American Legion Post 221 Officers 2025-2026
- Commander- Richard Mortland
- 1st Vice Commander- John Campbell
- 2nd Vice Commander- Chip Stark
- Chaplain- Kenneth Girt
- Adjutant- Mark Weldon
- Finance Officer- Mark Weldon
Sgt. At Arms- Michael Stanley
MEMBERSHIP DUES
IF YO HAVE NOT RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR 2026, IT IS NOT TOO LATE!!! YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE LEGION FAMILY. WHETHER YOU ARE A LEGIONNAIRE, AUXILIARY, SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, OR LEGION RIDER, YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE TEAM. PLEASE SEND IN YOUR DUES OR DROP THEM OFF AT THE TAVERN. THE MAILING ADDRESS IS: AMERICAN LEGION POST 221-427 LINCOLN WAY EAST MASSILLON, OHIO 44646
MEMORIAL DAY
The finest tribute we can pay
Unto our hero dead to-day,
Is not a rose wreath, white and red,
In memory of the blood they shed;
It is to stand beside each mound,
Each couch of consecrated ground,
And pledge ourselves as warriors true
Unto the work they died to do.
Into God’s valleys where they lie
At rest, beneath the open sky,
Triumphant now o’er every foe,
As living tributes let us go.
No wreath of rose or immortelles
Or spoken word or tolling bells
Will do to-day, unless we give
Our pledge that liberty shall live.
Our hearts must be the roses red
We place above our hero dead;
To-day beside their graves we must
Renew allegiance to their trust;
Must bare our heads and humbly say
We hold the Flag as dear as they,
And stand, as once they stood, to die
To keep the Stars and Stripes on high.
The finest tribute we can pay
Unto our hero dead to-day
Is not of speech or roses red,
But living, throbbing hearts instead,
That shall renew the pledge they sealed
With death upon the battlefield;
That freedom’s flag shall bear no stain
And free men wear no tyrant’s chain.
Edgar Albert Guest
COMMANDER’S CORNER
Well I could say that spring has sprung; fall has fell and winter has gone to wherever. Soon summer will be here. Schools will be letting out and vacations will be coming up, but there will still be things going on here at the post. We do need help in different places around the post. The Honor Guard and Color Guard always has a need of new members. Coming in the second or third week of May we are getting our replacement M1 rifles. (Finally) At the end of May is Memorial Day and we have people in the parade, plus a float. The Color Guard will be doing the gun salute at the end with the VFW.
We are not having a banquet this year due to the construction that is going on in the lower dining room.
I will be announcing my pick for Legionnaire of the Year at the Picnic on the Porch.
So in closing, stay safe and have fun, and as always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me at 330-280-6141.
~~Richard Mortland- Commander
COLOR AND HONOR GUARD
For me, the last 4 months have been a tough road. Thanks go to Barrett Scott for filling in for me as well as the entire guard stepping up and taking care of funerals and Western Reserve duties. The honor and color guard serve our Post for the purpose of giving honors to our veterans and family for serving this great Country.
This year was busy with 17 honors, 1109 miles traveled and 206 man hours served to honor veterans at local services and Western Reserve National Cemetery.
~~ Jerry Yochum and Mark Weldon
1ST VICE COMMANDER COMMENTS
Hello fellow members!
Spring is finally upon us. Hopefully everyone is enjoying the flowers and warmer weather.
Our new fiscal year is fast approaching and some members have not paid the current year’s dues. This can be done online or at the Legion.
We are always looking for new friends; bring a buddy when you come.
With the warmer weather now, please be alert for motorcycles.
Please say a prayer for our troops.
~~ John Campbell, 1st Vice Commander
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT
From the Post Chaplain……
Our world is suffering from the wages of war and conflict. Let us take a few minutes and ask our Heavenly Father to bring us peace………
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers and sisters are we. Let me walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
(By Jill Jackson and Sy Miller)
~~ Ken Girt, Post 221 Chaplain
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY
MAY 2 KENTUCKY DERBY DAY-TAVERN 6:00pm
MAY 3 AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS 10:00am
MAY 5 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
MAY 5 AUXILIARY REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
MAY 10 MOTHER’S DAY
MAY 12 LEGION EXEC BOARD 7:00pm
MAY 13 S.A.L. MEETING 7:00pm
MAY 13 CARDINGO-PORK CHOP DINNER 7:00pm
MAY 19 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
MAY 20 RWDSU MEETING (FIREPLACE ROOM) 5:00pm
MAY 22 NATIONAL POPPY DAY
MAY 25 MEMORIAL DAY- TAVERN CLOSED
MAY 26 TAVERN MONTHLY DRAWING 7:30pm
MAY 27 CARDINGO-MEAT LOAF DINNER 7:00pm
JUNE
JUNE 2 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
JUNE 2 AUXILIARY REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
JUNE 7 AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS 10:00am
JUNE 9 LEGION EXEC BOARD 7:00pm
JUNE 10 S.A.L. MEETING 7:00pm
JUNE 10 CARDINGO-SWISS STEAK DINNER 7:00pm
JUNE 14 FLAG DAY
JUNE 14 POST PARADE ARTICLES DUE
JUNE 16 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
JUNE 17 RWDSU MEETING (FIREPLACE ROOM) 7:00pm
JUNE 21 FATHER’S DAY
JUNE 23 LABEL POST PARADE 5:30pm
JUNE 24 CARDINGO-STUFFED PEPPERS 7:00pm
JUNE 29 TAVERN MONTHLY DRAWING 7:30pm