1

AMERICAN LEGION CLINTON POST 259

9122 Piscataway Road

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY......

Clinton, Maryland 20735 (301) 868-2550 Ronald Dickens Commander

Web Site: post259.org

April - Charles Lewis - Editor 2018

Greetings All;

I trust that all is going well with each of you and your family members. As

many of you probably know we are finally back in the bar side of the Post.

We (the Building Commission) plan to have an official/dedicated re-opening

ceremony at a later date.

At our March General Membership Meeting we opened the nominations

for 2017-2018 Officers. Nominations will remain open and will be closed at

our April General Membership Meeting. Fellow Legionnaires I hope that

you would give consideration to stepping up and assuming a leadership role

in your Legion. We are doing quite well in our recruitment efforts and our

membership attendance remains high. We have the potential of doing

great things in our community. We are on the way to being a 100%

American Legion Post. I ask your assistance in making this happen. Ask

fellow veterans who you know that are not members to join. I personally

think and feel that all veterans (who are eligible) should belong to a

Veterans Organization.

As I conclude my comments for the April Edition of the Post Newsletter I

wish each of you and yours a Happy Easter. Likewise, I wish you continued

good health and prosperity.

Respectfully

Ronald Dickens

Commander

2

POST OFFICERS UPCOMING EVENTS

Commander Ronald Dickens Super Bowl Party – Feb 2019 - Legion

1st Vice Commander Gary W. Gifford Oratorical Contest – Feb. 2019 - Legion

2nd Vice Commander Matthew Garofalo St. Patrick Day Dinner – March 17, 2019 - Legion

3rd Vice Commander George Martin

Adjutant Robert A. Wilson Palm Sunday Brunch – March 25, 2019 - Auxiliary

Asst. Adjutant – Glenda Brown Memorial Day – May 28, 2018 - Legion

Judge Advocate – Elbert “Ed” White Election of Post Officers – May 28, 2018

Service Officer – James Woodland AL Golf Tournament – June 2018 - Legion

Finance Officer – Lamont Gibson Flag Day – June 14, 2018 - Legion

Asst. Finance Officer – Vacant Gary A. Castleman Golf Tournament – September

2018

Historian – Charles Lewis Veterans Day Service – Nov. 11, 2018 - Auxiliary

Chaplain – Charles Johnson Thanksgiving Feast – November 22, 2018 - Legion

Asst. Chaplain – Vacant Children Christmas Party – Dec. 2018 - Legion

Sgt At Arm – John Jackson Adult Christmas Party – Dec. 2018 - Legion

Executive Committee

Helen L. Smith DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND TREASURER

Murray Hall Gary W. Gifford – Department of MD Treasurer

Joseph Morgan

The American Legion Clinton Post 259 9122 Piscataway Road

Clinton, Maryland 20735

Phone: 301-868-2550 Website: www.post259.org

Clinton Post 259 Newsletter is published monthly on Post 259 website

We welcome your news, ideas, suggestions, comments or questions for future issues. Drop

them off at the Post – Attention Newsletter Editor Or forward to

Clewis4544@aol.com

We need your assistance, let us know of any our members who are sick or in the hospital

Please call

(301) 868-2550 If you have moved, please contact the Post with

your new address

3

Auxiliary Officers Legion Rider Officers S.A.L. Officers

President: Brie O’Neal Director: Larry “Doc” McBean Commander:

Vice President: Ginger Latimer Asst. Director: Murray Hall 1st Vice: Dave Desmarais

Rec. Secretary : Helen L. Smith Secretary: Michael Quander 2nd Vice: Kenny Hendrix

Treasurer: Peggye McBean Treasurer: Peggye McBean Finance Officer: David Hutchinson

Historian: Chauncia Jones Chaplain: James Burrows Sgt At Arms: Wayne “Elvis” Berbig

Chaplain: Marilyn Thomas Safety Officer: SGM Mike Eason Adjutant: Rich A. Walsh Jr.

Sgt At Arm: Irma Moss Historian: Robert “Reds” Aliff

Chaplain: Gary “GJ” Shafer

Executive Committee:

Michelle Davis

Maria Miller

Judith Woodland

Advisor: Eugene Murray

Have You Paid Your 2018 Dues? Drop them in the mail or drop them off at the Post

The cost for renewal is $35.00

Renew Now – Please give us your e-mail address

Need Help in Obtaining Benefits and/or Medical Care Don’t Go It Alone

Contact American Legion Post 259

Service Officer James R. Woodland Office: 301 283-5047

Cell: 202 431-6965 E-Mail: jwood@comcast.net

4

APRIL 2018 ACTIVITY CALENDAR Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1st

