The 268'er

A Digest for July 2009

                              
Commander Robert A. 'Bob' Allen 

INDEPENDENCE DAY – SATURDAY, JULY 4   HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA !   DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND CONVENTION - JULY 13 to 17

COMMANDER'S MESSAGE

July is the beginning of another Legion year and the beginning of my fourth term as Post Commander.  I have a great team of experienced officers to work with and I look forward to a rewarding year.

Serving as 1^st Vice Commander will be Past Post Commander ‘Cris’ Crismond.  Serving as 2^nd Vice Commander will be Past Post Commander (Post #86) ‘Ron’ TenEyck.  Serving as 3^rd Vice Commander will be ‘Mike” Williams.  These officers have all held these positions in the past and they all have a lot of experience.

I thank the elected officers and those who have agreed to be committee chairs and committee members for pitching in to serve the Post.  I will be working with you all the way, and as in the past, do not hesitate to call on me when necessary.

Our immediate Past Post Commander, Jim Mattingly, completed two consecutive terms, and as commanders before him, he certainly had his share of problems.  Jim handled all Post problems in a most professional manner.  Jim, I give you a ‘right had salute’ for a job well done!

We need a part-time bartender and a couple of money counters.  These are paid positions.  If you are interested, please see me.

We need volunteers to work about an hour on Tuesday evenings on the ‘Ace of Hearts’ and to help out on Sunday evenings at bingo.  If every week is too time consuming, perhaps every other week.  Let me know if you can help out.

Come to the Post on Sunday, July 26, for NASCAR.  Pistol Pete and the ‘Pit-Lane Crew’ put out a great spread.  Food and snacks will be available after 3 PM.  Come watch the ‘Allstate 400 at the Brickyard’ which starts at 1 PM.  Check with Pistol Pete about bringing a dish to share.

For God and Country,

See you at the Post.  

Bob Allen,
Commander

The following Comrades have been, or continue to be on Sick Call:

~ Robert G. 'Bob' Williams ~ Ed Riggs ~ Joseph F. Russell ~

The following Comrades have answered their Final Roll Calls, completed their tours of duty and reported to the Supreme Commander of Post Everlasting:

~ James F. Clark ~ George W. McCain ~ Joseph S. Stephenson ~ John J. Grady ~

May their souls, and all the souls of the Faithful Departed, through the mercy of God, rest in Eternal Peace. Amen.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD
 
One Nation under God we live.
Think about all some had to give.

We the people, share freedom's life
In a world of ever-present strife.

Be grateful to those who keep this true,
Warriors of our red, white and blue.

They're trained by those of great skill,
Honed to perform, so strong their will.

They show what love is all about.
They'll fight for us, there is no doubt.

Defending bravely what we are.
No holding back each heartfelt star.

High praise these men and women,
Giving thanks time and again.

Those in uniform will always be
The golden pride of this country.
(R J Robicheau)

On July 4th, our nation, with all its wars, recessions, depressions, etc., is celebrating  the ripe old age of 233.  Happy Birthday America !  May God continue to bless this fantastic piece of real estate.

Please keep our service personnel scattered around this woozy world in your thoughts and prayers.  Many won't be having cold beers, cookouts, ball games, or a day at the beach.  Their fireworks are real and deadly, no fun to be around. Pray for their safe and soon return to family and loved ones.

May the good Lord watch over and bless you and your loved ones .

Regards (and sincere thanks to ‘Sonny’ et. al.),

"Blackie" Sarkisian,

Post Chaplain (301) 949-0641 (H)

AUXILIARY UNIT 268 NEWS

I would like to congratulate all the new Post, S.A.L. and Unit Officers.  Together we will work hard to become the best Legion family in Southern Maryland .  As S.A.L. Commander Harry says: “THERE IS NO “”I”” IN TEAM'!”

Your new Unit Officers are: President Linda Sarkisian, Vice President Vicky Wasmund, Chaplain Christine Willard, Treasurer Judy Macomber, Sgt. At Arms Margaret Daley, Historian Patsy Alder and Executive Committee Members Geneva Foster, Betty Patcher, Chris Pohlmann and Anita Terry.

