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At the Department of Minnesota Convention in July, Bloomington Post 550’s own Paul Hassing was elected department commander. Here, his wife, Unit 550 President Jody Hassing, places a white Legion cover upon his head.
REDWOOD FALLS — Past Department Membership Director, Past State American Legion Riders Director and Past 10th District Commander Paul Hassing of Bloomington Post 550 was elected department commander on July 15, the final day of the 104th Department of Minnesota Convention.
“Somebody just told me that when you get to this level, you should no longer be nervous up here. I beg to differ,” he said.
Hassing also is a past Post 550 commander. (See photos on front.)
Hassing is the second department commander hailing from Post 550. The first was Marvin F. Gerdesmeier, who served in the role in 1976-77. He was a Marine veteran of the Korean era. He was the owner-operator of Marv’s Blacktopping Service in Bloomington. He had been membership director the prior year, and he served as 10th District commander in 1967. His wife was Elaine.
Hassing has been married to his wife, Jody, for 15 years. They have five children and eight grandchildren. She is president of Bloomington Unit 550.
Paul Hassing retired from the Army Reserve in June with 32 years of service, though he still does some post-retirement work for the Army Reserve.
He has been deployed multiple times during the Global War on Terrorism. He has combat tours in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. In addition, he deployed to Papua New Guinea on a humanitarian mission.