To the editor,
Brian F. Torkildsen recently passed away suddenly and all too soon. Brian was the squadron commander for the Sons of the American Legion Post No. 3 when he died.
I first met Brian during the time when the post was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that period, two of my officers, Paul Krueger and Deborah Krueger, suggested that this was the perfect time to repaint the interior of the Legion Hall. And so, together with other Legionnaires, they volunteered their time and energy and repainted all of the interior of the Legion Hall together with the stairwells. The Kruegers were acquainted with Brian, who was a contractor who asked them if he could help. They asked if he could help with repairing or replacing some of the woodwork and he stated that he could do that, and did. He put in long, unpaid hours renovating and repairing the hall. He didn’t have to, but he did. Further, since he was qualified, he became a SAL (Son of American Legion). He brought over other qualified members who became my infamous Elks in Exile group. Individuals who wanted to make a difference in the community and help veterans. They all became SALs and the squadron grew.
Towards the end of COVID-19, I was looking to continue the Legion’s annual holiday meal program and determined that the kitchen needed some significant renovations. Brian, now the squadron commander, stated that “we can do that” and that’s what the SALs did. They completely renovated and upgraded the kitchen with their labor and support from the Legion. As the holiday meals event drew near, I needed to find new kitchen volunteers especially with the rising number of meal requests, since the post had lost its long time “chef in residence,” John Pasierkbiak. Brian and the SALs stepped up and said “we can do that” and did so with resounding success. For the past two years, they spent long hours during the holidays, in the kitchen and away from their families preparing and cooking over 1,700 meals annually for the three holiday dinners. They didn’t have to but they did.
The pandemic created a real financial impact upon the finances of the Legion and we were looking for ways to raise income. Brian and his squadron stepped forward and stepped up and said “we can do that.” They then successfully sponsored and ran a number of band and comedy events in the Legion Hall with all of the net proceeds going to support the veterans and this post.
Finally, Brian and his squadron got the inspiration to run a free breakfast for veterans on the first Sunday of every month. For the past 18 months, under the leadership of Squadron Commander Torkildsen, that’s exactly what they did. They were in the kitchen first thing on those Sunday mornings, cooking and serving full, free breakfasts to veterans and their spouses. The SALs brought a “can do” attitude and a desire to give back to those who served and who placed themselves in harm’s way for the sake of their nation. It has been a resounding success and growing. What it really did was to provide a time and place where veterans could come together, enjoy a great meal, and more importantly, enjoy the friendship and camaraderie of their fellow veterans in a supportive and secure environment. They didn’t have to but they did. I cannot stress enough how much this has meant to those veterans to have these times with their comrades. These moments are precious and would not have occurred but for Brian.
Brian led by example, he was always there, he always pitched in, and he cared deeply for veterans. These are the true traits of a leader.
This is the Brian Torkildsen that I have come to know. Sadly, and all too soon, Brian was lost to his family, the veterans he helped and supported, and his city. The city lost a shining example of true citizenship, veterans lost a true supporter, and I lost a friend and fellow commander. He will be missed by all.
Mark L. Nestor,
Past Commander,
Capt. Lester S. Wass. American Post 3,
Gloucester
Vietnam Class of ’70