Welcome
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!
Post Meeting!
Just a reminder that there is a Post Meeting on Tuesday, August 7th at 7pm at the Hector Airport Business Park! Please join us at 1801 23rd Avenue in north Fargo for our meeting!
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.
May their souls rest in peace.
Long Term Direction of VA Still Uncertain
The American Legion counts 17 major issues that remain unaddressed in the absence of competent leadership at the head of the VA. CLICK HERE to read more.
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!
USDA Announces $8.4 Million to Veterans and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement (OPPE) recently announced up to $8.4 million in available funding for training and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program).
African-American War Heroes Through All of America’s Conflicts
February is African American History Month. CLICK HERE to read about some of the Medals of Honor and other heroes from America’s history.
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Olympians' Military Background Gives Them an Edge
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Soldiers will represent the United States on bobsled and luge teams in Winter Olympics. CLICK HERE to read more! |
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!
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US to ISIS: 'Surrender or Die'
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| Pentagon’s senior enlisted servicemember issued a blunt warning to Islamic State fighters, saying they could either surrender or face death in a number of ways. CLICK HERE to read more. |
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The ‘Best Kind of Handshake’ for Young Veterans
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| Student Veterans of America members met in San Antonio to network and share in The American Legion’s tribute to the GI Bill. CLICK HERE to learn more. |
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Philip B. Onderdonk Jr. Retiring After 35 Years
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| No one in history served longer as an American Legion national officer than Philip Onderdonk. CLICK HERE to read more! |
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.
News
From the National Commander
CLICK HERE to read the latest from our National Commander Denise H. Rohan.
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California Post Opens Doors to Fire Evacuees, First Responders
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| Post 519 in Palm Springs served as a shelter for Cranston fire victims, serving food and announcing its assistance through news channels and a Legion ham radio station. CLICK HERE to read more. |
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Finally, a New VA Medical Center in Colorado
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| The long-delayed and debated project ushers in a new era of care for Denver-area veterans. CLICK HERE to read more. |
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American Troops Involved in Thai Cave Rescue
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| United States Special Operations Forces were called upon to help rescue the trapped boys’ soccer team. CLICK HERE to read more. |
Sweeping Veterans Health Care Bill Becomes Law
Among other provisions, the VA MISSION Act includes provisions to consolidate community care programs into a single, streamlined service and provides sufficient funding to extend the program through 2019. CLICK HERE to read more.
A Century of Americanism
A Tennessee Post is marking the American Legion centennial by teaching area students about the flag. CLICK HERE to read more!
North Dakota Veterans Home Director Receives Award
Mark Johnson, Director of the North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon, has received the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) "Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award. CLICK HERE to read more!
Do You Know 2nd Lt. C.A. Jackson, 2nd Division, AEF?
A Wisconsin Legionnaire is looking to reunite a canteen with descendants of this World War I Soldier. CLICK HERE to read on.
Commander Rohan Pledges to Work with New VA Secretary
The National Commander released a statement regarding the selection and confirmation for a new VA Secretary. CLICK HERE to read more.
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Electrical Stimulation Treatment Helps PTSD Patients
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Treatment helps patients reduce stress, anxiety. CLICK HERE to learn more. |
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Final 100 Cities/100 Memorial Grant Recipients Named
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The American Legion was involved with several winners, also designated as national centennial memorials. CLICK HERE to read more. |
Legacy Scholarship Gives Ohio Student Home
Chase Cooke received the college scholarship in honor of his father, a post-9/11 disabled veteran. CLICK HERE to read more!
Survey Shows Veteran Households Support Research of Medical Cannabis
CLICK HERE to see the results of an American Legion survey conducted by an independent research company.
Old Glory All Over the World
Wisconsin Boys State alum and current US Army Lieutenant has been able to fly his US flag in 21 countries spanning all seven continents. CLICK HERE to read more!
Legion Reaffirms Position for a Stong America
National Commander Denise H. Rohan and Legion leadership meet in Indianapolis to vote on resolutions, receive donations and promote Family First! initiatives. CLICK HERE to read more!
Are You a Past Post 2 Baseball Player?
If you are a past Post 2 Baseball player, please let us know! Post 2 Baseball would like to put together a list of Legion members who have played Post 2 baseball into an "alumni list"!
CLICK HERE to E-mail Adjutant Hanson to submit your name as a Post 2 baseball alum!
Location Change for Post Meetings
All Post Meetings will take place at the Hector Airport Business Park (the old Hector Terminal located at 1801 23rd Avenue North, Fargo) unless otherwise advertised. Going forward, this site will be the permanent meeting space for American Legion Post 2.
Meetings and events had been occurring at the Fargo Air Museum for the past several months, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the location for events and meetings has officially changed back to the Hector Airport Business Park.
Who Will Fill Our Shoes?
American Legion national commanders asks members of the NEC who is going to carry the organization into the next century. CLICK HERE to read on.
America's Military is Losing Its Technology Edge
The global war on terrorism and reduced defense spending have taken their toll, even as rival nations are modernizing their forces. CLICK HERE to read on.
VALOR at NDSU
VALOR (Veteran Alliance Organization) was created to improve the campus climate for military and veteran students at North Dakota State University. The concept is to create a network of ADVOCATES made up of staff, faculty, and administrators at NDSU who are identified to our veteran students as people that they can go to for guidance and direction.
VALOR materials and training opportunities provide:
- An understanding of military culture.
- An understanding of potential issues student veterans face.
- An awareness of the resources available to student veterans on and off our campus.
VALOR is sponsored by American Legion Post 400 and an Advisory Board that provides guidance and oversight.
Questions on the program can be directed to Adjutant Christopher Hanson or Past Commander Brad Aune, both who are Advisory Board members of VALOR.
Why Join the Legion?
Looking for good reasons to join or convince someone to join the American Legion? Wondering if it would be worth it to start up again after letting your membership lapse? CLICK HERE to read more about why you should join us in our mission and cause!
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