VAVS Report - April

David Lee

The VA Volunteer Recognition Banquet will be held at the Moorhead Veterans of Foreign War in Dilworth, MN on April 29th.  Awards and recognition at the banquet will be given to recipients of the 300 Hour Youth Award, 100 Hour Volunteer Award, and 15 Year Service (Pin) Award.

With all of the building projects going on at the VA, parking continues to be a problem.  However we been promised more parking for volunteers south of the current parking lot.

The Healing Gardens project needs more help to bring the goal to a reality.  Hopefully we will be able to get more volunteers to assist in this project, mainly the landscaping.  Much more has to be done to get ready.  This project will provide a calm and peaceful space for veterans and their families when they need to step away from the hospital settings.

There continues to be a shortage of iPods and MP3 music for our veterans in the medical center.  Thanks to Commander Bradley Aune for aiding in solving this problem.

You may donate magazine subscriptions and have them shipped directly to the VA or donate funds that will be used to purchase magazines for the book cart and clinic waiting areas.

There continues to be needs such as $10.00 Wal Mart gift cards, canteen coupon books, $40.00 Cenex gift cards for gasoline, amd vouchers for the bus (to help veterans get home after visits to the VA.)

If you are interested in volunteering at the VA, please contact me or contact Karinn (at the VA) at (701) 239-3700, extension 3397 or log on to www.bloodhero.com (code: VA-medical) to make an appointment online.

"Veterans are Unteachable"

CLICK HERE to read an unbelievable story about what a college instructor claims to be her findings regarding students who are military veterans.  This will shock and enrage you!

24 Medals of Honor Awarded by the President

CLICK HERE to read about and watch video of President Barack Obama – in his role as commander-in-chief – awarding 24 Medals of Honor to US Army veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  Three of the recipients were on hand to receive their medals, while family members represented the remaining 21 who received the highest medal for valor posthumously.

From the Commander

Fellow Legionnaires of Post #2,

One of the pillars of the American Legion is child and youth activities. We have our “official” youth programs that we support, but there are several other ways that you as a Legion member can get involved with youth activities. I have been a volunteer coach for 6 years with the Fargo Youth Football programs. The picture attached is of me and my son Hunter, also a hockey player, at the Father/Son end-of-season hockey game. I have talked to other parents of the youth teams that my kids are on and let them know what the Legion does. I am thinking that I will get some new members from this but more importantly, it is showing that the Legion membership is involved in the community. I encourage any of you that are involved with youth programs to talk about the Legion and to tell us about what you do in our community. It would be great to hear all the good things that Post 2 members are doing with youth programs.

Semper Fi,

Brad Aune

Commander

American Legion Post 2

Agent Orange Exposure

The American Legion has announced its support for extending VA benefits eligibility to veterans who were exposed to aircraft that had previously sprayed Agent Orange over Vietnam during the war.  CLICK HERE to learn more.

No Veteran Dies Alone

“No one should die alone…Each human should die with the sight of a loving face.”

Mother Teresa

The Fargo VA is now recruiting volunteers for the No Veteran Dies Alone program.

No Veteran Dies Alone (NVDA) is a volunteer program that provides the reassuring presence of a volunteer companion to patients with end stage diseases. With the support of nursing staff, No Veteran Dies Alone volunteers are able to help provide patients with the valuable human gifts of their presence.

No Veteran Dies Alone volunteers may provide their presence to seriously ill patients who have neither family nor close friends near or they may provide respite to the family members of seriously ill Veterans by sitting with the Veteran while their loved ones go to an appointment or simply take a break.

All employees, volunteers and the community are invited to be considered for the No Veteran Dies Alone program. As a NVDA volunteer, you choose the time, day, and number of hours you are available to volunteer.

Nursing skills are not necessary to participate in the program. Companions should be willing to hold the hand of a Veteran, play music, read to the Veteran, etc.

All volunteers must become a registered volunteer with the Fargo VA Health Care System and be available to attend a training session where they will learn the simple art of being compassionately present at the bedside of a seriously ill Veteran. The first training date is scheduled for Friday, April 4, from 8:30am to 12pm in the third floor auditorium.

To register, please contact Voluntary Service at ext. 3395. Tell them you would like to be a part of the No Veteran Dies Alone team.



Revitalization Discussion, Part II

CLICK HERE to review the Revitalization Report by Adjutant Christopher Hanson.  This report was briefed a the February Post Meeting.

WE NEED YOUR HELP - Building Projects

We are desperately in need of help around the building at Post 2.  An endless list of tasks is building and growing and your aid is needed in the form of "sweat equity".  Cleaning and maintenance in and around the building is essential and we are calling on you to help us out if possible.

Most tasks are routine and do not take too much time.  There are a limited number of large projects that also need to be taken care of as well.  Any help you can contribute would be appreciated very much.

CLICK HERE TO READ A FULL LIST OF TASKS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN THE POST 2 BUILDING!

Our monthly Field Day is taking place this coming Monday, March 3rd from 4pm-7pm.  PLEASE CONSIDER COMING DOWN AND HELPING OUT AROUND THE BUILDING THAT AFTERNOON/EVENING!

Contact Christopher Hanson at (701) 306-7567 or Tommy Tolman at (701) 237-4013 to volunteer today.