The Fargo
Fargo Legionnaire
Fargo, North Dakota
May - June  2007

Commander Message
Keith Kerbaugh

I am down to one month and my term as Commander will close. It has been a wonderful opportunity and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving you as Commander.

The Executive Committee has worked very hard during this time and they have accomplished a tremendous amount for the Post. The emphasis this year has been on the business affairs of the Post. They have looked at almost everything and changed what was necessary to operate the Post and Club as a business. The most obvious result of this is that Post #2 has operated in the black for the first time in a very long time.

The Club is also on firm ground. We are still making changes each month but the operation is in good hands with Mona Arnold, the Club Manager and Bruce Holtan her supervisor.

Six people have been instrumental to any successes I have accomplished this year. I have gone to them repeatedly for help, guidance and counsel. They have been honest with me and they should be thanked for the time they have invested in me and their efforts on behalf of the Post. They are Hank Deyle, Orlyen Stensgard, Wally Lueck, Virgil Estenson, Dave Johnston and Vern Useldinger.

My last public appearance as Commander will probably be the Memorial Day Ceremony at Riverside Cemetery where I will serve as master of ceremonies. I look forward to continuing to serve the Post as a Past Commander and on the Executive Committee.

For God and Country
Keith Kerbaugh, Commander, Fargo American Legion

Auxiliary President's Message
Barb Nash

Greetings –

At the time of this article, the nominating committee has not completed the slate of officers, so I am unable to offer up the names. We do need a 1st Vice – perhaps a couple people would be interested in being co-chairs? Election will be in May and the new officers will be sworn in on June 12th. Please plan to attend both meetings. I know there will be opportunities for chair positions – what are your interests? The ALA has many projects that can be done. I know I have a couple in mind for next year – you need not be an officer or a chairperson to have an interest or desire to support our programs.

May 5th will be the “Hats on Parade” event. Plan to come out at 1:30 wearing a hat. There will be a silent auction, door prizes, entertainment, desserts and spring fun all for the low, low price of $6. Are there any red hat members out there? How about anyone with a creative flair for making their own hat? I have no creative flair so don’t expect me to lead the homemade parade! Call Mavis at 232-9356 if you can help out.

May 12th is Poppy Day. Chairperson Brenda Kerbaugh has lined up some youth to be out doing the distributing of poppies, but she can use your help back at the Legion as everyone arrives. The cans will need to be opened and we plan to provide the groups with some refreshments.

We will be hosting the Department Convention June 22-24th. LaVonne Matthews is the chairperson and is looking for all sorts of help. Please contact her at 298-8573 if you can provide any assistance.

We desperately need your memberships renewed. Please do so as our numbers truly do make a difference, especially at the National level.

My quote for this newsletter: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed in the things you did not do than by the ones you did.” (Mark Twain)

Barb Nash, Auxiliary President, Unit #2

Chef de Gare Notes

This being the last news letter of my term as Chef de Gare, I want to thank all our members for all their help in making the year a successful one. Again, thank you's to Carl for his work with the Nurses Scholarship Program; Bob Long for ordering flags, calling schools and packaging flags for schools; Don Schwinden for lining up Voyageurs to go to schools with him as he gave a program to children on the history and proper use and care of the flag; to all the officers for all they do; and to all who helped on Monday nights serving spaghetti.

Jim Schlenker is heading up the planning committee for the Grand Promenade to be held in Fargo in conjunction with the American Legion Department Convention June 21-23, 2007.

Chef de Gare Bob Lechner
40 et 8 Voiture 240 Fargo

Adjutants Additions
Bob Jacobson

The end of the year is approaching for our current officers. The Nominating Committee has filled a ballot with candidates. I would have rather seen multiple candidates for the positions, but the number of nominations from the floor and volunteers tells the story. The office is handling absentee ballots per the Bylaws and will mail ballots to those who cannot get in to pick them up. Voting will be May 1.

