The Fargo
Fargo Legionnaire
Fargo, North Dakota
November - December  2004

Commander's Message
Wayne Wermager

As the season's weather turns cooler, Post #2 projects, events, and activities are heating up. Our 2005 membership campaign is well underway. In fact, we are approaching fifty percent of our targeted goal. Post #2 Legionnaires are spreading the word that American Legion patriotism, involvement, and service are strong and getting stronger. The most effective way to recruit new and reinstate members is to simply invite them to join. You might be surprised how an enthusiastic and sincere welcome can achieve results.

The capital campaign to renovate our building has begun. Our newly printed brochure will reach Legionnaires, the community, and perspective members as we gather contributions and build our future. A capital campaign account is established and Legionnaires are encouraged to make your contributions now. Project details are available to all members. 

Post #2 celebrates Veterans Day with several ceremonial and entertaining events. Please check the calendar for specific times and places. Honoring veterans and those serving in the Armed Forces of the United States now is what this special day is all about. Participate in and enjoy this honored day of celebration and remembrance.

The annual joint meeting of Post #2 Legionnaires and Unit #2 Auxiliary members is scheduled for January 4, 2005. We will break away from the traditional meeting format and bring you an exciting, informational, and humorous program that takes a look at our organizations, our people, and our traditions. You won't want to miss this entertaining and informative evening. Please attend and encourage others to do likewise.

As always, thank you for your active participation in Post #2 projects and activities. Your service to God, country, and The American Legion is always appreciated.

Auxiliary President's Message
LaVonne Matthews

Hello!

I want to thank all of you who donated to the Bakeless Bake Sale. It was a great success. The rummage sale was held on October 9th with the 40 & 8. It wasn't as big as last year, but shoppers got some bargains. Thank you to all who helped that day.

For those members who crochet, knit, or sew, we could use volunteers to make lap robes, toasty toes slippers (crocheted or knitted), ditty bags (shaving/makeup bags), and wheelchair bags. I have the patterns so just let me know which one(s) you would like. I can be reached at home at 701-298-8573 or via e-mail at lavonne@thetitlecompany.com 

If you are volunteering anywhere this year (crocheting, knitting, and sewing count!), please let us know so we can document the hours. You can send the information to me via e-mail, phone, or mail it to the Post and address the envelope to: American Legion Auxiliary, Attn: LaVonne Matthews, 505 3rd Avenue N, Fargo, ND 58102. Any community service and/or veteran-related volunteering counts.

Our November meeting will be initiation for the new members and it's also Auxiliary birthday month. Come join us and have cake! The meeting is November 9th at 7:30. The December meeting will be our annual Christmas party. Barb Nash will be planning a fun evening for us.

I also want to remind you that the January meeting will be the joint meeting with the Post and will be January 4th at 7:30 p.m., which is the first Tuesday, so please note that date and plan on attending the joint meeting as we already have a special program lined up!!

Please send in your membership renewal as soon as you can. We are at our 50% goal! Thank you to all who have renewed so far. If you know anyone who is eligible to join, please encourage them to do so. There are brochures available that tell our story. Please call if you would like some.

Dates to remember for November and December are: 
November 1st - Board Meeting - 7 p.m. 
November 2nd - Past President's Parley Lunch 
November 9th - Regular Meeting - 7:30 p.m. 
November 11th - VETERAN'S DAY 
December 6th - Board Meeting - 7 p.m. 
December 7th - Past President's Parley Christmas Party 
December 8th - Gift Shop at the VA Hospital 
December 14th - Unit Christmas Party

I hope to see you at the meetings! Call if you need a ride.

LaVonne Matthews
President, Unit #2

Hello Everyone:

It's that time again! You ask time for what? It's time for all you Legionnaires, men and women to come down to your club and meet your friends or better yet, bring your friends and help support the club. Just maybe we will sign up some new members and bring some past members back in the American Legion. You ask who am I? Well, I am Don Schwinden the new Chef de Gare of the 40 et 8. Maybe not so new, this is my second time at this. Suppose I will get it right, only time will tell. All kidding aside, we do need your support

Please attend the post meetings on the 1st Tuesday of each month. The Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band plays a concert before each meeting and after the meeting we have free food for all in attendance. This month November 11th is Veterans Day. We honor all the vets of all the wars. Services start at 11 o'clock at the Civic Center. After that at noon we have stew for everyone at the American Legion Club ant its all free, plus the band will play for about 1 hour.

One more reminder, the 40 et 8 has there Promenade (meeting) on the 4th Tuesday of each month. We need some new and old faces in attendance. We help to start something different for your enjoyment.

Thank you and God Bless. Don Schwinden Chef de Gare

P.S. Check your bulletin (American Legion) on what is happening at the club.

From the Adjutant - Membership Goals The Department Headquarters sets membership goals for the year and every year in the past. The goals are as follows: 50% by 9/23 - Needed 900 members 55% by 10/8 - Needed 990 members 65% by 11/5 - Need 1181 members 75% by 12/3 - Need 1350 members

These goals are realistic and can be met if we get our renewals in and by getting new members. They are out there and we have to ask them.

We did meet our first goal. Our second goal of 55% we missed by 21 members at 53.27%. Presently we have 1021 members or 56.72% and our goal is 65%. We need an additional 162 memberships for 2005 to meet our 65% goal.

Please get your renewals and new memberships in as soon as possible. We are presently in the bottom 5 for memberships out of 29 posts. Please help us to meet our goals.

Raphael M. Hoff
Adjutant 

2005 New Members and Transfers

The American Legion Gilbert C. Grafton Post No.2 would like to welcome the following new members and transfers to our post. 

All Veterans are invited to a FREE day at the Fargo Theater November 7th. The entire seating has been donated to Veterans by Dave Kruze. Two movies will be shown, "No Time for Sergeants" and "Memphis Belle." The first showing is at 2:00pm.

The American Legion will be having Theatre B performing Stop Kiss upstairs on October 28-29 and November 4-6. Come on down and check out this 90 minute performance. Theatre B will also be having other productions starting in January and in May. For more information please contact Theatre B at 701-729-8880 or visit their website at www.theatreb.org 

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