This will be the last article I write for the Post Parade as Commander.  After two years, it is time to pass the gavel on to 1st Vice Commander Rich Patti.  I have every confidence that he will do an excellent job as your next Commander.
    It has been an honor for me to be asked to serve as an officer of Post 221, and I hope I have not disappointed those who put their trust in me.  My service has given me a fuller appreciation for all the good work that this Post does for veterans and for the community, and the hard work that some of our members put in to make sure this happens.  It is impossible to list everything that we do in the few pages we have available in the Post Parade.  When I speak of the good work in this Post, I am also speaking of all that is done by our Auxiliary and our SAL Squadron.
    One thing that has been disheartening is the fact that most of this work is being done by a small handful of people.  Most of our active members are older, and we have lost a number of them over the past few years due to illness or death.  Their numbers are not being replaced by newer or younger members becoming involved.  Our of a membership roster of over 700 names, only about 15 or 16 regularly show up for meetings, and very few more volunteer for Post activities.  If Post 221 is to continue to be the dynamic and effective organization it has been, it is critical that more of our members become active, especially some of the younger ones.
    In closing, I wish to thank those of you who have done so much to make Post 221 a post to be proud of.  Without them, the Commander is nothing.  They are the heart of Post 221.

-Mark Weldon, Commander

Annual Awards and Installation Dinner:  The annual dinner will be held on Saturday, June 9th at 6:30PM in the ballroom.  As always, the dinner is free to members and guests but you must call the tavern to make reservations so we know how many to expect.  The meal will be catered by Rittenhouse Catering.  Our guest speaker will be Commander William "Ed" Anderson, Department of Ohio.

    This is my last article as President of Massillon Unit 221.  It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve in this capacity, but I look forward to installing our new slate of officers as I know they will do an excellent job and it is always healthy to have a change in leadership and a fresh point of view.

    Your 2007-2008 Unit 221 officers are as follows:
        President - Gail Miller
        1st Vice President - Dixie Witter
        2nd Vice President - Alice Stanko
        Secretary - Jan Stevenson
        Treasurer - Peggy Bigler

    Unit Chaplain, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Historian are appointed by the Unit President and will also be installed at the June 5th meeting.  Please come, wish them well, and offer your support.

    By now, you should have received your "Poppy letter."  This letter briefly tells the Poppy Story and asks you to consider making a monetary donation and/or a donation of your time.  To date, the response has been outstanding!  Post 221 members have always been generous and this year is no exception.
    Please note that the poppy distribution to the community will happen on TWO days in May this year; on Saturday the 19th we will "man" both the main and garden door of Wal-Mart from 10AM till 4PM while on Saturday the 26th, we'll be at Meldrum's Restaurant, Giant Eagle, and K-Mart from 10AM until 4PM.  Massillon people have always been supportive of our Poppy Program, and it gives us a chance to make certain everyone knows the Poppy Story.  Always remember that the American Legion Poppy is NEVER sold; it is freely given and ALL monies received from donations are placed in a restricted fund and used only for the rehabilitation of needy veterans and their families.
    The week of June 17th through June 23rd highlights another excellent program of the American Legion Auxiliary - Buckeye Girls State.  This is a program offered only to girls who have completed their junior year of high school and is designed to teach them the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.  Held at Ashland University, Girls State is a unique hands-on opportunity to experience the interaction of city, county and state government.  This year, Unit #221 is proud to be sending (18) young ladies as delegates to this program.
    In closing, let me say again how much I have enjoyed serving as Unit President for this fine group of ladies.  Each of them brings to the table a distinctive and unique personality and their own special talents.  Please plan to attend a unit meeting in the near future (we always meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7PM) and meet them for yourself.

For God and Country,
-Martha Lee Thatcher, Unit President

    On Saturday May 12th a group of people who enjoy riding motorcycles met at the post and chartered a Post 221 Ohio Chapter of the American Legion Riders.  Criteria for membership states that you must be a member of the Legion family (Legionnaire, SAL, or Auxiliary) in good standing or the spouse of such a member.  Additionally, you must own a bike of 350cc or larger or be the spouse of one who does.
    So, if you are a biker and have served in the military, make plans to join the Legion and then join the ALR.  Our next meeting will be June 3rd; meeting at 10AM followed by a ride at 11AM.
    For additional information, call Sam (330) 830-9689 or Richard (330) 477-9844

    Don't forget those businesses that supported us by making donations of their valued goods and services as door prizes to our Nights at the Races.
    Please visit these businesses; say thanks for helping the American Legion Post 221, and encourage others to do the same.

