Search Results for: American Legion

Napoleon Unit 72

Napoleon Unit 72

Guest Speaker MSGT Chelsie Gross of the North Dakota National Guard

Guest Speaker MSGT Chelsie Gross of the North Dakota National Guard

Napoleon Unit 72 Veterans Day Program

A Veterans Day at School program was coordinated by Unit President Helen Braun of Barry-Hoof American Legion Auxiliary Unit 72, and Principal Whitney Weigel of Napoleon Public School Grades K-6. Teagan Erbele, Student Council President, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

The American Legion Color Guard presented the colors to open the program with the singing of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Veterans residing at the Napoleon Care Center as well as veterans living in the area and American Legion and Auxiliary members were recognized.

Helen Braun shared a reading of the ‘Military Child Table Ceremony’ with elementary students participating. The ‘Military Child Table Ceremony’ represents the absence of a military parent during the growing years of a child and the important dates and activities a parent may miss participating in.

Chelsie Gross, MSGT North Dakota National Guard, was invited as the guest speaker. With the aid of a slide show program, “Embarking on a Journey of Purpose,” Chelsie described her military training and career that took her around the world while obtaining a good education. Most recently she has had a joint career experience with the Bismarck Army and Fargo Air Force. She has been deployed four times and plans to make the military a 20-year career.

The program closed with the American Legion Color Guard retiring the colors and presenting the playing of ‘TAPS.’

Article and photo submitted by: Ann Knecht

December 2023 Message Article

2023 Winter Conference

2023 Winter Conference

 

Winter Conference Highlight 05 (oratorical winners)

American Legion Oratorical Contest Winners (l-r): National Auxiliary President Vicki Koutz, National LegionVice Commander Glenn Wahus, Contest Chairman Mike Weyrauch, 1st place winner Casey Kruger of Valley City, 2nd place winner Eva Rykowsky of Mandan, 3rd place winner Malachi Dilse of Scranton, 4th place winner McKenna Wilke of Cando, and National Leading Candidate Daniel Seehafer.

Winter Conference Highlight 06 (Natl Pres w quilt)

Past Department President Sharon White Bear (2021-2022) (left) , and sister Danile Henry present National President Vickie Koutz with a star quilt hand made by members of Joseph White Hawk-Elmer Bear Unit 253 of White Shield.

Winter Conference Highlight 07 (boyer koutz w hats)

Northwestern Division National Vice President Marlene Boyer and National Auxiliary President Vickie Koutz receive warm North Dakota head gear from the American Legion Department of North Dakota.

Winter Conference Highlight 08 (district president w NP)

District Presidents with Department and National President: (l-r) Gigi Moore, District 10; Brenda Ekness, District 9; Lualice Stockert, District 7; Linda Siewert, District 6; Vickie Koutz, National President; Sandra Petermann, Department President; Peggy Moran, District 5; Jane Schoonover, District 4; Sandra Smith, District 3; Shelley Schuster, District 2; and Berniece Froiland, District 1.

Winter Conference Highlights (Gold Star Mothers w NP)

Gold Star Mothers (l-r): Joyce Mehrer, Harriet Goodiron, National Auxiliary President Vickie Koutz, Sheila Richter, Adi Reiss.

2022 Department Convention

2022 Department Convention

June 24-26, 2022

Cheryl Evenson Convention ChairmanGreetings from Dickinson

Cheryl Evenson, 2022 Department Convention Chairman, and Matthew Brew Unit 3 of Dickinson, cordially welcome all American Legion Family members and guests to Department Convention on ‘The Western Edge’. With headquarters at the Roosevelt Grand Dakota Hotel at 532 15th Street West in Dickinson, the convention will be held Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26. Come join us as we celebrate the next 100 years of service in the American Legion Auxiliary. Enjoy your stay and feel free to explore our beautiful city.

Roosevelt Grand Dakota Hotel located at 532 15th Street West, Dickinson ND  58601 will be convention headquarters and meetings.

