I don't have time to join the Legion, I don't have time to go to regular meetings, I don't have time to help put flags on graves, I don't have time to help at bingo, I don't have time to label the Post Parade; the list goes on and on.  My first reaction to the "IDHT" excuse (and that is what it is) is why, don't you have 24 hours in your day?  Did God cheat you?  Does your watch only have 11 numbers on it?  PALEEEESE!
    We have a dedicated 5% of our membership (about 35 of 140) doing virtually everything in our fine organization, the American Legion Post 221.  We have one of the most vibrant Posts of any veteran organization in the state.  We contribute so much to the community that few realize.  At schools, Veteran military honors, parades, donations, veteran assistance, underprivileged assistance; the list is huge, too large to list!  Yet 5% carry the load, at least most of it.  With our membership, we have a wealth of talent and ideas that can be drawn on.  We have all ages, social, and economic backgrounds, and a cross-section of society that could help with everything we do!  There is a place for you!
    We do have others help from time to time.  We had a good turn out for the placement of flags on Veterans graves this year.  It was great to see so many non-veterans show up to help.  Thank you all that helped.  What is disturbing is that we at times get more help from nonmembers than we do from members.  That makes me uncomfortable.
    Come on people, finding the time for your Post is a personal choice, a matter of being selfless, getting out of your comfort zone, giving back, getting off the easy chair once in a while, NOT A LACK OF TIME.
    I ask you to look inside yourself, ask yourself; can't I just make one meeting out of 24 each year?  Can't I work bingo 2-3 times a year?  Can't I ring the Salvation Army bell for 3 hours one day a year?  The hardest part is getting started on any job.  Give it some thought, and then say yes and we can find a good fit for you.  You won't regret it, I promise.
    Call me let's talk about it, or better yet come to a meeting and let us see you.  We will buy you a soda, get you a sandwich and thank you.  We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm.  Hope to see you son.

-Rich Patti, Commander

    What a crazy world we live in!  Nothing ever stays the same.  Well, almost nothing.  One this is for sure; that is the wonderful opportunity that we, as members of the American Legion Auxiliary, have to gather together not only to help the members of the American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion, but also to help and comfort our own members.
    At our regular meeting in June, one of our members presented us with an American flag that had been flown over her son's unit in Iraq.  This member wanted to thank us for the support and love that we have given to her; not only during the deployment of her son, but for just being there too give her encouragement and friendship every day of the year.
    I believe that I speak for all who were present when I say it was a very heartwarming experience.  What a great gift we as members of the Auxiliary have been given; the gift of each other.  In the two years that I have been a member, I have gained numerous "sisters".  We come from different backgrounds and we are of different ages, but that has never mattered.  The only things that matter are working together for the betterment of the American Legion and the Auxiliary, our community, and each other.  Those are the things that don't ever change.
    Do you know of anyone that would like to share this heartwarming feeling with us?  Maybe you would like to be a part of it as well.  Please stop by and sign up to become a member, and then join us at our meetings.  If you are already a member, then come back to visit with us.  We would love to have you!!!

-Janice Stevenson
Secretary, Unit #221

    At our second regular meeting in September, we will have a guest speaker from Stark-Wayne Meals on Wheels program which is located on Nave Road here in Massillon.
    Mr. Robb King, P.R. Administrator for Meals on Wheels will speak to us about this very important program serving the elderly and disabled throughout Stark and Wayne Counties.

Serving Our Country:

    No Care Packages were sent this month because we do not have addresses of Military personnel serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
    If you know of anyone serving our country in these areas please give me their address so we can get a care package to them.

    Our pantry is full.  My phone number is:  330-832-7856

    what a great response to the renewal notice!  The Unit has 110 renewals thus far; only 83 more to go.  If you haven't received your notice, don't let that stop you.  Just mail your dues or drop them off at the Post.  Make your check for $20 payable to the American Legion Auxiliary and mail to:

    Dixie Witter
    P.O. Box 34
    Massillon, OH 44648

Thank you,
-1st Vice Dixie

    It would be greatly appreciated if all inactive Color Guard/Honor Guard members (those who haven't participated in activities or meetings over the past 12 months) return their uniform and equipment to the Post ASAP.
    We have prospective new applicants, but we need uniforms returned in order to outfit them and bolster our dwindling ranks.
    If you are unable to drop your stuff off at the post, please call (330) 833-4545 and we'll arrange to pick it up.

