By Sarah Light, staff writer

After almost 50 years of involvement on the local, state and national levels of the Eagles Club, Albert Lean Ron Sorenson has been inducted into the Fraternal Order of Eagles National Hall of Fame.

Sorenson, who has served as officer, trustee and president of the Albert Lea Eagles No. 2258, said he first got involved with the organization because it was something his parents had been a part of.

In addition to his local duties with the Eagles, over the years Sorenson has served in several positions on the state level for the group, including positions as state president and treasurer, and as the president of the North Central region.

He has also served as a member of the Albert Lea Eagles Rituals team and is currently serving as the national Rituals chairman.

&8220;I was overwhelmed to begin with and very grateful,&8221; Sorenson said, of receiving the national honor. &8220;It&8217;s a good group of people to work with.&8221;

Sorenson has also been involved with one of the organization&8217;s charities, &8220;Home on the Range,&8221; a program for at-risk children in Sentinel Butte, N.D.

&8220;Personally, I think he&8217;s a big asset to our club, and we&8217;d be very lost without him &8212; there&8217;s no doubt about that,&8221; said Gary Cunningham, fellow Eagles member and past president. &8220;We really are very proud of him.&8221;

Sorenson said receiving the recognition was a surprise. His wife knew beforehand that he would receive the honor, but he did not.

He said over the years he has most enjoyed helping with the organization&8217;s fundraisers.

&8220;I enjoy working with all of the Eagles because they are such hard workers,&8221; he said.