Anderson inducted into the Dakota State Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall of Fame

Eagles members and patrons from across the state recognize his face, and know they've enshrined him onto their hall of honor. New Rockford Eagles Aerie 2923 member Greg Anderson has been inducted into the Dakota State Eagles Hall of Fame.

A member since 1986, Anderson has actively worked to fulfill the Fraternal Order of Eagles' motto "People Helping People" to benefit not only the New Rockford community, but those in need throughout the world.

Anderson was nominated by Josh Guler, and selected for this honor in June 2019. Each Aerie across the state is invited to nominate a member they consider deserving, and a committee chooses one or two inductees from among those nominated to recognize at the state convention in June. The induction ceremony is then held the following spring. Due to the pandemic, Anderson's induction was postponed by a year. At the 2021 State Anniversary Celebration in Valley City, he and the 2020 honoree were both inducted.

He is the second Aerie 2923 member to have his picture hung in the Hall of Fame. It was Anderson who nominated Tony Greff for the award years ago, and Greff became the first New Rockford man to be inducted. Guler noted that it was Greff who encouraged Anderson to be active in the local club. "He would be proud seeing Greg receive this honor," Guler said. Greff passed away in 2005.

Anderson has spent most of his adult life as a member of the Eagles, and he has been heavily involved in both the organization itself, and in coordinating programs and projects for the local club.

"The fact that he has received this prestigious honor speaks volumes about what he has accomplished. Among his multiple terms as President, Trustee, chairman of many committees, and countless volunteer hours, the New Rockford Eagles is indebted to Greg and is a better organization because of him," Guler said.

He also served as District Director, where he traveled to each aerie in the district. Among them was Langdon, and after getting to know the members there he decided to become a dual member of both the Langdon and New Rockford Aeries.

Eagles members across the region have come to know Anderson over the years, as he was elected N.D. State President in 2009-10 and North Central Regional President in 2015-16. The North Central region is composed of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Manitoba, Canada. He also was honored as the Dakota State President of the Year twice, an award chosen from among all the local aerie presidents in both North Dakota and South Dakota

Anderson currently serves as one of the club's trustees, a role that is held by the most seasoned members. "They are the stewards of the club," Guler said, shepherding others and encouraging them to take on leadership roles in the organization.

Outside of the Eagles Club, Anderson is an avid community supporter. He has been active on the First Lutheran Church board. He also served on the committee that saved the Rockford Theatre after the sudden death of former owner Richard Johnson. He recalls a telethon they held at Bank Forward, where they opened up the phone book and dialed every New Rockford number. He was a "runner," he says, as he went around picking up donations from residents and businesses who had committed to contributing to the cause by phone. He also helped look for equipment, and he procured a projector from the N.D. State Hospital, which they sent to Minneapolis to have refurbished. That projector was used in the theatre for several years until the digital projector was purchased in 2012.

"People need to know that the Eagles is not just a bar, it's a fraternal organization," Anderson said. He is proud to be a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles because they do so much for the community.

Youth programs are at the heart of Aerie 2923's work in the community, Anderson said. The Eagles have donated tens of thousands of dollars to programs and projects that benefit local youth and their families. They sponsor both the New Rockford Park District and American Legion's summer baseball teams, from Coach Pitch all the way up to Legion baseball. The funds they raise go towards uniforms, equipment, and facilities. Two of the new covered dugouts in North Park were funded by the Eagles. They also contributed to the swimming pool, and have recently committed $50,000 towards a second gymnasium in New Rockford. The youth programs they have touched throughout 73 years of membership are too numerous to mention.

In addition to the bar, the kitchen at the club is open six days a week. Patrons can partake in family dining, eat in the lounge, or get take out to enjoy at home. The charitable gaming activities, including bingo, electronic pull tabs, pig wheel and more, make it possible for the Eagles to donate so much to local people and organizations.

"We like to see the support of the community, because without the Eagles a lot of things wouldn't happen," Anderson concluded. Truly, the Eagles Club is a community facility, where many benefit fundraisers and local events are held.