The Fargo
Fargo Legionnaire
Fargo, North Dakota
  May - June 2009

Commander Message 
Dave Johnston

May will be a busy Post night with Post Everlasting and the celebration of awards to the members who have 50 & 60-year memberships.  I have a CD of the groundbreaking ceremony, which was done on May 7, 1948—we will play it at the Post meeting.  We also have elections and it is important for members to be at the meeting or request an absentee ballot so your voice is represented in the election of your leaders who will be in charge for 2009-2010.  They will have a busy year with the American Legion World Series Baseball Tournament in August 2009 and hosting the ND State convention in June 2010.

You will see some changes in the Club as we move to name it “Gilberts off Broadway” and we will have a General Manager to manage the Club/Gaming and in charge of all employees.  This is a big move to make sure that we are financially sound and compete to a degree with the changes going on downtown.

With a General Manager overseeing the “profitability” of the operation it should free up some time for our Legion members to concentrate on serving our veterans—thru veteran programs, a place to call home and enjoy each other’s fellowship.

Dave Johnston, Commander, Fargo American Legion

Greeting to all Auxiliary Members:

As we begin the next two months, we need to thank the volunteers, national guard, and students who spent so much time on the flood problem. You are so appreciated.

Thank you to all who helped me make the 600 Easter bags for kids. Especially thanks to Barb Nash for chairing this program. She does a terrific job purchasing and organizing it.

May begins with the nominations of officers and we have as follows:

The May meeting will begin with a potluck dinner. It will start at 6:30. A short Executive meeting will be at 6pm. May is also poppy month so we need to have volunteers to get donations for the poppies. You may call Brenda Kerbaugh at 237-4178. We will have our memorial service at the May meeting also. Lets have a good attendance to honor our Auxiliary sisters who have passed on. Election of officers is on the agenda for May also.

June is installation of officers. There will be a dinner before the meeting. You may call Mavis at 361-0413 to RSVP. The dinner will be at 6:30. There will be no meetings in July and August so everyone have a great summer. See you at the convention.

Mavis Goodroad, Pres Unit 2

Adjutants Additions

“How high’s the water Mama?” Flooding statewide has really upset many people’s lives and if you are lucky, only your schedules. Events on my calendar keep getting moved, but I think our elections will remain the first meeting in May. Check the list of nominations in this newsletter and plan to vote prior to the next Post meeting. If you are willing to run for 3rd vice Commander or know someone who has agreed to accept the position, spread the word around. We are open to write in candidates, but several candidates with one vote each still doesn’t fill the position. Campaigning and endorsing candidates used to be done here. How about bringing it back? Think spring and renewal.

We are still working to clean up our facility. Our bar staff are working to bring about changes with the club and entertainment. The bands may be geared more to the younger crowd, but they stay late and patronize our facility. Gaming has gone to blackjack six nights a week to accommodate them. Attitudes have changed, laws have changed and more things have tightened up than our arthritic joints. Remember when you were younger. What do your children and grandchildren like to do? Remember they are the ones who are in the military now. What activities and services should we be providing to get their interest?

The staff and your Post officers hope that you will help us promote our facility. We want to once again make this an active and fun place for our members. Remember members get discounts on rentals for parties and gatherings.

Bob Jacobson, Adjutant

Starting on June 4th, the Legion will continue having their 1st and 3rd Thursday events on the Legion lawn. The Legion will be pulling out the grill and serving food and alcohol on the lawn. Entertainment will be provided. On June 4th The Front Fenders will be playing on the lawn and on June 18th the Legionnaires will be playing.

In the past this has always been a big event in downtown Fargo and it has been enjoyed by many. If you haven’t been down to the Legion for a 1st or 3rd Thursday event, come on down and experience the great fun everyone is having on the Legion lawn.

Monday: $2 Domestic Pints and $2.25 Amberbock Pints.
Tuesday: $2.50 Well Drinks; 4-8 pm member/military ID or in uniform 2-4-1.
Wednesday: $1.25 Domestic Taps and $2.25 Domestic Bottles.
Thursday: $3 Import Beer; $3.25 Top Shelf Liquor; 8 to close $2 “Old School Beer” (PBR, Grainbelt, Old Milwaukee, Coors Original, Schmidt, and High Life).
Friday: $2.50 Rum Night, $2 Domestic Pints, $2.25 Amberbock
Saturday: $6 pitchers until 6 pm and $2.75 Call Drinks.
Shot specials all week and happy hour 4-7 pm. Everyday special prices.

Nominations for Post Elections

The Election Committee Wally Lueck (chair), Bob Long, Bob Lechner, Vern Useldinger, and Pete Bilstad will be holding the elections for Post # 2 Officers for 2009-2010 on May 5th from 11 am to 7 pm. Absentee ballots will be available on April 20th at the Legion Post Office. Members can request an absentee ballot by mailing a request to 505 3rd Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102 or by calling 701-293-3930.

Members must present their 2009 membership card to receive a ballot.
The Slate of Officers are listed to the left.