I am anxiously awaiting renewals for 2009/2010.  Please make your $20 check payable to ALA Wheaton Unit 268 and send it to me at: 2813 Peregoy Drive , Kensington , MD 20895 .  We would like to take as many renewals to the Department convention as possible.

Our ‘Poppy Dinner’ was a success!!  We had about 140 attendees.  We honored 15 WW II Veterans, five of our six Americanism Essay winners, and 25 other Veterans.  Southern Maryland District President Ivy Christoffers was in attendance.  Our program included poems read by Drew Lidbeck and Dakota Byl, Post Member Mike Williams and Chaplain Christine Williard.  The program closed with Geneva Foster leading us in song.  Thanks to everyone who submitted pictures of Veterans for our ‘Wall of Honor, Wall of Memory.’  Chris has decided to continue this event next year.  If you didn't get your picture turned in, you now have until May 1, 2010, to get us a copy!!  Please give it to Chris or me only.  This way they are accounted for.  Thanks once again to all who supported this event.

The Presidents dinner will be on Thursday, July 30th, at 6:30 PM.  It will be a Pot Luck Dinner with a cash bar.  There will be a cash bar.  Vicky Wasmund is chairing the event.  She would like everyone to bring a covered dish.  She needs salads, appetizers, sides, and desserts.  The Unit will furnish the meat.  Everyone is invited and you may bring a guest.  We will end the evening with the installation of Unit Officers.  Please contact Vicky (301 933-4111) with questions and to let her know what covered dish you are bringing.

Summer is really upon us!!  The temperature is sure to climb!!  How about joining the Unit for a afternoon of fun?  The Unit is tentatively planning a ‘Mid-Summer Saturday Spectacular.’  This will be a picnic type event including hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, etc., and a ‘Chili Cook-off Contest!’  Everyone is welcome to enter the cook-off.  Prizes will be awarded to the top two winners.  The attendees will vote.  Profits will go to our Veterans program.  Full details, including cost, will be in the August 268’er.

The menu for our ‘Third Monday Dinner’ in July (the 20th) is salad, spaghetti with meatballs or sausage and bread - for $5.  Sandwiches will also be available.  We will serve from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.

Please let Chaplain Chris Williard know of any member who is ill or in the hospital.  Her number is 301 649-2709.

A thought for the month: Our elderly and our youth are our past and our future.  Respect them both!

Please have a safe summer, do something nice for a Veteran.  God bless our Legion family and God bless America.

“Your President,"

Linda Sarkisian
lindasarkisian@yahoo.com  301 949-0641

As we move into Summer, we hope everyone gets a chance to relax, take some time off, hit the beaches or mountains and stop to smell the roses.  We look forward to Commander Bob Allen’s return to the helm.  If there ever was a dedicated 268 member/officer, our friend Bob is one!

Life is full of changes - some not so happy.  The beloved Ferdinand’s Restaurant has closed.  Fern Street has lost a bit of its identity and many have lost a great place to have delicious meals.  We wish Louie and his friendly staff, family and friends all the best.  It will take an awful lot to fill that void.  You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

On a brighter note - why not follow the 268 baseball team to a game this season?  Coach Dorset reports that the team is playing some really exciting and close games.  The schedule is posted in the front entry.  Go 268!!

Commander Harry Wachter thanks all who have given time to the Post.  He really appreciates the “get ’er done” spirit that is unique to our family.  Please help where and when you can.

New Members and Finance: See Commander Harry if you or some one you know wants to join the squad.  We welcome your participation.  We have a “need to have to join” form to go with the standard membership form. Ask me or Harry for both forms.  Tony Horner reported that the squadron’s account is healthy.  No new members for June.

Landscaping and grounds: The County is scheduled to widen the Fern Street sidewalk with brick pavers.  Sounds good, but I want to make sure that our large, prized, azaleas are not taken by construction.  I’m staying close to this project and hope it is done in an environmentally friendly way.

Sick call: Report all under-the-weather members to Lionel Haga.

The Food Folks: We need a backup team for brunches in the fall and are seeking new helpers.  If you can fry an egg, YOU can help!  YOU are wanted by “Uncle Harry” (Sam’s nephew)!  The Belmont Race cookout went very well and we plan to have another informal cookout later in the  Summer.  See the S.A.L. bulletin board for details.

