Day of events to raise funds for military families

For the ninth year, the West Fargo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7564 will sponsor Remember Our Serving Soldiers, or R.O.S.S., to raise money for area military family groups.

The event, which will take place March 24, will support the families of local Guard and Reserve units, including the North Dakota Army and Air National Guard and Navy Reserve.

The public is invited to attend any or all of the activities scheduled throughout the event, which starts at 11 a.m. and continues into the evening at the West Fargo VFW, 308 Sheyenne St., West Fargo, N.D.

A large silent auction opens at 11 a.m. and a lunch of barbecues and chips — $3 for one and $5 for two barbecues — will be served from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Bingo will be from 2-3 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m., while a meat raffle and prize drawings will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

The highlight of each year’s event is a memorial program to honor the North Dakotans who have lost their lives in fighting terrorism. The program begins at 4 p.m. and is followed by a steak fry from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Dinner includes steak, baked potato, sides and dessert for $12 for adults and $6 for children younger than 14. The silent auction closes at 7 p.m.

During the event’s previous eight years, about $75,000 has been raised to support military families, said Charlie Weible, event founder, who serves with the West Fargo VFW. In the past, funds from the R.O.S.S. have been used to host events to bring together military families to support one another through their shared experiences, as well as to provide baskets of supplies to military families upon the birth of a child.

Tags: business, military