Supports our Troops

By Ivy Christoffers

The past few months have proven very challenging to College Park Unit 217 American Legion Auxiliary as we tried to fill a void in our community and lend our support on many fronts. We have heard from the Special Olympics of Prince George’s County, the Greenbelt Pregnancy Test Center, the 450th Battalion (Airborne), the Washington VAMC, BRECC and many others who have been recipients of the generosity of our members who are always ready to lend a helping hand.

Presently, we are sending care packages to the troops in Iraq, which include phone cards, heavy socks, sun screen, cleansing wipes, snacks such as candy, gum, crackers, trail mix, puzzle books and other small personal items. They are so appreciative of anything they get and we are very happy to be able to brighten up their day with a gift from home. Donations are gladly accepted.

February is the month to show our love for each other and we are once again planning to hold a special program on Valentine’s Day at Washington VA Medical Center, in keeping with the national program, “A Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.” I am fortunate to have some special recording stars join us to entertain our heroes. This will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the 14th of February. If you would like to join us, come on down, we will keep a seat open for you.

     The first of February is when we pick up our Americanism essays from the local schools and turn them over to our judges for the very difficult task assigned to them, reading each and every one and choosing the very best to be sent on to the Southern Maryland District from where the very best are then sent on to the Department of Maryland American Legion Auxiliary for their judging. From here the winning essays chosen by the Department will be submitted to the national organization for the final judging. Over the years we have had many winners on the Department level. Our students are very bright and exceptional when it comes to expressing their thoughts and feelings. It is very rewarding to work with our youth. It renews our faith in our young citizens and our educational system.

We are actively seeking participants for our 15th annual Miss College Park Scholarship Pageant, which will be held the first weekend in March. If you are interested and would like more information on this pageant, call Angie Rodriguez, the executive director, at 301.952.1977 before February 6th. This is an excellent way to help finance your college education.

On February 5th Southern Maryland will hold their 24th annual “DAY FOR GOD AND COUNTRY.” This is a special day when we honor all who have served or are actively serving in our military. Of special note is the portion dedicated to the “Four Chaplains” who went down with the Dorchester. This year the service will be held at Montgomery United Methodist Church, 2815 Kemptown Road, Damascus, MD with a reception immediately following at the Damascus American Legion Post #171, 10211 Lewis Drive, Damascus, the home post of our Southern Maryland District President, Cynthia Ray. The service begins at 2:00 p.m. Come join us. This is always a most impressive service with clergy of all faiths participating.

It is bound to get cold and icy this month, so be careful out there. Keep our troops in your prayers every day. Touch someone’s life with random acts of kindness. Live as though this were the last day of your life and peace will abound.