 

2022 Winter Conference

2022 Winter Conference

Greetings Auxiliary Members,

Plans are complete for a successful 2022 Winter Conference to be held at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Bismarck. If you have not already made plans to attend, now is a great time to do that. Visit with your unit members and ask them to accompany you to Bismarck for the weekend. The address for the Ramkota Hotel is 800 S 3rd Street, Bismarck, ND the telephone number for the Ramkota Hotel is 701-258-7700.

Northwestern Division National Vice President, Dee Dee Buckley, of Minnesota will be joining us at Winter Conference for what will be a weekend packed with discussion, learning and fun. We will be hearing from Dee Dee and Sharon on several different topics that will enhance your work in support of veterans and understanding of the American Legion Auxiliary organization. We are also planning a fun session of painting poppies. This is a takeoff of an event many of us enjoyed while attending the 2021 National Convention in Phoenix. Plan to have some fun and laughs.

Please register and order banquet tickets with the links below.  Send payment to the Department Office at 1801 23rd Ave N, Rm 113 – Fargo, ND  58102-1047.

Carol Wolf (right), author of the cookbook compilation “Nana Presents Favorite Recipes from the North Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Family and Veterans,” presents a copy to Dee Dee Buckley, Northwestern Division Vice President. Donations made for the cookbook have been distributed to the Fargo VA Medical Center and the Lisbon Veterans Home. Carol is a dual member of Gilbert C. Grafton Post/Unit 2 in Fargo and is the current Department Office Assistant.

Carol Wolf (right), author of the cookbook compilation “Nana Presents Favorite Recipes from the North Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Family and Veterans,” presents a copy to Dee Dee Buckley, Northwestern Division Vice President. Donations made for the cookbook have been distributed to the Fargo VA Medical Center and the Lisbon Veterans Home. Carol is a dual member of Gilbert C. Grafton Post/Unit 2 in Fargo and is the current Department Office Assistant.

2021 Department Convention

2021 Department Convention in Minot, N.D.

Convention Schedule as of 6-22-2021

June 25-27, 2021

Grand Hotel
1505 North Broadway
Minot, ND  58703


Convention Documents (as of 4-21-2021)

  • 2021 Call To Convention
  • 2021 Convention Registration Form
  • 2021 Convention Banquet Order Form
  • 2021 Credentials Certification
  • 2021 Unit Voting Delegate Eligibility Revised 05-28-2019

What do I need to do to register for the Convention?

Fill out the paperwork and send it along with payment to the Department Auxiliary Office.

  • Registration cost – $15
  • Advanced registration prior to June 6 is appreciated

2021 Convention Registration Form

American Legion Auxiliary Department of ND
1801 23rd Ave N, Rm 113
Fargo, ND  58102-1047


How do I attend the Past Presidents Parley luncheon?

Fill out the paperwork and send it along with payment to the Department Auxiliary Office.

  • Luncheon – $20
  • Must be a current or past Unit, District, or Department President to attend
  • Please order by June 6

2021 Convention Registration Form (same as above registration form)

American Legion Auxiliary Department of ND
1801 23rd Ave N, Rm 113
Fargo, ND  58102-1047


How do I order Convention Banquet tickets?

Fill out the Legion paperwork and send in the form with payment to the Legion Department Office.

  • Banquet ticket – $30  (if ordered by June 9)
  • Banquet ticket – $35 (if ordered between June 9-16)
  • Meal – Roast Sirloin or Beef
  • Orders must be received at the Legion office by June 16
  • Limited purchase will be available at the Legion registration desk at Convention
  • Processing is not available through the Department Auxiliary Office

2021 Convention Banquet Order Form

Make Check Payable to:  American Legion Department of North Dakota

Mail Payment to:

American Legion Department of North Dakota
405 Main Ave W Suite #4A
West Fargo, ND 58078


What are Department credentials?

