| |
|
|
|
 Commander's Message
Wayne Wermager
This is my final newsletter article as your Commander. It
is amazing how fast one year in this office goes by. I truly enjoy the
experience of serving Post #2 in this role. You need to be proud of the
progress the post made in the past twelve months. Together we figured out
a way to revive our club and make it a vibrant place for entertainment,
fellowship, service, and relaxation. We took a bold step forward by
launching a capital campaign to refurbish our building for the future. You
can see the improvements day by day. We played a major role in naming the
new bridge between Fargo and Moorhead the “Veterans Memorial Bridge.”
While we celebrate our progress and accomplishments, let us not forget the
challenges before us. Membership remains a major concern. This year
fifty-seven Legionnaires joined the Post Everlasting. Replacing these
great Legionnaires from the past is an awesome task. Over the past several
months we welcomed home returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. We need
to enthusiastically invite them to join the nation’s largest veteran
organization, The American Legion. It is time to rekindle our relationship
with Legionnaires who have not renewed their membership and bring them
back into the mainstream of Post #2 activity. Finally, we must rejuvenate
our many programs serving veterans, Legionnaires, and our community. The
time to do all these things is now.
It is always appropriate to express appreciation to Legionnaires who gave
their time and talent in leading Post #2. Please join me in saying thank
you to Don Woodbury, Al Zimmerman, Bob Long, Mike Stenerson, and Larry
Lein as they complete their officer and executive committee terms on June
7, 2005. We also say thank you to those who will accept leadership
positions in 2005-2006.
In the days and weeks ahead I encourage your participation in the many
events and opportunities associated with your membership in our great
organization. My vision and challenge for the year was “Every Legionnaire
needs to do at least one thing so one Legionnaire does not have to do
everything.” Thank you for all you did in 2004-2005!!!!! God bless
America, The American Legion, and our faithful Legionnaires.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auxiliary President's Message
LaVonne Matthews
 Greetings:
It’s hard to believe it’s time for another newsletter again. Where has the
last couple months gone?
Ten Girls Staters’ have been selected and they will be heading to Grand
Forks in early June. We are sponsoring two musicians to International
Music Camp this summer. You can always tell when spring is upon us as our
Girls State and International Music Camp attendees are chosen.
March and April were quite busy for us. We had a sewing bee in March and
made 10 neck coolers, which we will be donating to Hanson Runsvold Funeral
Home for their shipment to send overseas in addition to the items they are
collecting at a USO show they are sponsoring in May. It will be at the
Fargo Theater on Tuesday, May 10th, which is our usual meeting night, so
we are changing our May meeting night to Monday, May 9th at 7:30 so we can
all enjoy the show at the Theater on the 10th. The meeting on May 9th will
be our memorial service and election of officers.
The nominating committee, comprising of Mary Long, Yvonne Moore, and Mavis
Goodroad have produced this year’s slate of officers:
President: Barb Nash
1st Vice President: Mavis Goodroad
2nd Vice President: LaVonne Matthews
Secretary: Julie Berger
Treasurer: Rita Hval
Chaplain: Marian Cameron
Historian: Marcy Schmidt
Sergeant at Arms: Virginia Borgen
Asst. Sergeant at Arms: Kristi Severson
Congratulations and thank you to all who will be serving us next year.
The annual style show was held April 16th and was a great success. A very
big thank you goes to Barb Nash for the wonderful job she did pulling it
all together. She had help from Betty Stone, Diana Olwin, and Kristi
Severson. I hope everyone who attended enjoyed themselves.
Our June meeting will be the installation of officers with a dinner
beforehand. If you plan on coming to the dinner, please let me know as
soon as you can. I can be reached via e-mail at matthews@702com.net or at
298-8573. I don’t have the cost of the dinner yet, but I hope to have it
soon.
