The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary is proud to be very involved in the great community of West Fargo and putting on activities and events for all ages.

A Memorial Day Service is held at Elmwood Park. The program starts at 10:30 a.m. with a flag raising ceremony at the VFW Club and a march to the Park with the program starting at 11:00 a.m.

The VFW sponsors free swimming at Veterans Memorial Pool all summer. The Post donates $40,000 each year to the West Fargo Park District to operate the pool. The Post also sponsors a summer program for handicapped children.

The third Sunday each July is the annual Community Picnic held at Elmwood Park. Children games with prizes are conducted by the members. Bingo with prize money is held for the adults. It is always a good time to gather as a community and socialize. There is always enough games and activities for the children also.

The Post sponsors a Bike Rally from the VFW Club to the ND Veteran’s Home in Lisbon, ND, each July. Over 100 motorcycles travel to the Home with donations given and all proceeds presented to the Home for special projects.

The Post and Ladies Auxiliary is a sponsor of National Night Out each August. The VFW Color Guard present the colors for the opening ceremony and the Ladies Auxiliary operate an information booth. Activities are held at Elmwood Park.

In September, the community comes together for “West Fest”, a celebration that starts with the VFW Color Guard and Ladies Auxiliary leading a parade down Main Street and Sheyenne Street. It is considered the largest parade in the state of North Dakota with thousands of spectators. Games are held throughout the day for children and adults of all ages.

Cooties Pup Tent 8, the Pack Rats, hosts OctoberFest every year the 3rd Thursday in October at the VFW Club. The party is a long standing event with an abundance of food and beverages served downstairs followed by a dance on the upper level.

A Halloween program is sponsored by the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary in conjunction with the West Fargo Park District. The program is of games and candy and held at the Veteran’s Memorial Arena.

An annual Veterans Day program is held at the VFW Club every November 11th. The program starts with a flag raising ceremony and a fly over by the Air National Guard at 11:00 a.m. The West Fargo High School Band performs on the upper level of the Club with a main speaker addressing the audience. A free stew feed is served following the program. The Red River Valley Veterans Band performs with patriotic music during an evening program.

November is Membership Renewal Month with a free dinner served to paid-up VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members. The Ladies Auxiliary conducts an auction following the dinner with all proceeds donated to Cancer Aid and Research programs.

In December, Santa Claus and his helpers put on a Christmas program for the children. The program begins with a clown and magic show followed by a visit from Santa. Santa (John Thoemke) and his helpers also make visits to patients in the area hospitals and to residents at the nursing homes.

January 1st, New Years Day, starts off with a free pancake and sausage feed sponsored by the VFW at the lower level of the Club. Festivities go all day on the upper level with a dance going into the evening.

Cooties Pup Tent 8, the Pack Rats, hosts a
St. Patrick’s Day Party every March 17th on the upper level of the Club. A stew dinner is served as well as cold beverages followed by a dance.

VFW Post 7564 is a major sponsor to a lot of community projects and organizations. Over the years, well over $1 million was donated to the Park District for building Veterans Memorial Arena, an all purpose facility which is open to the public year round. It has a hockey rink in the winter, volley ball court in the winter, a walking track open year round, a community room, and lobby area. The arena also hosts car shows, home shows, pet show, etc.

VFW Post 7564 also made large donations to the West Fargo Fire Department which operates with very modern fire fighting equipment. The volunteer fire department is one of the best in the country thanks to the donations made by the VFW.

Cub Scouts Pack 232, Boy Scouts Troop 232, the Packatahnas (high school dance team), Women’s and Men’s Softball teams, Metro Merchants Hockey team, West Fargo School District, West Fargo Police Department, West Fargo Park District, Sheyenne Red River High School Rodeo, and many others receive donations for sponsorship by West Fargo VFW Post 7564.

Over a year’s period, over $150,000 is donated to various organizations by VFW Post 7564 through the Club’s charity gaming.