June 1, 2006 Volume 1 Issue 1

AMERICAN LEGION POST #175

PO BOX 105

SEVERNA PARK, MD 21146

TELEPHONE: 410-544-2066

Who’s who—Post, SAL and

Auxiliary Leadership…….

American Legion Post 175

Post Commander: Danny Byrd

1st Vice Commander: Mike Helm

2nd Vice Commander: John Fuller

3rd Vice Commander: A.J. Rush

Adjutant: Buddy George

Finance Officer: Bob Niederstadt

Chaplain: Bob Zerphey

Judge Advocate: George Lucas

Historian: Jim "Sonny" Amos

Service Officer: Danny Byrd

Sergeant-at-Arms: Bob Martin

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American Legion Auxiliary

Auxiliary President: Pat Rabeau

1^st Vice-President: Barbara Mallonee

2^nd Vice-President: Rosemary Gurick

Secretary: Patricia Herder

Treasurer: Phyllis Gordon

Chaplain: Betty Gentile

Historian: Eva D’Ambrosio

Sergeant-at-Arms: Debbie Collins

Color Bearers: Betty Kline

Executive Committee: Sue Connor

Linda Freedenburg

Alice Martin

Sons of American Legion

Commander: Mike Clutz

1^st Vice: Sid Reidy

2^nd Vice: Dan Jordan

3^rd Vice: Vacant

Adjutant: Vacant

Finance Officer: Dave Dulin

Historian: Keith Jordan

Chaplin: Randy Smith

Sergeant At Arms: Vacant

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Legionnaire News

Message from the Commander

I am honored to have been elected as your new Commander. I am looking forward to an exciting year. With the support of my fellow officers, and the members, I know this post will be able to meet challenges that may face us. This post will only be successful if we have volunteers that are willing to step up to the plate. In doing so, perhaps we’ll be able to meet our financial needs. I ask each member to volunteer some of their time to the post even if its one or two hours a month or volunteer to support one of our post events. This post has a number of things that need to be done, like keeping the grass cut, litter pick-up, looking at the building to see if thing need to be repaired, any painting that needs to be done. I’m looking for members to help. If we don’t get members to help in these on-going projects, it looks like we may need to contract out these things and you and I know, in order to pay for these on-going projects, prices will go up (guess where). I know we all enjoy our Monday night wings and our Friday night dinners and this is done by post members who volunteer their time each week. So if you like the wings and the dinners to continue we need volunteers to support these events, because the volunteers that are doing them now (For about two years) are getting to the burnout stage. So if you are interested in volunteering please contact 2^nd Vice Commander John Fuller or me.

Hope to see all of you at our Memorial Day Service, May 29^th at 11:00 AM

The 14 June 2006 General Membership meeting is cancelled due to the fact that Flag Day falls on the same day at which time we will be conducting the Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags. Also, as usual, we will not be holding a General Membership meeting in July, and the installation of the new officers will take place during the August 2006 General Membership Meeting. Until the new officers are installed, the current officers (except for the Commander), "shall hold office until their successors are elected and installed" (Post By-Laws, dated 11/9/94, Article VIII, Section 1).

Yours In Legion Service,

Danny Byrd
Commander

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Message From the 1^st Vice

Membership for 2006 is 630 members, and on 5/23/2006, I submitted one new member and three renewals making our post a “FOUR STAR POST" Thanks to all of the dedicated and supportive members who helped in achieving this goal. My hope is that everyone will come together next year so that we can reach our post goal of 100% by January 2007. Again thank you for your support.

Come and join us on 14 Jun [Wednesday] at 7pm for the Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags [Flag Day]. I hope to see everyone there to honor the symbol of our patriotism.

For God and Country

Michael A. Helm

1^st Vice Commander

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Message from the Chaplain

As I write this we enter into summertime and for many it’s vacation time. It is also a time to reflect on a great American holiday, Independence Day, the 4^th of July. It’s more than fireworks and cookouts. It’s a day to reflect on our blessings as Americans, most importantly the freedoms and prosperity we enjoy. Let us remember the price paid for these blessings. The basic document that we call the Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and signed by 56 representatives of three million people on July 4^th, 1776. These men believed strongly that all men are created equal and with certain inalienable rights, among which is life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson wrote in 1826: “May it (4^th of July) be to the world, what I believe it will be … the signal of arousing men to burst their chains… and to assume the blessings and security of self-government.” These men pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Most were very wealthy. Several paid the price and died in poverty – namely, Richard Stockton of N.J., Lewis Morris of N.Y., Arthur Middleton of S.C., Francis Lewis of N.Y., and Robert Morris of Pa. These lost fortunes and one or two were prisoners of the British.