The Post is sponsoring a RedHawks baseball game June 22nd (please see the
information in the newsletter). I would like to invite all the Auxiliary
members to come out to the ballpark and show your Legion pride by wearing
any Legion or Auxiliary clothing you have, or if not, wear something
patriotic to show your support of the veterans. If anyone would like to
help out that evening, please let me know as there will be a need for some
volunteers.
It’s hard to believe I have been President for two years. It went by so
fast. I would like to thank everyone for helping when I needed the help,
and to the past presidents for their knowledge and support. It made my job
a lot easier having your experience to work from.
Thank you.
LaVonne Matthews
May / June 2005 Calendar
Monday, May 2nd Board Meeting 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3rd Past Presidents Parley
Monday, May 9th Regular Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Monday, June 6th Board Meeting 7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 14th Installation Dinner and Meeting– 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 22nd RedHawks game!! 7:00 p.m
LaVonne Matthews
President, Unit #2
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Message
from the Chef de Gare
Hello Forty & Eighters:
Where has the time gone? My role as Chef de Gare is just about over. This
month (May) a new slate of officers will be sworn in. I would like to
thank all you 40 et 8er’s for all the support you have given me and the
rest of my office.
We still need more volunteers to help us with our projects, such as
spaghetti, nurses training, bingo and flags for first graders. The more
help we get the less time each one of us will have to contribute. So if
you would like to become a member of the 40 & 8 please contact one of us
and we will gladly enlist you in a great organization. The initiation is
quick and we can do it on the night of our promenade. We do not have
meetings during the summer months, June – August, September we start our
fall promenade.
It is convention time again. Our Tri-State is April 29, 30 and May 1 in
Pipestone, MN. If you would like to attend contact me or one of our other
officers or call the Legion office. Our State Convention is in Minot June
24, 25, and 26.
I want to thank you again for your support this past year and your
continued support our new officers.
Just one parting note, come down to your club and see the improvements
that is being done, it really looks nice. This is just the beginning,
there will be many changes that I am sure will make things more enjoyable
both inside and out. Also check our entertainment, we have some great
bands for your listening and dancing pleasure. Thank you for your past
support, it has been a great year. Don Schwinden
Chef de Gare
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Capital Campaign
The Capital Campaign is moving along well. The first phase, the down
stairs lobby area, should be completed the first week of May. This will
include the Post #2 museum.
The second phase, the entry way and staircase, should begin in May. The
third phase, the outside of the building is scheduled to begin in June.
The third phase includes cleaning and repairing the outside brick,
replacing the doors and windows on the sides facing the two streets,
resurfacing the Legion sign and moving it to the SE corner of the
building.
The Legion has submitted many grant applications. We have contacted the
Alex Sterns Family Foundation, Bremer Foundation, Qwest, McKnight
Foundation, and the Fargo Historic Preservation Committee.
Fundraising is picking up steam as the local community is stepping up and
helping. Gate City has donated $5000 joining previous banking partners
Bremer Bank and State Bank. Our latest members of the Founders Club are
Vern and Barb Useldinger, Agnes Schmidt, The Past Commanders Association,
ND American Legion Band, John W. Hoeck, State Bank and Trust of Fargo,
Bremer Bank of Fargo and Hank Deyle.
It is very important at this time the Legion membership continue to
support the campaign. If you have not made your donation now is the time.
Also if you know of any local businesses that are interested in supporting
our Veterans please contact the office and leave the information and they
will be contacted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Red River Valley Veteran’s Concert Band Schedule
May 3 Meeting Night
May 10 USO Show – Fargo Theatre
May 12 Fergus Falls
May 19 Detroit Lakes
May 26 Lisbon
May 30 Riverside Cemetery
June 7 Meeting Night |
|
Help Wanted!!!
Volunteers make up the heart and soul of the American
Legion. Unfortunately we do not have enough volunteers to help
with all the deserving charities and contributions we make to
our community and fellow veterans. To find out how you can
help please call Ralph at 293-3930.
