Montezuma family donates land, makes new American Legion Hall possible

6/20/2021

Thanks to the generosity of a Montezuma family, the Blakely-Stevens Post 169 of the American Legion now has a building site for their purposed new legion post.
The grandchildren of the late Cloyd M. and Francis Carl, Scott, Kevin and Kerri Carl, donated two acres of the original Henry F. Carl farm to the Montezuma American Legion and Auxiliary family in a brief late afternoon ceremony on Thursday, June. 10.
The two acres are directly east of the MidAmerican building at 705 E. Jefferson St. on the north side of the road. The site, which is staked with markers, is currently being used for agriculture purposes.
“We grandchildren are donating these two acres on behalf of our grandfather, Cloyd M. Carl, who was a Montezuma American Legion and VFW member for many years,” Kerri told the gathering of 25 plus legion and auxiliary members at the site of what will be the new home of the legion hall. “Our hopes are that this will help the Montezuma American Legion build a new home and the Montezuma American Legion will be around for many more years to come.”
“The Montezuma American Legion and Auxiliary cannot begin to thank Kerri, Kevin and Scott Carl, the grandchildren of Cloyd and Francis Carl, for their generosity in providing this two acres for a building site of our purposed new legion post,” said Ron Hensel, Montezuma American Legion Commander. “Cloyd, being a veteran, and his wife, Francis, a long-time member of the Montezuma American Legion Auxiliary, along with her daughter and Francis’ granddaughters being members, makes this very special.”
Hensel said once the building is constructed on the new site, a plaque honoring Cloyd and Francis will be placed in the new legion hall.
Kerri said the gift was a way for her family to say ‘Thank You’ to those who have served this great country of the United States of America in the past, present and future.
“Thank you for your service,” Kerri said on behalf of her and her brothers, Scott and Kevin.
“We Legionnaires and members of the Auxiliary say, ‘Thank You’ to the Carl grandchildren for such a wonderful and heart felt way of honoring your grandparents,” noted Hensel. “Their legacy will live on in recognition of this ground and building.”
Hensel said the Montezuma American Legion and Auxiliary will now begin the task of raising funds for the building through fundraising, grants and donations.
“It is hoped that the building can be used by community groups and members of the greater Montezuma community,” said Hensel.

1 Comment

Shane Carl

6/27/2021 05:27:35 am

V.F.W.= VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS and/or VICTIMS OF FAMILY WARS? I clearly fall into the latter one. AMERICAN, what does that mean to you? Baseball, football, nights watching sunsets? In Iowa running to the highest point when the sky turns green? Corn,beans and hogs and cattle? Just some of the things that come to mind, but the unity, the ties, all of you,us, the thread of the bread basket of this great country, it's people who have given it all, life. But the biggest is FAMILY, or so I believe. Some will wonder just who is he? I am the adopted brother, it comes with no joy, or benefits....as you can see. Not one mention of me, can not even get a phone call from ol blonde, I should say that platinum blonde thing I was so proud of and told the whole school about, big brother, forgotten, thrown out as trash, because as she puts it, I live in the past. My past has haunted me, anger, and even some dependencies. But as you see, being American means honesty. This will be the last you all ever here from me, but if we are going to be American as my sister wanted all to see, I don't want to hand out or charity, I know how to work, that farm taught that best believe. But these same folk you give the article to, don't get me wrong, nice community jesture and of course, Old Swede would have wanted it too. A good breed that Swede, taught me what I know as decency.(though questioned by some about now) I can not sit back and hear the this about being American, cause I fight different wars then some of you, I believe in integrity, morals and the right thing you do. I do things on the home front, legally. That great right to challenge our accuser's, that little part that makes the American in me. So Kerri or Kevin or whatever family you say you be, I can't tell. I barely started talking to one brother, but that is because he understands me, as I do him. This was only backed with what the meaning of the red,white and blue stood for.......maybe some would of known what this is really for. The facade, the stage in what it should be and what it really should mean. RESPECTING their community,heritage, being proud, standing tall as we all should be, but there I am, just the "lost" brother that most have never heard of me. I too am a part of that community, it's my strengths and the demons that haunt me, yes, I too am raised but chose to run away from MONTE, Family, that is the square root of America as it can be, ask blonde the last time we spoke, or if she plans or planned in the future to contact me? Kevin too, or other family, Scott has, cause he understands being an outcast, but none of you really know me, hell not even family, and if that's American, I will eat my undershorts, we need to get to the core of being American, call that person, family or friend(s), tell them what you mean to them, being real, not afraid, speaking your mind and not giving a damn if you offend someone, cause someone will be for sure. Get thicker skin, confront it, challenge it, but don't treat it as it don't exist no more....it don't go away, not if your rich or your.......poor. I may not be pockets bulging with monetary things, but I pray to my God, the one that's accepting, when anyone hears my name...... He was a good man, that is all I want those left hearing. The joy of being American, freedom of press. Some may not like what I have said, frankly don't give a damn, but as old Swede taught me, stand up for what's right, stand up for what you believe is right.....and stand up for family! As you all can see, I get out on a back closet shelf, no one hears or sees of me. Which is terrible cause these same people who are judging me, are the first ones to leave me. And that is not what Americans do, we leave no soldier behind, I just fight a different battle, maybe even battle lines too, I am your community also, and related to these folk even though they don't care to mention me. will not even call or break bread with me, cause you see, Being American is dead and all about feelings and gloating

Montezuma family donates land, makes new American Legion Hall possible

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