A verification that a unit member may be a delegate or alternate for Convention.  The member must be in good standing and have their dues paid up for the 2021 membership year.  They must also be elected by their respective units to attend convention as delegates or alternates.

  • Fill out the credential paperwork and send it to the Department Office
  • Each person listed as a Delegate must have a paid registration for Convention
  • Verification of Delegates and Alternates will initially be completed by the Department Office
  • Secondary verification is performed by a credentials representative at the Convention itself
  • The number of delegates you may have is determined by your unit membership numbers (please contact the Department Office to get this number if you don’t already have it)

2021 Credentials Certification

2021 Unit Voting Delegate Eligibility Revised 05-28-2019

 


What is a Call to Convention? 

A document that denotes the upcoming convention as per the Department Constitution.

Call for the One Hundredth Annual Convention of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of North Dakota

THE ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY, DEPARTMENT OF NORTH DAKOTA, IS HEREBY CALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 1, OF THE DEPARTMENT CONSTITUTION AND WILL BE HELD IN MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA on June 25-27, 2021

Purpose:
The Convention is called for the purpose of electing Department Officers for the ensuing year, receiving reports of Department Officers and Committees, electing DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES to the 2021 NATIONAL CONVENTION of the American Legion Auxiliary, amending the Department Constitution and Bylaws, and for the transaction of such other business as may be brought before the Convention.

2021 Call To Convention (Full document)

2020 Winter Conference

Winter Conference Memorial Service Participants

Participants in Winter Conference Memorial Service: (L to R): Gloria Covert, District 3 President; Marcy Schmidt, Department Secretary; LoAnn Dick, District 8 President; Gigi Moore, Past Department President; Peggy Moran, District 5 Vice President; Berniece Froiland, District 1 President; Kathy Tuma, District 2 President; Rose Laning, District 7 President; and Joan Lasher, District 4 President.

A Memorial Service honoring deceased Auxiliary members was officiated by Department Chaplain Sandra Petermann at the 2020 Winter Conference on Saturday, January 25. District Presidents and Department Officers read the names of 230 members, including three Past Department Presidents, who passed away in 2019. Our departed members are missed by their families and their units and we appreciate their past loyalty and commitment to the American Legion Auxiliary and its mission to support veterans and their families.
Submitted by Department Chaplain Sandra Petermann

 

 

 


Winter Conference Documents

 


I recently attended the Winter Conference in Bismarck.   The event was hosted by the Gilbert S. Furness Post 40 of Mandan and they extended great hospitality to all the attendees. Thank you all for your hard work to make it a very enjoyable two days.

I will include a few notes from the conference.  There were 65 Auxiliary members who attended the conference out of 158 units in North Dakota.  Thank you to the members who were able to attend. There is a lot of information shared during meetings and social time.

Judy Twete, Past Department President, gave a presentation on “How to Conduct an Effective Meeting” and “Parliamentary Procedures”. It is always good to have a refresher on these topics.

There will be a new unit guide book printed in the near future. In the meantime, you can download a copy from the National website at Unit Guide Book.

The Department Constitution is being updated and every unit will receive a copy before it is approved. Hopefully all our members will take the time to review it. It will be voted on and approved at the Department Convention in June 2021. After approval, all units will be required to update their unit constitution accordingly.

All units must file a 990-N tax-exemption form annually with the IRS in order to maintain non-profit status. If your unit hasn’t filed your tax form or you don’t know how to file, please contact the Department Office with your questions.  Units must also be registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office.

All units are encouraged to promote a celebration in honor of the 100th anniversary of the American Legion Auxiliary in 2021. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate but a little something to promote the American Legion Auxiliary and make your community aware of who you are and what you do. Remember to snap a few pictures and send those to our Department Historian.  Hopefully we can create an archive book of all the events in the state.

We have three units in the state that are recommended for disbandment this year.  The members will be transferring to surrounding units. All three units had very low membership numbers.  Please welcome those transferred members to your unit.

