After the cameras leave and the headlines calm down our memories fade.  We see it through our Veteran eyes, Veterans' Day, Memorial Day, Patriots Day; the interest is less every year.  Sadly, it's a problem this society has.

    But we continue to try to keep the memories alive, remember our history, and recognize the efforts of those who have done and are still doing.

    Please mark your calendar.  April 19, 2008 is our scheduled date to induct one of our fallen into the ranks, as an honorary member of our Post.  Cory Endlich was killed in the line of duty in Iraq June 9, 2007 and we will not forget him.

    He joins Sgt. Mike Barkey, Staff Sgt. Richard Ramey, and 1st Lt. Aaron Seesan, whose families will join us at the dinner.

    We are here, "to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars."

    Also at the dinner, we will be presenting awards to those who have done the volunteer activities that keep us operating; doing the things in the Post and the community for which we are here, "to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation."

    So do your part please, come to the dinner, see and recognize with me those that do the duty, give the time and talent, and keep us alive.  Without them we might as well close the doors and put a for sale sign on the front lawn.

    All you have to do is let us know you are coming by contacting the tavern at (330) 833-4545, to tell us how many reservations to make for you.  If you pay dues, you are entitled to come to the dinners.

    Show the Gold Star families and volunteers at the Post you care about them.  See you there.

-Rich Patti, Commander

    March "Night at the Races" went real well.  Thanks to all volunteer workers, we cannot do it without you.

    The Winners Pool was $60.00, the 50/50 was $295.00, Dinner Ticket Pool $72.00, $25.00 and two bottles of whiskey were given away and some great door prizes were drawn throughout the evening.

    At our Legion Meeting Tuesday March 4th, we were informed by Wintersville Post #557 about Nathan Schaming, a 23 year old serviceman who lost both legs while serving his country in Iraq.  Post #557 asked us to send him get well cards, thank you cards, etc.,  Nathan is having a hard time while in rehab.  Nathan was sent a large care package 3/6/08.  Nathan is from Toronto, Ohio and his address is below.

Serving Our Country:

S/Sgt. Mark Grisez
FSC 1-8-INBN
Unit 43180
FOB Liberty APO AE 69344

A1C Steven J. Jason
TAC 103 Box 258
APO AE 09603-0002

Nathan Schaming
Abraham Hall Box 409
Chosen Battery, WTB
6900 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20307

Lynn Montano
838th MP Co.
APO AE 09354

SPC Marks Christopher
BCO 96th ASB Taskforce
Troubleshooters
FOB Bagaram, APO AE 09354

LCPL Taylor C. Herchik
1/8 WPNS
MAP 1 Unit 73220
838th MP Co.
APO AE 09354

Garvey, James P.
838th MP Co.
APO AE 09354

Christopher A. Yannayou
51st MUNS, PSC 3 Box 5782
APO AP 96266-0057

92 packages sent as of this writing.

REMEMBER 9-11-2001
-Bill Matthews, 2nd Vice Commander

   Thanks to all members who helped at the "Night at the Races."  They were a great success this year.  We had a packed house for all of them.  Unfortunately, we are limited by law to four per year.

    Nominations for squadron officers will be held at the April 9 meeting.  If you are interested in helping our squadron prosper, please plan to attend this meeting.  It's not just an office or a title that is important; it is the work that you do to benefit your squadron and Post 221.  We must all work together to help others that are struggling to help themselves.  For those who may be interested, here is a summary of what our S.A.L. officers do:  Commander - head of the squadron, 2nd Vice Commander - Responsible for fund-raising events and activities, Adjutant - secretary of the squadron, Finance Officer - treasurer of the squadron, Chaplain - responsible for spiritual leadership, Historian - maintains a current record of activities, Sergeant-at-Arms - Outer guard, custodian of the flag.

    The squadron trip to Rising Sun scheduled for June 8-9 is full.  If you are not on the list and want to go, make sure you are on the back-up list in case there are any cancellations.

