T-R PHOTO BY RUBY F MCALLISTER Clutier American Legion’s newest member, Pfc. Avery Blocker, center, pictured with Auxiliary Unit members including her grandmother Carolyn Bohnstengel (second from right) on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. Also pictured, Legion Auxiliary members Tina and Diane Caloud (far left), and Collette Wiebbecke (far right) who made the quilt Blocker was gifted.

CLUTIER – Just ahead of Hora-Machacek American Legion Post 453’s Memorial Day flag raising ceremony, Legionnaires and Auxiliary Unit members recently gathered with coffee and donuts inside the post home to honor their newest member, Pfc. Avery Blocker.

As part of the brief ceremony, several Legion Auxiliary members including Blocker’s maternal grandmother Carolyn Bohnstengel, her great-aunt Diane Caloud, and third cousin Collette Wiebbecke presented Blocker with a patriotic-themed quilt embroidered with her name and military service information. While the quilt was presented on behalf of the Clutier Auxiliary Unit, Wiebbecke handcrafted the quilt.

Blocker, the daughter of Melanie Blocker of Tama and Tim Blocker of Toledo, graduated from South Tama County High School in 2024. She is currently serving as a member of the Iowa Army National Guard and resides in Clutier. Blocker joined The American Legion last December and is one of the Clutier post’s youngest members.

When asked why she joined, Blocker said she was both inspired and encouraged to do so by her grandfather, Legionnaire Marvin Bohnstengel.

Following the ceremony, Blocker took her place in the Legion’s honor guard as a flag bearer, participating in the post’s annual Memorial Day services which are conducted at four area cemeteries plus National Cemetery in Vining.

Membership in The American Legion is open to any U.S. veteran who has served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941, and was honorably discharged, or is currently serving active military duty honorably. New members are always welcome and needed.