UNITED PATRIOTIC BODIES MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 2004

The meeting was called to order by Commander Terry Richardson at 6:30 PM

Present Were: Commander Terry Richardson, Vice Commander John Woods, Adjutant Russ Stabler, Jan Jorgenson, Wayne Wermager, Wayne Ellefson, Dave Rice, Wally Buckingham, and Guest Bob Hanson.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commander Richardson

Adjutant Read the minutes of the October 18, 2004 meeting, the minutes were accepted and approved as read.

Financial Report was not given, but Terry Presented the following Bills:

Fargo Theater $80.25 
Interstate Printing $45.00

Income:

AmVets $200.00 
VFW Commitment for $200.00 
AM Legion Commitment for $200.00

A Motion to pay the bills was made by Wally Bucingham and seconded by Russ Stabler, motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

VETERANS DAY

Terry reported that at the parade formation, the Fargo PD, felt they needed more police presence, because of vehicles being in the parade.

We need the names of the Color Guard Commanders as soon as possible, so we can contact them for functions and to establish procedures, so this progress smoothly and we know who we need to talk to regarding the Color Guards.

For inside functions we need more chairs set up to accommodate spectators at our events, instead of having to scramble for chairs at the last minute.

FARGO THEATER

There was a very poor turnout for the theater on November 7th, more advanced advertisement it seems is needed, although Public Service Announcements were made on Fox News, WDAY and on the Cable Channel.

It has been recommended that all Veterans Posts should send Certificates of Thank You to Dave Kruze for his efforts on behalf of all the Veterans in the Area.

BRIDGE NAME

The Fargo City Council voted Unanimously to support the Veterans efforts to name the New Main Avenue Bridge the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Terry also reported on the meeting between the Mayors of Fargo, Moorhead and Veterans Representatives on November 16, 2004. At the meeting, it was decided that the cities would draft a resolution to be presented to the county Commissions and to the State Legislatures for approval and naming of the bridge.

Wee still need to meet with the two County Commissions. We want to have the Resolution in hand and previewed by an Attorney before meeting the County. A motion was made by Russ Stabler and seconded by Wayne Ellefson, the motion carried.

John Syverson, North Dakota Senate supports veterans efforts in the naming of the bridge, Bob Hanson also recommended we get the House and Senate Majority and Minority leaders to endorse the efforts.

Everyone is meeting at the American Legion Post 2 at 12:30 PM on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 for the Bridge Opening Ceremonies. At this time we will have Color Guards from The American Legion, AmVets and VFW from Fargo. They will March in from the West end of the Bridge to the Plaza and will be escorting one American Flag and the North Dakota Flag to the plaza for Raising. Raising the flags will be Wayne Wermager, Dave Rice, John Woods and Russ Stabler.

RABALO

The dedication of this memorial will probably happen near the end of April 2005. So far we have not heard anything back from the Submarine Group in Fargo, further discussion is deferred to a later date.

NEW BUSINESS

In planning for the next Memorial Day Ceremonies we should invite the North Dakota Congressional delegation, the Governor of North Dakota. We are going to invite Warren Tappen of the DAV as Speaker, Wayne Ellefson, AmVets will be the Master of Ceremonies and we will be inviting Jim Chenney as the Chaplain.

The UPB will be assuming coordination duties for flag placements on veterans graves for Memorial Day.

Deferred was a discussion as to what time ceremonies should be called for inclement weather.

NEXT MEETING

Next meeting will be on December 27, 2004 at 6:30 PM, Place to be announced with the American Legion as the Alternate in case a place cannot be determined for a Moorhead Post.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:30PM.