Commander s Message. Post Activities. Beltway Post 172, American Legion Inc. Beltway Buckle Cipriano Road, Lanham, MD

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1 HEWLETT-PACKARD Beltway Buckle 7105 Cipriano Road, Lanham, MD Special points of interest: November Elections Veterans Day Remembrance Fall Yard Sale Historian s Call Inside this issue: Leadership Roll Call 2 SAL Corner 3 Auxiliary Corner 3 Page 1 Commander s Message Fall is upon us bringing a cornucopia of activities as we return from the summer bustle. Upcoming are the elections on November 4 during which we are able to exercise a unique freedom, the right to vote. We should always remember how important this right is as a means to express our desires in how we govern ourselves. Each opportunity to vote, whether in political elections, Post elections, or even small groups, we are able to affect our lives without force of arms or threats of harm. Even when the results do not reflect those desires it is important to have made our voices heard because it can indicate to the victor just how much support they do or do not have. A reminder of how important the right to vote and other freedoms we share are is evident when we remember our veterans on November 11. Designated as a time to honor our World War I veterans it is a time to honor all of those who have sacrificed to ensure our freedoms stretching from the War of Independence to today in theaters across the world. Please join me on November 11 by taking a moment of silence to honor them. If you can, please attend a Veterans Day ceremony to celebrate our dead, missing, and still serving. Additionally, look around you to recognize and thank those alive who have served or still serve for whether in war or peace they have sacrificed to ensure our freedom. Also, pause and thank their families for they too sacrificed as their loved ones worked so hard for us. On a less somber note, let us all look forward to the holi- November/December 2014 day seasons approaching us. Whether it be the treat fests of Halloween, Thanksgiving, religious observances, or the New Year there are many ways to enjoy ourselves. Often this is a time to reflect on our good fortunes and to take time to share them with others. Therefore, as we go about our holiday celebrations I ask you to think of those in need. Please donate to your favorite causes and perhaps even find one new one where you can participate. Finally, I wish you all a happy holiday season filled with joy, marked with an exercise of moderation and caution to ensure safety for all. Michael G. Woods al172cdr@gmail.com Membership Renewal Post Historical Trivia 3 4 Upcoming Events 5 Fall Yard Sale Post Activities October 4, The Beltway Post 172 American Legion family hosted its third and most attended yard sale of the year. They attracted vendors for thirty-seven (37) tables selling food, drinks, clothing, jewelry, notions, potions, etc. Several Auxiliary members managed and participated in the event. Several members of the Legion and Sons of The American Legion wrangled tables, chairs, and cleanup. Legionnaire Lawrence D. Dave Perry provided musical entertainment. Legion family organizations shared the proceeds from table/ space rentals and snacks. Historian s Call We are in search of the Post s history. Please share old memorabilia, pictures, articles, journals and stories with us. Help capture the richness of our associations. Materials provided may be added to the history on display at the clubhouse.

2 Page 2 American Legion Post Officers ( ) Commander First Vice Commander Second Vice Commander Adjutant Finance Officer Historian Chaplin Judge Advocate Service Officer Michael G. Woods Charles D. Bucky Wise III Arthur J. Joe Lalonde Richard H. Heflin John T. Helbert Etha Thel Boykin Bernald Bernie D. Haines Lawrence E. Beckford Sons of The American Legion Squadron Officers ( ) Commander First Vice Commander Second Vice Commander Adjutant Finance Officer Chris Johnson Richard Davis Mike Reynolds Thomas Eloshway Richard H. Heflin Mike Molay American Legion Auxiliary Unit Officers ( ) President First Vice President Second Vice President Secretary Historian Chaplin Sandy Baber Margaret Shawver Holly Ruse Jackie Eloshway Dottie Perry Tina Moffett

