A first for Waseca American Legion

Shelby Barbknecht of the Waseca American Legion recently got a surprise promotion. In the most recent election, she was voted in as the organization’s chaplain, but when the elected post commander decided to move to Florida, the organization was without a leader. Barbknecht was offered the role, and after some consideration consented to take it.

She expresses regret for what might have been: “I was pretty bummed because I was looking forward to working with him as our new commander, but it’s okay. Things work out like they’re supposed to.”

After officially landing the gig at Post 228, her wheels immediately began turning. They won’t be stopping anytime soon either; not only does she plan to enrich the post’s community connection by hosting meaningful events, she looks forward to the chance to “learn more and grow.

“I also would like to see more members join,” she said. “It would be great if we could get some new, younger members who can bring more ideas to benefit the Legion.”

Aside from these hopes and dreams, she will continue to appreciate the camaraderie of her fellow veterans. For Barbknecht, moments spent together are priceless.

“It probably sounds kinda silly, but the Legion is like a family,” she said. “Everybody kind of takes care of each other.”

In fact, it was the level of teamwork shown in the organization which encouraged her to take the new position. Not feeling pressured into accepting the job made a huge difference as well.

“Gary Bohm (the post’s adjutant) made it clear that I would have a good support system,” she said. “Gary and our previous commander Lamar, they won’t just let me figure everything out on my own.”

In these uncharted waters, Barbknecht does admit that she is a little worried about passing muster. And yet, it doesn’t even seem to phase her that she has broken new ground as Waseca’s first female Post Commander.

“Everybody’s always treated me with respect,” she said. “It’s exciting that we have a female commander but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really make that much of a difference to me. We are still a part of the same team.”

With that in mind, she plans to forge ahead and master each new task as it comes, much like she did in South Korea and Kuwait as an army missile operator.

“Being in the army for 4 years allowed me to see different parts of the world and meet different people from all walks of life,” she said. “I think it’s good for some people to see that we’re pretty lucky here in America. A lot of people in different countries don’t have what we have.”

With her eyes wide open to the world’s struggles, Barbknecht has come to a very firm conclusion: that America is still the best place in the world to live. And as far as the American Legion goes, it’s evident that she thinks very highly of this organization too.

“We host events for senior citizens at the hall and play music for them,” she said. “We keep tabs on veterans who are in nursing homes. If somebody passes away, we send the family a sympathy card. I think everything we do is really cool.”