JoAnne Rademacher, Northern Sentry Contributor
“Minot VFW Post 753 Part 1- In the House” was published in the August 20th issue of Northern Sentry. In it, we explored the history and presence of the VFW Post in Minot. In Part 2, we highlight the many day to day activities members are engaged in for the betterment of their community of veterans and beyond.
The Minot VFW Post takes their pledge to “honor the dead by helping the living” very seriously. Commander Rob Theiler and members are dedicated to keeping their post active and relevant through many projects, charitable gifts, and acts of kindness. They are proud to Present the Colors and lead the North Dakota State Fair Parade each year.
September has been a busy month with VFW Big Bill’s Rat Rods and Customs car show on the 11th. The 12th was another big day with Flag Retirement Day and picnic. “US Code 8: Respect for flag” dictates, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Post members held a Flag Retirement Ceremony, then burned over 300 flags collected for this purpose. If you have a worn-out flag, the VFW will gladly accept it to include at the next Flag Retirement event. There is a drop box outside the Post where you can leave retired flags.
Beginning on September 26th, the “Feeds” began with a spaghetti dinner. The spaghetti was homemade style DELICIOUS, and the hospitality was warm and inviting. The Feed is open to the public at a very reasonable cost of $12. A Feed is held once a month with a variety of menus served including spaghetti, chicken fried steak, and more with new ideas in the works. Watch the Minot VFW Post 753 Facebook page for upcoming details of this and other events.
The Feeds are put on by the Military Order of the Cootie of the United States, known as “The Honor Degree of the VFW” and based on the principals of service with a good dose of humor and fun. The Cooties provide social and entertainment programs to members of the VFW of the U.S. as an Ancillary unit within the organization. It is worth learning more about this group and their compassionate mission at https://www.lotcs.org/index.html.
The VFW is a big supporter of area schools with donations for special needs and projects. They love to encourage youth sports, American Legion baseball, Minot High School Dance Club, Trap Shoot teams, and other school activities. A new project led by Dustin Dezotell will make the Post’s upper event space available for Pancake Feed school fundraisers. The VFW will provide $250 for food and supplies with free use of their event space and kitchen. The school takes over from there providing the labor and running the event, keeping funds raised by free will donations for the meal.
The Auxiliary is now preparing for the 2027 round of VFW Teacher of the Year, Voice of Democracy, and Patriots Pen student scholarships. Minot’s State Scholarship Chairman Peggy Headrick, Minot Post Auxiliary President Scott Paulson, and other members will personally deliver application and information packages to area schools. Three times in the last five years, Minot students have represented North Dakota in finals held at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. There are cash prizes for local winners and a $35,000 scholarship for the National winner. If you know a high school student, encourage them to enter the Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen contests!
The Minot VFW Auxiliary is also active in continuing education, patriotic art and other youth programs carried out through Minot and surrounding schools. One of their community service projects is running the bingo games twice a month at Trinity Nursing Home.
There are many on-going projects and activities at the Minot VFW and in the broader community. The Post hosts two Rough Rider Poker Tournaments each year in February and August. They sponsor a Streaming Video TV with pictures and names of local veterans running on a continuous loop at Minot Central. Another streaming TV is located at the Post featuring members on the loop. Dart and Pool leagues meet up at the Minot Post. They sponsor the Minot Bombers, an all-veteran hockey team that competes all over the country. VFW members are “Warriors on the Water.” They take veterans who would not otherwise have the opportunity, out fishing. Jerry Darling delivered loads of Teddy Bears to the hospital, police, and fire departments to comfort children in traumatic circumstances. The DAV holds their annual picnic in the VFW park. Post members also hold an annual softball game and picnic with the 2nd Story group in Minot. VFW members provide team shirts and a fun day at the VFW park.
Members of the VFW look out for all veterans in a myriad of ways. Officers at the Post often get phone calls alerting them to a veteran in need. It could be a car that has broken down or stolen. There may be a wheelchair in need of batteries and maintenance, or a lonely veteran in the hospital who needs help or just a caring friend. A sympathy card goes out to a grieving veteran, rent is due or a home repair is needed. The VFW members are there with a helping hand and listening heart.
Once a month, a committee reviews and makes recommendations on donation requests. All requests and recommendations are then considered at a general membership meeting for comments and approvals. If you wish to apply for a VFW donation for your group, or you know a veteran who needs personal help, call the VFW at 701-839-6772 or email to post753vfw@gmail.com.
Beginning October 2nd, the Meat Raffle is back! A popular event returning the 1st and 3rd Friday every month, the Meat Raffle is a fun evening giving you the opportunity to “bring home the bacon” or beef, or chicken, or maybe a turkey or two! You can buy tickets to win meat packages sourced from local meat shops. After the November 6th meat raffle, stick around for first class entertainment, or BE the entertainment with Karaoke. There is a Pheasant Hunt and Feed planned for October 24th.
The annual Veterans Stand Down is scheduled for October 19th from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Minot. This event is put on by the city of Minot. Some 50 organizations participate, putting all the services in education, health benefits, compensation benefits, and other resources available to veterans at one time, under one roof.
To say Minot VFW Post 753 is a busy group of people is a classic understatement! Their commitment and dedication to each other and the wider community is beyond the call of duty. The generosity of spirit and resources they share with the communities they serve makes a difference in the lives they touch.
“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please but as the opportunity to do what is right.” Peter Marshall
Don’t miss your opportunity to offer these and all veterans, past and present, our collective gratitude for their sacrifice and service on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11th beginning at 11:00 AM. Minot VFW Post 753 is hosting the Ceremony at Minot Municipal Auditorium. Following the Ceremony and speaker, you are invited to join the Veterans “In the House” for a free will Chili Feed and Auxiliary Bake Sale.
