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American Legion
Post 217
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 441-2783
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College Park, MD 20740 (301) 441-2783
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December,
Recognition Month at College Park Post & Unit 217 By:
Ivy Christoffers Our
community heros, our youth and our Veterans all received recognition during the
month of December from the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary of
College Park Post and Unit 217. On Dec. 4 the annual Youth Appreciation Day was
held where many students from grade 3 through grade 8 were recognized for their
award winning Americanism essays written on the topic “My Letter To An
American Soldier”. These students compete in three groups: grades 3 & 4,
grades 5 & 6 and grades 7 & 8. Receiving awards were: Jenny Canales,
Harsha Cuttari, Juliene Delfini, Catie Donovan, Preasha Hussain, Stephen Ike,
Muhannad Kurton, Adam Mackie, Jonathan Mackie, Nicholas Mackie, Katie
McAllister, Brian Renzi, Emily Sahadeo, Paulina Schlor, Daniel Singh, Arielle
Smith, and Xavior C.L.I. Williams. In
addition to the essay winners, the students from Northwestern High School and
High Point High School attending Boys State and Girls State were also
recognized, the girls are: Morgan Adle, Tania Anderson, Le Same Carrington, Emma
Hendle and Samatha Greene. The boys are: Miguel Interiano-Nuila, Vladimir
Jean-Louis, Vincent Moorman, Manuel Rojas and Ian Taitano.The four Boy Scouts
making Eagle Scout rank, Gregory Bauchan, Brian Backman, Michael Belshay and
Evan Flores were introduced and recognized for their accomplishments. The one
Girl Scout who made the rank of Gold this year is Erin Dearstine. For a Boy
Scout and Girl Scout to reach this high level of achievement takes many hours of
dedicated commitment to their community. We congratulate them on their service
to others. There
were three Patriotism awards given to persons in the community who fly their
American Flags 24 hours a day. This year the awards went to Adirondack Tree
Experts of Beltsville, Rick MacAnanny of Safford Lincoln Mercury for his 150 ft
flagpole and 30 x 60 ft. flag which is a beacon along Rt. 29, and Ken Slarb,
formerly of Laurel, Md. and now residing in Laurel, DE. Miss
College Park, Erica Williams, sang a beautiful song entitled “What About The
Children” and was presented with a scholarship check from Unit 217 by Angie
Rodriguez, the Director of the Miss College Park Scholarship Pageant. The NJROTC
Color Guard from Northwestern High School, the guest speaker, Mr. Joseph Page
and the attendees all made for a memorable day. Dec.
6 saw the recognition of our Police and Fire Fighters for going above and beyond
the call of duty: Receiving awards were University of MD. Policeman Det. An
Schloss who was responsible for the recovery of approximately one million
dollars worth of stolen vehicles, (50
on his own and another 30
with assistance) and Md. State Policeman Trooper Victor Lassiter who apprehended
a hit & run felon. Receiving awards for the College Park Volunteer Fire
Dept. were EMT Greg Zalinski, EMS Lt. Craig Williams and EMS Suzanne Hartke who
was instrumental in rescuing approximately 2,000 pets stranded in the Katrina
aftermath. On
the Veterans side recognition began with Nov 30th & Dec.lst when we held our
first hospitalized Veterans Christmas gift shop at Perry Point VAMC and Dec 3Id
saw us at Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home for their gift shop. Dec 7th we held a
special holiday party for the ambulatory hospitalized Washington VA Veterans at
Glenarden Post 275, Dec. 8th we were at BRECC (Baltimore VA Rehabilitation and
Extended Care Center) for our 3rd gift shop and on the 12th
we were at Washington VAMC where we stuffed 800 backpacks and duffle bags full
of goodies for the Veterans there. On the 15th
we were back at Washington VA for our Nursing Home party and on the 17th
we held our 4th
gift shop at Baltimore VAMC. On the 18th
it was back to Perry Point for their Veterans Christmas Party and on the 19th
to Washington VAMC to distribute the 800 gift packs we stuffed on the 12th•
The Department of MD American Legion Auxiliary purchases over 2,000 gifts a year
to supply the gift shops where the hospitalized Veteran can select a gift for
each member of his immediate family, at no cost to the Veteran, and we wrap each
gift and send them on to the families. Over 2,500 Veterans are served each year
through the American Legion Auxiliary Dept. of MD’s various VA Christmas
programs which include the gift shops and the personalized gift program. I
have donned my “Mrs. Santa” outfit several times again this year for various
Christmas parties, The Special Olympics of Prince George Co., Manor Care Nursing
Home of Silver Spring, Beltsville Rotary, various Veterans functions and many
children’s Christmas parties, including the Community Christmas Party held at
Post 217 on Dec. 18th and chaired by Katy Beard and Charlie Allen and their able
committee where 41 children were greeted by Mr. & Mrs. Santa and presented
with a gift and many goodies. On
Dec. 10th the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) of
Riverdale Park held their volunteer recognition program at Post 217, chaired by
Unit 217 member Susan B. Carew, who served as Family Readiness Group Leader of
the 450th Several Post and Unit members were presented with
certificates and pins for their support during the past year. Post member, Bill
Bladen, was singled out for his dedication and commitment to the 450th
Battalion. Now
it is on to 2006 and the opportunities and challenges it will bring. My wish for
everyone this New Year is that you enjoy peace and prosperity, good health and
happiness. What better way is there to find peace and happiness than through
service to others.
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