Post History
Chartered in 1921, American Legion Post 336 was named in honor of two young Onalaska men who died in world War I. The two men were Otto W. Struck and August B. Klandrud.
Otto W. Struck, born in 1888 and went overseas in September 1918 at the age of 30. On his way overseas he was taken ill and passed away with influenza. That same month, his remains were brought back to Onalaska from England. His remains were buried in the Onalaska cemetery with full military honors.
August B. Klandrud died in France at the age of 26 on October 10, 1918. Upon his death, the chaplain wrote his mother saying, "He received the best possible medical attention. We did what we could to honor his memory. His grave is well cared for."
The first Commander of Post 336 was Edward G. Showers.
CHARTER MEMBERS:
W. Aiken | L. J. Adams | Rex McNeill |
E. G. Showers | George Renstrom | William Otto |
Fred Christopherson | Vern Dale | Odin Klandrud |
Plymouth Fjelstad | H. A. McNutt | H. O. Foss |
Earl Page | Royce Phillips | Leonard J. Sagen |
Affiliated Organizations
Women's Auxiliary -
The Onalaska American Legion Post 336 received a Charter from the American Legion Department of Wisconsin that established Onalaska American Legion Auxiliary Unit 336 on May 22, 1926 with 37 members signing the original Charter. At the end of the year 2006 Unit 336 had two hundred seventy six (276) members.
Sons of the Legion -
The Sons of the Legion or SAL for American Legion Post 336 was formed on _______. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Sons of Legion unit, which gained statewide recognition because of it's programs of service.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Onalaska community, the goal of every Veteran to it's last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday.
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. It has been in ____. Annually the Post sponsored the Armistice Day Parade. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts.
Registration Of Graves
Since it's inception American Legion Post 336 has been a leader in this community in the area of graves registration; which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in La Crosse County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each Veteran. American Legion Post 336 acquired a burial lot in Onalaska Cemetery and this has been marked by the erection of a massive monument marking it as the burial lot for servicemen without kin. Each year, active members place a flag on each Veteran's grave.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American Legion Post 336 sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.
Join Us and Keep this History Alive