Edition No. 5 - 06

September - October 2006

COMMANDER’S CORNER    

Effective the first week of Jan. 2007, our Dept. of Md. and National dues will increase by about 50%. That’s the bad news. The good is that your Post will absorb the increase at no cost to our members. The Dept. and National increase will affect the cost Of new “PAlD UP FOR LIFE” memberships as of January 2007. If you are a PUFL, the new increase will have no effect on you. To beat the expected increase of PUFL memberships, the Post leadership encourages all our members to apply for a life membership prior to January 2007. We have the current costs of this membership. I will try to post them on our site. * (see below) You can call or write to the Post and we will send you the chart. Your age determines what your cost will be.

Your Post leadership has been working on the 2006-2007 budget. There are no major changes in the new budget when compared the previous years budgets. Preliminary figures show that we will have a balanced budget and a modest surplus. Please remember that our Post Home is an older building and maintenance is becoming a major expense. This is an item that cannot be estimated, and is paid out of the surplus funds.

Thanks to all of you who contributed to the “Ken Slarb Donation Fund”. Ken had several favorite Legion programs, and all donations have gone to increase the budgets for these programs.

 Tom Davis

Post 217 Commander

 P.S. Don’t forget to check out our webpage That web address is - “www.al2l7cpmd.us

UNIT 217 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 

We had a great Convention in Ocean City and then said goodbye to our long time Secretary Anna Thompson, and hello to our new Secretary, Linda Caudell. The Hospitality Room at the Convention was great. There was so much food there, if you went away hungry, it was your own fault! Your new Unit Officers for 2006 - 2007 are as follows...

Sarah Brown - President

Judy Slarb - 1st Vice

Doris Davis - Treasurer and Secretary

Mary Keller - Chaplain

Sgt. of Arms - Eleanor Sines 

Executive Committee      -     Barbara Schaffer - Helen Condatore - Martha Vagnnoni

Some of these ladies have never held an office before, so thanks to all the ladies for stepping up to the plate.

If you know anyone who is sick in our Unit, please let our Chaplain know. This year I’m asking for 3 things from my Unit. Let’s communicate, let’s work together as a Unit, and let’s move forward. We also have our Fall Conference in October from the 6th to the 8th in Hagerstown, Md. See you all there.

Sarah Brown

Unit President

 UNIT 217 MEMBERSHIP 

At our regular meeting, we voted in 3 new members. They are  Janett West - Mary Strickland - and Janis Stephens. Welcome ladies to Unit 217.

We found out at our Convention in Ocean City what our theme is for this year. This was one of the “fun” things at the Convention. Our theme this year is “The Star Cluster of the Seven Sisters (Pleiades) Reaching New Heights for Our Heroes”. Senior members are “The Stars” and junior members are the Lights”. So lets put a bright light in our membership. Let’s go out and get the new members and SHINE, SHINE, SHINE. Please be sure to hang on to your “Sister Star” -  she will be there for you. Don’t forget our meetings are always the 1st Tuesday of the month, at the Post, at 8 PM.

Membership Chairman

Sarah Brown 410-672-6726

UNIT 217 SPAGHETTI DINNER

Mark your calendar for Sept. 29th - the date for the next Spaghetti Dinner put on by the Auxiliary. As usual, there will be a bake sale. The time is 5PM 7:30 PM and the cost is only $7.00. Come join us for a good time and lot’s great food.

        Barbara Schaffer

Chaplain’s Corner

I am hoping that everyone has had an enjoyable summer. As for me,  personally, it has been very busy and very rewarding. I attended the American Legion Convention in Ocean City as the Post Chaplain and also as a Post Delegate. The sessions were very informative. Most noteworthy the family of Legionnaires coming together for a common cause, the Chaplains College, the Post Everlasting Ceremony, Parade, and the Closing Ceremony (Not to forget the “Fish Fry”). 

On Saturday, September 16th, the Post will be celebrating the 59th day of the United States Air Force. The event will be take place at 4 00 to 7:00 PM. If you attended the Army and the Coast Guard birthday parties won’t want to miss this one. Stay tuned!

Please keep me informed of any deceased, sick, or hospitalized comrades. I can be reached at 301-441-3226.

