Officers of Albers American Legion Post 1026 conduct the Post Everlasting ceremony. Pictured are (from left): Post Chaplain Brad Albers, past Post Commander Barry Abbott and past Post Adjutant Bud Jansen.    Albers American Legion Stukenberg-Eilermann Post 1026 members held a Post Everlasting ceremony Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Albers Legion Hall.
    The ceremony is held periodically to honor legion members who have passed away “transferring” them to their final posting with their Heavenly Father, the Commander of all. Former Post Commander Barry Abbott officiated the ceremony and was assisted by former Post Adjutant Bud Jansen and Post Chaplain Brad Albers.
Albers Legion members Dale Huegen, Ray Simmons, Maurice Spihlmann, Tamara Farrington and Jay Warren arrange the brazier and rifles during the ceremony. Aaron Netemeyer served as bugler for the ceremony.    Abbott began the ceremony stating, “We come to honor the memory of those who offered their lives in the service of our country and whose souls go marching on, sustained by the pride of service in time of war.”
    The lights in the post building were dimmed, and the service was conducted with the aid of candles.
    Those legionnaires honored were: Aloys E. “Ollie” Timmerman, Jr., William Daniel “Bill” Wilson, Bernard M. Heimann, Richard Schmitt, Sr., Edmund C. “Ed” Jansen, Dennis H. Toennies, Robert B. “Bob” Strieker, Arthur E. “Art” Housman, Dennis J. Rickhoff, Alfred B. “Spilly” Spihlmann, Douglas G. “Doug” Maassen, Albin “Bones” Toennies, and Robert J. “Bob” Kohrmann.
    Abbott concluded the ceremony by stating, “May this service deepen our reverence for our departed comrades.”
    Families of the deceased members were invited to attend the Post Everlasting ceremony and refreshments were served at the conclusion. Along with the families, some current legionnaires attended this final show of respect for their departed comrades.
Albers Legion members during the Post Everlasting ceremony.    The post was chartered in 1946 and is named for United States Navy Reserve Coxswain Harold Stukenberg, and United States Army Pfc. Alphonse Eilermann, Albers residents who were killed in action during World War II.
    Stukenberg was killed in March 1944, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stukenberg, notified of his death in a telegram from Vice Adm. Randall Jacobs, Chief of Navy Personnel.
    Eilermann was with Company F, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, and died in June 1944 in Normandy, France.