The Fargo
Fargo Legionnaire
Fargo, North Dakota
  July - August 2009

Commanders Message 
Robert Jacobson

The installation has been held and I am the lucky one for the upcoming year. I have been writing as the Adjutant, but now need to change the slant a bit. I hope the year as a whole is better than the start. I am looking forward to getting the Post on firmer footing, both financially and in membership.

We seem to have turned and have the opportunity to freshen up our facility and make some operational changes to bring in some additional downtown business. We will be making some improvements over the summer and hoping for a Grand Reopening in September. I hope you will visit as we get cleaning done and new offerings available. Let us know what you think, it is your facility.

Steve Parmer is our new General Manager. His job is to tend to the business aspects of our organization and to provide management level supervision of all our employees, since he is expected to be around on a daily basis. You may soon see changes being made in our grassy area outside. Our new General Manager is soliciting donations, selling picnic tables at $1000 which would than get a plaque recognizing the donor. The new tables will have moving benches to ease access. The funding will be sufficient to replace the loose rock and install permanent fencing around the grassy area.

My staff is First Vice Commander Russ Foster, Second Vice Commander Mike Haugen, Third Vice Commander Kim Anderson and Adjutant Ron Matthews. Our Finance Officer Dave Rice continues to expand the reports and give us increasingly more detail than we had in the past. Hank Deyle is still Gaming Officer and a member of the Executive Committee. Our Executive Committeemen are Robert L. Peterson (locksmith at NDSU), Rick Stern (Strauss Clothiers), Larry Woodbury (Houston Engineering), Mike Haugen (a very busy, retired ND Adjutant General). Everyone is committed to making Post 2 a viable, well known and recognized community organization.

Robert Jacobson, Post 2 Commander
 

Hello Auxiliary Ladies:

May all of you have a fantastic summer. Relax and enjoy whatever good weather we have and enjoy the events held at the Legion Club these next two months. The fall will be a busy one, in fact, the next year will be that way with convention 2010 here in Fargo.

In October, in fact, October 3rd we will be having the rummage sale so start planning now and fill boxes of your items you have no used for the past two years.

I hope to see many of you at the Legion this summer. Have a good one and see you at our next meeting September 8th.

Mavis Goodroad, Pres Unit 2

Adjutants Additions

Another year has come and passed. Changes have been made around the Post and also the club. The time has come to welcome Bob Jacobson to the chair of Commander.

Along with a new commander we also have a new club manager. Please stop down to the club and welcome Steve Parmer to his new home away from home.

A lot of things will be happening in the Fargo post/club within the next year.

We have a lot of outdoor activities planned during the summer months.

Don’t be afraid to come to the Thursday outings to listen to the bands, eat a burger or a bratwurst, and have a beverage.

We will be hosting the American Legion World Series baseball in Fargo in August.

This event will take place at the Newman Outdoor Field. If anybody feels like volunteering to help I am sure you won’t be turned away.

Also it is a year away but Post 2 will be hosting the 2010 Department Convention. So with that being said I am asking everybody to volunteer to help spruce up the post and club. If you feel you are too old but still remember how things are supposed to work or look you can always “supervise”.

If you have any suggestions or comments please feel free to contact me.

Ron Matthews, Adjutant

A WW II crew member of the USS Robalo is coming to Fargo to see the Memorial in Lindenwood Park on July 1, escorted by his children. David Zier was attached to the USS Robalo, but was off on a crew rotation when she made her fateful, final combat patrol. The mayor’s office is planning a brief service for 10:00 am, Wednesday morning at the Memorial site on Roger Maris Drive.
 

Steve Parmer was named General Manager of the Club May 17th. Steve was hired to take over the club functions and make the Club a profitable operation. Steve will need all our help by patronizing the Club and watching the transformation into a relaxing pleasant atmosphere. He will be starting to serve fast lunches and also burgers, brats and dogs on Thursdays from 11-2. Stop in and introduce yourself and discuss any ideas with Steve.

USS Robalo (SS-273)

Ready to tip into the water, during her launching at Manitowoc Shipyards, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, 9 May 1943.
 

Norm Weber

The Legion’s Color Guard Commander passed away on March 28th. Norm had been setting up and organizing the Legion’s color guard for funerals, parades, troop greeting at the airport and many other activities the Legion Color Guard was involved in for the past 2 1/2 years. His dedication, loyalty and patriotism will be missed by many along with his positive attitude.
Norm joined the Air Force and later the ND Air National Guard, where he retired after 35 years and 11 months of duty to his state and country. Norm was a member of Post 2 for 6 years.

The green space on the east side of the building will soon become the Veterans Park. We are installing a fence on the south and east sides of the grass and removing the gravel on the north end and replacing it with a concrete patio so it will be handicap accessible. We will have 20 picnic tables for use for all functions. We are soliciting sponsorships for tables at $1000 each and your name or business will have a plaque on that table to recognize your donation to the park. Any and all donations will be accepted so this project can be completed as soon as possible. This $18,000 project already has $10,000 committed so we will begin construction soon. Contact Steve at 866-4756.

The flood inundated Jack Williams Stadium this year and caused a lot of damage. We have been unsuccessful in getting any city, state or federal help at this time. We have made great strides in getting the field ready to play but volunteer workers and our budget can only take us so far. We hope to be playing on the field by late June but will not be in it’s regular pristine condition. Please support Post 2 Baseball by sending in $35 for season tickets and maybe a little extra to help us get the field ready to show off when we host the World Series.

Tickets for the World Series Banquet are quickly selling out. Buy yours now so you won’t miss out on another great banquet hosted by Post 2 Baseball. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased by calling the club office.

World Series August 14th

The World Series is fast approaching and needs your support. We need you to buy your tickets now. Series tickets are $60 for all 10 sessions. Single session tickets are $12. you can buy tickets online at post2baseball.com or call Steve at the club.

The American Legion will be having music, food, and drink on the lawn every 1st and 3rd Thursday during the summer from 6-10. Come out and join us.

July 2nd - TBA
July 16th - Dr. Delicious
August 6th - Carmen the Cactus
August 20th - Past Due

Burgers and Brats will be grilled and served on the lawn every Thursday from 11-2 for the lunch hour. Join us on the lawn for a great lunch. Burgers, brats, dogs, beans, chips, and soda rain or shine.

Burger or Brat $3.00
Hotdog $1.25
Add Chips, Beans and a Soda for an additional $1.50

The American Legion will be having Blackjack on Monday, Friday and Saturdays during the summer months. Blackjack will go back to being played 6 nights a week this fall, but for the summer months it will only be offered 3 nights a week.

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. 

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