New Business: We donated $250 to the Maryland Special Olympics, a great organization that builds esteem in a competitive environment.  Great going! 

The S.A.L. convention was a success and Ray, Lionel and Harry brought back our 4-star membership plaque along with other important materials.

The jumbos are biting and the famous S.A.L. Fall Crab feast is on for Saturday, October 3rd.   Check the S.A.L. bulletin board for the date and time of the August organizational meeting.   We encourage all squad members to help to make this a success.  Tickets go on sale in late August.  Please pencil the date in NOW!  Big thanks to Danny Thompson for printing our tickets and printing and distributing this beautiful newsletter every month!

Good of the Sons: Please let young veterans know they can join the Post.  We need to provide for our new veterans every way we can!

The S.A.L. would like to find space in the Post home to display our awards and a fallen S.A.L. member plaque.  We are thinking of something similar to the wall for the Ladies Auxiliary.

Thanks to Second Vice Commander Tommy Thompson for his help in coordinating and setting up the NASCAR Sunday buffet table.

Used eyeglasses and cell phones can be donated in the marked boxes under the table just inside the front door of the Post.

Our next business meeting is Tuesday, September 1^st, at 7:00.  Please plan to attend.

God bless our troops, their families and this wonderful nation.

Have a fun, safe, economical, happy summer.

Jim Cavender,
S.A.L. First Vice Commander

REMINDER: If you intend to stay in the pool, you should already have made your payment.  We would like to complete our planning for this event, so unless you are getting out of the pool, let us have your payment as soon as possible.  We do not like to make phone calls to chase you down.

Your prompt response will help us pull off another wonderful party.  Thank you for your participation.

Super Bowl Committee

THE FOURTH OF JULY

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

In July 1776, there were an estimated 2.5 million people in the newly independent nation.  This July Fourth, the population is over 304 million – more than 120 of us for each colonist.

If you ate a pork hot dog or sausage this Fourth of July, the chances are that it originated in Iowa . The Hawkeye State produces more than one-fourth of the nation’s pork.

If you had beef, it probably came from the Lone Star State , which accounted for about one-sixth of the nation’s total beef production. And if the beef did not come from Texas , it very well may have come from Nebraska or Kansas .

If you had chicken at your Fourth of July cookout, there is a good chance that it came from either Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi or Texas, unless you live somewhere near Salisbury, Maryland.

More than 75 percent of the nation’s head lettuce production in 2007 came from California .

Chances are that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from Florida or California , which combined accounted for 73 percent of U.S. tomato production last year.

The ketchup on your burger or hot dog probably came from California , which accounted for 96 percent of processed tomato production in 2007.

Georgia led the nation in watermelon production in 2007 year (1 billion pounds).  Other leading producers of this popular Fourth of July dessert included California , Florida and Texas , each with more than 400 million pounds.

More than 74 million Americans said they took part in a barbecue during the previous year. It’s probably safe to assume a lot of these events took place on Independence Day.

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BOOSTERS

Support Post 268 by being a Booster!  For $10, Boosters’ names will be published every month for 6 months.  This is less than $2 a month.  For $20, names will be published every month for an entire year.  This opportunity is available to all Legion, Unit, and S.A.L. members and to all guests of the Post.  Please renew your listing by the 15^th of the month prior to its expiration.  To become a Booster or to renew your listing, see our Adjutant, Sandy Smith, or Commander Jim Mattingly.  Thank you for your support.

IN MEMORIAM

NASCAR goes to the brickyard!

 COME OUT AND ENJOY THE RACES WITH OTHER NASCAR FANS.

CHEER FOR YOUR FAVORITE DRIVER!

BRING YOUR FAVORITE DISH!

PLEASE CONTACT PISTOL PETE AT THE POST (301-946-3268) AND LET HIM KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING.

FOOD AND SNACKS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 3 PM ON EARLY-AFTERNOON RACE DAYS.

JULY 26 – ALLSTATE 400 AT THE BRICKYARD AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

SLOTS ARE STILL OPEN IN THE NASCAR POOL!

SEE PISTOL PETE IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SLOT.

Y’ALL COME – AND BRING A FRIEND!

POST 268 BASEBALL SCHEDULE - 2009

JULY