A tip of the hat to:

• Stephanie Jorza at Stephanie's Garden of Eden

• Postmaster Deb Stephan at Massillon USPS

• Doug Schloneger at Wendy's Lincolnway E

    Well, June is here and that means we start another year's worth of work at The American Legion.  I would first like to say "Thank You" to those officers who helped me during the 2007 Membership Year and give a huge "Welcome!" to those who are coming in, including Bob Lunsford (1st Vice and Chaplain), Doug Webber (2nd Vice), Bob Emmert (Finance Officer), and Justin Bretz (Sergeant-at-Arms).  Keep in mind that you don't need to be an officer to help out.  In fact, I could still use an Adjutant...
    Keep in mind that the Awards Dinner will be held on June 9th in the ballroom.  Please plan to attend.  All of our new officers will be there and I will be giving out the annual S.A.L. Member of the Year award.  Also be sure to attend our June meeting which will be held on June 13th at the Legion.

For God and Country,
-Ben Gutscher, Commander

Serving Our Country:
 

    It is the time to celebrate.  Memorial Day is upon us and I hope you feel as good about that as I do.  I relish the feeling of being a Veteran at this time of year:  love the gift of being in the company of fellow Veterans and being able to honor those who have left us that we now celebrate at the cemetery; our parents, or any other Veteran we knew.
    Hope you had a chance to enjoy a visit to your cemetery, place some flags, or maybe even distribute a few poppies.  It doesn't get much more rewarding than that!  Try to visit a Veteran soon; surprise them, and watch them light up when they see you.
    We are now at 729 paid members, putting us a 103% of our annual goal.
    It has been a very rewarding and satisfying year of service to you.  Thanks for all the support, and wish all the best of luck.

Rich Patti
1st Vice Commander

    Clyde Emerick Estate:  One duffel bag, one ditty bag, Scrap book filled with misc. paper dating back 35 years.  Another large notebook filled with 40 years of Post 221 bowling records, scores and pictures.
    Unknown:  Two 37 MM gun - M3, M5, & M6, complete shot, T.P M5 shells in container dated packed 2-43.
    I know for sure all members of Post 221 have not been to the museum in our post home.  It is open for every meeting and every post event and I will open it for any and all groups anytime - other Legion posts - bring a bus load and see what good Legionnaires have donated - call 330-833-4545 or 330-644-0080 for large groups.

DID YOU KNOW?
Terrorist acts against the United States.

1993- Iraq- Intelligence services attempts to assassinate President George H.W. Bush during a visit to Kuwait.

1996- Terrorists detonate a truck bomb near a U.S. Air Force housing area in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killing 19 service members and injuring 385.

1997- Four U.S. Auditors from Union Texas Petroleum Corporation and a Pakistani are shot to death in Karachi, Pakistan.  Radical group Aimal Khufia Action Committee claims responsibility.

To be continued.

-John Tsocheff

Saturday, May 26th - Poppy distribution (from 10am till 4pm) in Meldrum's Restaurant, Giant Eagle, and K-Mart.

Saturday, May 26th - Post 221 Honor Guard at Western Reserve National Cemetery to conduct military honors prior to Boy Scouts placing flags on all Veteran's graves.

Saturday, May 26th - Post 221 members will meet at 9am at Rose Hill Cemetery to place flags on veteran's graves.  (all members are urged to help with this 1 hour task)

Sunday, May 27th - Post 221 Honor Guard at Western Reserve National Cemetery to participate in 10:00am Memorial Day Ceremonies.  (public encouraged to attend)

Monday, May 28th - Post 221 Honor Guard will participate in the Massillon Memorial Day Parade.  (watch local paper for parade step off time)

Tuesday, June 5th - Post 221 election of officers for 2007 - 2008; all Post members are urged to visit the post between 9am and 7pm to cast their ballot.

ATTENTION MEMBERS!  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD WITH YOU TO BE SERVED ALCOHOL.  NO EXCEPTIONS!
NO CARD - NO SERVICE! - TAVERN NOW NON-SMOKING
 

WEDNESDAY SPECIALS FOR JUNE