The Fargo
Fargo Legionnaire
Fargo, North Dakota
May-June 2004

Commander's Message
Cathy Keogh

"The test before us as a people is not whether our commitments match our will and our courage; but whether we have the will and the courage to match our commitments." - Lyndon B. Johnson

This Memorial Day weekend the Nation again is able to show our gratitude to the "Greatest Generation" when the World War II Memorial is dedicated on May 29.  As we welcome home veterans from "Enduring Freedom" we know that they too have made the sacrifices that deserve the thanks from a grateful nation.

Please plan on attending the May and June meeting nights.  In May we will have the "Post Everlasting", a ceremony to remember our fellow legionnaires who have died this past year.  We also will be honoring those legionnaires who have made the 50 year and 60 year milestone in their membership and commitment to the American Legion.  In June we will be installing the new leadership for Post #2.

As we look back at this past year we have seen some positive changes within our Post and Club.  Thank you to the volunteers and the many hours you have given to make this an active post dedicated to the veteran and the community.  A special thank you to President LaVonne Matthews and the auxiliary for the service projects that you do and the assistance given to the Legion programs.  The dedication of the Vice Commanders, Adjutant, Finance Officer and Executive Committee is evident in the many hours behind the scenes given to promote and protect the welfare of Post #2.  A very special thanks to the Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band for providing music for many of the special events and as always before our post meetings.

We continue to need to look at safeguarding the future of Gilbert C. Grafton Post #2.  Membership is key to our continuing the fine traditions and beginning new ones.  All we need to do is "ASK".  I challenge all of us to find one new member this year!!  Is there a way you can help?  Have you found the Legion program, event you would like to volunteer for?  Get involved!!!

This has been an honor for me to serve as your Commander this past year.  I have much respect and gratitude to my fellow Legionnaires who have helped and guided me.  Thank you to my husband and daughter who have supported me during all my endeavors.

As we approach Memorial Day let us remember: "That is what Memorial Day symbolizes - a time Americans take a clear look at both our past and our future.  One day each year, when we acknowledge the debt we owe to those men and women who - because they so cherished peace - chose to live as warriors."  Deborah Y Parker, Public Affairs Office

Auxiliary President's Message
LaVonne Matthews

There are a lot of things happening in May and June in Unit #2.  May is Poppy Month.  Michele Olson is working on getting everything ready for Poppy Day May 15th.  Be sure to get your poppy and wear it proudly!

On May 29th, the dedication for the WWII Memorial will be held in Washington, D.C.  A prayer breakfast and appreciation for WWII Veterans is being planned locally at the Post.  There will be more information on this as the date gets closer.  Please plan on spending part of your day at the Post honoring those WWII Veterans.

The nominating committee, Betty Stone, Betty Hughes, and Barb Useldinger, have presented the following slate of officers for 2004-2005:

Congratulations and thank you to the officers for the next year.

Our May meeting will be a busy one with the Memorial Service, the election of officers and the annual White Elephant sale.  Be sure to bring your treasures!

Unit #2 will be sponsoring 13 girls to Flickertail Girls State in June.  We were able to send 11 due to Mo Woodbury's hard work, and thanks to the Jamestown Unit who had extra funding we were able to sponsor two more girls.  It will be fun to hear their experiences at the September meeting.  Our Unit will also be sponsoring young musicians to attend International Music Camp in June.  We will get to hear their adventures at the October meeting.

I would like to thank everyone for being so helpful to me when I had questions this past year.  It makes the position so much easier when you have experience to turn to.

Regular meetings: Tuesday, May 11th at 7:30pm and Tuesday, June 8th at 6:00pm

Thank you.
LaVonne Mathews, Unit #2 Auxiliary President 

Attention WWII Veterans and Families

Gilbert C. Grafton Post #2 would like to invite veterans and families to a Day of Recognition.  On Saturday, May 29th the National World War II Memorial will be dedicated in Washington, DC.  You are invited to the Post for a prayer breakfast from 8:00am to 10:45am.  There will be a small fee for the breakfast.  There will be a big screen TV to watch a live broadcast of the dedication.  The broadcast of the National Dedication ceremony will begin at 1:00pm our time, preceded by two hours of music and entertainment.  Certificate of Appreciation, for your service during will be presented from 10:30 to 11:00am.  The Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band will be performing at Post #2 from 11:00am-12:00noon.  

Hanson-Runsvold is also presenting the live broadcast of the WWII dedication at The Fargo Theater.  This event is free but seating is limited and WWII Veterans and their families will receive first priority.  The tickets are available a Post #2 and other veterans organizations.

We ask that all WWII Veterans or family members RSVP to Post #2 so we can personalize the Certificate of Appreciation and to get a count of people who will attend the breakfast.

The American Legion and Post #2 would like to Thank You for your service and hope to make this a wonderful day of celebration and remembrance.

40/8

Now that it looks like summer is just around the corner and things are looking brighter, let's get out and come down to the Legion and visit old friends.
If you haven't paid your 40/8 dues for this year lease keep your membership up to date by paying them.
Minn-Dakota Wreck will be here on April 30th, May 1st and 2nd.  We need help to get this off to a good start.  If anybody can help let me or someone at the Legion Post #2 know.  Let's see if we can make this a big event.