In the Bible the prophet Isaiah has a song about Israel: “…A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard. My Well-beloved has a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. He dug it up and cleared out its tones, and planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in the midst and also made a winepress; so he expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes.” (Isaiah 5:1-2). This teaches us that God has blessed us and will continue to do so, but He expects love, worship, and obedience from us. History reveals that whenever a nation ignores God and rejects His Word it reaps a bitter harvest. On this Independence Day we think on the liberties we enjoy and we should be grateful, and not take them for granted. Our forefathers understood this and were keenly aware of who was at the helm. Let us be concerned for those around us who are not so abundantly blessed and consider the welfare of all people. God expects us to produce good fruit for Him, not wild grapes of ingratitude or wickedness.

And here is a quote from Patrick Henry to sum it all up: “An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.”

I must sadly report the loss of two very beloved comrades who have gone to Post Everlasting. They are Delbert Langley and Bill Smith. Our sincerest condolences to their wives and families. They are greatly missed by many of us at the Post. Please also remember in your prayers Comrades Jonathan “Buck” German and Bill Izzo. Buck was at Future Care, but now is home on hospice care. As I write this Bill Izzo is in the hospital and quite ill. Please call me or let us know of anyone sick or in need.

Enjoy the summer and the parades. Keep safe and may God bless all of you greatly.

Bob Zerphey

Chaplain

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Message from the Editor

Note 1: It is up to each member to keep us informed of all address changes. Address changes can be submitted to the Editor via the Internet using the Newsletter@Legionpost175.org E-mail address, or mailed to the Post address listed at the beginning of the Newsletter. Please indicate on the front of the envelope "ATTN: Editor".

Note 2: If you have access to the internet you can view the Newsletter on-line via the Post 175 Web Site, www.legionpost175.org.

Note 3: We do not E-mail the Newsletter to members with Internet access; you view it on-line at the Post 175 Web Site above. Please notify the Editor via the Internet using the Newsletter@legionpost175.org E-mail address that you will be viewing the Newsletter on-line. We will then take you off the USPS mailing list for the Newsletter.

The Post spends approximately $2750.00 per year in Newsletter costs, this expense would be reduced if everyone with Internet access would view the Newsletter on-line. All it takes is a short message with your name and statement that you will no longer need a hardcopy of the newsletter mailed to you.

Any questions on how to contact the Post via e-mail or to access the Post web page can be found at the end of this Newsletter. If you wish you can call the Post at 410-544-2066 and leave a message for someone to get back to you. Please leave a best time and day to return your call and the subject you wish to discuss with your message.

I would also like to remind everyone that you don't have to be an Officer of the Legion, Auxiliary, or SAL to have an article published in the Newsletter. If anyone has an article that would be of interest to the membership send it to me using the following e-mail address - newsletter@legionpost175.org. However, I would like to point out that this venue is not intended to be used as a "Complaint or Criticism Forum". There is a "Suggestion Box" located in the Post Lounge if anyone has issues they would like addressed by the Legion Executive Board.

Bill Corkran

Editor

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News from our Auxiliary

From the President

Congratulations to the new Post and SAL Officers for the year 2006-2007!

Election and Installation of Unit Officers will be held at our regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 starting at 7:00PM. Any member “in good standing” (current dues paid) is eligible to vote and to run for office.

The District Meeting went well and I would like to thank Roni Goughenour and helpers for a delicious meatloaf luncheon. Also Barbara Mallonee for chairing this event and Betty Gentile for the handmade centerpieces.

Our administrative year will soon be over and

I would like to thank the Officers, Chairmen, volunteers, bartenders and friends of the Post for all their hard work and support this past year. We were able to help the post with the “drainage” problem and install new acoustic tiles in the hall. We have also contracted for new cabinets in the kitchen to be completed in the near future.