We need to create and maintain a good working relationship with our local posts. We need to make sure they are aware of what the Auxiliary unit is doing. If your unit needs assistance with an event, the Legion post might be willing to provide a helping hand or two.

Not everything in our daily lives or in our Auxiliary lives goes smoothly, so remember to use your sense of humor to get through the bumps.

Gloria Covert

District 3 President

 

 


Gilbert S. Furness Post 40 and Unit 40 of Mandan to host the 2020 Winter Conference

The Department of North Dakota American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary will hold their annual Winter Conference set for January 24-26, 2020 at the Ramkota Inn in Bismarck, ND. This year’s event is hosted by members of the Gilbert S. Furness Post 40 and Unit 40 of Mandan.

 

 

Road to Great War blog

The story of Lillian McKnight, one of the nurses featured in the book “North Dakota Nurses Over There 1917-1919”, can be found on the following site: roadstothegreatwar-ww1.blogspot.com (Feb 26, 2018). Lillian McKnight was a nurse from Cavalier County and was awarded the British decoration ‘Royal Red Cross’ for her work in France during World War 1. Her story was compiled by Past Presidents Parley members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 98 of Langdon, North Dakota and later researched by author Grace E. F. Holmes, MD for the book “North Dakota Nurses Over There 1917-1919”.

If you have the book, refer to pages 168-174 to read her remarkable story.

Nurses book

North Dakota Nurses Over ThereND Nurses over there book cover image

“In the First World War 225 women from North Dakota served as US Army and Red Cross registered nurses.  Tender stories of the care of wounded and dying US soldiers and the near impossible demands of dealing with the 1918 influenza epidemic are described in this book. Hard work, sleeplessness, sickness, squalor, sadness, and privation are balanced with self-effacement, commitment, and often a wry humor in their stories. Five nurses died and the 220 who returned to their lives in America were changed women.” 

“North Dakota Nurses Over There 1917-1919” by Grace E. F. Holmes, MD is being sold by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of North Dakota. This book tells the personal stories of nurses from North Dakota who served during World War I.

The book may be also be purchased through the ND ALA Department office for $25; or $33.50 if you want the book mailed to you. Please use the above order form.  Checks may be made payable to “American Legion Auxiliary Dept of ND” with Nurses Book in the memo line.   You may also email orders to nurses@ndala.org.

Address for purchases:
American Legion Auxiliary
Department of ND
1801 23rd Avenue N, Rm 113
Fargo, ND 58102-1047

If you are in the Fargo area, and want to pick up the book, the office is located at the Old Hector Airport Terminal (1801 23rd Ave N, Room 113).

All proceeds are going toward a scholarship fund set up with the Department of ND Past Presidents Parley as the Dr. Grace E.F. Holmes Nursing Scholarship.

Nurses book excerpt on Road to the Great War blog


Grace E. F. Holmes, MD

Grace E. F. Holmes, MD

Meet the author, Grace E. F. Holmes, MD (1932-2023)

Past Professor of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine Emerita
University of Kansas School of Medicine

She was born into a Lutheran parsonage in Crookston, Minnesota, early on a very cold Easter Sunday morning in 1932, the second child of what would eventually be six children in the family. A wonderful childhood was spent in Eldorado in NE Iowa, followed by high school days both in Iowa and later in northeastern Washington State. Graduation with a BA degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Washington in 1953, was followed by admission to the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. She married Frederick Holmes, a medical school classmate in 1955 and they graduated together in 1957 with MD degrees. A Rotating Internship followed at the University of Kansas Medical Center, (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, (1957-1958).

She studied at The London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (1959) and proceeded to Malaysia to work in the Lutheran Church Clinics (1959-1963). She continued pediatric training at KUMC with a Fellowship in Children’s Rehabilitation (1963–1967), and then joined the KUMC faculty (1967–1970). Off to East Africa she helped open the new Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania (1970–1972). She rejoined the KUMC Pediatric faculty on return from Africa in 1972 and later also joined the Preventive Medicine faculty in 1978 and continued in both departments until her retirement in July 2000.

