2024 John Zgoda Memorial Deer Hunt at Legionville

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 225 and Sons of the American Legion Squad 225 join forces to support the 2024 John Zgoda Memorial Deer Hunt at Legionville

Retired Army veteran and former Legion Department of MN Commander (2023-24) Paul Hassing, supported by his guide, Sons of the American Legion 3rd District VA&R Chair Dave Arend Jr, successfully filled his deer tag.

Paul, grinning broadly, later recalled, “The disabled veterans deer hunt was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. My guide was very knowledgeable and patient. All of the volunteers worked their butts off to make it such a fun and rewarding experience.”

The October 2024 John Zgoda Disabled Veterans Memorial Hunt was a success because the entire Legion Family supported its mission. Members of the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and American Legion Riders came together to make this an unforgettable event for the hunters.  

Six Sons of the American Legion (SAL) members from all over the state guided six disabled veteran hunters during the 2024 John Zgoda Memorial Deer Hunt at the Legionville Education Center near Brainerd MN. Members from American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit 225 and SAL Squad 225 in Forest Lake supported the event and the veteran hunters during the 3-day hunt in October. This year, ALA Unit 225 donated $1000 to support SAL 3rd District Commander Dave Arend Jr’s project to repair and rebuild deer stands on the 610-acre property along North Long Lake. Sherri Hernadez-Neville, ALA Unit 225 Membership Chair, volunteered by cooking for the entire team.  Her husband, SAL Squad 225 Commander and 3rd District Vice Commander and 1st and 3rd Detachment Vice Commander Glen Neville, also helped cook for the event. Both were enthusiastic about the experience, “Come on up! It’s fun and worth the trip. We’ll do it again!” Accept their invitation.

Honoring John Zgoda:

John Zgoda’s father was an Army staff sergeant in WWII. John knew about some of the difficult sacrifices veterans made while serving their country. John and his family experienced their own sacrifices, too, during the war. As a result, John dedicated much of his life to SAL in order to help veterans like his dad. John served as the MN SAL Detachment Commander in 2006-2007. He opened the first deer hunt featuring  SAL squadron members guiding disabled veterans on Legionville grounds in 2007. Zgoda passed away in 2012 from cancer. He was 53 years old. The hunt was named in his honor.

Wendy Arend

American Legion Auxiliary MN District 3

Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation Chair