Watertown Man Elected New South Dakota American Legion State Commander

Denny Brenden graduated from High School in Hayti, SD, in 1968. Following graduation, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served one year in Vietnam as a rifleman.

Denny is a 48-year continuous member of The American Legion and is currently a member of Codington County American Legion Post #17 in Watertown, SD. Denny is a life member of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Marine Corps League. He is also a member of the 40&8.

In other convention action, the assembled delegates elected two State Vice Commanders for the organization. Those elected were Ed Thompson of Hot Springs and Ed Stringer of Hartford. Verle Whipple of Clear Lake was re-elected as the Department Sergeant-At-Arms.

Commander Brenden appointed Gene Opbroek of Fort Pierre to a one-year term as Department Membership Chairman; Travise Flisrand of Watertown to a one-year term as Public Relations Officer; and Larry Klumb of Ethan to a one-year term as Department Chaplain.

Steve Houston of Milbank was elected to a four-year term as a member of The American Legion State Finance Commission.

Mark Sumner was selected as The American Legion Department of South Dakota Legionnaire of the Year at the convention. Mark is a member of Codington County Post 17 of Watertown.

The Robert C. Gabrielson Memorial Leadership Award was presented to Fred Nelson of Spearfish, SD. The Robert C. Gabrielson Memorial Leadership Award is named in the memory of Past American Legion State Commander Robert C. Gabrielson of Hoven, SD. Gabrielson served in numerous leadership capacities for The American Legion at the local Post, District, State and National levels. The award is to recognize one Legionnaire on an annual basis for sustained, superior and inspirational leadership.

The American Legion is the largest war-time veteran service organization in South Dakota with over 18,000 members serving in 240 local American Legion Posts across the state.