The Fargo American Legion Post 2 is conducting a RAFFLE with the drawing to be held during the Department Convention. Members and guests liked that 40” TV downstairs. The raffle is for a 42” HDTV with cash prizes of $150, $100, and $50. The tickets are $10 each, but there are only 600 tickets. Books are available for those willing to sell.

Congratulations to our 50 and 60 year continuous members. It’s an impressive list.

The District 1 Spring Meeting was very thin on attendance. Commander Keith will be replacing Dave Rice as District Commander and yours truly, Adjutant Bob, was elected to assume the District Vice Commander position. Dave Rice has been endorsed by Post 2 for the east Region Vice Commander position.

The Department says we are still about 80 short of our membership goal which we have not met for ages. If you know of anyone who has not renewed for 2006-2007 or can bring in a new member, it would help our reputation.

Once again we presented American Legion medals for Scholarship and Military Excellence to ROTC units at NDSU as well as Fargo and West Fargo public schools.

Military Appreciation Day at the Ballpark will be on June 19. A silent and live auction will be held again of the game jerseys.

We are hosting the Department Convention June 22-24. We will be utilizing our facility as much as possible and would like to spiff it up to be a show place. Golfers don’t forget to register for the Golf Tournament teeing off at 8 AM June 22 at Rose Creek Golf Course.

The summer’s Third Thursday events will be returning to our lawn starting June 21. Come on down and listen to the music, grab something to eat off the grill and a beverage. Lot’s of compliments last year.

Robert (Bob) Jacobson, Adjutant
Gilbert C. Grafton Post 2

American Legion Riders

American Legion Riders is a group of Legion members, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion with the common interest of riding Motorcycles.  Our mission: To participate in parades and other ceremonies that are in keeping with the aims and purposes of the American Legion.  To promote motorcycle safety programs and to provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interest. To use our association to promote and support programs of the American Legion through service to our community, state and country.

I would like to meet on Monday April 30th at 6:30 to get input on how to build our chapter.  We will also be discussing the North Dakota leg of the Legacy Run.  The N.D. legacy run will leave on June 21st from Fargo, Whapeton, and Larimore. We will be cutting a path through N.D. stopping along the way to collect donations from post locations with District Commanders or Department level officials.  All donations will be given to the National Legacy Run. We will stay in Watford City that night. The 22nd we will head to Beach along scenic highway 16 and continue on back to Fargo for the start of the Department convention of the American Legion of North Dakota.

To be a American Legion Rider you must be a member of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion. You must own a motorcycle(350cc or larger) or be the spouse of an owner who is an American Legion Rider member.  This is a very exciting time for our Legion so please stop by and help to get this great opportunity started.
http://www.americanlegionriders.net/

Doug Craik, Director, American Legion Riders, District 1 Post 2.

Plans are moving along quite well in preparation for the annual State American Legion Convention to be held in Fargo, ND with the Gilbert C. Grafton Post 2 as the host this year. The convention will be held at the Post along with a number of sessions held at the Civic Center. All events will be within walking distance from the Radisson Hotel (701-232-7363) and the Howard Johnson Inn Downtown (701-232-8850). Both hotels recommend making your room reservation soon. You will want to visit the State web site for the updated agenda and additional hotels. The State web site is www.ndlegion.org

We will have an opportunity to presentation and State Chapter meeting of the Legion Riders at the general session on Saturday, June 23, 2007. They will have a number of motorcycles on display and additional information will be available on how your Post can establish your own Legion Rider Unit.

Entertainment will be provided each evening at Post 2 in the Lounge and a number of meals are being planned for members who are not involved in various events. The State Band will be providing music for your dancing pleasure on Saturday evening in the Patriot Hall at Post 2.

This year you will also have an opportunity to hear from the IRS on issues that may be a concern to your Post. Also the North Dakota National Guard has hired a full time military funeral honors state coordinator, Janette Fetch who will make a presentation.

