Though the American Legion has been present in New Richland for 91 years, its building closed last Wednesday and is for sale. The members have no intention of leaving the organization, even if they don’t have a regular place to meet.

“We’ll still keep our charter,” Bud Shurson said. “We’ll never give that up.”

Shurson has been a Legionnaire for 64 years in New Richland. Post 75 will remain intact as they examine their options.

“Maybe we’ll still meet at the Legion Hall,” Shurson said.

While Post 75 needs to find a place to meet members also need to find a buyer for its building.

“We’ve got to try to sell this one first,” Shurson said. “When there’s no money coming in it’s hard to buy anything.”

Geoffrey Jessen, a Legionnaire for about 33 years, said he liked the Legion compared to the other choices in town.

“It was nicer and quieter, and I was more comfortable being there,” Jessen said.

Jessen hopes the Legion finds a buyer who will continue to use the space as a bar and restaurant.

“I hope that something happens soon to get it back up and serving the community,” Jessen said. “We just can’t do it ourselves anymore.”

Another Legionnaire, Orrin Ribbe, said the community used the Legion for activities, dances and meetings.

“The community itself is going to miss the club,” Ribbe said.

New Richland’s American Legion started after World War I and is named after Andrew Borgen, a World War I veteran. The American Legion’s honor guard has also been active in the area.

“We do a wonderful job at military funerals,” Ribbe said.