The Fargo
Fargo Legionnaire
Fargo, North Dakota
September-October 2004

Commander's Message
Wayne Wermager

At the July Post #2 meeting, Legionnaires passed a bold and futuristic motion to renovate our building.  Under the leadership of Legionnaire Keith Kerbaugh, a capital campaign to raise $550,000 for this project was launched and is underway.  In our fifty-five year history, numerous programs have served veterans, our community, and The American Legion.  This renovation project will enable us to better serve our members and groups of all types with new and improved programs and services for years to come.

 Specifically, the renovation project will provide remodeled meeting and banquet space for American Legion members, veteran organizations, community organizations, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas parties, and more.  In addition, our club room will be remodeled for improved customer service, convenience, comfort, and enjoyment. 

 The capital campaign will ask Legionnaires, the business community, and organizations benefiting from our programs and services to help us reach our financial goal.  Please contribute as generously as you can to our future.  You will hear more about the capital campaign in the days and weeks ahead.

 The 2005 membership campaign has begun and renewals are coming in nicely.  First Vice Commander Don Woodbury is the 2005 membership chair.  Please help Don and the membership teams complete the renewal process as early as possible by promptly paying your 2005 dues.  Thank you for your membership and your active participation in the Gilbert C. Grafton Post #2 of The American Legion.

Auxiliary President's Message
LaVonne Matthews

Hello, and welcome to another Auxiliary year!

Our meeting will be September 14th at 7:30 upstairs at the Fargo Legion. Post #2 Commander Wayne Wermager is going to be there to introduce himself and fill us in on the Post happenings. I am looking forward to working with him this upcoming year.

Mo Woodbury will also have a few of the Girls State attendees there to speak of their experience at Girls State this summer. 

The District One Fall Meeting is September 23rd at Harwood. The Auxiliary is meeting at Zion Lutheran Church at 7:30. 

The rummage sale will be held October 9th, so if you have any items you would like to donate, please do so. It's a good time to clean out some closets!! 

The two musicians we sponsored to go to International Music Camp will be at our October meeting. 

October is mental health month and I hope to have a speaker lined up for the October meeting to help us learn more about this illness. 

And, since time is just flying by, I may as well also mention that we will have Herberger's Community Days coupons for sale this fall. It's a great fundraiser for us (and a great deal for shoppers) as we keep 100% of the dollars we make on coupon sales before Community Days. Herberger's Community Days will be in November, but it seems that will be here before we know it. 

Here is the calendar of events as they stand now:

September 14th Regular Meeting 7:30
September 23rd District One Fall Meeting - Harwood Legion 7:30
October 4th Board Meeting 7:00
October 5th Past Presidents Parley Luncheon
October 9th Rummage Sale
October 12th Regular Meeting 7:30 

Please try to attend the meetings if you can. I look forward to another fun and busy year. 

LaVonne Matthews
President, Unit #2

News from the Bar

Well it looks like summer is just about over, and it is time to look towards the fall. With that in mind, we have some different events going on in the next couple of months that almost everyone can enjoy. A few of the events that I would like to mention are geared towards the veterans, and members without you and your support we wouldn't have a club to enjoy. So please help us recognize and thank everyone by stopping in for a drink. On September 8th and October 20th will be Legion Member ID night, October 6th is Military ID night. On these specified nights bring in the proper form of ID as specified and receive $0.50 off of your drinks every time your ID is shown. There will also be a senior's night for everyone 55 and older to come in, meet with friends, and dance to the Country Rose Band. This will be held on September 22nd from 7 pm to 10 pm we hope to see all of you there. And last but not least we will be holding a pre-Halloween celebration hosted by Jerry with the Karaoke Kings. So come in, let loose, bring out your costumes and singing voices, and spend the evening with us bringing in Halloween a day early. P.S. Don't forget to check out our calendar and the drink specials of the day, and to see what other events we will be having for the month. So please stop in and see us soon! Thanks again for all of your support this year!

See our Drink Specials and Calendar of Events for September and October.

Past Commanders Luncheon

Past Commanders Luncheon is on Tuesday, September 14th and October 12th, at 11:30am.  Meeting to follow lunch.  Please try to attend. Menu has not been set at this time.

In Memorium

Harold C. "Tyne" Evert, Adolph "Roy" Nystul, Charles McLaughlin, and David A. Johnson

Upcoming Veteran's Events

September 11, 2004 - Naval Reserve Reunion * Decommissioning The Quonset Huts

September 14, 2004 - POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY 2004

September 18, 2004 - A Soldier's Salute: Dine and Bid for the 141st Benefit

October 2, 2004 - Navy and Marine Corps Ball, Fargo Air Museum

See the TriStateVeterans Calendar of Events for other veteran and military events in the near future.

Charity Donations for May & June 2004

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