Welcome to the internet home of the Gilbert C. Grafton American Legion Post 2 of Fargo, North Dakota.  Here, you will find all the latest information on the happenings of Post 2.  The post is alive and well and contributing to the community!

From the Commander: January Post Meeting - DATE CHANGE

Members of Post 2,

Our normal Post meeting is on the first Tuesday of each month.  However, this year the first Tuesday of January falls on New Year's Day.  We have decided to move the meeting to the 2nd Tuesday of the month, January 8th.  I realize this may conflict with other meetings for some of our members, but moving to a different weekday did not seem like a good choice.

This year the American Legion is 100 years old.   We plan to hold a"Birthday Party" sometime in late April or early May after some of our members return from their southern winter homes.  We will select the date soon, and once we know this, we'll let you know the location and time as well.  We will cater a nice meal and have a short program on the history of the American Legion- especially our own post, Post 2.  If you have any stories, pictures or other memorabilia  we could use to make a display for the day, please let us know.  We want to make this a special day for you to share with your American Legion Post 2 friends.

I hope you have a wonderful New Year - 2019.

Sylvan Melroe

Commander

American Legion Post 2

Veterans Day Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who helped us with the Veterans Day Stew Feed!  We served around 150 people who enjoyed conversation, a meal, and a patriotic concert!

Thanks to all of the Legion and Auxiliary members who helped prep and cook the stew!  And thanks to everyone who helped with serving the stew, helped with setup and teardown of the rooms, and helped with cleanup of the kitchen.

Thanks to the Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band for a wonderful concert!

Thanks to Ameriacn Heritage Girls for aiding with bussing tables, working on the serving line, and taking care of coffee and water refills.

And thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed the afternoon with us!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Brad Aune, member of Post 2, on the occasion of his appointment to the American Legion Veterans Employment and Education Council!  Brad has accepted this invitation which was issued on behalf of National Commander Brett Reistad by the National Executive Committee of the American Legion!  

Brad currently serves on the Executive Board of Post 2 and is a two-time Past Commander of Post 2.

October Post Meeting

Thank you to Dan Thorstad, Cass County Veterans Service Officer, for speaking to us at our October Post Meeting on all things veteran related!  And thank you to Ross Dent of West Fargo High School and Daniel Wanner of Shanley High School for speaking at the meeting about their experiences at Boy's State this past summer!

"Flag and Officer Down" Campaign

Thank you to Officer Michael Clower, Fargo Police Department, for being our guest at our September Post Meeting. Officer Clower dropped off nearly 50 American flags which will be retired on a later date. The flags were dropped off with Fargo Police Department officers during a month-long campaign earlier this summer called "Flag an Officer Down".

The program offered a way for Fargo citizens to retire their worn or frayed American flags in a proper way. The Fargo Police Department accepted flags from May 16th to June 14th. People simply “flagged down an officer” and gave them the flags, or they brought them in to the Fargo Police Department.

Thank you to the Fargo Police Department for putting on this wonderful campaign! And thank you to Officer Clower for coming by our meeting and speaking with us!

American Legion Post 2 was proud to host the 100th Annual Department Convention from June 20-24, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Fargo!  Thanks to everyone from Post 2 who volunteered to help out at the Convention!

Post Everlasting Ceremony - June 5th

On June 5th, Post 2 conducted their annual Post Everlasting Ceremony, a short memorial service to recognize and remember all of our Post 2 member that we have lost over the past year.  Commander Sylvan Melroe conducted the ceremony with the aid of Adjutant Christopher Hanson and Second Vice Commander David Johnston.

The following Comrades have been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Post Everlasting of The American Legion:

Vernon L. Arnstad, John E. Beaton, Lloyd R. Boldt, Wayne J. Colberg, Merle W. Gullekson, Algert C. Krieger, Robert M. Lingquist, Thomas J. McNesse, Arlyn Mogck, Juel E. Mueller, Gary Nelson, Raymond Schaffer, Edward A. Skroch, Lloyd O. Thompson, and Donald Wold.

50 and 60 Year Member Awards Ceremony

Veterans Club Opens in the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo

Sanford Health unveiled a beautiful Veterans Club at their medical center in Fargo earlier this week.  The club gives military veterans and their families a dedicated place to grab a cup of coffee and meet others who have served their country.

