contact - Greenbelt American Legion Post 136

G REENBELT A MERICAN L EGION P OST 136
C ONTACT
6900 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-345-0136 www.greenbeltmdpost136.org
September/October 2016
VOLUME LXXV
C OMMANDER ’ S M ESSAGE
As we complete the last of our summer vacations and ship the kids and grandkids back to
school, I hope that everyone is ready for a wonderful new administrative year at Greenbelt
American Legion Post 136. Working with the Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion,
your Executive Committee has developed a superb calendar of events that offers something for
everybody over the next twelve months. A complete calendar is posted on our website and on
bulletin boards throughout the Post Home. Also, current social events and meetings are highlighted on our monthly restaurant menu.
We had a busy summer and I want to thank Tom and Diane Delaney and the entire Kellaher
family for another successful Kellaher Golf Tournament which helped our scholarship fund.
Our 4th of July Family Picnic was enjoyed by all, in spite of a one-day rain delay for our fireworks viewing party. We were honored to host National Commander Dale Barnett, National
Auxiliary President Sharon Conaster and the 98 young leaders of the Boys Nation Class of
2016 for our annual dinner. The Boys learned a lot from several of our Veterans who shared
their experiences in the military.
The 98th Annual Department of Maryland Legion Convention was attended by several members of Post 136 and we were very proud to receive several awards. We were recognized with
the Department’s William Randolph Hearst Americanism Trophy for our community involvement and extensive service programs. For the second year in a row, our own Post Chaplain
Mike Duggan won the “Father Tony” Award for the best Chaplain’s report. Also, Post 136 was
awarded a Department Certificate of Appreciation for hosting six Red Cross Blood drives
which resulted in the collection of 143 pints of blood.
Finance Officer Joe Raphel is working with the Internal Revenue Service to resolve a longstanding tax issue that resulted from our failure to pay employment taxes in 2011 and 2012. He
is being ably assisted by Jack McBride, Jay Mayock, Tom Davis and John Helbert. They are on
the case and we hope to resolve the problem quickly. I will keep you informed of our progress.
On Monday, September 5th, we will host our annual Labor Day Family Picnic from 2:00 p.m.
until 6:00 p.m. which will offer a great selection of food and drinks, music and lots of fun for
the children. This year, thanks to Butch Hicks, we are coordinating closely with the Greenbelt
Labor Day Committee to ensure that our event complements the City’s celebration. On Sunday,
October 23rd we will hold another delicious Crab Feast. Finally, we will wrap up the month
honoring our local first responders on Friday, October 28th, at our annual Law Enforcement/
Fire Fighters Recognition Dinner. Please put these events on your calendar and join us for a
great time.
Finally, now is the perfect time to renew your 2017 membership at the reasonable cost of $40,
so we can see your smiling face at the “Early Bird” dinner on Sunday, November 8th. Thank
you for your continued support and your ongoing commitment to your fellow Veterans.
For God and Country,
Mike Moore
301 794-5851 or [email protected]
ISSUE XVII
2016/2017
Commander
Michael “Mike” Moore
1st Vice Commander
Nate Calloway
2nd Vice Commander
Greg Gigliotti
Judge Advocate
Sam Hofberg
Sgt. at Arms
John W. Hill, III
Chaplain
Dennis “Mike” Duggan
Historian
Bernie Zempolich
Finance Officer
Joe Raphel
Executive Committee
Blaine “Tom” Davis
Paul Durance
Dick Dutton
Earl “Butch” Hicks
Adjutant
Doreen Clower
Page 2
CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE
Dear American Legion Post 136 family;
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Robert "Bob" Sommers on June 16th. Bob was
a former Greenbelt Post 136 Chaplain and longtime American Legion member. His memorial service was held on August 13th at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home (2973 Solomons
Island Road, Edgewater, MD). Online condolences and tributes can be sent by visiting
www.KalasFuneralHomes.com. Bob attended Greenbelt High School, went into the US Army, and
was assigned to the 17th Airborne Division which jumped across the Rhine River in Germany during World War II. When he returned home, he took a job for C&P Telephone Company where he worked for 43 years.
He will be sorely missed by his many friends at the Greenbelt Post.
Two additional Post Everlasting transfers were reported to us belatedly: past Post member, John T. Hart, of Silver
Spring, MD and Legionnaire Alvin R. Jones of Rutherfordton, NC who passed away on November 8, 2015. We thank
their next-of-kin for notifying us. May they all Rest in Peace. Memorial Cards were sent to the families.