    The Detachment convention will be held the second weekend in May.  If anyone wishes to attend, please contact me as soon as you can.  It is being held at Sawmill Creek resort in Sandusky.  If you have never been to a Detachment convention, you are missing chance to get some great ideas from squadrons around the state as well as having a great time.

    Welcome new members:  Stephen Careway, Edwin Eberle, Anthony Fye, and Jeremy Baker.

-BOB EMMERT
FINANCE OFFICER

    From Past Commander Olden Lynch:  5 large training manuals plus 5 large books, all issued by U.S. Army 1990-another booklet, "Wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia."  Map of the Great Lakes Naval Station, map of Fort Polk, instructions on radiotelephone procedures Oct. 1980, one pair of glasses worn under a helmet, ear plugs and other things like insignias.

    From Dick Lovett:  One pair of Army high shined new dress shoes.

    From Terry Jay Tsocheff (my baby!):  One pair of Army shoes from Vietnam era.

    From Donald German from Jackson, Tennessee:  Mark Weldon brought it to museum; a book-"Illustrated History of the United States Marine Corps 2002" by Chester G. Hearn.  It is 224 pages with thousands of pictures.

    Donated from Pat Kelly:  15x18 framed picture of the Purple Heart and an envelope with the USPS official First Day Issue postmark on the new issued Purple Heart Stamp.  The issue date is May 30, 2003 and dedication location Mt. Vernon, VA.  Pat is a prior Postmaster of Canton OH and member of Post 221.

    Guide to American Military Rank - On April 19, 1775, the first shots for American Independence were fired at Lexington, Massachusetts.  Since that time, American military rank has continued to change and evolve.  As visitors view the rank listed on headstones at Arlington.  It is important to consider the era in which a person served in order to fully appreciate that person's military rank.  For example, a person with the rank of Lieutenant General in 1985 would not have attained as high a position as a Lieutenant General in 1885 when it was the highest rank in the U.S. Army.  Also, during the 19th century, there was a system of promotions known as "Brevetting."  A soldier would temporarily advance in rank because of special circumstances, such as when a commanding officer might be disabled in combat allowing a subordinate to be brevetter to a higher rank to assume command.  Since the promotion was only temporary, the soldier would revert to his original rank once the special situation ended.  Many of the tombstones of persons who served during the 19th century depict brevet rank.  In numerous instances, persons who were brevetter to a higher rank during the Civil War, for example, reverted to their lower rank once the war ended.  It would then take as long as thirty years to again achieve the high rank they enjoyed during the war.  This led to great confusion and ultimately to the elimination of brevet ranks.  What follows is a general chart of American military rank for officers as it has evolved through our nation's history.  It is important to remember that each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces has its own designation of rank and that the Air Force was part of the Army until 1947.

To be continued.

    If you are a member of the Post 221 Legion family - that is a Legionnaire, Auxiliary, or S.A.L. member - in good standing; that means your dues are paid for the current year, you are entitled to attend 4 or 5 FREE dinners each year that the post; Early Bird, Veterans' Day, Legion Birthday, Awards and Installation.  Generally, these are catered dinners, and the good is good!

    Our next FREE dinner will be Saturday, April 19th.  It is our Awards Dinner; so after the meal, members who have done outstanding work for the Legion or contributed in some way to the success of Post 221 will be recognized.  The individual selected as Legionnaire of the Year will be announced and you will probably know some of these individuals.  If not, you may have at least seen their name mentioned in this publication.

    All you have to do is call the post (330) 833-4545 and make a reservation.  No one is going to ask you to say or do anything.  There is no commitment involved; just an opportunity to enjoy a good meal and see in person some of the people who help keep this post functioning.  We'd love to have you.  DO plan to come!

ATTENTION MEMBERS!  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD WITH YOU TO BE SERVED ALCOHOL.  NO EXCEPTIONS!
NO CARD -- NO SERVICE!
THE LEGION IS A NON-SMOKING FACILITY