Post 217 Legion Officers: 2027
Commander: Mary Ann Wink Kline
Sr. Vice Commander:
Jr. Vice Commander: Michael Schlegel Sr.
Adjutant: Charlie Ackermann
Finance Officer: Darin Kemp
Service Officer: Darin Kemp
Chaplain: Charles Ackerman
Judge Advocate: Vacant
Sgt. at Arms: Rich Bryan
Sgt. at Arms: Marty Loch
Sgt. at Arms: Harry Rinker
Historian: Harry Rinker
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Honor Guard Coordinator: Charles Ackerman
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Webmaster: Marty Loch
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Commander Mary Ann Wink Kline
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Mary Ann went into the Navy Boot Camp in March of 1974. Then she attended Corpsman School.
She had some difficulty grasping the medical math and therefore was reassigned to Helicopter Combat Support
Squadron 6. She did 1st Lt. duties at the chowhall as a receptionist. She worked for the Senior Chief and Master
Chief Petty officers of the Command. After being struck with Mono nucleosis, she went to work
as a counselor in Human relations until a transfer to Helicopter Captains School right before her discharge.
Since her discharge, Mary Ann has done odd and ends jobs. She worked for St. Joseph's Hospital for 15 years.
She attended BTI for Medical Assisting and used that degree for 6 years before her retirement. She currently has
33 years with Ray A Master American Legion Post 217 and has held many different positions. She has been part of
our Honor Guard for over 20 years, a Trustee, Auxiliary member, Sr. Vice Commander, Post Chaplain, and also was
a part of the Sisters of 1776 (when they existed).
Mary Ann is our first woman Commander at Ray A Master and is committed to making the Post everything it can be.
She is here for the Legionnaires and all of the members. She is actively involved in everything that happens at the post
and will always lend an ear when she is needed. Please say hello and congratulations to her when you see her!
Charlie Ackerman enlisted in the United States Army in 1967, where he was trained as a Field Radio Repair Technician. Following his initial training, he was assigned to Texas to establish a radio repair facility before being transferred to Germany. There, he supervised a five-person field radio repair shop until December 1969, when he was promoted to the rank of Specialist (E-5) and soon received orders for Vietnam.
While serving at Long Binh Depot, Spec 5 Ackerman initially repaired mobile communications before transferring to company supply operations. In mid-1970, he was attached to the 1st Cavalry Division, supporting operations that extracted personnel from the Ho Chi Minh Trail in southern Cambodia.
After completing his military service, Ackerman utilized the GI Bill to earn a degree in Electronics Engineering. He spent nearly 30 years with Air Products & Chemicals in Research and Development, where he designed and fabricated electronic/electrical control systems. Following his retirement, he returned to the company for 10 years as a consultant and subject matter expert within its corporate university, teaching technical courses. He later developed college-level curriculum and was an adjunct professor teaching Process Control Theory at Northampton Community College.
Charlie is a Life Member, Standards collaborator and former Executive Board member of ISA, (the International Society of Automation) reflecting his longstanding commitment to the instrumentation and automation profession.
In 2010, he joined the Topton American Legion Post 217, where he has become an active leader and dedicated volunteer. He has served as an Honor Guard member, bus driver, Honor Guard Captain, and Post Chaplain, officiating numerous funeral and memorial services for veterans and their families.
As Adjutant, Charlie is committed to strengthening the Post's programs, supporting its members, and continuing to build the Post's reputation as a respected and valued organization within the local community.
When you see the bus coming through town, or the Honor Guard is coming through at the parade or special event, Say Hi to Charlie and Congratulate him for another year as Post 217 Adjutant! Thank you Charlie!!