As always, may the God we serve, extend His Blessings, Peace, and Love to each and everyone of us. Also our Condolences and prayers are extended to the family and friends of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Roger 1. Mack, who recently passed on to ‘Post Everlasting”.

Ron Gray

Chaplain -  Post 217 

UNIT 217 CHAPLAIN

For the year 2006 - 2007 I will be serving as Unit Chaplain and I need you to help me do my job. The only way I can report at the meetings and in this letter about illness, etc., is to hear from you. Please note my “numbers and call me if you know of any members who are ill, down, or need help so I can pass the info on to others. My home phone is 301-937-3193. Let it ring 6 times (Richie and I are Slow) for answering service. My cell phone number is 202-368-7022. I donl do “E-Mail” yet. I’m Counting on your calls so I can keep the Unit informed.

I hear Nancy Peirce is doing better these days and is getting out and about. That’s wonderful Nancy, our hearts are with you.

Mary Keller

Unit 217 Chaplain 

Quote of the month - “God evidently does not intend us all to be rich, or be powerful, or great. But He does intend us all to be friends.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Americanism Report

The 2005 – 2006 Essay Contest was titled - “What Freedom MeansTo Me”. I presented the winners with their prizes at their individual schools “Award Assemblies”. The following is a list of the winners.

     3rd and 4th Grade Division -

        1st Place - Dwayne Stanton - Paint Branch Elementary

        2nd Place - Edwin Suarez - Mary Harris “Mother Jones” Elementary

        3rd Place -Maria Aguilar - Mary Harris “Mother Jones” Elementary

    5th and 6th Grade Division -

        1st Place -  Adam Mackie -  Christian Life Home School

        2nd Place -  Selina Donahue - Holy Redeemer School

         3rd Place - Sonia Small - Holy Redeemer School

            Honorable Mention  -    Gontos Robinson - Paint Branch Elementary

                                                  Caitlyn Hutchinson - Christian Life Home School

    7th and 8th Grade Division -

        1st Place - Nicholas Mackie - Christian Life Home School

        2nd Place - Irving Delco - Hyattsvijle Middle School

        3rd Place - Samuel ljeomah - Hyattsvilje Middle School 

Nicholas Mackie, our 1st Place Winner in the 7th and 8th Grade Division also advanced to win 3rd Place in the District Level.

We will be distributing a new Essay Contest packet to the schools coming this November.

Elections are big news this fall, so please make sure to register to vote become familiar with how our candidates stand on all the issues that may be important to you. If you need any transportation to the polls on election day call me at 301-490-7033. 

 OPERATION “OASIS”

Operation “Oasis” is a new program being offered to military troops who are returning from duty in the Middle East and their families. What it does is offer them an opportunity for a “Mini Vacation” to reconnect with their loved ones for three days and two nights at a hotel overlooking our great Cheasapeake Bay. There is no cost to the veterans, but they need to call ar make arrangements. If you know anyone who might be interested, they should call Kelly Harinski at 1-800-287-4842 to set things up. Just another way to say “Thanks” to our returning military vets.

Judy Slarb 

Americanism Chairman

A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL

We had our first annual Coast Guard Birthday Celebration at the Post, and from all reports, it was a huge success. the Coast Guard Color Guard was great and our guest speaker, Commander Brian Penoyer, Sector Baltimore made impressive remarks and joined our Post before leaving. So far we have had two of the Services Birthday Celebrations, the Army and the Coast Guard. They have both been successful and I hope the remaining three branches the U.S. military will be just as good. These “Birthday Parties” are good for business and a good time is had by all. I want to give a special “Thank You’ Joe, Glenn, Bill, Sharon, Nancy, Joan, Chuck, Kc., and all of those who helped make it a success. Remember, the next one is for the Air Force on Sept. 16th and you do not have to be a former Air Force member to attend! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Our Chaplain Ron Gray is the Chairman of this Celebration and can atways use some help. So step up, get involved

Ed Burke

Executive Committee

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If you are trying to recruit new members into the American Legion

and your friends don't have a copy of their DD-214, they can get a copy by written request to...

National Personnel Records Center

9700 Page Avenue

St. Louis, Mo. 63132 -5100

Include complete name, Social Security number, and return address.

For an application click here

Paid up for Life

Rate Schedule - effective January 1, 2004

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