-Sgt. Major Gerry Stanko

Hi Everybody,
    Boy did we ever have a perfect day for golf.  Sorry to say there were only a few who had a perfect golf day.  We hope everyone had a good time, as we know most did.  Like every year, we had a wide range of scores; remember this is the golf classic.  This is the first year that we had a tie for low net of 35.  That was Ralph Feichter and Bill Matthews.  Way to go guys.  We almost had a repeat low gross winner, which also would have been a first, buy Eric Moyer, with Ray Moyer watching down on him, shot a perfect 36 to win.  Grandpa would be proud.  We would like to thank Louise, Ron Feichter, Dixie, Bob, Alice, Dan, and Alice for all their help.  We would like to express our appreciation to all the establishments that gave so generously, so please patronize these good folks.

Alibi Bar
Blakes Plumbing
Glenn Covert
Elms G.C.
WTIG ESPN Radio
First Merit Bank
Hayden Plumbing
Hammersmith Ins.
1st National Bank
Kraus Pizza Lincoln Way West
Bill Lindsey's Sweeper Mart
Post 221
Ohio Edison First Energy
S.A.L.
Louise Soldatis
State Farm Rhonda McMahon
Stephanie's Garden of Eden
Massillon AAA
Quality Nuts - John Helline
Today's Image - Jane Feichter
Ron Feichter

Thanks to all our troops, past and present.
-Dick & Jack Longworth

    This annual dinner honoring the 18 girls and 23 boys in the Class of 2007 and their parents will take place at Post 221, Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 6:30pm.
    We invite all of the members of the Civic Clubs that sponsored them, as well as Post 221 members.
    Let's make this a memorable evening for everyone.  Please call (330) 833-4545 to make your reservation and be sure to indicate the number of people in your party.

Chairman Martha Lee Thatcher, Buckeye Girls State
Chairman Frank Hart, Buckeye Boys State

    From Bruice Poulain, who dug up an old rusty beat up helmet; can't tell if its WWI or WWII.  It was buried so long it is falling apart.
    On August 4, 2007, we were honored by having 47 Marine Corps Band members tour the museum after they marched in the H.O.F. Parade in Canton on Saturday morning.  They did like the museum after which they went downstairs, where we fed them, and did they eat!  After dinner that beautiful group went back to Canton to get ready for a concert that they would perform.  This group of Marines came up from Georgia.

From John Tsocheff - Picture Frame 31" x 26"

DID YOU KNOW?

Terrorist Acts against the United States.
    2001, 9-11 - Two hijacked airlines crash into the twin towers of the World Trade Center.  Shortly after, a third crashes into the Pentagon and a fourth in a field in Pennsylvania.  Approximately 3000 American and other Nationals are killed, a death toll higher by nearly 600 the attack on Pearl Harbor that sent the United States into World War II.  Al Qaida, led by Osama Bin Laden, is widely believed to be responsible and later claims responsibility.

To be continued,
-John Tsocheff

    It's September now, and that means school is back in session.  That also means its time for Labor Day cookouts and last-of-the-year barbeques.  I would like to thank everyone who came to support our squadron at our annual Steak Fry.  It was awesome, and the steak was delicious (as always).  I would also like to thank all of our S.A.L. members who were able to help out at the event and for our Auxiliary for providing desserts for purchase.  Remember, Saturday September 22nd is the date we have set for our breakfast.  We have flyers in the tavern that you can take to your village hall or a recreation center or anywhere else people will be able to see it.  Feel free to stop down and pick up 1 or 10 of them.  Be sure to come to our next S.A.L. meeting on Wednesday, September 12th!

For God and Country,
-Ben Gutscher, Commander

~~~~~

    S.A.L. (all you can eat breakfast) - Saturday, September 22 from 8-11 open to the public.  The breakfast includes: scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, hot cakes, orange juice, and coffee for $5.00.

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 SEPTEMBER