Nation of Patriots receive donations for 2016 tour

Published 9:35 am Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Dustin Garduno, master of the Western Star Lodge, presents a $250 donation to Mark Harig from the Nation of Patriots. - Provided

Dustin Garduno, master of the Western Star Lodge, presents a $250 donation to Mark Harig from the Nation of Patriots. – Provided

During a recent Western Star Lodge No. 26 meeting, the Nation of Patriots received two $250 donations for the its 2016 tour.

One $250 check was presented to Nation of Patriots volunteer Mark Harig from Western Star Lodge.

The second $250 check was presented to Chuck Paczkowski, who is a member of Western Star Lodge and also volunteers with the Nation of Patriots. The second donation was from Minnesota Masonic Charities and was a matching funds donation sought out by Western Star Lodge No. 26.

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According to a press release, the Nation of Patriots 2016  Tour departed Saturday from Madison, Wisconsin, on its 100 day escort of a flag flown in combat throughout the 48 states. The Tour ends on Labor Day when the flag.returns home to Wisconsin.

The Nation of Patriots is an all volunteer 501(c) (3) entity. No administrative costs are deducted allowing 100 percent of funds raised to be awarded to combat wounded veterans and their families. Award presentations occur after the tour ends, typically in November of each year.

Albert Lea  Nation of Patriots will receive the flag this year at about 12:15 p.m. Aug. 31 at Bergdale Harley Davidson in Albert Lea. Albert Lea volunteers will then escort the flag to Ames, Iowa. The group will depart at 9 a.m. Sept. 1 from Bergdale’s.