"The Four Star"

(Edition No. 2B-07)

March - April 2007

Commander's Corner

I would like to address a very important issue with everyone, and that issue is CIVILITY. All of us are "Comrades in Arms". We were privileged to serve our nation in wartime. We should consider each other as brothers. Unfortunately, in recent months, we have had several incidents in which things were said that were extremely hurtful. These incidents have done nothing but devalue Legion, SAL, and Auxiliary members. Please STOP IT!

Recently we have had several transfers from other Posts to Post 217. We welcome each and every one of them. I want to thank the members from Post 110. They are Clarence Bacon, Thomas Baldwin, Robert Basso, Matin Manning, Robert Pease, James Wright, and Jerold Roschwalb.

For the past several months, we have had a lot of participation in all of our programs. Thanks to all of you for your continued help and your interest in these programs.   

Tom Davis

Post 217 Commander 

Chaplain’s Corner

It is amazing how time flies. It seems that it was only yesterday we were celebrating Christmas and New Years with family and friends. I am very encouraged that our Post has been very active in visiting our troops at the Walter Reed Medical Center and at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Keep up the good work, and remember to keep them in your prayers.

We have a committee in place to nominate the officers of the Post for the coming year. With regret, I will decline any nominations due to my out-of-town travel commitments.

Remember that “Daylight Savings Time” starts March 11th - Spring begins on March 21st. It is a welcome change and a time for new beginnings.

I would like to wish each and everyone a “Happy Easter” and to encourage you to attend the service of your choice. And as always, keep our men and women in uniform and our POW’s and MIA’s close to your hearts and minds.

For God and Country

Chaplain Ron Gray - 240-486-0910  

Service Officer's Report

As of lately, I have received information on several notices that some of “your” benefits have been revised, adjusted, or renewed. To keep all of our members and veterans informed and up to date on the many changes that occur almost weekly, I’ve been making copies of “The Department of Veterans Affairs News Release” that will describe the new information that you should be advised of, this information and any further developments of benefits all will placed at the Post on the information table Some of the changes that are available are improved services for blinded or low vision and there’s an adjustment credit to Social Security for your military service If you believe that you need more info, don’t hesitate to contact me. My contact numbers -

(Home) 301-317-8681 - (Cell) 301-404-6175 - (Post) 301-441-2783

Yours in Service - Mike Odum

Legion Troop Support

The “Troop Support Raffle” is going very well So far so good! The Post has spent $1,344 for food and clothing for the Troops at Walter Reed Hospital. On February 15th, Tom and Doris Davis and myself, all went shopping and spent $203 for shoes, sweat pants, and shirts, all going to our hospitalized “Heroes”.

Thanks to everyone who has helped on this project

William Bladen

Veteran's History Project

A nation-wide program documenting the stories of war veterans, and also civilian war workers, is underway. All wars, from World War II to the current conflicts, are to be included. 

if you are a member of the American Legion, you are eligible and are urged to participate in this oral recording of your ”WarTime" experiences - whether or not you reached a combat zone. Locally the College Park Aviation Museum is one site that’s set up to conduct all of the interviews which will be recorded and deposited in local archives and also in the National Archives. For additional information, or to set up a recording appointment, call the College Park Aviation Museum at 301-864-6029. 

Harry Moore

Americanism

I would like to congratulate all of the winners in the annual “Essay Contest” who were honored at the “Youth Recognition Day” which was held at our Post on January 27th, 2007. If you missed this event, then you really missed some “inspiring” speeches given by our young people. Now I’d like to take a minute of your time to remind you that the “dead line” for candidates for “BOYS State” is May 1st, 2007, so if your son is proceeding into his senior year, then he is eligible to attend this excellent program of the Legion. This program focuses on the importance of further education of the student in the function of our government by combining lessons and “real” practical experience. You can call me for more information about this important program.

In Service for Cod and Country

Mike Odum

Legion Home Inc. Meeting  

All Legion members are encouraged to attend the annual Legion Home, Inc. The meeting is to be held immediately after the regular Legion monthly Post and Auxiliary meeting on March 5th, 2007. We will be discussing possible changes if any, to the Legion Home Staff Members. We will try to keep the meeting short, so please stay to give us your input. 

Fred Schaffer, Chairman, Legion Post Home

Unit 217 President's Message

At our Feb. meeting we had a good attendance, thank you all so much for coming out on that cold, snowy night. We voted at that meeting that our membership dues will increase to $20 starting in 2008.This will start with 2008 renewals that come out in June 2007. This was necessitated by an increase from National.

Please mark the following date on your March calendar. We will have our “Spaghetti Dinner” on Friday, March 30th, 5:30 till 7 :30. We will also have a table for a “Bake Sale”. Come on out and join us and then stay for the band” at 8:30.      

Sarah Brown

Unit President

Unit 217 Membership

Ladies, we need 11 more members to make our goal. If you know of any of the new members transferring into the Post, ask them about their wives becoming members of the Auxiliary. Let’s reach for the stars and come up with a handful.        

Sarah Brown - Unit Membership

Unit 217 Chaplain

Before Christmas, member Pat Ferguson fell aft her home and broke one of her ankles. She has made steady progress healing, and I can tell you I have seen her hopping and rolling around the Post Home several times. l've also run into Nancy Pierce and she looks great after another round of “chemo”. Keep it up ladies.

I hope all of you have had a safe and “well” winter so far. It’s nearly over, and by the next newsletter, Spring will be here, “Tra La”.

Here’s a lovely thought for you all -

“Blessed is the man that beholdeth the face of a friend in a far country. The darkness of his heart is melted in the dawning of day with him. It is like the sound of sweet music, heard long ago and half forgotten; it’s like the coming back of birds to a wood where Winter is ended.” - - - Henry Van Dyke

Mary Keller

Unit Chaplain

Auxiliary Americanism News  

Thanks to all who attended the “Youth Recognition Day”. We had young people representing Boys and Girls State. Jr. ROTC from Northwestern High School, Essay Contest winners, Air Force ROTC from the University of Md. and Eagle Scouts and GOld Award Girl Scouts. Our current Miss College Park, Miss Vickie Kalasinsky, told us about her year representing us at various functions. Approximately 150 people attended this event to honor all our outstanding youth.

Entries in our current “Americanism Essay Contest” were collected from 8 schools and are currently being judged. This year’s topic was “I’m Proud to be an American”. We will report on the winners in the next issue of the “4 Star”.

This summer, the “Girls State’ program will be publishing a Program Book, which will be given to each Girls State Citizen, Counselor, Instructor and the Distinguished Guest. They are requesting ads for this book which will help to defray the cost of this very worthwhile program. A business card size ad is $10, a 1/4 page ad is $30, a 1/2 page ad is $50, and a full page ad is $75. This is a statewide program which will be held at Frostburg State University June 17th to June 22nd. Deadline for ads is April 13th, 2007. If you would like to

Judy Slarb

Auxiliary Americanism Chair

301 -490-7033

Note: Photos from the “Essay Contest” and of “Miss College Park” will appear in the next issue of the “4 Star”.

Unit 217 Spaghetti Dinner

The Auxiliary will be having a “Spaghetti Dinner” and “Bake Sale” on Friday March 30th, 2007 from 5:30 to 7:30. Tickets will cost $7.00 for adults, and $3 50 for children under 12 The meal will include garlic bread salad, and tea or coffee Desert will be for sale at the “Bake Table” Everyone come and have some fun What could be better than good food and good friends?