The post meeting is the first Tuesday of every month at
7:30 pm. All members are encouraged to come. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elections
Elections will be held May 3, 2005 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm for our
Legion Officers. The nominees are as follows:
Commander – Dave Rice
1st Vice Commander – Bruce Holtan
2nd Vice Commander – Russ Stabler
3rd Vice Commander – Ron Matthews
Adjutant – Ralph Hoff
Finance Officer – Wally Lueck
Chaplain – Linda Whaley
Sgt at Arms – Mike Stenerson
Asst Sgt at Arms – Al Zimmerman
Historian – Mitch Olson
Exec Comm Member – Jen Tiegen
Exec Comm Member – Hank Deyle
Exec Comm Member – Robert Jacobson
Exe Comm Member – Ron Gebeke
Exe Comm Member – Keith Kerbaugh
For absentee ballots or for more information you may email the legion at
veteran18@earthlink.net or
go to our website at
http://www.tristateveterans.com/fargolegion or call the
office at 701-293-3930.
New Gaming Manager
Russell Stabler was employed as our new gaming manager as of April
1, 2005 and was preceded by Don Woodbury. We would like to thank Don
Woodbury for his years of service as Gaming Manager and look forward
to working with Russ Stabler. |
|
Fargo American Legion Night
FM RedHawks Baseball Game
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005
The Fargo American Legion is sponsoring a RedHawks Baseball game on
Wednesday, June 22nd. The entire evening will be filled with American
Legion activities.
The Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band will be playing before the
game and will play the National Anthem. The Little Red River Band will
be playing in the Beer Garden before or during the game.
We will be giving away 2,000 mini-bats with Fargo American Legion
printed on them.
Our Fargo American Legion Color Guard will be presenting Colors.
The Legion Commander and Auxiliary President will be throwing out the
first pitch.
The Public Address Announcer will be broadcasting Legion messages
during the game.
We will have a booth on the concourse to hand out Legion and other
information.
Please join us, this should be a fun and productive
evening! We want as many Legion and Auxiliary members, and their
family, to attend as possible. Please wear your Legion cap if you have
one, wear a Legion shirt or something with your military affiliation
on it. We want as much visibility as possible.
Game time is 7:05pm, we recommend you arrive about 6:15pm to make sure
you get a mini-bat (we will not have enough for everyone). We have
obtained group seating in the 3rd Base Grandstand section. Tickets, on
a first come-first serve basis, are available at the Legion office for
$6.00 (they are $7.50 at the game), make checks payable to Fargo
American Legion. Please call our office at 293-3930 if you have any
questions.
Play Ball! Hope to see you at the game!
Dave Rice, 3rd Vice Commander |
|
American Legion Wrestling
The
Fargo American Legion held on April 9, 2005 was a huge success for our
youth and community. Wrestlers and parents came from our 3 state area
and Canada (approximately 750 participants). Lets thank the following
Legionnaires and friends for their help: Jim McLaughlin, Bob Lechner,
Alex MacDonald, Dave Rice, Don Schwinden, Hank Deyle, Larry Lein,
Wally Lueck, Carl Anderson, Wil Hebert, Vern Useldinger, Tom Suppa,
Dave Lee, Commander Wayne Wermager, Scott Bilstad and Chris; Chairmen:
Orlyen Stensgaard, Pete Bilstad, and Lynn Forde.
|
|
Easter Baskets
Easter Baskets were a great success again this year. The baskets were
made and delivered to six different organizations by the following
volunteers:
Bob and Marion Lechner, Bob and Mary Long, Ralph Hoff, Mike Borgen, Eddy
Yeager, Dave Lee, Bob Swalstad, Ron Gebeke, Maury Duval, Carl Anderson,
Dave Suppa, Aileen Meyer, Mary Schaffer, Ruth Lewison, Agnes Schmidt, Peg
Schwandt, Elaine Wilde, and Elaine Benner.
A “Big Thanks” to each and every one of you, we could not do it without
you.
