Commander’s Welcome

Operating Engineers Local Post 139 was established when its first slate of officers was elected at the Department Headquarters in Portage, Wisconsin, at the September 30, 2016, inaugural meeting. As we approach our ninth anniversary, it’s easy to reflect on our meaningful impact. During the initial years, we built upon the strong foundation we laid, which ultimately led to the creation of Post 139.

There were more than a few skeptics with a bit of curiosity about us and our mission. I can proudly say that curiosity has cleared through our commitment to issues that impact our members and others in the veteran community of Wisconsin and beyond.

Our first stance was letting the public and our legislators in Madison know that certain measures being contemplated inside the halls of our state capitol threatened our members’ ability to earn a livable wage to support their families.  Though this did not go in our favor in the end, our message stood solid on our Post’s common beliefs.

We didn’t stop there. We built upon our roots by continuing to lead building efforts at Camp American Legion, located near Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin. We have volunteered hundreds of hours, which resulted in constructing a veterans’ memorial wall. This wall is located at the trailhead of Gary Wetzel Way. It is a place of solace and solemn reverence for anyone who visits. There is a place to leave behind a token of remembrance for friends and loved ones of our dearly departed comrades.

Camp is where we started and is a source of pride for our Post, but Camp is only one of the many places we are called to serve. Through the collective efforts of our supporting partners, we have also been involved elsewhere throughout the State. Veterans Outreach Wisconsin’s James A. Peterson Veteran Village (vetsoutreachwi.us) of Racine is another organization we have helped. By getting some of the tiny houses that other organizations constructed offsite, moved and set to their permanent location, and collected food items and monetary funds to support their onsite pantry operations.

We have been at the King, WI Veterans home for the American Legion Department of Wisconsin’s annual pilgrimage; advocated for the mission of Camp American Legion with our entry into the yearly Appleton Flag Day Parade; participated in color guard duties; hosted the first annual Waushara County Veterans Picnic; participated in the setting of flagpoles at two local cemeteries and many other activities that have earned the respect of many throughout our statewide veteran’s community. All of these and more we will continue to do.

Since 2018, we have co-hosted the Local 139 Poker Run with the Operating Engineers Local 139.  All proceeds for this event go to Hogs for Heroes, which assists in getting Veterans back out on the road by awarding them a motorcycle. Through this event, the Local has donated over $200,000. Partnering with the leadership of Local 139 has allowed us to extend our reach, impacting more veterans than we have ever thought possible.

 Thank you for taking the time to give us a look.

 Count on seeing more of us in the future.

Sincerely,

Brian Swearingen

Post Commander

American Legion Post 139

We rely on the support of our community to make a difference in the lives of veterans. There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering your time to making a donation. Join us in our mission to empower veterans for a brighter future.

Our programs have helped countless veterans achieve their goals and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Read some of our success stories and see the impact that Operating Engineers American Legion Post 139 has had on the lives of veterans.

We host events throughout the year to bring the community together and raise awareness about the challenges facing veterans. From fundraisers to job fairs, there are many ways to get involved and show your support.