Message From Our Chaplain

Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460

Veteran-Owned and Serving You Since 1902

At Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460, we know how much it means to serve. As a veteran-owned organization, we are committed to meeting the needs of those in our community. We’ve been open since 1902, and that means we’ve spent over 120 years helping people right here in Solon, IA.

As part of our mission, we are open to the public for meals, special events, and more. To learn more about Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 and what we’re all about, read this recent letter from our chaplain from December 2024.

A Message From Chaplain Doug Thompson

I recently came across the name August Landmesser, his picture was captured in a photograph that was taken in 1936 during a rally celebrating the launching of the new war ship Horst Wessel. What makes August stand out in the photograph of the throng of people giving the stiff-armed Nazi salute, August is standing there with his arms crossed in silent defiance of Hitler. August wasn't always against Hitler. In fact, he had joined the Nazi party in 1931, and he was rapidly ascending the ranks of the Nazi party. That is, until 1935, when he fell in love with Irma Eckler, a Jewish woman. August became engaged to Irma, but under German law, they could not be legally married. Because of his refusal to stop seeing Irma, he was banished from the Nazi party.

In 1937, August attempted to flee to Denmark with Irma and their one-year-old daughter Ingrid. Unfortunately, they were stopped at the border and August was arrested. He was charged with breaking the Nuremberg law "dishonoring the race." One year later he was acquitted of the charge due to lack of evidence, but was given a stern court warning not to have any contact with Irma. Refusing to abandon Irma or Ingrid he ignored the Nazi court order. August was so defiant he was openly seen in public with Irma and Ingrid. He was arrested in 1938, convicted and sentenced to three years of hard labor in a concentration camp. Several months after August's conviction, the now pregnant Irma was arrested by the state police. She was sent to an all-women's concentration camp where she gave birth to their second daughter, Irene. After the birth of Irene, Irma was transferred to an euthanasia camp where she was murdered along with 14,000 other people. The two girls were placed in an orphanage. Later, Ingrid was allowed to live with her grandmother, and Irene was placed in foster care.

August was released after he completed his three-year sentence. He worked odd jobs wherever he could find them. Then in 1944, he was drafted into the German army and was sent to Croatia. Several months later he was declared Missing In Action, six months before Germany surrendered unconditionally to the allied forces. In 1949 August was officially declared killed in action.

Irene and Ingrid both survived the war and would later be reunited. The sisters remained close over the years.

The war ship Horst Wessel became a U.S. war prize. The ship is still used to this day by the U.S. Coast Guard as a training vessel.

The spoils of war go to the victors. The spoils of freedom go to those who stand against evil.

Doug Thompson, Chaplain dotandjot@aol.com