New Montezuma American Legion Building slated for construction this year

By J.O. Parker
 
        Ron Hensel, owner of Ron’s Barbershop on the Montezuma Square, had just finished his last haircut of the day on Friday a week ago when a friend stopped by to say hello.
         “How’s the new legion hall coming?” the friend asked. 
         “I can see light at the end of tunnel,” Ron said, while sweeping the floor of the day’s clippings and giving a slight smile.
         Hensel, who has served as the Montezuma Blakely-Stevens American Legion Post 169 Commander since 2010, has a reason to smile.
        Building plans on the newly proposed 40-foot by 70-foot American Legion Hall are done and are currently out for bid letting.
         “We hope to have bids returned to us by the end of February,” said Hensel.
          Bushong Construction of Montezuma designed the building plans.
          An estimated cost of the project was not available at press time.
          Hensel said the goal is to have the new building ready by Veteran’s Day 2024.
         The proposed building will be located at 803 E. Jefferson in Montezuma on two-acres of land donated in June 2021 by the grandchildren of the late Cloyd and Frances Carl.
     The new metal building will feature a brick façade and include a kitchen, storage and HVAC room, meeting/banquet space, restrooms, coat closet and social area. The building will be ADA compliant.
       The new building will replace a much smaller space located on the north end of the Memorial Hall in Montezuma.
        Funding for the project has come from several sources, including the sale of land owned by the American Legion west of Lake Ponderosa.
        Other funds have come from an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grant through the Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors. In addition, the American Legion received a sizeable grant from the Poweshiek County Alliance Grant in 2023. Hensel said the American Legion has applied for a similar grant for 2024.
         The Legion is also working with the USDA on a grant that will be used for water runoff.
         “We’ve had a lot of generous gifts and donations for the building project,” said Hensel.
         The idea for the building is to have a larger space for meetings and community events.
      Hensel said plans are to allow the community to use the facility for parties, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, family gatherings, meetings, etc.
Community minded
        Hensel and the Montezuma American Legion have been instrumental in numerous community activities, events and improvements in recent years.
       In 2013, after learning about the Freedom Rock Tour, Hensel approached the city council in regards to giving the Freedom Rock a home in Montezuma. The city wrote a check the next day and became the first city in the county to secure the rock.
       A rock was found north of town and set up 0n the southeast corner of the Courthouse Square. It was painted in August 2016.
      Four years ago, Hensel said the American Legion started having meals prior to monthly meetings prepared by Legion Auxiliary members. Legion members pay for the meals.
         The move was a win, win for both groups. It put money in the Auxiliary coffers and increased attendance at Legion meetings.
      “That really helped the women in the Auxiliary,” said Hensel. “They had no money and now they have some money to do projects with.”
       Legion members are regulars at the Summer Nights programs where they sell sliced watermelon and root beer floats to raise building funds.
         And Hensel and the American Legion started a car show in Montezuma in September 2022. Hensel and the Legion brought the show back in 2023 and it drew 180 vehicles of all kinds. Plans are underway to host the 2024 show in late September. 
         “It’s growing every year,” said Hensel of the car show.
         In addition, the Legion has had 10 members participate in the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with one member slated to participate in the flight in May of this year.
         The Legion is also involved in Veteran’s Day programing and hosting the annual Memorial Day Services. They also are charged with placing flags around the square and in the local cemeteries on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and for special occasions. And Legion members present arms at deceased veteran’s funerals.
         And in February 2023, a Sons of American Legion Chapter was formed in Montezuma. It was created for sons and grandsons of military persons to gain membership in the American Legion. The Sons of America Legion’s most recent project was the Wreathes Across America event on Dec. 16. Family members of deceased veterans could purchase a wreath and have it placed on their grave in Montezuma and at area cemeteries.
        Hensel said the  Montezuma American Legion also has the largest membership in Poweshiek County with 94 members and the Sons of American Legion has 45 members.
       “It’s been a lot of hard work, but fulfilling to see our work becoming a reality,” said Hensel of the building project.
Donations
     If you would like to donate to the new American Legion Hall project, send checks to the Montezuma American Legion, P.O. Box 789, Montezuma, IA 50171. The American Legion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, making all donations tax deductible. 

​       Ron Hensel, commander of the Montezuma Blakely-Stevens American Legion Post 169, speaks during the 2023 Montezuma Memorial Day services. Hensel is leading the charge to build a new American Legion Hall on two-acres of donated land at 803 E. Jefferson in Montezuma. Plans are finished and are currently out for bid letting. Plans are to have the building finished by Veteran’s Day 2024.