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Commander’s Corner

Volume 2015, Issue 2

Disney-Bell Family News

The American Legion — Disney-Bell Post 66 — Bowie , Maryland

Of Special Interest:

Legion membership is at

85% of last year

We’ve started our concert series for the year.

There’s still plenty of entertainment to come.

Check out page 9 and the

website for more details.

Friday meals and Tuesday

sandwiches/meals are a great night out with no

cooking or cleaning at home! Check out the

calendar on page 3 and the

website for more details.

Commander 1

List of Post Officers

and Committees 2

Calendar 3

S.A.L. 4

Adjutant 5

Auxiliary 6

Talk About Town 10

Features

April - May 2015

Greetings from Disney-Bell Post 66. We

have had much going on in the last month,

but I will let you read Adjutant Larson’s

rant about that (he stole my thunder once

again) on page 5. Spring has sprung and

we have many things to do on the Post 66

property. But, before I get into that, I just

want to inform everyone of our Post history

that was recited at the Post Birthday

Dinner on March 21. Sometimes we forget,

so it is reprinted on page 11 just to remind

everyone of where we came from. You can

see that there is a long history of the

“Biggest Little Post” in Maryland.

Post 66 is 83 years young this year. We

celebrated with a Birthday Dinner, which

was a great night. The S.A.L. recognized

the Prince Georges County Law

Enforcement Officer of the year (see the

photo on page 4).

On Sunday, March 22, we hosted a Heroes

Hall Concert with a duo that was amazing.

Sergeant First Class Emily Randle, U.S.

Army, a member of “Pershing’s Own” from

Ft. Meyer, Virginia, sang with John Frinzi

who is a gifted singer and songwriter and

has written music for Jimmy Buffet and

The Coral Reefer Band. SFC Emily intends

on making the Army a career (10 years to

go) and who knows where she will land, but

it will be good. This girl can play the violin,

Stradivarius, and the fiddle - aren’t they all

the same instrument? A GOOD time was

had by all! Again, you will read more about

more Heroes Hall Concerts in the Adjutant

section.

So coming up, we have our annual Post

Spring Clean-Up on April 4 at 9:00 a.m.,

ALL Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and S.A.L.

members are invited to come and roll up

their sleeves and spruce up our Post

grounds. On April 11 at 2:00 p.m., we will

conduct our Post Everlasting service to pay

tribute to all members of the Post 66

Legion Family who have gone to the

Supreme Commander of us all in the last

year. This is solemn ceremony and I would

request that attendees wear appropriate

attire. Thanks.

In closing, no more SNOW, we hope, but

many meetings, dinners, concerts and

activities at Post 66 that you can enjoy. I

encourage everyone to come on out and see

the subtle improvements we have made.

This is your Post, so get involved. If you

see something we can do differently, please

bring it to my attention or to the attention

of another officer.

For God and Country,

Brian Frye

Commander, Post 66

Past Department of Maryland Commander Gary

Vogt and Post 66 2nd Vice Commander Nick

Muller at the 2014 Memorial Day observance at

Bowie Veterans park.

DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2

Commander Brian Frye

1st Vice Commander <vacant>

2nd Vice Commander Nick Muller

Adjutant J. D. Larson

Finance Officer J. D. Larson

Chaplain Toni King

Judge Advocate Brian Goldman

Historian <vacant>

Service Officer Claudio Poiani

Sergeant-at-Arms Ryan Wagner

Executive Committee Ray Hart

John Delinsky

Rick McShane

Joe Johns

<vacant>

Post Officers 2014 - 2015

Primary Business Address Address Line 2

Address Line 3 Address Line 4

COMMITTEES AND EVENTS LEADER

Finance Committee J. D. Larson

Audit Committee Brain Goldman

House Committee Nick Muller

Membership Committee J. D. Larson

Patriotism and Youth Committees Brian Frye

Baseball Commissioner <vacant> Flag Education Brian Frye

Oratorical Contest <vacant> Scholarships Brian Frye

Scouts Brian Goldman

ROTC/JROTC Brian Frye

Boys State Brian Frye

Veterans Committees

Honor Guard Commander <vacant> Veterans Support Toni King

National Defense Brian Goldman

Post Publications Newsletter Ray Hart

Website Ray Hart

Annual Events (In Order by Legion Year) Joint Installation of Officers July

Turkey Shoots October - March

Children’s Halloween Party October

Veteran’s Day Services November

Early Bird Dinner November

Toys for Tots Campaign November - December

Children’s Christmas Party December

Christmas Eve Party ` December

New Year’s Eve Party December

Super Bowl Party February

Daytona 500 Party February

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner March

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt March/April

Post Everlasting April

Memorial Day Services May

Flag Day Event June

Fourth of July Picnic July

Volunteer Opportunities.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization!

We always look for folks to help with committees and annual Post

events. If you don’t have enough time to volunteer on a committee,

please help at our one-time events listed above.

You can have fun by becoming more involved in the activities at the

Post. You can volunteer by contacting us by e-mail at:

[email protected] or by calling the Post at 301-464-9814.

The American Legion Disney-Bell Post 66

9605 Old Laurel-Bowie Road Bowie, Maryland 20720 Phone: 301-464-9814 Fax: 301-805-6832 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.alpost66.org

The award-winning Disney-Bell Family News is published bi-monthly (6 issues per year) and is published on the Post 66 website. If you need your copy mailed to you, please send a note to [email protected] or contact the Post at 301-464-9814.

We welcome your news, ideas, suggestions, comments, or questions for future issues of the Disney-Bell Family News. E-mail us at: [email protected], or drop it off at the Post to the attention of the Newsletter Editor.


PO

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Organizational Meetings - 7:30 p.m. - unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday April 8 Executive Committee Meeting

Monday April 13 S.A.L. Meeting

Wednesday April 15 Auxiliary Meeting

Wednesday April 22 General Membership Meeting

Monday May 11 S.A.L. Meeting

Wednesday May 13 Executive Committee Meeting

Wednesday May 20 Auxiliary Meeting

Wednesday May 27 General Membership Meeting

Special Events

Saturday April 4 Spring Clean-up at the Post - 9:00 a.m.

Saturday April 4 Children’s Easter Party - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday April 11 Post Everlasting - 2:00 p.m.

Saturday April 18 Concert - Jim Morris/BB Band with TBD - starting at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday May 16 Concert - Music with the JP’s - starting at 2:00 p.m.

Saturday May 23 City of Bowie Memorial Day Parade

Monday May 25 Memorial Day Observances at Bowie Veteran’s Park - 11:00 a.m.

Post Meals

Tuesdays Ongoing Sandwich and dinner nights - Sandwiches and dinners on

alternate Tuesdays, call the Post for that Tuesday’s menu.

Friday April 3

May 1 Steak and/or Shrimp Dinner - 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Honor Guard)

Friday April 10

May 8 Dinner - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Menus are on Page 5. (Auxiliary)

Friday April 17

May 15 1/2 Baked Chicken Dinner - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (S.A.L.)

Friday April 24

May 22 All U Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Honor Guard)

Only enemies speak the truth; friends

and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the

web of duty. - Stephen King

We are not retreating - we are

advancing in another direction.

- Douglas McArthur


S.A.L. Squadron 66

Hopefully by the time this Newsletter is published

spring will have finally arrived. Snow on the first

day of spring - REALLY! Hopefully we will not

have snow on April Fools’ Day. Even though we

have had a winter to remember, the S.A.L. has

continued it activities. Thanks to our members,

the Post is looking new, just as we look toward the

new growth, flowers, and warm weather. Thanks

to all who support our S.A.L. and Post activities.

Believe it or not the end of the Legion year is

coming soon and we will be planning for our own

“New Year.” In April, we will begin the process of

selecting our officers for the upcoming year.