Spaghetti and Bingo

The Legion serves Spaghetti every Monday night at 5:30. Black out bingo is played on Mondays at 7 pm. Nine games of bar bingo and four games of blackout bingo are played on Saturdays at 3 pm.

The Past Commanders elected Cathy Keogh as President, Burt Maxwell as Vice President and Dave Johnston as Secretary/Treasurer for the 2009-2010 year.  They were elected during the April meeting and accepted their new responsibilities.  Dave Rice served as President, Wally Lueck served as Vice President and Cathy Keogh served as Secretary/Treasure this last year.  We thank the out-going officers and congratulate the in-coming officers.

The Past Commanders meet at 11:30am the second Tuesday of each month upstairs in the Legion.  A light lunch is served and followed by a short meeting, and of course a lot of visiting.  Annual dues are $5.00, lunch is $8.00.  Past Commanders from any Post are welcome to join us.

Dave Rice, "Past" President

The 2009 American Legion Department of North Dakota Convention will be held on June 26th through the 28th in Williston, ND.

Hotel rooms are available at the Airport International Inn. Post # 2 has a block of rooms set aside at the hotel. If you would like a room in the Post 2 room block please call the Legion office at 701-293-3930. Please make your reservation prior to May 31st to guarantee a room. If you don’t call the office prior to May 31st to set up your room, you will need to call the hotel directly.
Awards will be given out at the convention. Department elections will also be held at the convention.

The DAV is holding a motorcycle rally Saturday July 18, 2009 beginning at Teamsters with a breakfast from 8-11, a 10:30 tribute and then the ride at 11:00. 

On Tuesday, May 12, 2009, West Funeral Home will present the 4th Annual “Celebrating Our Military” event.

Memorial Day has lost the significance that it held in earlier years. This program is to thank the veteran’s and remind the community of Memorial Day and its importance.

This year the event will be held at Bonanzaville on Main Avenue in West Fargo. Thanks to the generosity of the director Bruce Whitmarsh of Bonanzaville, the gates will open at 3:30 and admission to the museum and buildings will be free. This allows people to browse before the BBQ. At 5:30, the BBQ will begin and food will be served until 7:00 when the program starts. The entertainment is the North Dakota Army Band Dixie Land Combo. Guest speaker will be Virgil Hilborn, WWII & Korean War Veteran. The DAV will be presenting a meaningful act about the Vietnam wall. All ages are invited, hoping to continue the tradition to the younger generations.

Each year the meal is the same. Grilled hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, a variety of chips, cookies, cupcakes, coca-cola products and coffee are served. Yellow ribbons are handed out and pinned on veterans, forget-me-not seed packets are disbursed as this is a symbol of the Disabled American Veteran. Patriotic candy, programs and hand held flags are handed out at the beginning of the program.

This program started May of 2006 with a small crowd of 120 people. The comments and response was very positive so we held a second one. This time 328 people were served meals. The third year 598 meals were served. Some people attended just for the program, so the attendance was well over 600. The event had become so positive within the community and military entities that the event outgrew the location we were using. By the fourth year, the National Guard and Disabled American Veterans, joined forces with us (by their request) to promote, give financial contributions, lend manpower and participate in the event. It has truly become a community project, embraced by the local military.

Stress—

The recent flood has been tough on our business and individuals who have lost their homes to the water and those who are near the water dealing with all the sand bag dikes and contingency dikes. There has been a lot of discussion on how to deal with stress and also how to relax and know that things will get better.

Well the North Dakota State American Legion has implemented a new program called Courage Carries On and is designed for our Veterans who are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other issues stemming from every period of time. Some of our warriors from all branches of military, from every period of time are suffering the pain of military service and don’t know where to turn. Their families are hurting along with them. Help us reach out to them by giving a generous donation.

You can make a difference by making a tax-deductible donation and help heal our Warriors. Your donations can be mailed to:

North Dakota American Legion
405 W. Main Ave., Suite 4A
West Fargo, ND 58078
Also visit the web site: couragecarrieson.org
 

Member on Duty

A new program we want to initiate is the MOD (Member on Duty) during the peak operation hours, such as Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and perhaps Monday during Spaghetti and Bingo. The MOD would serve as a host/hostess to the Club customers. The MOD is a Legion volunteer who acts as an important part of the Club’s atmosphere as well as serving as an extra set of eyes for the General Manager. If you are interested in serving as a MOD please contact the office or the Commander.

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. 

Rental Space is Booking Up Fast

The Legion has rental space available for any size party or occasion up to 250 people. Please see Mona at 505 3rd Ave N, Fargo, ND or call her at 237-4013 for booking details. Catering is also available through the KC’s. Please give Jon a call at 232-6386 regarding catering. The space is booking fast so give Mona a call to book your space and don’t forget, Legion, Auxiliary, Social and SAL members get a discount off the hall rental.

Reunions, Office Parties, Private Parties, Any other special occasion you may be celebrating, Birthday Parties, Anniversary Parties, Weddings, Retirement Parties, Christmas Parties

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