AMERICAN LEGION CLINTON POST 259 9122 Piscataway Road FOR GOD AND COUNTRY... Clinton, Maryland 20735 (301) 868-2550 Ronald Dickens Commander Web Site: post259.org December Charles Lewis - Editor 2017 GREETINGS ALL We are now officially in the Christmas Season. I sincerely hope that you and your love ones enjoyed a Happy Thanksgiving Day celebration. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your continued patience during the renovation of our facility. The work is almost done and by the time you read this article we should be up and running completely. Congratulations to Ladies Auxiliary President Brie O Neal and her members for a super job in planning and executing the 2017 Veterans Day Program. The Theme Celebrating 100 Years of Women in the Armed Forces was most fitting. The Keynote Speaker, E. Jane McCarthy, CRNA, PhD, Captain, USPHS Commissioned Corps, (Ret) did a superb job in making her presentation. To top off the Program the meal afterwards was delicious. I also congratulate SAL Commander Gary Castleman and his members on a successful Bull, Oyster and Shrimp Feast on November 4 th. The food was excellent and enjoyed by all in attendance. In closing, I ask each of you remember those who are less fortunate than we are during this Christmas Season. Keep them in your Prayers. Also, please remember to be vigilant as you go about your Christmas Shopping be careful and stay safe. I hope that you will be able to join us at the Legion s Adult Christmas Party. I wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas. Respectfully; Ronald Dickens Commander 1
POST OFFICERS UPCOMING EVENTS Commander Ronald Dickens Super Bowl Party Feb 2018 - Legion 1 st Vice Commander Gary W. Gifford Oratorical Contest Feb. 2018 - Legion 2 nd Vice Commander Matthew Garofalo St. Patrick Day Dinner March 17, 2018 - Legion 3 rd Vice Commander George Martin Adjutant Robert A. Wilson Palm Sunday Brunch March 25, 2018 - Auxiliary Asst. Adjutant Glenda Brown Memorial Day May 28, 2018 - Legion Judge Advocate Elbert Ed White Election of Post Officers May 28, 2018 Service Officer James Woodland AL Golf Tournament June 2018 - Legion Finance Officer Lamont Gibson Flag Day June 14, 2018 - Legion Asst. Finance Officer Vacant SAL Golf Tournament September 2018 Historian Charles Lewis Veterans Day Service Nov. 11, 2018 - Auxiliary Chaplain Charles Johnson Thanksgiving Feast November 22, 2018 - Legion Asst. Chaplain Vacant Children Christmas Party Dec. 10, 2017 - Legion Sgt At Arm John Jackson Adult Christmas Party Dec. 16, 2017 - Legion Executive Committee Helen Smith DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND TREASURER Murray Hall Gary W. Gifford Department of MD Treasurer Joseph Morgan The American Legion We need your assistance, let us know of any our members who are sick or in the hospital Clinton Post 259 9122 Piscataway Road Clinton, Maryland 20735 Phone: 301-868-2550 Website: www.post259.org Clinton Post 259 Newsletter is published monthly on Post 259 website Please call (301) 868-2550 If you have moved, please contact the Post with your new address We welcome your news, ideas, suggestions, comments or questions for future issues. Drop them off at the Post Attention Newsletter Editor Or forward to 2
Clewis4544@aol.com Auxiliary Officers Legion Rider Officers S.A.L. Officers President: Brie O Neal Director: Larry Doc McBean Commander: Gary Castleman Vice President: Ginger Latimer Asst. Director: Murray Hall 1 st Vice: Dave Desmarais Secretary : Helen Smith Secretary: Michael Quander 2 nd Vice: Kenny Hendrix Treasurer: Peggye McBean Treasurer: Peggye McBean Finance Officer: David Hutchinson Historian: Chauncia Jones Chaplain: James Burrows Sgt At Arms: Wayne Elvis Berbig Chaplain: Marilyn Thomas Web Administer: Crystal Turner Adjutant: Rich A. Walsh Jr. Sgt At Arm: Irma Moss Safety Officer: SGM Mike Eason Historian: Robert Reds Aliff Executive Committee: Michelle Davis Maria Miller Judith Woodland 3 Chaplain: Gary GJ Shafer Advisor: Eugene Murray Have You Paid Your 2018 Dues? Drop them in the mail or drop them off at the Post The cost for renewal is $35.00 Renew Now Please give us your e-mail address Need Help in Obtaining Benefits and/or Medical Care Don t Go It Alone Contact American Legion Post 259 Service Officer James R. Woodland Home: 301 283-6451 Cell: 301 283-5047 E-Mail: jwood@comcast.net
DECEMBER 2017 ACTIVITY CALENDAR Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th SAL Meeting 7:00PM 10 th 11 th Auxiliary Meeting 7:00PM 17 th 18 th Exec Comm Meeting 6:30PM 5 th 6 th Shrimp Night 5:30PM until 7:30PM Pinochle 12 th 13 th Shrimp Night 5:30PM until 7:30PM Pinochle 19 th 20 th Shrimp Night 5:30PM until 7:30PM Pinochle 24 th 25 th 26 th 27 th 31 st 1 st Shrimp Night 5:30PM until 7:30PM Pinochle 7 th 8 th 9 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 21 st 22 nd 23 rd 28 th Blood Drive 9AM 2PM Legion Riders Meeting 7:00PM 29 th 30 th 4