Boots Anderson
Chair-Person |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Charity Donations for March & April 2005
|
| VAVS |
$ 150.56 |
| Community Service Color Guard |
$ 1,400.00 |
| Disability Access (Otis Elevator Co.) |
$ 428.68 |
| Bike Shop |
$ 56.10 |
| American Legion Baseball |
$ 2,500.00 |
| 141st Family Support Group |
$ 100.00 |
| Easter Baskets |
$ 534.06 |
| Wrestling |
$ 2,607.43 |
| ND Boys State |
$ 1,000.00 |
| VA Medical Center |
$ 2,000.000 |
| ROTC |
$ 489.98 |
| ND Veterans Home |
$ 250.00 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
Fargo Post #2
American Legion Baseball
June 11 Longmont, CO (2) 10:00 Denver, CO
June 12 Boulder, CO (2) 1:00 Boulder, CO
June 13 Broomfield, CO (2) 3:00 Denver, CO
June 15 *Fargo at Jamestown (2) 5:30 Jamestown, ND
June 16 Fargo at Moorhead (2) 5:30 Moorhead, MN
June 17 God Bless America Tourney TBA Jack Williams
June 18 God Bless America Tourney TBA Jack Williams
June 19 God Bless America Tourney TBA Jack Williams
June 20 *Valley City at Fargo (2) 5:30 Jack Williams
June 21 Alexandria at Fargo (2) 5:30 Jack Williams
June 22 Minot at Fargo (2) 5:30 Jack Williams
June 23 Alumni Game 7:00 Jack Williams
June 24 F-M Tournament TBA Jack Williams
June 25 F-M Tournament TBA Jack Williams
June 26 F-M Tournament TBA Jack Williams
June 28 Fargo at Mandan (2) 5:30 Mandan, ND
June 29 Fargo at Minot (2) 5:30 Minot, ND
June 30 Fargo at Bismarck (2) 5:30 Bismarck, ND |
There are about 32 more conference games (16
doubleheaders) that will be scheduled soon - Hope/Finley, Hatton,
Mayville, Larimore, Gardner, Hillsboro, Thompson, Casselton are also on
the schedule (home and away)
June 8th at Wahpeton (2) 5:30 P.M.
June 10th Bombers Tourney at Jack Williams Stadium
June 11th Bombers Tourney at Jack Williams Stadium
June 12th Bombers Tourney at Jack Williams Stadium
June 13th Jamestown (2) 5:30 P.M.
June 15th West Fargo Aces (2) 5:30 P.M.
June 17th God Bless America Tourney in Fargo
June 18th God Bless America Tourney in Fargo
June 19th God Bless America Tourney in Fargo
June 24th Montgomery Tourney at Grand Forks
June 25th Montgomery Tourney at Grand Forks
June 26th Montgomery Tourney at Grand Forks
June 27th Moorhead Golds (2) 5:30 P.M.
June 29th Wahpeton (2) 5:30 P.M. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have Your Wedding, Anniversary or Any Party Here
The American Legion has rental space available for a wide variety of events at a very reasonable price.
To Schedule an Event please Contact our Office at 701-293-3930. Click
here for additional information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Past Commanders Luncheon
The Past Commanders Luncheon is on Tuesday, May 10th and June
14th at 11:30 am. There will be a meeting to follow lunch. Please
try to attend. The menu has not been set at this time. |
|
In Memorium
Robert N. Petrich, Dr. Mack V. Traynor Jr., Leland Gisvold, Leigh
A. Scott, Hartley G. Walter, Robert Gerardy, Raymond Egge, and Larry
Collison. |
|
Website and E-mail List
You can access our Web page and sign-up for our e-mail list by going to the Fargo American Legion Gilbert C. Grafton Post # 2 Web Site at: http://www.tristateveterans.com/fargolegion
|
|
Upcoming Veteran's Events
See the TriStateVeterans Calendar
of Events for veteran and military events in the near
future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 2005 Legion Calendar |
|
June 2005 Legion Calendar |
|
|
|
|