Prayer for the Bereaved: Eternal God, we call upon You on behalf of all who mourn for the loss of those near and dear
to them. Be to those in sorrow a strong Supporter in their loneliness and a Comforter in their time of grief. Be ever near
them, draw them into closer fellowship with You, and grant them sure trust and confidence in Your heavenly care.
Amen
Respectfully,
Mike Duggan
Post Chaplain
“PLEASE CONTACT THE CHAPLAIN IF YOU KNOW OF A COMRADE
ILL OR TRANSFERRED TO POST EVERLASTING”
Post 136 Commander Mike Moore greets American
Legion National Commander Dale Barnett upon his arrival for the Boys Nation Dinner held in the Sam Hofberg
Banquet Hall on Sunday, July 24, 2016.
[email protected]
THE CONTACT
The Contact is a bi-monthly newsletter published by
The American Legion, Greenbelt Post 136
Publisher:
Editor:
Mike Moore
Bernie Zempolich
Composing:
Copy Editor:
Printer:
East-West Web Solutions
Rosalie Jones
VB Printers
Page 3
Queen of Hearts
Starting August 1st
A New Drawing Will Be Held Every Monday
Until the Queen of Hearts is Drawn
All Tickets Must Be Purchased by 7:30 PM
the Night of the Drawing
Drawing Held: 8:00 PM
Tickets: $1.00 each
Pot Starts at: $1000.00
SHRIMP
NIGHT
IS
BACK
1st Monday of the Month
This is a progressive raffle open to all Legion Family
Members (any Post) in good standing with a current
membership card! Be prepared to show your card.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Two (2) tickets drawn every Monday
Your full name must be on your ticket(s) to be valid.
1/2 lb. of Shrimp: $7.00
1 lb. of Shrimp: $13.00
If your ticket is drawn, you may pick a card
from the Queen of Hearts Board.
The amount of money won depends on the card drawn.
SEE FLYERS AROUND THE POST FOR COMPLETE
SET OF RULES AND PAYOUT INFORMATION
Sponsored by The Sons of the American Legion #136
Sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion #136
LABOR DAY FAMILY PICNIC
2:00 to 6:00 PM
Open to General Public 3:00PM
ENJOY:
Roast Beef,
Fried Chicken,
Italian Sausage,
Hot Dogs and
Hamburgers
Soft Drinks and
Beer for sale
Face Painting, Moon Bounce, Clown
Creating, Balloon Shapes, Sack Races
Horseshoe Tournament:
2:00 PM to completion.
Shoes Only (entry fee)
All proceeds from events go toward American Legion Post 136
support programs for Veterans and the Community
Greenbelt Post 136
Crabs, More Crabs,
and More Crabs!!!!
Sunday, October 23rd
2:00 to 5:00 PM
$40.00 in Advance
$45.00 at the door
“All you can eat on the Premises!”
Also, Pit Beef, Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Potato Salad,
Cole Slaw, Corn on the Cob, Watermelon,
Draft Sodas, and Draft Beer – On Premises Only.
Please don’t plan on taking any crabs home.
Please bring your own pitcher
No bags or containers – Please.
Tables are Reservations for Handicapped Only.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to serving.
Children 10 and under free admission.
Activities: 50/50 Drawing & Money Wheel
Public Welcome
Page 4
AUXILIARY UNIT 136
AUXILIARY MESSAGE:
2016/2017
Unit Officers
President
Dana Coleman
1st Vice President
Kathy Gigliotti
2nd Vice President
Veronica Hughes
Secretary
Louise Lueders
Treasurer
Sandi Dutton
Chaplain
Susan Wiener
Historian
Rusty Beeg
Sgt-At-Arms
Dorothy Calloway
Executive Committee
Elizabeth Darnell
Michelle Definis
Dora Hamm
Fall is fast approaching and the Unit is back at full speed. Although we have been enjoying summer fun, we have been hard at work. We celebrated July 4th with a picnic at the Post. The day
was overcast and rainy but we enjoyed the food, fun and the company of family and friends. Several members were able to attend the Convention in July to discuss new legislation and elect new
officers. Unit 136 proudly received awards for outstanding work in the categories of Children
and Youth & Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation. We are already making plans to further expand
our work in these areas and a few others.