3 Page 3 The Sons of The American Legion (SAL) Squadron 172 September 13, On a soggy Saturday afternoon in September 2014, chefs from four Sons of The American Legion Squadrons gathered in friendly competition to support the Maryland Special Olympics and raised $2744. Picturesque Disney Bell American Legion Post 66 in Bowie Maryland hosted the second annual Battle of the Squadrons among its trees and firing range. American Legion Department of Maryland Commander Carolynn Baker was among the judges of roast beef and other tasty food fare prepared by chefs from Squadrons 60 (Laurel), 66 (Bowie), 136 (Greenbelt) and 172 (Beltway Lanham). While judges chose Squadron 60 as both Best Squadron and the People s Choice this year, the real winners are the Special Olympics athletes. Through Special Olympics persons eight years of age and older with intellectual disabilities are afforded year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Additional donations are possible via contact with your Legion family leadership or directly by contacting The Maryland Special Olympics at (410) or by visiting their website at American Legion Auxiliary Unit 172 On Saturday August 30, 2014, we kicked off the unofficial end of the summer with our Pre-Labor Day Picnic. This was another successful Legion Family Event! First, we appreciate the Legion for the space to hold our Family functions. Then we have to thank our SAL and Auxiliary member s for their time, donations of the sides and cooking the meats. Last, but not least we have to thank everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to spend it with us. I hope you enjoyed the food and good company. Without everyone s support, it would not be possible for us to donate to the wonderful veterans and children s programs. On Saturday September 20, 2014, Sandy Baber, Jeannie Davis and Dave Perry attended the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Carnival. Dave played the theme music and Sandy and Jeannie ran the table. The theme this year was Sports around the World. Beltway 172 chose hockey. We made most of our decorations. A table cloth was made into a hockey rink. There was a Stanley Cup, red solo cups, medals and small trophies. We also had a hockey stick. Chris Johnson, (SAL Commander) loaned us some hockey jerseys, gloves and a goalie mask. This year our game was picking a puck with a pink tape on the bottom and win a prize. Everyone won a prize. This year we gave out $1 bills. You should have seen their eyes light up! As usual it was a great time. Renewal Status Thanks to Adjutant Heflin s diligence and many new members the Post reached its 100% membership goal on October 3, bringing the distinction as the first Post in the entire Department of Maryland to reach goal. American Legion Membership Renewal For Although the Post has reached a major goal there are still many members that need to renew their membership. It is time to renew your membership for the new year! Dues are $ Sons of The American Legion renewal is only $ American Legion Auxiliary renewal is only $ Look for a renewal notice in the mail, stop by the clubhouse, or see your organization s membership officers.

4 Page 4 Q. When was the initial and temporary charter for Post 172 approved? A. January 28, 1946 Q. While the first proposed commander is unidentified who was the first Adjutant? A. Mrs. Clara Bryan Q. When was the first permanent charter for Post 172 issued? A. May 26, 1947 Q. How many known Commanders has the Post had since it was chartered? A. Forty (40) Q. How many known Adjutants has the Post had since it was chartered? A. Twenty (20) Q. How was Post 172 first known? A. Bryan-Toole Post 172 Q. Who was the first known Commander? A. Paul T. Lanham, a relative of the founding family of Lanham. Q. When was the current Beltway Post 172 charter signed? A. June 14, 1967 Q. Which former American Legion Post merged with Post 172 and when? A. Freeway Post 241 of Riverdale Heights in March Initially the Post was known as Sunnybrook Post 241. Q. When did Post 172 move to its current location on Cipriano Road? A. The Post purchased the property on March 20, There is a story that the property once belonged to the local sheriff. Q. What was the average age of our membership during the membership year? A. Sixty-seven (67) years of age. Q. How old were our eldest and youngest members in ? A. Ninety-three (93) {Mr. Elmer Walker} and Thirty (30) {Ms. Jessica Allard} Q. Who holds the record as our longest continuous member? A. Mr. Thel Boykin at Fifty-five (55) years in Post Historical Trivia

5 HEWLETT-PACKARD Era Eligibility Dates: WWI 4/6/17 to 11/11/18; WWII 12/7/41 to 12/31/46; Korea 6/25/50 to 1/31/55; Vietnam 2/28/61 to 5/7/75; Lebanon * Grenada 8/24/82 to 7/31/84; Panama 12/20/89 to 1/31/90; Kuwait 8/2/90 through cessation of hostilities as determined by U.S. Government. Beltway Post 172, American Legion, Inc Cipriano Road Lanham, MD Phone: amlegion172@gmail..com If you are able to receive this newsletter by , please contact us at amlegion172@gmail.com to register an address or stop by the Post to pick up a hard copy. Clubhouse is open 7 days a week and during all NFL games. Our Hours are: Sun-Mon-Tues 2 p.m. 11 p.m. Wed-Thurs 2 p.m. Midnight Fri-Sat 2 p.m. 1 a.m. 84 person Open Pavilion with kitchen available for rentals. Call for rates. Upcoming Events: Nov 4 Election Day Nov 7 SAL General Membership meeting at Post 172 Nov 10 Legion Auxiliary General Membership meeting at Post 172 Nov 11 Veterans Day Remembrances at Bladensburg Peace Cross Nov 16 Dept of Maryland Executive Committee meeting at Post 194 Nov 20 Legion General Membership meeting at Post 172 Nov 27 Thanksgiving Day Celebration Dec 5 SAL General Membership meeting at Post 172 Dec 7 Pearl Harbor Day Remembrances Dec 8 Legion Auxiliary General Membership meeting at Post 172 Dec 18 Legion General Membership meeting at Post 172 Jan 1 New Year s Day