New Legion Members November 2017 Name Service War Era Edward W. Forsythe US Air Force Korea Paul E. Lucas US Air Force Lebanon-Grenada Sheryl F. Meyer US Navy Vietnam Willie L. Wilson US Navy Vietnam Kathleen Y. Wright US Navy Persian Gulf Hardy Wiggins Jr. US Army Vietnam POST CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Remodeling of the Post began June 12, 2017 with an estimated completion date in late December 2017. The Post is still operational; however, you must present your membership card to gain admission. Please help us to maintain security since the electronic locks have been disabled. AUXILIARY 2018 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Even though your 2017 membership card is active until December 2017, we are starting to collect 2018 dues. National Headquarters will be mailing renewal notices in September. If you pay before receiving the notice, please fill out a blue card available at the Post. Remember 2018 dues must be paid by January 31, 2018 or you will be delinquent and will lose all Auxiliary privileges. This is a National rule. Any questions please don t hesitate to call me. Liz White Membership Chairperson 1 301-868-1612 5
2017 CHILDREN CHRISTMAS PARTY The Annual Children Christmas Party will be held on December 10, 2017 from 1:00PM until 4:00PM. A variety of entertainment will keep the children occupied until the arrival of Santa Claus. Who will give a gift to every child 10 and under. 2017 ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY The Annual Adult Christmas Party will be held on December 16, 2017 from 5:00PM until. There will be an open bar from 5:00PM until 6:00PM. Dinner will be served from 6:00PM until 7:00PM with dancing to follow. To be eligible for this affair you must be a paid-up member of Post 259 and have submitted this application to the Post home not later than December 10, 2017. As usual, seating arrangements will be assigned according to the first 175 names received by the cutoff date. A charge of $10.00 per person must accompany each application. Each member is entitled to bring his or her spouse or significant other. NAME: Attendees: Self Spouse Guest Membership No. Would like to sit with: Please enclose check with application Make check payable to A.L. Post 259 For additional information contact: Ms. Diane Miller at (301) 868-2550 6
National Wreaths Across America Day December 16, 2017 at 12:00 Noon Each December on National Wreath Across America Day, our mission to Remember Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad. This year Post #259 has made a donation to Wreaths Across America to purchase a limited number of wreaths to honor our fallen veterans that are buried at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. If you have a veteran family member of Post #259 that you would like to honor, contact Executive Member Murray Hall at heritage02softail@comcast.net with your name and phone number. We encourage every volunteer who places a wreath on a veteran s grave to say that veteran s name aloud and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country. It s a small act that goes a long way towards keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Christmas Stockings Will you assist Auxiliary Unit 259 in their program assisting Veteran s at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home by purchasing Christmas stockings while shopping and delivering them to the Post. Thanks and have a Merry Christmas. 7
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The American Legion Oratorical Contest The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $138,000 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets an $18,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $16,000, and third gets $14,000. Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest s first round receives a $1,500 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $1,500 scholarship. The American Legion s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States. High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers. College Money Two words that go together. It takes a lot of money to pay for a college education. For high school students, there is a way to actually talk your way to college. Each year The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program awards over $138,000.00 in college scholarships. Let s Get Started Contact American Legion Post 259 at (301) 868-2550 for details or go to www.legion.org/oratorical Find out today how you can get involved and talk your way to college hope to hear from you 10