Throughout her career, her clinical, teaching and research interests clearly reflected her pediatric training and experience with both normal and atypical growth and development of infants and young children. She published 55 papers in scholarly journals and three books. For over a decade she pursued research in Medicine in the First World War during her retirement.

Messages from the Department Secretary

Department Secretary’s Corner

 

Marcy Schmidt – Department Secretary secretary@ndala.orgPhoto courtesy: IceBerg Art

Marcy Schmidt – Department Secretary secretary@ndala.org
Photo courtesy: IceBerg Art

Greetings Auxiliary Members.

Watch for a mailing coming to your unit contact person (Unit President and/or other member). This mailer will include the (green) 2025 Required Contributions and (pink) 2025 Poppy Order forms. Send your unit’s poppy order early so our poppy assemblers can ensure enough poppies are available.

Have you reviewed your unit’s Constitution and Bylaws and Standing Rules? Make it a point to complete that task this year. Keeping your governing documents up to date is important to the success of your unit. Email your completed document for review to Chairman Chloe Weyrauch at constitutionbylaws@ndala.org .

God Bless America and God Bless our veterans!

Marcy Schmidt

VA&R Program – 2024 Fargo VA Health Care System Flyers-  These flyers are for ideas when donating to programs specifically for the VA. Donations to the VA may be sent through the Department Office.

2025 Membership Goals – This shows where your unit is in the membership ranking for the Department of North Dakota.

Public Relations Program – I encourage you to use social media to announce your unit’s activities and keep your account up to date with photos showing what Auxiliary members are working on.

Department Americanism Program – Gigi Moore, Chairman

Department Education Program – Peggy Moran, Chairman

Veterans Day Coloring Book

2024-2025 Department Leadership List

 


Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm

Friday 8am-noon

American Legion Auxiliary, Department of North Dakota
Attn:  Marcy Schmidt
1801 23rd Ave N, Rm 113
Fargo, ND  58102-1047


Letters from The Message

Letters from Unit Mailings

Secretary Archives

McVille Unit 135

McVille Unit 135

Quilts of Valor® recipients Richard (Rick) Urvand (left) and Mark Olson.

Quilts of Valor® recipients Richard (Rick) Urvand (left) and Mark Olson.

McVille Post 135 Veterans Honored with Quilts of Valor®

Three members of Ole Semling Post 135 McVille were honored recently with beautiful Quilts of Valor®.

Richard (Rick) Urvand who is currently residing at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo was back for a few days for the celebration of ‘McVille Days.’ Rick served in the US Army (1966-1968). Although Rick spent the weekend in the Nelson County Hospital, Mark Olson arrived at the hospital to visit and was presented with a quilt as well. Mark served in the US Army (1969-1970).

Judy Sateren, Commander of Post 135, was the recipient of the third quilt. The presentation to Commander Sateren took place at McVille Park during the Community Dinner. Commander Sateren served for 35 years starting in 1967 in the active duty Army and Guard Reserve.

The ‘Homebound Quilters’ from area communities create the quilts with love and dedication. These quilts are machine or handmade and presented to Service Members or Veterans who have been touched by war. The Quilts of Valor® Foundation is located in Iowa, but there are many volunteer quilters in many states who volunteer their time and material to make these special quilts.

The Quilts of Valor® ladies from the area who create the quilts are appreciated for their generosity, dedication, and the love that goes into each of the beautiful quilts. To help defray costs to make these masterpieces, Post 135 of McVille made a generous donation to the Quilts of Valor® organization. A big ‘thank you’ to all involved in this loving project.

Editors note: Quilts of Valor® Foundation is not a program of nor affiliated with the American Legion Auxiliary.

Article and photo submitted by: Unit 135 President Judy Twete

Message Article December 2023

Judy Twete, President Unit 135 McVille and Past NW Division National Vice President, is shown with local school children at the April 15 Military Kids Appreciation Day event.