Speaking of new officers, I would like to

acknowledge and thank Tom Fisher who agreed to

accept the position of Finance Officer. Tom has a

background that will well enable him to do an

excellent job in this vital position. THANK YOU,

TOM!

Spring or not, our S.A.L. continues to move

toward the best time of the year. We will continue

to work to advance the S.A.L., especially with new

active members and attempting to get some of our

existing members to take a more active role. We

continue to have our outstanding meals and a host

of other activities to support the S.A.L. and the

Legion. Please come out and support our

activities and events. This support makes all of

us stronger.

As I mentioned before, DON’T FORGET that

at our April meeting, we will be nominating our

Squadron Officers for the 2015-2016 year.

Election of officers will be held at our usual May

meeting. We need some active members for these

positions. Come to both the April and May

meetings, run for an officer position and make us

stronger.

Our membership drive for 2015 is going strong,

but we are short of achieving the 4-Star honor. We

still have a number of members who have not

renewed their membership for this year. It is not

too late – renew now! Please pay your dues as

soon as possible. Remember, pay at the Legion

and pick-up your cards at the Legion. We also

need new members in the S.A.L. who want to

play a role in advancing an organization that

supports our Veterans.

As an early notice, last year our membership

voted to increase our yearly dues beginning

in 2016 to $15.00. This is a modest increase

given the overall increases in everything we have

experienced lately. I know our dues have not

increased for over 15 years and we will still have

one of the lowest, if not the lowest, yearly dues in

the State.

On April 11 at 2:00 pm, our Post Family will

conduct our Annual Post Everlasting Ceremony.

Unfortunately, we have had a number of losses

this year. Please come out an honor our S.A.L.,

Legion, and Auxiliary members who have

transferred to Post Everlasting. As part of our

usual activities, in May we remember our

Veterans during the Memorial Day observances.

But let’s not just remember them a couple of days

each year. Let’s remember them each day of the

year. Keep our all of our Veterans and active duty

military members and their families in our

thoughts and prayers always. Let’s hope all of our

active duty military members come home safely

and soon.

Del Billings

Commander, Squadron 66


Adjutant’s Call For many years, one of the most common

complaints received from our members is that

there is nothing to do at Post 66. The complaints

ranged from no activities for children, no activities

for young couples, no activities for our aging

population. While the argument continues to

range, it is astounding to me how many people

who are in the Post on a regular basis have

literally no idea what we do. It is also very

surprising how little most of our activities are

attended or even supported by our members.

Literally every Friday night, there is a dinner at

the Post. The first Friday of the month is the

traditional steak night hosted by our National

Champion Color Guard. The second Friday of the

month is hosted by Auxiliary Unit 66 and the

menu can range from tacos, to ham, to seafood, to

chicken. The third Friday is hosted by our Sons of

The American Legion (S.A.L.) and famously

known as half-baked chicken night. Naturally the

chicken is cooked all the way through, but since

they serve a half chicken, an old joke just can’t

seem to be put away. The final Friday is again the

Honor Guard, led by the Honor Guard Mother

Marie Pritchett, and it is an all-you-can-eat

spaghetti dinner. On those rare occasions when

there is a fifth Friday, the S.A.L. takes over with a

delicious fish fry. For most dinners, we ask that

you make a reservation by the Wednesday before

the dinner so we know how much to buy.

Sunday afternoons will see a very diverse crowd

whose main purpose is to enjoy some snacks and

light lunch along with the NASCAR race. You

don’t have to be a race fan to partake of the chow.

Every week is different and all food is happily

provided by our members who love to share.

Music, Music, Music! There is an event planned

for every month from now until the fall. There is a

separate article on page 9 about these events but

there is no better way to enjoy an afternoon or

evening than with some of the great talent we host

at the Post.

During the course of the year, the Post, generally

through the auspices of the Unit, have several

children’s events including an Easter Party,

Halloween Party, Christmas Party with Santa,

essay contests, and more. Certainly, during the

annual July 4th picnic, there are all sorts of games

and activities hosted by our friendly clown Vicki.