Among our many “work” crews are the Breakfast, Bingo, Kitchen, Newsletter, and Hall set- up and clean up people who work hard all year—thank you all!

Our supporters include cake bakers, raffle and fund ticket buyers and all those who come to the Breakfast, Super Sunday and other events. Without you, nothing would have happened!! Thank you one and ALL!

Don’t forget the Essay awards ceremony on June 4. Also our Father’s Day Special breakfast on Sunday, June 18, $1 off for all fathers!

Lastly, thank you to outgoing Post Commander Dan McDonald and SAL Commander Mike Clutz for all their help and support to the Auxiliary.

Please keep our veterans and uniformed servicemen and women in your thoughts and prayers.

Pat Rabeau

President

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Chaplain's Message

I submitted a “Book of Prayers” to the Department Chaplain for judging as I mentioned in previous newsletters. Right now it is in the judge’s hands, so we will just have to wait and see. I only wish we could have had more participation.

One of our earlier past presidents, Virginia Barrett, passed away recently. Thanks to Barbara Mallonee for filling in for me at the service on short notice.

Past President, and long time member, Regina Bachman was in the hospital and is now home. Get well wishes go out to her.

Our condolences go out to the families of Charlotte Fix, Genevieve Vitek, and Virginia Barrett on the loss of these wonderful ladies. They will be missed.

Please let me know of all sick or hospitalized members so that a card can be sent to them.

Our Heavenly Father be with us we pray, Bless our service personnel While they are far away. On foreign soil they strive for peace; In your hands is placed their fate; Keep them safe and bring them home, Their families patiently await.

God Bless you all and God Bless the U.S.A.

Betty Gentile

Chaplain

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1^st Vice President

Well ladies, as you know, we have reached our 10 Plus goal, thanks to you. It is time, once again, to pay your dues for the coming year, 2007, so we can turn them in at the Convention in Ocean City in July. You can send your dues to me or put them in the Auxiliary box at the Post. They are still only $13.00. My address is 1084 Sun Valley Drive, Annapolis, MD 21409-4956. Thank you once again for all your help this past year. You all did a great job!

My sincere thanks to all the dedicated Volunteers who helped at the bingo at Future Care. On May 17^th, the volunteers were invited to an evening of dining and entertainment at Future Care. It was a great event put on for the volunteers and we all had a good time. Thank you once again for your help and the many donations you gave for our bingo winners. Our next bingo will be held on June 19^th at 7PM. No bingo in July.

Barbara Mallonee

1^st Vice-President

Americanism

Unit 1^st Place winner Courtney Richeson from Severn school took 2^nd Place on the district level. She received her award at the District Meeting, which was held on Sunday, April 23 at our post.

The Unit Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 4 at 2PM in the post hall. All are welcome.

Alice Martin

Chairman

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SAL NEWS

Message from the 1st Vice Commander

From all of us at the SAL, we would like to thank Dan McDonald for his dedication and service to the Post. We would also like to congratulate Danny Byrd as our new Post Commander.

The SAL had the pleasure of hosting this past Winter and Spring Pool League for the post on Thursday nights. Our winner for this past season was Don Zimmerman, 2^nd place was Buddy George, and tied for 3^rd was John Fuller and Jim Corkery. Thanks to everyone who participated in the league.

Through the pool league we were able to purchase new pool sticks, bridge, racks, and chalk. I would also like to thank Bill and Billies for the new pool balls that they were so willing to donate to the legion.

The SAL crab feast this year will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006. Hope to see you all there.

Sid Reidy

1st Vice Commander

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Planned Post Activities

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New Offering on Hall Rentals

Small Event Hall Rentals

We are making the Post Hall available for “Small Affairs” like Bridal or Baby Showers. These rentals will be available on either Thursday or Sunday afternoons or evenings. Events such as this should usually have a smaller number of attendees and be of a shorter duration than a normal rental. Special rates will be in effect for these “small hall” rentals.

Contact Pat Wachter at 410-647-3756 to discuss the details.

Pat Wachter,

Hall Chairman

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Bingo

The Unit holds bingo on the third Monday of the month at 7PM for the residents at Future Care Nursing Home on College Parkway. If you would like to join us, call Barbara Mallonee at 410-757-1540. Help is always needed. Thank You. No bingo in July.

