The 6th District is comprised of 70 posts from Elk River to Baudette, Crosby-Ironton to Zimmerman. Its membership totals about 17,712 veterans.
"As commander it is my job to promote Legion programs and growth within the organization. There is a lot of potential that has not even been tapped yet. There are more than 35,000 veterans in the 6th District that are not members of a Legion post. Many have never even been approached to become members," he emphasized.
Philabaum stressed, "We need to instill in the younger veterans that the Legion is not an "old boys club." We need encourage the younger people to step forward and be a part of a great organization."
Philabaum served as a hospital corpsman in the Vietnam war from 1968 to 1972 and joined the Legion upon his discharge, 25 years ago. He is a former Waite Park Legion member and is presently a member of the Lake Henry Legion Post 612. Philabaum says he has worked his way up the ladder in the Legion. He has served a vice commander and commander of the Lake Henry Legion, served as the West Stearns County Council Commander, district membership director and now commander.
Philabaum works as in acquisition and materials management at the Veterans Administration in St. Cloud.
Philabaum stressed it is not the building that makes the Legion but the members and how effective they work together.
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