Who cares about what the Legion and this Post does?  Well it turns out some people actually do.  Probably more than we ever understood or imagined.

    Jim Pitz did.  Jim was a social member that visited us regularly.  He left this world this past fall.  Before he did, he made a point to leave his memory with us in a very meaningful way.

    Jim named "the American Legion Post 221 Color Guard" as one of the beneficiaries under his Last Will and Testament.  Mr. Pitz expressed, we know after the fact, that he was always "impressed with the presentations and service of the American Legion Color Guard."  We will be ever grateful to Jim for thinking of us.  We have named the downstairs dining room after him.

    Who else cares?  We do.  We care about those who left us by placing flags on all the graves of the departed Veterans at Rose Hill Cemetery.  This year it will be Saturday 05-24-08 at 9am.  We will be distributing Poppies, for Veterans to be remembered, the same day.  We will be a presence at our community Memorial Day parade and Massillon Cemetery ceremony.

    Memorial Day (and Veterans' Day) will never just be a "day off" holiday for me.  I hope you feel the same.  We need you to be involved and remember those that were here with us once, family, friends, or just fellow Veterans, lest we not forget, keep them in your "Memorial Day".

-Rich Patti, Commander

    April's "Night at the Races" was the last of four races that our Post is allowed for the year 2008.  We had a good attendance and of course the people that volunteered did another great job as usual.  The Appreciation Dinner for our workers and guest will be on Thursday May 15, 2008.  You will get your invitation later.

Serving Our Country:

LCPL McIntyre, Cody
3rd MARDIV HQBN G2
Unit 35880
FPO AP 96602-5880

We need addresses of our military men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  If you have an address of someone serving their country please leave it at the Tavern or contact me at 330-832-7856.

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

   Spring is a busy time of the year for us.  In March we had the Legion's Birthday Dinner.  Last month we had our Awards Banquet.  May is "Poppy Month".  In June, we have our Installation Dinner when we announce and install our new slate of Officers.  Also, we are in the planning stages of other fundraisers and social events for the upcoming months.

    At the Awards Banquet, I presented Jan Stevenson and Kathryn Matthews with "Certificates of Appreciation."  These ladies deserve your congratulations.  They did not hesitate to step-up when needed and extend a helping hand.  A lot of time, hard work, and dedication are given by our members in planning and preparation for all our various events.  Which is why; once again, I want to give a sincere thank you to the Officers and active members of the Auxiliary.  Without your extra time and the help you willingly give, a lot of our goals and accomplishments would never have been achieved.  A heartfelt thank you to you all, you are greatly appreciated.

-Gail Miller, Auxiliary President

    Wow, amazing how quickly time goes by.  We've just held our nominations for officers and we'll be voting on them already for next year!  I'm proud of our newest group of leaders and am confident that they'll steer our squadron well into the next year.

    According to 1st Vice Bob Lunsford, we've reached 107.5% of our quota for this year.  We still have some of our members unpaid, so if you are reading this, pay your dues soon!  If you miss a year then your card is dropped down to read 0 consecutive years as an S.A.L. member.

    I know some of you know this, but Bob Emmert reminded the squadron that the bus for the Rising Sun trip is already full.  Don't fret though, often times there will be people who have to drop out of the trip for many reasons, so spots may still open up.  If you are interested in going, make sure you stop by the Tavern and sign the backup list.

    Another Steak Fry is coming up soon, possibly in mid- to late-August.  Keep your eyes peeled on the Post Parade to find out when it will be.  Steak is always good, especially our steak!

    As I stated before, we held our nomination meeting for our 2008-9 officers.  The officers nominated are listed as follows:

• Commander - Bob Lunsford

• 1st Vice Commander - Jack Dedmon

• 2nd Vice Commander - Bob Hookey

• Adjutant - Francis Benjamin

• Finance Officer - Bob Emmert

• Sergeant-at-Arms - Justin Bretz

    Congratulations to those that were nominated, and good luck in the balloting at our next meeting which will be held on Wednesday, May 14th.

-Ben Gutscher, Commander

    Booklet - "Going Back to Civilian Life", printed 1945 v mail - about 50 envelopes.

    From Josh Miller - Certificate of Authenticity for two flags that were flown at Camp Yassir, Al Asad, Iraq during operation Iraqi Freedom, on July 4, 2007.  Both flags are on Display in the Museum.

    From Sue Amastis - A four sheet directory - names and addresses of all men of the 116th USN Construction Battalion mailed and sent January 24, 1945 to Mrs. Rose Koffel of Canton, Ohio by M. M. Koffel PTR 3/c

DID YOU KNOW?
June 14, 1775 - United States Army established.
October 13, 1775 - United States navy established.
November 10, 1775 - United States Marine Corps established.
August 7, 1789 - Department of War established.
August 4, 1790 - United States Coast Guard established.
April 30, 1789 - Department of Navy established.
March 16, 1802 - U.S. Military Academy founded.
October 10, 1845 - U.S. Naval Academy founded.
1876 - U.S. Coast Guard Academy founded.
1916 - U.S. Army established Reserve Officer Training Corps.
May 14, 1942 - Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps established.
September 18, 1947 - United States Air Force established.
July 26, 1948 - U.S. Armed Forces officially desegregated.
August 10, 1949 - Department of Defense created.
April 1, 1954 - U.S. Air Force Academy founded.
March 15, 1989 - Department of Veterans Affairs elevated to cabinet level.
January 2003 - Department of Homeland Security established.

-John Tsocheff

    Every year (around Memorial Day) members of Massillon Auxiliary Unit 221 set a time to present the "Memorial Poppy" to the public.  This gives us an opportunity to tell the Poppy story and to honor our war dead as well as all who are (and have) served to preserve our freedoms.

    Arrangements have been made and schedules created to promote the Poppy at four Massillon locations this year:  Wal-Mart, Meldrum's Restaurant, Giant Eagle, and K-Mart.

    In order to fill our schedule and have at least two people working each shift, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS.  (Please note that there are two dates involved; Wal-Mart on Friday May 23 and the other locations on Saturday May 24.)

    Please check your schedule, and if you are able and willing to give at least 1 or 2 hours to this worthwhile endeavor, sign up for the time and place you would like to work (the Schedule is posted on the bulletin board outside the Blue Room OR call the Post at (330) 833-4545 and ask what time slots and locations are still open.)

    Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve,

-Martha Lee Thatcher, Past Unit 221 President

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