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Breakfast

Father’s Day Special on June 18--$1 off for all Fathers.

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Regular prices are: Adults-$6.00, Children 7 and under-$3.00, Omelets to order-$.50 extra. The hours are 8:30 to 11:00AM. Any questions call Pat Rabeau at 410-544-2066. There will be NO breakfast served during July and August.

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Catering

Please remember if you know someone who is having a wedding reception, birthday party, retirement party or any kind of party refer them to us and be sure to tell them we have a great new menu. Anyone can access the menu from the auxiliary page on the legion website. http://legionpost175.org/ or you can call us at

410-544-2066

Italian Night Dinner

The auxiliary serves an Italian style dinner on the fourth Friday of the month from 6 to 8:30PM. Breaded Fried Shrimp is offered as an alternative.

There will be NO Auxiliary dinners served during July and August.

Go Ravens!

Ravens Roost #33, which meets at the Post, invites

Post members who are football fans to join the Roost. It is one of 50 Roosts that work together to promote football and local charities in addition to cheering for the Ravens. Roost members have fun watching the games, but we enjoy other activities throughout the year. We hold our annual convention in Ocean City. In February, members participate in a bull roast that is attended by Brian Billick and Ravens players. Membership dues are $15.00 per year plus a $15.00 Initiation fee. For more information, please call Dave Schultz at 410-757-5505.

Happy Hours

Very Happy Hours...Mon-Friday 4- 6 PM, Saturday 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM.

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Daily Lunch (Monday - Sunday)

Daily lunch items are posted on the Lunch Menu Board in the Lounge. We try to vary the menu; you can call the Post and check with the Bartender to see what the menu of the day is.

Friday Night Dinners

During July and August we will be serving Friday Night Dinner from 6:00 to 8:30pm when there is a Band playing (July 14 & 21 and August 11 & 25).

Organization Meetings

Executive Board meets last Monday of each month. [JUNE 26 – No Meeting in July]

SAL Unit meets 2nd Tuesday of each month.

[JUNE 13 – no meeting in july]

General membership meets 2^nd Wednesday of each month. [NO MEETING IN JUNE – no meeting in july]

Auxiliary Unit meets the 4th Wednesday of each month. [June 28—NO MEETING IN JULY]

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NEED SOME FLORIDA SUNSHINE?

The Severn River Lions Club, a service organization, sells select Florida citrus each month from November through April. All proceeds of the sales go to charities and school scholarships. The club offers premium fruit shipped directly from the orchards to Severna Park. Ruby Red grapefruit is offered each month. In December navel oranges and tangerines are also available. In January, Temple oranges are offered. Frequently navel oranges are also available in January. Grapefruit costs $10 for a 2/5 bushel box and $18 for a 4/5 bushel box. Navel oranges run $11 for 2/5 bushel and $20 for 4/5 bushel. Cost of tangerines and Temple oranges is not yet available. If you are interested in enjoying some Florida sunshine right here in Severna Park this winter while contributing to charity, call Dale Strait at 410-987-4879. Thanks.

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Internet Access

Post WEB Site is available for your use. We are already receiving a significant number of “hits” (accesses) to the various topic areas included. The Web site will continue to expand to include many more areas of information and interest to both Post members and outside inquirers. This growth will be largely based on members’ suggestions.

The Webmaster is Gail Helm of our Auxiliary. Thanks Gail for all your superb efforts in getting this excellent communications tool available to us.

The web page may be accessed under www.legionpost175.org

Please let Gail know through the web page response section (hyperlink at bottom of Web Page) what your thoughts are for articles/access methods/format changes that you feel you would like to see included.

One thing we will be able to do is to inform every one of changes /omissions/errors from the Newsletter in a timely manner, as opposed to waiting for the next bi-monthly issue of the Newsletter.

The web page can present things that the Newsletter cannot. Such as, COLOR pictures from events at the Post, hyperlinks to articles of interest from National and Department etc. etc.

Please feel free to access the web page NOW.

CONTINUE to use the process below to send

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Please remember the Post E-mail is intended for Post business. This includes any correspondence requesting information from the Post or to notify the Post of information.

When sending e-mail to the Post, if you don’t know who to send it to use the INFO@LegionPost175.org Address.

Please include: Your Name

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Email:____________________________________

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General Information

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