As all you Veterans remember, each duty station was temporary.  There was always someone to take your place.  You likely always felt like you left a bit of yourself behind when you rotated out.  We likely always remember those we served with and how they impacted our lives.

    I feel the same way about leaving as of June 7, 2008.  Those that were supportive I will not forget and say thank you for what you did for me.  For those that were not... well I am saddened that it had to be that way.

    Join us Saturday, June 7, 2008 for the installation dinner.  We did not honor our new officers last year, but this year we will give them their due respect and have them installed by the Department Commander, Mike Morman.  Call the tavern to make your reservations.

For God and Country,
-Rich Patti, Commander

    Howard Smith, formerly from Canton but now lives in Indiana, called me with the address of his son T/Sgt. Rodney SMith who is now serving in Afghanistan.  He reads our post parade and decided to give us his son's address.  He will get a care package.  Howard was a Canton Police officer and now works as a security officer at a travel trailer company in Indiana.

    The "Care Package program" is in jeopardy because of a lack of addresses, and without servicemen/women addresses the program will not exist.

    Don't forget to vote June 3, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. for your Legion officers.

Serving Our Country:

T/Sgt. Rodney D. Smith
376 AEW-ELRS
APO AE 09353

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

    It's hard to believe it's that time of the year already; when we elect & install our new slate of Officers for 2008-2009.

    Congratulations to:

• Gail Miller - Unit President

• Dixie Witter - 1st Vice President

• Alice Stanko - 2nd Vice President

• Peggy Bigler - Treasurer

• Jan Stevenson - Secretary

• Kathryn Matthews - Chaplain

• Rosanne Miller - Historian

    On June 7, 2008 at 6:30pm, you are invited to attend our Installation Dinner & show your support to these new officers.  Hope to see you there.

-Gail Miller, Auxiliary President

    Welcome to new members Robert Zorger (dual member) and Mark Chaddock.  We are glad to have you as members of Squadron 221.

    The trip to Rising Sun is full and will depart from the Legion at 8am on June 8th.  There will be coffee and donuts between 7 and 8.  Please make sure that all going on the trip take a photo ID.  Identification is now required at the Grand Victoria Casino and Resort.  If any of your guests are not members and do not get this newsletter, make sure that you inform them of this requirement.

    The squadron is planning a steak fry for August 23.  It is also a night that the Legion will be giving all drawings away.  It is a NASCAR race night as well.  Please plan to attend and have a great steak and join in the festivities.

    The new officers for the 2008-2009 year are as follows:

• Robert Lunsford - Commander

• Jack Dedmon - 1st Vice Commander

• Robert Hookey - 2nd Vice Commander

• Francis Benjamin, Jr. - Adjutant

• Robert Emmert - Finance Officer

• Justin Bretz - Sgt. at Arms

    Our next meeting will be Wednesday, June 11.  Please plan to attend.

-Bob Emmert, Finance Officer

    From Ron Feichter - 45 page booklet entitled "I Requested the Infantry, My Experiences in World War II", by Allen W. Colnen; aka Little Red 2007.

    From Paul Broadbent - A CIA agent working in Afghanistan who gave this item to Maxine Shaffer who turned it in to me for the museum.  The item is a hat, or cap, and is very strange looking.  You must see it.

    From Donna Tsocheff - From the estate of her father Donis E. Switzer, 8x10 pictures, 6 of them taken in front of Post 221.  The group of C. C. & S. railroad workers conventions each year in October from 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977.  There are hundreds of men in these pictures; you might know some of them.  See me if interested.

    From Donna Tsocheff - 1 1/2 inch coin; Massillon celebrates it's founding on our nation's 200th anniversary, dated 1976.

    From the Estate of John B. Boylan - (Rosanne Miller's father), WWII Army Air Force shirt and jacket.

    Newspaper Articles - Death photo of WWII reporter Ernie Pyle; also the last surviving Marine in Iwo Jima photo dies.  There is no date listed or shown.  Please, when submitting news items, date them.

DID YOU KNOW?  LEGION SAFETY ACTIVITIES

    Home firearm safety; The American Legion has long felt the importance for more information and training of home firearms safety.  Approximately 30 percent more firearm accidents occur in the home than in the field.  This, coupled with the fact that there are 30 million homes which have firearms, makes a home firearm safety program imperative.

-John Tsocheff

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