October 2006 Good-Bye, Jim!
Commander s Message It is my sad duty to report that Comrade James L. Pritchett, Jr. has been called from our midst and gone to report to the commander of us all. Normally the newsletter does not list or announce the passing of an individual veteran, but I am making an exception with Jim. He was our Post Adjutant, a past Commander, an Honorary Life Member and held most, if not all, Post officer positions. He was the go to guy if you had a problem and he handled all the Post administration duties, membership cards, roster, as well as the Honor Guard, Flag Day, Post Everlasting, and at least a dozen other jobs at the Post. When I said at his funeral that he will be sorely missed, you have to understand what an understatement that was. At the last Executive Committee meeting, J. D. Larson agreed to assume the duties of Post Adjutant and Steve (Big Bird) Williams agreed to assume the duties of Post Judge Advocate. With those changes in our executive staff, a vacancy was created which was by member Pete Chambers. Pete has been a member of Post 66 for over 45 years and is also a volunteer fire fighter here in Old Bowie, Welcome aboard Pete. Please renew your dues as soon as you can. The most important goal in our Post is to maintain and secure a growing membership base. You help us reach that goal by renewing your dues. The calendar has the SAL Car Show on September 23, the th SAL Crab Feast on Saturday, October 7 and the Children's Halloween Party on the 28th of October. Friday Night Dinners are continuing so check with the Post to find out what's cookin and make your reservation. God bless America and God bless our Veterans. Thomas D. Murphy Commander 2
Adjutant s Call It would not be appropriate for me to begin this month s Adjutant s Call without remarking about the shoes that have been left to fill. Jim left us much too soon and we will all miss him dearly, not the least of which is me. I ask for your patience and understanding in continuing to fulfill these duties at the high standard that has been a tradition of past Adjutants to Post 66. th At the 88 Annual Convention recently held in Salt Lake City, the membership of The American Legion voted an increase in the amount of dues sent to our National organization. The increase is $4.50 per member and becomes effective on January 10, 2007. While this increase does not affect you directly at this time, it does affect your Post and the amount of money available for our operations. Post dues are currently $25.00 per member. From that amount, we will be required to submit $20.50 to the Department of Maryland and the National Organization. As you can see, that leaves only $4.50 per member as income to the Post, which does not cover the cost of printing and mailing our monthly newsletter. You will receive in the mail shortly a letter explaining the Legion s Paid Up For Life (PUFL) program and how you can help yourself and your Post by taking advantage of this membership benefit. In the meantime, you can help us save $4.50 and by paying your dues now. If you have any questions concerning your membership, please call my cell phone at 240-350-6839 or, better yet, send me an e-mail to jdcoastie@msn.com. In service to God and country, I am. J. D. Larson Adjutant 3
Unit 66 Report The year has started on a low note with the hospitalization of Anna Thompson, our Treasurer, but since surgery she is improving and relaxing her way to health. Also the passing of Jim Pritchett, I would like to offer on behalf of all the members of Unit 66 our deepest sympathy to his wife Marie, who is very much a part of our Unit and of the Disney-Bell Legion family, and to all of the family. He will be missed very much. Membership is our ongoing goal for this year and every year. If you know of someone who is eligible to join but is not a member, please ask her to sign up. The requirements for membership are listed on our applications. Try to carry one with you at all times so that no eligible member is passed over. There are also benefits to being an Auxiliary member, a few being discounts on eye wear, moving van expenses and discounts on prescription medications. Our Friday Night Dinners have started the Auxiliary Dinners will be every second Friday of each month. If you plan on attending the dinners please sign up on the list behind the bar by the Wednesday before dinner. I request this so we will know how much food to buy and prepare so that no one goes hungry. We are planning the Annual Children's Halloween Party on Saturday, October 28th, 2006 between the hours of 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. There will refreshments, games and prizes so get all of the kids dressed up for an afternoon of fun and Legion family fellowship! The Mad Money Raffle will continue throughout this year as one of our fund raisers, the prize is a $100 American Express Gift Card to spend anyway you want, so please purchase several tickets the proceeds go to worthwhile programs to benefit our veterans and their families. The Auxiliary will also be working the Turkey Shoot Kitchen this year. So before you go out to shoot come in and fill-up with a nice hot breakfast, and follow that up with lunch after the shoots are over for the day. Juanita L. Thompson President 4