This July, I had the chance to visit the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training
(MCVET) and I was so impressed by this facility. From the moment you walk in the door, you
can see how hard these people work to provide our Veterans with tools to be successful in this
ever changing world. From housing, to education, to counseling, to job assistance and getting
Veterans back into the community and on their feet, it was amazing to see it all happening right
before my eyes. The people who work at MCVET are enthusiastic and passionate about empowering Veterans. It is an unbelievable place full of promise and hope for our Veterans who have
given so much for our freedom.
Shotgun Bingo is back starting August 2nd. The pot is growing and the number of cards left on
the board is going down. Someone is sure to hit the BIG ONE soon so come out and join us for a
great time!!! In addition, our 2nd Annual School Supplies Drive has begun and this year we are
expanding our drive to include both Greenbelt Elementary and Springhill Lake Elementary. A
list of supplies needed is displayed in the Post so please feel free to drop off supplies in our basket located in the main lobby.
As always, we welcome members to come volunteer at any of our events. Please continue to read
the Contact, email and stay in touch with us for our upcoming events. If you are interested in
attending our meetings, they are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month starting at 7pm.
God Bless America,
Dana Coleman
Auxiliary President
2016 Dues For Auxiliary Members
$25.00 Regular
$15.00 Dual
It’s Money Bunny Time Again
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN $300.00
Please support our Nursing/Medical Technology Scholarship
In 2016 we provided four scholarships totaling over $3000,00!!
Tickets are $1.00 each
Drawing Date:
November 11, 2016 - Veterans Day
Auxiliary Meetings:
1st & 3rd Thursdays
@
7:00 PM
$5.00 Junior
Please send your address labels and checks
(made payable to Greenbelt Unit #136) to:
Greenbelt Unit #136
ATTN: Sandi Dutton
P.O. Box 1063
Greenbelt, MD 20768
Page 5
SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION SQUADRON 136
SAL COMMANDER’S MESSAGE:
Greetings to all,
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. Since the convention and Post picnics are over,
it is time to get back to business. 2017 membership cards are now available. Your membership is the lifeblood of the Squadron and we need your support to keep us moving forward. Dues are $20.00 ($10.00 for Dual or Jr. Memberships). You can stop by the Post to
pay the dues or mail it to the Post. Please write on the check “for SAL Dues” in the memo
section and your membership number if known. Be sure to get a receipt for your dues if
paid in person with cash.
I want to thank the following volunteers for their hard work at the SAL Cook-off this past
August. Thanks to Jerry Darnell and Trish Newbern for all of their help at this event, it
was greatly appreciated. Trish donated 20 lbs. of homemade potato salad, and Jerry picked
up the meat for all of the contestants and even added a little extra when he decorated our
presentation plate with yellow peppers and raspberries… it looked wonderful! It was the
closest contest ever between Squadrons 60, 66, 172 and 136. But in the end, it was Post
136 Squadron that came out on top. Special thanks to Post 136 Legionnaire Joe Raphel for
providing the winning recipe, and also for his pain-staking task of 36 hours of marinating
the roast followed by 4 to 5 hours cooking of our masterpiece. You did a wonderful job!
The rest is history. Post 136 came in first scoring 18 points out of a possible total of 20
points. In addition, a “Taster’s Choice Award” was made. The winner of this award was
decided by a vote of all of the people present at the Cook-off. The Post 136 SAL Team
garnered 213 votes to Laurel Post 60 SAL Team’s 196 votes.
In the end, the big winner was Detachment Commander Ray Edward’s project -- Heroes
Haven, Serving Our Wounded Warriors Inc. This year ’s SAL Cook-off event raised
over $2,700.00 for the project. Heroes Haven brings wounded warriors from Walter Reed
Military Medical Center to the Eastern Shore for hunting, fishing and some “Good Ole
Eastern Shore Hospitality.” It is a wonderful program to help lift the spirits of our wounded veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty. You can check them out at
http://heroeshaven.org/.
Don’t forget to stop by the Post on Monday nights in the back bar for the Queen of Hearts
drawing for your chance to win some needed big jackpot cash. (See the ad in this issue of
the Contact on page 3). Also, on the first Monday of every month, the SAL has brought
back Monday night steamed shrimp. Stop by and let us do the cooking for you and enjoy.
(See the ad in this issue of the Contact on page 3).
