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American Legion Post 56 is introducing a new campaign in June that post leaders hope will increase patriotism in the community, while also allowing the Legion to continue to serve.

Called the Patriots Club, the program asks people to donate at one of four levels: bronze, $100; silver, $500; gold, $1,000; or platinum, $5,000.

Donors at the bronze and silver levels will receive certificates, while donors at the gold and platinum levels will receive plaques and certificates.

“We think patriotism is extremely important,” said one organizer, Al Arends, who noted that being a patriot includes anyone who has a love of country.

Legion Post 56 Cmdr. Ole Olson said ideas for the campaign started when they started thinking about what is going to happen when they have all died and who will be flying the flag, so to speak, in the future.

There are many things the American Legion is a part of, whether it be for veterans or for children in the community. And it is all done by volunteers.

Olson said after the last military conflict they haven’t received an influx of volunteers.

“When this generation is gone, who’s going to carry on?” he asked.

There are over 2,000 veterans in Freeborn County, and the Albert Lea American Legion has over 440 members. At one time, there were as many as 1,400.

There are also Legion posts in Alden, Freeborn, Glenville, Hartland and Emmons in Freeborn County.

Arends said they plan to reach out to the outlying posts to see if they might also want to participate in the effort, with the funds they raise going to support their posts.

Arends some of the funds raised will go toward keeping the doors open, but they also hope the funds can help them continue to do things such as donating to the high school robotics and trapshooting teams, as well as things like Legion baseball.

“We hope the community really gets behind ‘I Am a Patriot’ and we elevate the importance of our flag to our young people,” Arends said. “An American patriot is never relieved of his duty to serve his country.”

Organizers are looking to have a yearly renewal for participants.

Arends and Olson said they hope to have a ceremony to recognize those who become part of the Patriots Club. They are also figuring out a way to display the names of those who join the Patriots Club, and they are planning on handing out decals as well.

Donations can be made out to Post 56-The Patriot Club.

The effort will officially begin June 14 — Flag Day. They plan to start a new Facebook page centered around the effort and may even have some door-to-door sales.