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

VAVS Report - March

David Lee

The week of February 13 through February 19 was Veterans Week at the Fargo VA.  The special thing about volunteering that week was the extra help that was present to hand out Valentine cards which were made by grade school children and some Boy and Cub Scout troops, all from organizations in Fargo and surrounding area.  In the past years these Valentine cards were put into a basket for the veterans to pick up.  The problem was that no one seemed to get the message that the valentines were there for the veterans to pick up.  This year Karinn Davidson asked the different patriotic bodies in the area to help hand out these cards in a more personal way.  Our group headed up by Commander Bradley Aune took Thursday, February 13th to carry out this mission.  Commander Aune volunteered from 9:30 to 10:30 and Dave and Eileen Lee volunteered from 10:30 to 12:00.  Mavis Goodroad from the Auxiliary also volunteered on Wednesday.  We were unable to fill the rest of these units, but hope next year we can fill all units.  It would be very nice if we could fill the different units the entire week next year during Veterans Week, especially the afternoon units.  If you can fill any of these units next year, please give me a call at (218) 233-6489 or contact Karinn at the VA at (701) 239-3700, extension 9-3395.

This is a great project as both the veteran and the folks who make these Valentines Day cards get a lot out of it.  Personally it was a great joy to talk to some of the veterans and explain where these cards came from.  The messages were really heart warming.

VAVS Patient Night will be March 17th on the 2^nd floor at 7:15pm.  We set up around 6:30.  The theme will be a Casino Night for the veterans.

Finally, the 5th Annual Women Veterans Summit will be taking place on Saturday, March 8th, from 11am-4pm at the AMVETS Club in Bismarck, ND.  Put on by the Dakota Sisterhood of Women Veterans, attendees can enjoy presentations on self-help and VA benefits and partake in a silent auction.  Lunch and refreshments will be provided.  RSVP by e-mailing at dakotasisterhoodofveterans@gmail.com or calling 701-391-8272.  You will need a copy of your DD 214 or a discharge certificate to attend the event. 

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.



Legion to VA: Protect Our Personal Information

CLICK HERE to read about how the American Legion is challenging the VA to protect veteran's personal information.