Connecting with Younger Veterans

CLICK HERE to read a very nice and informative article on ways to connect to younger veterans in the quest to bring younger membership to our veteran organizations!  This article is courtesy of The Post Insurance Program.

A True Work of Art

CLICK HERE to see and read about a beautiful piece of art that pays tribute to our veterans in Amherst, Ohio.

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!

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



Reserve Component Tackles the Issue of Sexual Assault

CLICK HERE to read an outstanding article published in 'The Officer Magazine' (THE RESERVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION) addressing how the Reserve Component is tackling Sexual Assault.  Our very own Post 2 member, Maj. Penny Ripperger of the North Dakota Air National Guard, is highlighted in this article.  Maj. Ripperger serves as the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the 119th Wing.

The Pickled Parrot

Have you been down to the Pickled Parrot in the American Legion lately?  Great drinks, great service, gaming (blackjack and pull tabs), and outstanding entertainment on the weekends - get downtown and check it out!  For current Legion members, present your 2014 membership card and get your second drink free.  Support the Pickled Parrot at the American Legion, open Tuesday-Saturday, 4pm-2am.

To learn more about The Pickled Parrot at the American Legion, CLICK HERE!

Veterans Day Stew Feed a Success

Christopher Hanson, Post Adjutant

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Veterans Day Stew Feed this past Monday!  We hope to have a final attendance count and the amount we received in free-will donations sometime this week, we will share that information as soon as we have it. 

Thanks to all of the American Legion and Auxiliary members who came out both Sunday and Monday to help prepare the stew and set up the hall for the feed.  Over 30 volunteers were present on Sunday to help with cutting up veggies and meat as well as preparing the stew.  Nearly 20 volunteers were in attendance on Monday to continue preparing the stew.  Those volunteers also helped with prepping the hall, cleaning up the entrance into the building, setting up the serving line, and serving the meal.

A huge thank you goes out to THE AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS for their help!  The organization chose to spend their Veterans Day aiding with the stew feed.  Jobs included putting out salt and pepper shakers, producing wonderful Veterans Day thank you cards, serving water and coffee, and helping out wherever they could throughout the afternoon.  The girls were always willing to help out in any way they were able and we are very grateful for their dedication!

Thanks to THE RED RIVER VALLEY VETERANS CONCERT BAND for putting on a very nice concert in honor of Veterans Day.  Their perfect combination of marches, vocal pieces, and patriotic numbers were the perfect showcase for the event and venue.

Thanks to Rob Johnson of MRK and THE PICKLED PARROT for allowing us to utilize the kitchen area for the preparation and serving of the stew.  You support of the American Legion is appreciated very much and we thank you for your continued assistance in making events like this happen.

Thanks in particular to Dave Johnston and Tommy Tolman who spearheaded much of the stew feed project.  Their above and beyond participation ensured that the stew feed was truly a success.

And of course, thank you to everyone who came out to the event.  We look forward to next year's stew feed. 

On behalf of the post, we hope that you had a delightful and safe Veterans Day.  God bless our servicemembers and our veterans. 

More photos of the event can be found on our PHOTO PAGE.

VAVS Report - November

David Lee

Construction continues to be a problem at the VA. It looks like it will be another year before Volunteer Services will be able to move back into their regular building space. The Escort Service will be moving to the front desk near the sign-in desk.

Veterans Day Change - Karin Davison asked the in-patient veterans how they would like to be honored on Veterans day and most said they would like a special BINGO or blackjack night. That being determined, there will be a Veterans Day party in the CLC for veterans rather than the traditional Veterans Day Ceremony that has been done in past years.

The Fargo VA Health Care System is looking at a program called Medical Foster Home (MFH). This is an alternative to nursing home care for veterans. A Medical Foster Home is owned or rented by a caregiver who resides in the home and provides care and supervision to up to three veterans with help and support form VA’s Home Based Primary Care Team. We are currently looking for caregivers that live within a 50-mile radius of Fargo-Moorhead who are willing to open their homes and care for veterans. For more information on this, there will be an information meeting Thursday, November 7th at the Fargo Carlson Library Community Room (2801 32^nd Ave South, Fargo) from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. No RSPV is required. You can also contact Loni Larson at (701) 232-3241, extension 9-4394 for more information.

The VA Medical Center will be closed Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 28th.

Wayne D. Satrom has accepted the position of National Vice Commander, Midwest Region. This coversthe states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.

American Legion Post 297 of Harwood made a donation of $440. This will go towards the Columbus Day meal.

There are still many Volunteer Opportunities at the VA to include the following: Emergency Department Clerk, Reception Assistant, Ambulatory Surgery, Nursing Assistant Ambulatory, and Nutrition and Food Services Meal assistant (CLC).