The club is part of the organization’s efforts to streamline and add resources for veterans, military personnel and their families.

In addition to providing a space to relax or talk with fellow veterans between appointments, the club has coffee and water, guest computer access and a lounge area with a game table and TV.

CLICK HERE for the full story and to check out more photos of the Veterans Club at Sanford Health!

Congratulations to Job Service North Dakota on the occasion of them receiving the ESGR Seven Seals Award!  Thank you for everything you do for our veterans!

Boys State Participants Visit Post 2

During the American Legion Post 2 December Post Meeting, Post members were pleased to welcome three Boys State participants and their families.  The three young men, all sponsored by American Legion Post 2, attended Boys State in Wahpeton this past summer in June of 2017.

After being introduced by Wayne Wermager, Post 2 Chaplain and Boys State Representative, all three boys visited about their experience at Boys State.

Thank you to Jack Berg (son of Rick Berg), Cameron Knoll (son of Ron Knoll), and Ryan Ferguson (son of Mark Ferguson) for sharing your experiences with us!  And thank you for representing American Legion Post 2 at Boys State 2017!     

Veterans Day

Thanks to everyone who helped make our Veterans Day Stew Feed at the Fargo Civic Center a success! 

Thanks to the Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band for a wonderful concert!

Thanks to the American Heritage Girls for the baked goods, the blankets, and all of their hard work helping with the event!

And thanks to everyone who celebrated Veterans Day with us!  We appreciate it very much!

Department Auxiliary President Homecoming Banquet

Congratulations to Mavis Goodroad, North Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Department President, on a wonderful Homecoming Banquet!  American Legion Post 2, her "Home Post", is proud of Mavis and her dedication to the American Legion, and wishes her nothing but the best in all she hopes to accomplish during the 2017-2018 membership year!

The 164th Infantry Regiment World War II Memorial Rededicated on Flag Day

American Legion Post 2 performed a rededication ceremony for the 164th Infantry Regiment World War II Memorial on Flag Day at Lindenwood Park.  Post 2 Commander, Christopher Hanson of Fargo officiated over the ceremony.  The event featured remarks by Dave Piepkorn (Fargo City Commissioner), Sylvan Melroe (Memorial Relocation Lead), Joel Vettel (Fargo Parks Director), and Vern Fetch (President of the 164th Infantry Association).  Speeches were followed by a rededication of the monument and honors to all 164th Infantry Soldiers who have passed over the years.

The 164th Infantry Monument was originally erected on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and 5th Street in Fargo on a plot provided by Gilbert C. Grafton American Legion Post 2, in front of their building in downtown Fargo.  The granite monument recognized 216 men who were called to active duty in 1941.  The men were assigned to Bravo Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 164th Infantry Regiment, North Dakota National Guard.  During over four and a half years of activation, these Soldiers proved that on the fields of international conflict, a citizen Soldier could excel and could meet the best the enemy had to offer and could prevail.  They served North Dakota and the United States with distinction and honor.  And they provided North Dakota and its military with an unequaled record of accomplishment.

The 164th Infantry Regiment was an outstanding military organization that accumulated over 600 days of jungle combat in numerous locations and battles, most notably Guadalcanal in October of 1942.  Among their many decorations were five Distinguished Service Crosses and a Navy Cross.  They suffered an astounding 50% casualty rate including 325 who did not return.

The monument was originally dedicated by Major General Alexander P. McDonald, the North Dakota Adjutant General at that time, on October 24th of 1987.  The monument served as a reminder to the community of the young men who assembled in North Dakota on a cold February of 1941 and set off to serve in World War II.

After nearly 30 years calling the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 5th Street its home, a decision to move the monument was made.  Post 2 had sold their downtown building and was in the process of moving to their new home.  The choice was made to seek out a new appropriate home where all could continue to view and admire this beautiful monument.  Under the supervision of Adjutant Sylvan Melroe and with the cooperation of Fargo Parks, arrangements were made and agreed upon to move the monument to Lindenwood Park.  And through generous donations by L. Gnoinsky Concrete/Construction, Inc. Aggregate Industries of Fargo-Moorhead, and Dakota Moument Company with cooperation and coordination with the Fargo Park District, the monument was removed from downtown, given a good cleaning, and placed at Lindenwood Park in early November of 2016.