The interior of the building has been stripped bare, in order to allow for it to be brought up to modern day codes. Dustin White photo

Dustin White
Editor

It was over a year ago that local Mandan businessman, Fred Berger, gifted the Dakota Leathernecks Detachment of the Marine Corps the former VFW Post building. While the building was warmly welcomed by the Leathernecks, it would require an immense amount of work. 

The restoration project began back in October of 2015. Approached by Fred Berger, who owned the property, the Dakota Leathernecks were given the opportunity to take over ownership of the building. 

“These guys gave for our country, for our freedom, this is a small way for me to say thank you,” Berger said. “Their efforts will allow for this building to come back alive.”



Activity at the Marine House, located two miles west of Mandan on Highway 10, would soon pick up. The inside of the building would be stripped down to the stud walls, while other areas were taken down to the foundation. Investing 3,000 volunteer Marine-hours into gutting and rebuilding the historic building, more than 24 tons of lathe, plaster, garbage and debris would be hauled out. 

Breathing life

The building that Berger gifted to the Dakota Leathernecks had a long history. Built in 1915 as Price Consolidated School, it would serve the community of Price, N.D., through 1943. 

As with many small town schools during that time, Price Consolidated School would shut its doors in 1943. For more than a decade, the building would sit vacant, until in 1959, when it was purchased by the Mandan VFW Post #707. 

Moved to it’s current location, the VFW Post would serve the community until the late1980s. Once again, the building would fall vacant. Through the years, it would become neglected, and fell into disrepair. When it eventually reached the hands of the Leathernecks, there was considerable work to be done. 

“The building is structurally sound, this is a great benefit but it needs updating,” Raymond Morrell, Commandant of the Dakota Leathernecks Detachment said. “As Marines, we have a lot of expertise, but like active-duty military, funding is key and right now, our funds are very limited.”

Making due with what they had, as well as getting a great amount of support from the community, the building has begun to transform.

This summer, the Dakota Leathernecks opened up their building to the community during a burger feed. Dustin White photo

Fundraising

Along with donations from the community, the Dakota Leathernecks had a great boost in their efforts to restore the building after becoming finalists in the Bernzomatic “Find Your Fire” program. 

In late December, 2015, the Leathernecks were informed that they were among the top ten finalists. 

“There was just a little bit of excitement when we received confirmation of being one of the ten finalists. Winning the grand prize of $10,000 will be a big boost towards the $50,000 plus we still need to finish this project,” Morrell said. 



While the Leathernecks wouldn’t win the grand prize, they received a $10,000 grant, which went a long ways in helping bring the building back to it’s former glory. However, they still fell short of their ultimate goal. 

Having received a great amount of support from the community, the Leathernecks were able to bridge some of the gaps that they faced. With many local businesses donating not just funds to the project, but also goods and services, the Marine House slowly has transformed into a building the community can be proud of. 

However, while a major transformation has been undertaken, with much of the exterior now completed, the Leathernecks have now begun the process of working on the interior. 

Looking to complete construction on the Marine House, the Leathernecks are looking to the community for additional help. Having set a goal of $6,000, they have created a GoFundMe account to help fund the continued renovations of the historical building. 

Once completed, the Marine House will serve as a meeting place and club house for the Dakota Leathernecks. It will also serve as a facility where they can connect to veterans who are in need. During reconstruction, the Leathernecks have assisted with three veterans who contemplated the issues of suicide, as well as two families who were facing the loss of loved ones. 

The Leathernecks are also looking to use the Marine House as a place to serve the community by hosting events, including their 1940s USO Night, Cycling For The Corps, BBQ With USMC Recruiters, Toys For Tots, or even their Marine Corps Ball.

To help support the renovation project at the Marine House, go to www.gofundme.com/marine-house-renovations.