Turkey Shoots It s that time of year again. Turkey shoots will begin October 22. The kitchen opens at 8:00 a.m. and shooting starts at 9:00 each week. You get the same great deal as last year...20 shots for $55.00 with added and special shots added as well. This year we will have more cash prizes, plus a new NASCAR 50/50 shoot each week. Pre-sign ups are available at the Post. Sorry, no reservations without cash payment. Redskin Games Free Buffet Come join your friends for fund and good food at Post 66 for every Redskin game. That s right, Dick Lanham and the House Committee will be serving different dishes each week and are graciously accepting covered dish donations as well. Check the schedule (available at the Post) and if the Skins are playing, we re eating. See you there. 9
In Memory of Jim Pritchett The youth leadership of Boy Scout Troop 1688 are raising funds to purchase a memorial brick in front of the National Capitol Area Council Headquarters, Bethesda Maryland in memory of James L. Pritchett, Jr; Charter Organizational Representative, Cub Scout Pack 1688/Boy Scout Troop 1688. Jim brought the pack and troop under Disney-Bell Post 66 sponsorship over ten years ago and saw them grow into two of the largest units in the Bowie area. This recognition for Jim is well deserved and once again demonstrates that our support of scouting is well placed. Meeting Schedule nd SAL Squadron 66-2 Monday nd Post 66 Executive - 2 Wednesday rd Auxiliary Unit 66-3 Wednesday th Post 66 Membership - 4 Wednesday th Post 66 Legion Riders - 4 Thursday All Meetings Begin at 7:30 p.m. 8
American Legion Riders The fall has gotten off to a good start. Our ranks have increased once again for a total of 23 riders at Disney-Bell Post #66. Along with our fame has come a large number of offers to participate with other Legion Rider Chapters and we are having to turn some offers away. There just are not enough weekends in a month. Having said that, we participated in the Tribute to Veterans in Cambridge, Maryland on Saturday, September 9 and were recognized from the podium for having ridden from Bowie to attend. We met up with some old friends there and made a lot of new ones as well. We are working on several fund raisers for the fall and winter (as not everyone rides in the cold) so be on the lookout for a friendly face asking you to buy a candy bar or serving you a sandwich on a Tuesday night as we are working with the SAL to help out. Oh yes and don't shoot us at the Turkey Shoot! Beginning on Sunday, 22 October, we will be working with Dick Lanham and the Turkey Shoot Committee operate the shoots. The Post purchased five tickets for the Shrimp and Cow Feast on September 17 and donated them to the Legion Riders which gave a few lucky members the chance to eat free. Our calendar has some open spaces in it, but we will be participating in the American Legion Legacy Scholarship ride on September 30 to support our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who had died in the Global War on Terrorism and the Southern Maryland Youth Camp Shrimp Feast on October 14. Standby for a Toy Run or Polar Bear Run in the near future. Yours in Service, Steve "Big Bird" Williams, Director 9
Squadron 66 Report Iwant to thank all those who worked or attended the annual car show on September 23, 2006. The addition of the American Legion Racing Team made the event better and hopefully everyone had a Great Time! Please remember the Annual Crab Feast on October 7, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. We will have steamed crabs, chicken, potato salad, baked beans, soda and draft beer. Tickets are still available at the bar. Cost is $30.00/person. Membership is off to a good start, but it s not too late to be an Early Bird. Membership cards will be left behind the bar unless you request yours to be mailed. Please make sure we have your current mailing nd address. We hold our monthly meeting on the 2 Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The Friday Night Dinners are back and we have our half chicken rd dinner on the 3 Friday of each month. The cost for dinner is $8.00/person. The Tuesday Night Sandwich Night is pending so please check the post for details. Joe Weik Commander VETERANS DAY CEREMONY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2006 11:00 BOWIE VETERANS PARK (Refreshments Served at Post 66 immediately following ceremony) 10
Disney-Bell Post 66 Officers Commander...........................Thoms D. Murphy First Vice Commander........................ Nick Muller Second Vice Commander.....................Dick Lanham Adjutant................................... J. D. Larson Judge Advocate...........................Steve Williams Finance Officer.............................. Bill Carlson Service Officer............................. David Cooks Historian.................................. Myron James Chaplain.....................................Toni King Sergeant-at-Arms......................... Brian Goldman Executive Committee: Jay Adams, Pete Chambers, Brian Frye, Roger Goll, Mark Ryan Unit 66 Officers President.............................Juanita Thompson Vice President...........................Lois Van Sickle Secretary................................ J udy Williams Treasurer..............................Anna Thompson Chaplain....................................Toni King Historian..................................Linda Healy Sergeant-at-Arms........................ Cindy Morvant Squadron 66 Commander................................. Joe Weik First Vice Commander...................... Jimmy Clark Finance Officer.......................... Darby McNeill Chaplain.................................... Joe Clark Sergeant-at Arms.............................Sam Clark Historian.................................. Skip Powell Adjutant..................................Del Billings 11
Non-Profit U. S. Postage PAID Bowie, Org. Permit MD No. 30 American Disney-Bell 9605 Bowie, Legion Tel: Old Post MD Laurel-Bowie (301) 66 20720 464-9814 Road Fax: Website: (301) 805-6832 www.alpost66.org