The Committee has been a great help in preparing for the convention and I want to thank each and every one: Keith Kerbaugh, Jon Jerger, Jack Barrows, Dave Rice, Bruce Holtan, Virgil Estenson, Mona Arnold, Kim Anderson, Connie Knutson, Bob Jacobson, Sylvia Garcia, Wayne Wermager, LaVonne Matthews, Bob Lechner, Jim Schlenker, Chad Rice, Dave Lee, Marv Collins and the advisory committee: Vern Useldinger, Mitch Olson, Cathy Keogh, Linda Whaley, Larry Lein and Don Schwinden. Also thank you to Sand Erdman, State Auxiliary President and Myrna Ronholm, State Auxiliary Secretary for their input.

Come down to Post 2 June 22-24, 2007 to enjoy the Legion/Auxiliary/40 et 8 and SAL events and take the opportunity to renew your fellowship with members from North Dakota.

Dave Johnston, Co-Chair

Sons of the American Legion (SAL)

The SAL is holding a Pancake Breakfast from 9:00am until 2:00pm on Sunday, May 20th!  We will be serving pancakes, bacon, sausage, juice and milk.  Cost is $5.00 per person, preschool free.  Take the family out for a late breakfast or noon meal after church! 

Post 2 has purchased a SAL Flag we can use in parades and at our meetings.  They have pledged to help us in anyway possible to get our squadron active again.  Let's show our appreciation by making the pancake feed a success. 

Everyone is invited, bring your family and spread the word to your neighbors and friends!  Advanced tickets available at the post and from many of our members.  Call (701)293-3930 for more information.

Chad Rice, Department SAL Sergeant at Arms
and Post #2 SAL Squadron Member

1st District
The 1st District is in fourth place, out of 10 Districts, in membership renewals and recruitment.  We are at about 96% of our 2007 membership goal.  You can help  Post 2 achieve their goal by contacting Ron Matthews and try to bring in some new members and those who have not yet renewed.

I have decided to run for Eastern Region Department Vice Commander.  Post #2 has endorsed my candidacy and offered me their support.  The Eastern Region includes Districts 1, 2 and 10.  The Department Election will take place at the Convention in June.  I would appreciate the support of Post 2, and all posts in the 1st District, when they cast their ballots at the Department Convention in Fargo.

It has been a privilege serving as 1st District Commander.  I hope we have great attendance from our District at the Department Convention June 22-24.  See you there.

Dave Rice, 1st District Commander

Greetings from Iraq!

This deployment with the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment has been a very interesting experience, taking me to Tampa, Qatar, Djibouti, and currently to Camp Victory, Baghdad, where I’m writing about and photographing the embedded transition teams.

Their mission is so fascinating—living and working side by side with the Iraqi Security Forces to mentor and advise them so eventually they will take over their country’s security. One of the most recent developments here is the establishment of Joint Security Stations in the neighborhoods of Baghdad. This is where the Iraqi army, local police, national police and other groups collaborate in one “super tactical operations center.” The benefit is that now all their forces are communicating to share information and coordinate their movements.

I have seen some other improvements you probably won’t hear about on the news. I noticed a couple of areas in Baghdad where flowers had been planted, curbs were painted, and trash was removed—small improvements indicative of progress.

I’m ever thankful for comforts like clear phone calls, e-mails, care packages, and blogs (on-line journals) that have kept me feeling close to loved ones thousands of miles away. I reflect about other wars and how these technologies weren’t available, and wonder how troops did without. More now than ever, I am truly grateful for sacrifices others made so that we have a nation I’m so proud to serve.

Band Schedule

May 1st - Meeting Night
May 10th - Concerts - Wahpeton, ND
May 17th - Concerts - Fergus Falls, MN
May 24th - Concert - ND Veterans Home, Lisbon, ND
May 28th - Memorial Day program at Riverside
 
June 5th - Meeting Night
June 22nd - State Convention Opening Session

See the RRVVCB Web page at:

http://www.rrvvcb.org/

Have Your Wedding, Anniversary, Christmas 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. 

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