2nd

SAL Meeting

7:00pm

3rd

4th

Shrimp Night

5:30PM until

7:30pm

Pinochle

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

Auxiliary

Meeting

7:00pm

10th 11th

Shrimp Night

5:30PM until

7:30pm

Pinochle

12th 13th 14th

15th

Daylight Saving

Begins

16th

Exec. Committee

Meeting

6:30pm

17th

18th

Shrimp Night

5:30PM until

7:30pm

Pinochle

19th

Legion Riders

7:00pm

20th 21st

22nd 23rd

Dinner 6:30pm

General

Members

Meeting

7:30pm

24th 25th

Shrimp Night

5:30PM until

7:30pm

Pinochle

26th

27th 28th

29th

30th

POST CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE

Good News The remodeling of the Post Canteen is complete, it opened on March 22, 2018. You will need to renew your “key”

card to gain admission – just present your 2018 membership card with your “old” key card. Yes it was a long wait

but I believe you will be happy with the new look.

5

New Legion Members March 2018

Name Service War Era

Dana W. Williams US Army Persian Gulf

Sylvester E. Jones US Army Persian Gulf

Gary l. Headd US Air Force Lebanon/Grenada

Phyllis J. Jordan-Headd US Air Force Lebanon/Grenada

Thomas D. Bowman Sr. US Air Force Panama

Willie J. Howard US Army Vietnam

Pamela D. Young US Army Persian Gulf

Paul D. Collins US Marine Lebanon/Grenada

Charles Rigsby US Air Force Vietnam

George T. Bennett US Air Force Vietnam

Zachary M. Zippe US Army Persian Gulf

Todd V. Traynham US Marine Lebanon/Grenada

AUXILIARY 2018 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Even though your 2017 membership card is active until December 2017, we are starting to collect 2018 dues. National

Headquarters will be mailing renewal notices in September. If you pay before receiving the notice, please fill out a blue

card available at the Post. Remember 2018 dues must be paid by January 31, 2018 or you will be delinquent and will lose

all Auxiliary privileges. This is a National rule. Any questions please don’t hesitate to call me.

Liz White

301-868-1612

SUPER SEASON – SUPER BOWL

Super Season and Super Bowl blocks will go on sale Monday April 2, 2018. Doors open at 11:00AM.

Traditionally this program is done on April 1st which is Easter Sunday; we have rescheduled the sales to begin on

the Monday.

6

POST ELECTIONS

American Legion Post 259 Constitution

ARTICLE V - ELECTIONS SECTION 1. All elections of Officers, Executive Committeemen, Review Board and Delegates and Alternates to the

Department Convention shall be by ballot and the candidate or candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be

elected to the respective office or offices for which they are candidates. SECTION 2. Any member of this Post in good

standing, shall be eligible to hold office. The Post Commander may succeed himself in office for one (1) term for a total

of two (2) successive years. SECTION 3. Nominations for officers shall be made at the regularly scheduled meeting in

March. Second nominations shall be made at the regularly scheduled meeting in April, at which time nominations will

close. Nominations shall not be made from the floor at the May meeting except for offices that do not have candidates.

At the nomination meetings, a member nominated for office shall accept or decline the nomination. If unable to appear in

person, the nominee may accept or decline in writing to the Adjutant not later than the April meeting prior to the elections.

If a nominee fails to accept or decline the nomination as set forth above, it shall be deemed and constituted to be declined

and the name of the nominee shall be stricken from the ballot. Election of officers shall be from approximately 12 o'clock

noon until 7:30 P.M. on the regularly scheduled meeting in May. The voting on election day shall only be for validly

nominated and qualified candidates. Write-in votes shall not be accepted nor allowed. SECTION 4. All elected Post

Officers and Executive Committeemen shall be sworn in in accordance with procedures provided by The American

Legion Department of Maryland and will assume their duties on the closing date of the Department Convention.

SECTION 5. All vacancies existing in the Executive Committee or in any office of the Post from any cause other than

the expiration of the term of office shall be filled by a majority vote of the members in good standing present at the next

regular meeting of the Post, and a member so appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the Executive

Committeeman or Officer he succeeds.

American Legion Post 259 Scholarship Program

American Legion, Clinton Post 259 will host a 2017 Scholastic Achievement Program. The membership has approved

$5,000.00 for the program for this year which will be available for awards in two (2) competitive categories of graduating

seniors. The first category is for students from Surrattsville High School and the second for children and grandchildren of

Post 259 members that may be graduating from any high school. The awards will be selected in each category and

presented to selected students in both categories. American Legion, Clinton Post 259 reserves the right to determine the

amount of each winner in each category is expected to be $1,000.00. In the event of a small number of qualified

applicants is received in either category, American Legion, Post 259 reserves the right to determine the final distribution

of prize money for each award.

