The Fargo
Fargo Legionnaire
Fargo, North Dakota
January - February  2005

Commander's Message
Wayne Wermager

Happy New Year!!!! On behalf of your Commander, your officers, and your fellow Legionnaires, we wish you all the best in 2005. As the new year begins, we look forward to the exciting challenges and opportunities before us.

Our immediate challenge is to renew and recruit Legionnaires. Our membership goal, according to the department headquarters, is 1850 members. This is a very achievable number. There are eligible veterans in our community who have not been asked to join the American Legion. Each of us must extend the invitation to join us in service to our Post, The American Legion, and our country.

Another challenge is to reach our Capital Campaign goal of $550,000. We already received $16,000 in donations and pledges toward this goal. I respectfully encourage you to make your pledge to our future now. Upon completion of this renovation project, we will have a more welcoming and efficient building in which to conduct our American Legion business and enjoy social and fellowship events.

Still another challenge is to involve more Legionnaires in our many projects. We need leaders and volunteers to meet the demands of our existing programs and those that lie before us in the future. Volunteerism is the lifeblood of the American Legion and we appreciate any Legionnaire's gift of time and talent. Our desire is to have every Legionnaire do something so a few Legionnaires won't have to do everything.

I am pleased to announce that Post #2 will host National Commander Thomas P. Cadmus at a breakfast in Patriot Hall on February 3, 2005 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. More information on the National Commander's visit will be forthcoming. Commander Cadmus will share an address and take questions about the American Legion. Please attend and encourage your fellow Legionnaires to attend as well.

Finally, I want to personally thank you for your support and cooperation as I reach the midpoint of my term as your Commander. I am humbled by your enthusiasm, commitment, and service to Post #2. I am encouraged by your energy going into the new year. I can confidently say, there is success aplenty ahead of us. Be a part of it as we continue the proud tradition of The American Legion.

Auxiliary President's Message
LaVonne Matthews

Hello and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a good holiday season. I want to thank Barb Nash for putting the Christmas party together. I hope all that attended enjoyed themselves.

On December 8th, the Gift Shop was held at the VA Hospital in Fargo. We helped over 70 patients pick out gifts for themselves and their family members. I would like to send a special thank you to Barb Useldinger and Betty Hughes for their dedication to that project. What a great endorsement for the American Legion Auxiliary organization. Thank you, too, to Santa's Helpers, who helped with the patients' shopping and wrapping. It was a fun day.

Our January meeting will be the joint meeting with the Post on January 4th at 7:30. I hope you can come to this meeting as it will be a bit different from the past joint meetings. There is a special program planned for the evening.

Winter Conference is February 4th, 5th, and 6th at the Doublewood Inn in Bismarck. The National President, Sandi Dutton will be attending this year. North Dakota is very lucky to have her for the full weekend. Room reservations need to be to Myrna in the State office by January 1st.

Thank you to all who have called for patterns for the ditty bags, wheelchair bags, slippers, and lap robes. I have patterns if you still want to get in on this project.

Once again, if you haven't renewed your membership as of yet, please do so as soon as you can. If you know of any eligible members, bring them down to the Club on New Years Day and we'll sign them up! We will be having a membership table set up from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Here is the calendar of events for January and February:

January 3rd - 7 p.m. - Board Meeting 
January 4th - 7:30 p.m. - Joint Meeting 
January 31st - 7 p.m. - Board Meeting 
February 8th - 7:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

LaVonne Matthews
President, Unit #2

Hello Everyone:

Happy Holidays! The 40 et 8 and I hope all your days in 2005 are spectacular.

Don Schwinden, Chef de Gare

Happy New Year!!!

Come on down to the Legion and bring in the New Year with your friends and fellow Legionnaires.

On New Year's Eve the American Legion will be having a disc jockey and Karaoke starting at 8:30 pm.

The Legions infamous Oyster Stew and Sloppy Joe's will be served from noon until gone on New Year's Day. The Colonel's will also be playing from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Come on Down and Shake a Leg!

2005 New Members and Transfers

The American Legion Gilbert C. Grafton Post No.2 would like to welcome the following new members and transfers to our post. 

Attend the Post Meetings on the First Tuesday of Every Month at 7:30 pm.

The members of The American Legion staff and management
would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

Attention: In accordance with North Dakota Charitable Gaming Regulations, American Legion Club notifies its membership that the organization's cash profit; cash long or short; net proceeds expenses, if any; reimbursement of excess expenses, if applicable; and a list of eligible use contributions is available for review. The information is available at the American Legion Club, 505 3rd Ave N,. Fargo, 8am - 4:30pm, Mon.-Fri. (701)237-4013