Jim Schlander, Chef De Gare

Tri-State Convention
Post #2 will be hosting the Tri-State 40/8 Convention on April 30th through May 2nd.  Registration will begin Friday afternoon and continue until Sunday morning.  Chef de Gar, Jim Schlander encourages all 40/8 members to attend.

Easter Baskets

The Easter Bunny was busy again this year.  A total of 33 wonderful volunteers turned out to help.  The helped make and deliver the basket and cleaned up afterwards.  We had a special guest, Howard Erickson who came up to watch.  It sure was nice to see him.  Gail set up the tables and got the boxes out for us.  Terry Devine and Bruce Crummy from the Forum both wrote great articles on the Easter Baskets.   Don Swenson at Big Kmart , Fargo and Dennis and Roger at WalMart, Fargo, helped us order the candy and the baskets.  We would like to thank each and every one of you.  We couldn't have done it without you.

About 32 volunteers helped with the baskets.  A great job was done and thanks to all the volunteers!  Hope to see you again next year.

Chairperson - Boots Anderson

Trust Account

  Most of our members are not aware that Post #2 has a trust account.  It was established in 1997 because of the fact that memorials received by the post were being put in the general account as income and being used for routine paying of bills.  The Gilbert C. Grafton Post #2 trust fund was created for the purpose of using income from memorials to fund only nonprofit programs sponsored by the American Legion.  The principal remains untouched providing a lasting gift from the donor.  An entry is made in a logbook of the person or event being honored, its donor and the amount of the gift.  I would encourage post members to consider this type of gift when considering memorials or special event donations.

Wally Lueck - Finance Officer

Wayne Berg Benefit
Saturday May 22, 2004

Spaghetti Supper @ 11am to 6:30pm - Karaoke to follow.  Adults $6.00 or $7.00 at the door, Children $3.00 or $4.00 at the door

Wayne Berg is the husband of Sue Berg (she is one of our employees).  He is currently in Intensive Care in Minneapolis waiting for a heart transplant and has been there for the last 4 months.  Sue goes down to see him every weekend, and the expenses are taking a heavy toll on her and family.
Please come out and support this benefit.  The meal will be Spaghetti with Meat Balls and it will be prepared by David Suppa and Friends.

North Dakota Department Convention 
June 25th - 27th, 2004  

The Convention will be held in Grand Forks at the Ramada Inn and Holiday Inn.  We have a block of rooms reserved at the Holiday Inn.  If you need a room please contact Sarah or Ralph at the Legion Post Office.  Call 293-3930 by June 15th.
At this Convention, the 40 et 8 will have their promanade.  Don Schwunden will run for Grand Chef de Train.  Please come!  He would appreciate your support.

11th Annual Veterans Day
Historic Medora - Sunday, July 11, 2004

All veterans and their families are invited to enjoy a special day in Medora as we honor their service to our Country.
Veterans will receive a free Medora Musical ticket, free Monroe Crossing concert ticket and a free Teddy's Attraction pass.  Tickets for the famous Pitchfork Stead Fondue, along with all tickets for spouses and family members must be purchased in advance.
We are requesting all veterans to wear their service caps to honor their branch of service.
Please call in advance to make reservations.  A block or rooms is set aside for Veterans Day at The Bunkhouse, just ask for the Veteran's block when calling for reservations.  When you arrive, all check-ins will take place at the Badlands Motel front desk.  For further information and reservations, call 1-800-MEDORA-1 (1-800-633-6721),
or visit their Web site at: http://www.medora.com/ 

Post Election May 4, 2004

  The election of post officers for the year 2004-2005 will be held Tuesday, May 4th.  The polls will open at 10:00am and close at 7:00pm.  Any Legionnaire wishing an absentee ballet may obtain this at the Adjutant Office after April 26th.  You must present your paid up 2004 membership card.

Listed to your right are the nomination names and offices to be held:

Commander - Wayne Wermager
1st Vice Commander - Don Woodbury
2nd Vice Commander - Al Zimmerman
3rd Vice Commander - Dave Rice
Adjutant - Ralph Hoff
Finance Officer - Wally Lueck
Chaplain - Russ Stabler
Sgt at Arms - Ron Matthews
Asst. Sgt at Arms - Mike Borgen
Historian - Mitch Olson

5 Executive Committee Members:
Jen Tiegen
Mike Stenerson
Bob Long
Keith Kerbaugh
* Position Open

Congratulations

Congratulations to David L. Lee on his recent election as District I Commander and Ralph Hoff on his election as District I Vice Commander.  They both are Past Commanders of Post #2.  We wish them well in their new leadership roles.

In Memorium

Arthur G. Lunde, William J. (Bill) Weaver, Gerald L. Perreault, Theodore Dennison Olstad, Alden Colehour, Micheal J. Alm, Patrick J. Denne, Gerald G. Thorson

Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band

Charity Donations for January & February 2004