06 Nov 07 - Flag Disposal Ceremony - This is a regular meeting night, but this annual ceremony is what we do to show the community and the Post membership how we retire unserviceable flags in the due dignified manner. This year the Post will incorporate the help of Pack 916 Cub Scouts. We will assemble so as to begin at 7pm and finish inside with out abbreviated meeting. The public is invited, and if you are reading this you should consider being there. Do you really know how to correctly dispose of unserviceable flags?

10 Nov 07 - The Early Bird Dinner - If you have paid your dues for 2008 by Veterans' Day you are eligible and invited to attend this very nice catered dinner. So please PAY your dues! Get your money's worth for your dues; enjoy a nice program and the company of your Veteran peers at Post 221. This year we again have the honor and duty to welcome one of our local fallen Comrades as an Honorary Member to our Post. Sgt. Cory Endlich, who was laid to rest in June of this year, will be permanently enrolled with us this evening. His father, Randy Endlich, has been a member of our Post for years. Please attend to show our support for the Randy and Cathi Endlich family. Try to be in your seat by 6:15pm; we start at 6:30. All you need to do is call in your reservation to the tavern (330-833-4545) and show up!

11 Nov 07 - Veterans' Day Ceremony and Luncheon - This is for YOU! The 11th month, the 11th day, the 11th hour; at 11:00am we acknowledge all veterans of our armed forces. If you wore a uniform, this grateful Nation recognizes YOU. It is a national holiday; it is just that important. You should be proud of all of this; you should be there to feel the pride of what you did. It's just that simple. If you never come any other time of the entire year you should at least come NOW. This is a Sunday so it is hoped that a lot of you will be available; please come, and wear a uniform if you can. All veterans are invited so bring a friend whether they are a member or not.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE - GET INTO THE POST - YOUR POST 221!!!

-Rich Patti, Commander

   What if there was a parade and no one carried an American flag?  What if there was a football game and no one presented the Colors?  We think these things that we take for granted would be a real shame to do without, wouldn't you agree?
   Well it would, and these scenarios are not too far fetched.  We are an aging and dwindling group as both the Color and Honor Guards.  We recently have experienced the loss of some key people due to the natural aging process.  Now some of other will be back since their conditions are temporary, but the writing is on the wall; we are a dying breed.
   We as an Honor Guard are one of a very few in the county that still provide military honors for any Veteran.  We also provide honors at the National Veterans' cemetery in Rittman every seven weeks.  We are good at it!  This is done under the direction and guidance of the First Sgt. Richard Thatcher, and HE is good at it.  But he can't manufacture people.  We are a proud, dedicated group of volunteers, but we have limitations and are not taking on new people fast enough to fill the vacancies of those that leave us for whatever reason.  Do you (or your family) want your final flag folded?  Think about it.
   As a Color Guard, we are even more desperate.  There are only a handful of us that can march the entire length of the Memorial Day Parade. We still do it, but without some younger legs, it won't be long until we don't. What a shame, a parade with no Veterans to carry the Flag! We still present the Colors at the Massillon home football games, but you guessed it, it won't be long until we can't. Our numbers are too small.
   It is honorable and rewarding volunteer work people.  Your post has always provided the uniforms, they are proud of us.  All you need is boots and a Legion cap.  Won't you consider joining us?  Don't worry that you have not marched or handled a weapon for 30-40 years; we have all been in that position.  We teach each other the routines.   Our future is in your hands.  Do we become extinct, or will you help us survive?
   Please call and ask what you can do.  Thank you.

   Night at The Races will be coming up in January and that is not too far away.  If anyone has items that we can use for door prizes, give me a call.
   Our care package program is not doing so well at this time because we need servicemen and women addresses.  the pantry is full; if you know of someone sreving in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Kuwait get their address and we will be happy to send them a package.
   Corn Hole/Bean Bag tournament can be played indoors.  If there is a member who will chair a tournament we would like to get it started soon.  There are a couple of members who have said they will help with the tournament.  Give me a call if you are interested in chairing this program.

REMEMBER 9-11-2001

-Bill Matthews, 2nd Vice Commander

   Please remember to get your dues in by November 10th to be an "Early Bird."
   All members with dues paid by 11/10 are invited to the Early Bird dinner (Nov. 10th) at 6:30pm in our ballroom.  We would like to welcome new members:  Francis Benjamin, Steve Sullivan, Dennis Brown Jr., dual member James Haught, and our youngest member (Born October 4, 2007) Liam James Badertscher.  Congratulations to member Len Badertscher and wife Amy, grandparents Len and Connie Badertscher, and big brother Brennan.
   Our next meeting will be Wednesday November 14th at 7pm.  We hope to see you there.  If anyone knows of a needy family, please bring the information to the meeting.  We will be planning our Thanksgiving and Christmas giving.

 -For God and Country, Bob Emmert

Upcoming ~ we will need your help.
   Dec. 1 ~ Santa's Auction:  Donations are now being accepted.
   Dec. 4 ~ wrapping children's gifts, at our Dec. Aux. meeting
   Dec. 8 ~ Children's Christmas Party

Santa's Auction
   Because we had such a fantastic time last year; a night full of fun & laughter, people just can't wait to do it again.  Back by popular demand ~ Santa's Auction to be held in the Legion's Tavern on Dec. 1, 2007 at 7pm.  Donations are now being accepted.

~Gail Miller, Auxiliary President

   Ben Wolfe brought in one Afghanistan 100 Afghanis note given to him by Cpl. Ryan Nofsinger, a Massillon man who is now serving in Iraq.  Ryan served one year in Afghanistan prior to this tour.  Good Luck Ryan.

   Morris J. Husk - Oxford W. Va., 270 page book "The 89th Infantry Division 1942 - 1945 - First Edition March 1947."

   With cooler weather coming, it is a good time to get up into your attic and find those mementos that belong in our museum.

   Did you know? - Terrorist acts against the United States.
   2001 - Richard Reid, a member of a radical mosque is overpowered by passengers on an American Airlines flight to Miami for attempting to detonate a "Shoe Bomb" that would have killed hundreds.
   2002 - Al Qaeda member Jose Padilla is arrested in Chicago, where authorities believe he was planning to detonate a nuclear "Dirty" bomb.
   Dozens of Americans have been taken hostage and some murdered in separate kidnappings by Islamic radicals throughout the 1980's until the present day.

To Be Continued...
-John Tsocheff

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