organized, one of its most prominent members, having gone through the World War and was enjoying the fruitful life of a civilian, finally was stricken from this earth and In token of the high esteem held by his fellow comrades, the post name was changed to that of Harry B Dorst Post #1 in his honor.
Harry B Dorst, better known as “Cull” was a Second Lieutenant in old company D, and when the World broke out, Cull was made a First Lieutenant and served in that capacity throughout the war.
Cull was one of those officers that nothing was too good for his men and was always doing everything and anything he could for them. It was this trait of character that won for him good will and friendship of all of his fellow men.
Therefore, upon his death, in fair recognition of his friendliness, the Post did not hesitate to change its name in his honor.
History of Post
The McPherson Post of the American Legion was first formed as an all-county Post with all men of the World War eligible for membership. The first organization of the Post was conceived and put into operations by the untiring efforts of Fred E Ellis, a Major during World War 1.
Several meetings were held for the necessary preparations to the final formation of a permanent Post at which time there were enough men that made application and advanced sufficient fees to secure a charter for a local post.
The men that signed the petition for temporary charter of the McPherson Post #1 are as follows: Fred E Ellis, Harry B Dorst, C.B. Hopkins, Louis C Hubbell, A.W. Bremyer, C.L. Heaston, E. Elliott, B.B. Blair, Paul Reeme, Fred L McMurray, Glen Coughenour, Ross A Etter, Thos. N Canfield, L.A. Mingenback, Robert Ranstrom, S.N. Mallison, Harry L. Coughenour, and Lawrence S. Bailey.
The August 11th, 1919, meeting was called to order by A.W. Bremyer, the temporary chairman, at which time the following officers were elected and installed. The Post received its temporary charter on August 14th, 1919.
A.W. Bremyer Commander
Lucien Gray Vice Commander
George Wynn Finance Officer
E.E. Peterson Historian
Earl Kreuter Chaplain
Roy Cotterill Adjutant
Paul Reeme Master of Arms
Commander Bremyer at this meeting appointed a By Laws Committee who was ready to report and same was adopted.
At a meeting on November 18th, 1919, the name of McPherson Post #1 was changed by a unanimous vote of the post to Harry B Dorst Post #24.
Post Locations Through the Years
→ 1919–1922: Meetings were held at Conn Hall, 121½ N. Main.
→ Oct. 24, 1922: Moved to the 3rd floor of the McPherson County Courthouse at no cost.
→ 1928–1929: The City of McPherson invited the Legion to renovate the 2nd floor of City Hall.
→ March 12, 1929: First meeting held in new headquarters at 115 S. Main (now Peoples Bank parking lot).
→ Jan. 9, 1947: Post purchased the land and building at 401 N. Main, which has remained its home. The building has been remodeled several times rather than replaced, continuing to serve as a hub for community events.
Today
Harry B. Dorst Post 24 is home to:
→ The American Legion
→ American Legion Auxiliary
→ Sons of the American Legion
→ American Legion Riders
Together, these groups are dedicated to building a better community in McPherson, Kansas.