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Donnybrook honors longtime Legion members

Two longtime veterans and American Legion members were honored during a ceremony at Clarence McCormack Post 195 in Donnybrook, Wednesday (Nov. 11).

11/17/15 (Tue)

Veteran’s Day honor . . . World War II Navy veteran Marlyn Kirkelie (left), is presented a plaque by Adjutant Greg Jacobson during a Veterans Day ceremony in Donnybrook, Wednesday. Kirkelie, a longtime Donnybrook resident, was honored for 70 years membership in the Clarence McCormack American Legion Post 195 in Donnybrook.

Family accepts honor . . . Betty Steinberger holds a plaque presented to her family in honor of her late husband John “Jack” Steinberger’s 65-year membership in Clarence McCormack American Legion Post 195 in Donnybrook. Accepting the plaque on behalf of Mr. Steinberger are son Dan Steinberger, left, daughter Michelle Erickson and granddaughter Elizabeth Erickson.

By Marvin Baker

Two longtime veterans and American Legion members were honored during a ceremony at Clarence McCormack Post 195 in Donnybrook, Wednesday (Nov. 11).

Marlyn Kirkelie, who now lives at Edgewood Vista in Minot, was presented a plaque for being a continuous member of Post 195 for 70 years.

Kirkelie, who spent most of his life in Donnybrook, said it was the right thing to do when he came home from World War II.

He joined the American Legion and hasn’t looked back. And at the time, it was convenient for him to attend meetings. Now, it’s a little more difficult, but he had no intention of missing Wednesday’s ceremony.

“This is quite an honor,” Kirkelie said after the flag was raised at 11 a.m., to signify the end of hostilities at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. “I joined right when I got home from the service.”

Kirkelie served in the Navy during World War II and was responsible for delivering supplies to American troops up and down the Atlantic coast.

His journeys took him from Brazil to Iceland that included transits of the Panama Canal.

Kirkelie was given a generous round of applause after he was given his plaque by Post 195 Adjutant Greg Jacobson, a plaque with the inscription, “Great American.”

John “Jack” Steinberger was the second veteran who was honored post humously for his service in World War II and shortly after, as well as his many years as a member of Post 195.

Accepting the award for 65 years of continuous membership in Post 195, that included 15 years as post commander and 35 years as Sergeant at Arms, was Steinberger’s widow Betty, as well as son Dan, daughter Michelle, her husband Ralph Erickson and granddaughter Elizabeth Erickson.

Steinberger joined the service during the war but was part of the American occupation of Japan after World War came to a conclusion.

“He was one of three people who have kept this post going for all these years,” said Post 195 Adjutant Greg Jacobson. “That just shows the dedication of these people.”

The ceremony also included a keynote address by Elizabeth Erickson, who was sponsored at Girls Nation by Post 195’s Auxiliary.

Erickson, the granddaughter of longtime Post 195 member John “Jack” Steinberger, spoke about her experience going through Girls State and Girls Nation that included a visit by President Barack Obama while the girls were in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony began informally with the Auxiliary serving a continental breakfast, which gave time for those in attendance to visit.

Following Erickson’s speech, everyone was directed to the north side of the building where post chaplain Russell Bott held the flag while Jacobson raised it to the top of the pole, then lowered it to half mast to honor those fallen in all America’s wars... Read EVERY WORD on EVERY PAGE of The Kenmare News by subscribing--online or in print!