Applications may be obtained at: Post259.org or at the Post Canteen

Closing date for receipt of applications is: April 15, 2018

7

Southern Maryland District

Department Reception

Of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and Junior Auxiliary

Honoring

Department Commander

James P. Marchinke

ALA Department President

Alta Glotfelty

SAL Department Commander

Dave Hullihen

Department Honorary Junior President

Lindsay Birckhead-Morton

Sunday April 29, 2018

4pm – 7pm

Jameson-Harrison American Legion Post 238

6265 Brandywine Road, Hughesville, Maryland 20673

301-274-3522

$35.00 per person or $280.00 per table

Social Hour 4-5pm Dinner 5-6pm Program 6-7pm

RSVP: Sign up by March 30,2018 – Phone: 301 274-3522

The American Red Cross Thanks You

Our goal for the Blood Drive was nineteen (19) pints

We registered 25 donors and collected 23 units

8

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

CLINTON UNIT 259

Clinton, Maryland 20735

AUXILIARY NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICER

2018-2019

Nominations for all officers are now being held.

Please contact any Committee member.

We will be happy to explain the duties of whatever office you desire to run for.

All offices are open.

Judith Woodland – (301) 283-6451

Connie Puryear – (301) 868-4864

Liz White – (301) 868-1612

9

10

11

From P/R Chairman Linda Poulson

National Commander Denise H. Rohan receives a plaque Breakfast Forum Panel on Diversity

Membership Forum Challenge Ways to Appreciate Diversity

Randolph Furey Post 190, located in Indian Head, Md., gave a membership breakfast forum featuring the National

Commander of the American Legion, Denise H. Rohan.

Commander Rohan is the first woman to hold the prestigious position in the Legion’s 99-year history.

The topic of the forum was “Strengthening our Organization by Examining Lessons Learned in Diversity and

Leadership.”

“Don’t forget about the Vietnam veterans,” remarked National Commander Rohan. “Another part of this is respecting one

another no matter what it is…respecting your elders and also respecting the young ones. We all have our own stories; if

we just take time to listen to one another, and understand why.”

National Commander’s Banquet Honors First Female in Legion’s History

Commander Dickens, Past Commander National Commander Denise H. Rohan Members of Post 259 attending banquet Haywood Moss & Mrs. Moss & Legionnaire Milt Lawler

12

The first female National Commander of the American Legion, Denise H. Rohan, was honored and celebrated with an

evening banquet by the American Legion Department of Maryland on March 17.

The banquet was held at the Harry White Wilmar American Legion Post 82 in La Plata, Md.

According to the legion’s Department of Maryland’s publication The Free State Warrior, National Commander Rohan

was elected by the two million-member American Legion on Aug. 24, 2017 in Reno, Nev. during the 99th National

Convention.

Rohan’s theme as National Commander is “Family First.” Her goal is the fundraising project in the Temporary Financial

Assistance Program, which awards cash grants to children of veterans eligible for American Legion membership. The

grants assist families in need of shelter, food, utilities, and healthcare.

“We are making a difference in this nation, to make sure what we’re doing is not in vain,” said Rohan to the audience.

“Ninety-nine years of being here, what it means to be American, what it means to give back.”

Rohan received gifts from other commanders that included a basket of items, a plaque, decorative glasses, and monied

checks for her service.

The Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Guests, Presentation of Gifts, Special Announcements, and

Closing were given in the program by North East Shore District Commander Nikki Randolph, who served as National

Commander Banquet Committee Chairperson.

The event is FREE, but registration is required. DCHR encourages advanced registration, but same-day at the door

registration will be available.

Who: All veterans and veterans’ spouse in the surrounding areas are invited to attend. The event is restricted to veterans and veterans’

spouse.

Where: DC Armory, 2001 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003

When: Wednesday, April 4, 2018; 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Registration: Advanced registration available via Eventbrite but veterans and veterans’ spouse can also register at the event.

Learn more: Please continue to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more information.

Attendees must bring one of the following documentation to the event (only one is required): DD-214 Discharge Form; Military ID;

VA Card or a letter from an assisted veterans' home indicating status as a veteran.

Parking:| Metro Parking lot 3 (located across from the armory entrance) is reserved for all event attendees. Parking is free for this

event.

DC Armory is accessible by Metrorail. Take the blue/orange/silver line to Stadium Armory and follow the signs

to exit the station toward the stadium.

Contact: For additional information or questions, please contact the DC Department of Human Resources at dchr@dc.gov or

202.442.9700