2016/2017
Officers
Commander
Tommy Bryant
1st Vice Commander
Lenny Wertz
2nd Vice Commander
Jerry Darnell
Chaplain
James Harbaugh
Finance Officer
Bill Cornelius
Historian
Randy Fortwengler
Sgt-At-Arms
Raymond Micallef
Adjutant
Randy Fortwengler
Jr. Past Commander
Chris Field
Advisor
Jay Mayock
Until next time, stay safe, and watch out for the children as school has started.
For God and country,
Tommy Bryant
SAL Squadron Commander
CHARLOTTE HALL VETERANS HOME
29449 Charlotte Hall Road
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
For more information, contact Charlotte Hall
(301) 884-8171 ext. 409
or visit us online at:
www.charhall.org
Page 6
MEET THE POST 136 LEGION FAMILY
FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE YEAR 2016 - 2017
We invite you to introduce yourselves to any of your newly elected officers to learn about our meetings, activities
and sponsored events. Please join your officers at an upcoming meeting.
Legion Meetings: Executive Committee the first Monday of the month & members the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7; 00.
Auxiliary Meetings: 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 7:00 PM.
SAL Meeting: 3rd Tuesday @ 7:00 PM.
LEGION OFFICERS
Commander
1st Vice Commander
2nd Vice Commander
Mike Moore
Nate Calloway
Greg Gigliotti
Judge Advocate
Sgt. At Arms
Chaplain
Historian
Finance Officer
Sam Hofberg
John Hill, III
Mike Duggan
Bernie Zempolich
Joe Raphel
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
Adjutant
Tom Davis
Paul Durance
Dick Dutton
Butch Hicks
Doreen Clower
Page 7
SAL OFFICERS
1st Vice Commander
Lenny Wertz
Commander
Tommy Bryant
2nd Vice Commander
Jerry Darnell
No
No
Photo
Photo
Historian
Randy Fortwengler
Sgt-At-Arms
Raymond Micallef
Adjutant
Randy Fortwengler
Chaplain
James Harbaugh
Finance Officer
Bill Cornelius
Advisor
Jay Mayock
Jr. Past Commander
Chris Field
AUXILIARY OFFICERS
2nd Vice President
Veronica Hughes
1st Vice President
Kathy Gigliotti
President
Dana Coleman
Secretary
Louise Lueders
No
Photo
Treasurer
Sandi Dutton
Chaplain
Susan Wiener
Historian
Rusty Beeg
No
No
Photo
Photo
Sgt-At-Arms
Dorothy Calloway
Executive Committee
Elizabeth Darnell
Executive Committee
Michelle Definis
Executive Committee
Dora Hamm
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
P A I D
Greenbelt, MD
Permit No. 5357
Greenbelt American Legion Post 136
6900 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-345-0136
W E’ RE ON THE WEB
W WW. GREENBELTMDPOST1 3 6 . ORG
Era Eligibility Dates: WWI – 4/6/17 to 11/11/18; WWII – 12/7/41 to 12/31/46; Korea – 6/25/50 to 1/31/55; Vietnam – 2/28/61 to 5/7/75; Lebanon * Grenada – 8/24/82 to 7/31/84; Panama: 12/20/89 to 1/31/90; Kuwait:
8/2/90 through cessation of hostilities as determined by U.S. Government.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, Sept. 4th
Monday, Sept. 5th
Tuesday, Sept. 6th
Friday, Sept. 9th
Thursday, Sept. 15th
Miss Greenbelt Pageant Reception
Labor Day Family Picnic 2:00 - 6:00PM
3:00PM Open to General Public
AL 136 Executive Committee Meeting (in lieu of regular date)
ERHS Raiders Roast: David Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund
AL 136 General membership Meeting @ 7:00 PM
Monday, Oct. 3rd
Thursday, Oct. 20th
Sunday, Oct. 23rd
Friday, Oct. 28th
AL Executive Committee Meeting
AL 136 General membership Meeting @ 7:00 PM
Post Crab Feast
Law Enforcement/Firefighters Recognition Dinner
Auxiliary Meetings: 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 7:00 PM
SAL Meeting: 3rd Tuesday @ 7:00 PM
Shrimp Night, 1st Monday of the Month
Every Monday: Weekly Queen of Hearts Raffle
Shot Gun Bingo: Every Tuesday @ 7:00 PM: Food, Refreshments and Fun
Free "Oldies" Show Night: Every Monday @ 7:00 PM
If you are able to receive this newsletter by e-mail, please sign up online at www.greenbeltmdpost136.org or you can pick the newsletter
up at the Post. If you are receiving this by both e-mail and snail mail, please contact us at [email protected].