These keep the kids active while the adults keep

in touch with old friends. There is also a kid-

friendly playground area by the pavilion which

adult-supervised children can use at any time.

We host car washes, car shows, crab feasts and

parties. You can join football fans, sing-a-longs,

bar bingo, and keno. Play the jukebox, go bowling,

chat in the gazebo, or just sit and stare at the

walls. The only thing missing is a Tiki bar (of

course, painted banana yellow, lime green

and flamingo pink).

In any case, when you stop and consider it, there

is always something for you and your family and

friends to do at Post 66.

For God and Country, I am,

J. D. Larson

Adjutant, Post 66

[email protected]


Auxiliary Unit 66

The winter months have passed and hearing the

peeps coming from the water and the birds

singing is so refreshing. Spring is here to stay for

a while. The Auxiliary will be winding down their

activities until August. But we still have April,

May, and June to still work on other activities.

February and March were 2 very cold months.

The Auxiliary (Seniors and Juniors) made 11

fleece blankets to go to the Linus Project for the

District's Children and Youth Project. Dinners

turned out A-Okay! Breakfast turned out A-Okay

too! The Breakfasts for the turkey shoots will

start again in October 2015 and end in March

2016. If anyone is interested in volunteering

some hours to help with the breakfasts, please call

Fran Sauers at 301-466-3103.

April 2, 2015. This is a workday to make up from

the weather. School is closed on April 3 - 10,

2015, for Spring Break.

April 4, 2015. Children’s Easter Party from 2:00-

4:00 p.m. Fun activities and games, egg hunt, and

maybe the Easter Bunny will appear. Sign up at

the Post at 301-464-9814.

April 5, 2015. HAPPY EASTER!

April 10, 2015. Auxiliary Dinner from 6:30 to 8:00

p.m. Menu: pork chop baked with stuffing and

gravy, potatoes, green beans, salad, and dessert.

Please sign up by Wednesday April 8, 2015.

$12.00 a person.

April 15, 2015. Auxiliary Meeting at 7:00 p.m. If

you would like to see how the Auxiliary works and

help volunteer for some things, come on out.

April 19, 2015. SM District Meeting at Laurel

Post 60 with lunch at 1:00 p.m. and meeting at

2:00 p.m. This meeting will be for the

Americanism Essay Contest winner. Come out

and see what the District is doing.

April 23, 2015. Americanism Essay Contest

Program at 7:00 p.m. at the Post. Come and see

our winner from the schools we support.

April 25, 2015. Girls State Orientation at 2:00

p.m. at the Post. We have two Juniors going to

Girls State from Eleanor Roosevelt High School

April 26, 2015. Maryland Creative Arts Festival

at the Bowie Performing Art Center, Annapolis

Road, Bowie, MD (Next to Bowie High School).

Tickets are $10.00. 1:00 p.m. for the Art Show,

and 2:00 p.m. for the Show. See or call Fran

Sauers at 301-466-310 or Linda Green at 202-230-

2431 (cell) or 301-350-1794 (home) for tickets. It

is close and a good outing.

May 2, 2015. Department Drawdown at Kent

Island Post 278. If you want tickets, call Linda

Caudell at 301-964-1606 or e-mail at

lcaudell48@gmail com.

May 3, 2015. DEC Meeting at Glenarden Post

275.

May 8, 2015. Auxiliary Dinner from 6:30 p.m. to

8:00 p.m. Menu: Tacos.

May 10, 2015. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

MAY 20, 2015. Auxiliary Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

We will have nominees for our officers’ positions.

Come out and voice your opinion. We need new

ideas and new volunteers to help out with the

activities.

REMINDERS

Bowie Interfaith Food Pantry. The Auxiliary will

be having a paper and cleaning drive for the

pantry. We need toilet paper, paper towels, paper

plates, napkins, laundry detergent, dishwashing

laundry, and soap. We are still collecting

nonperishable food items.

I hope everyone will have a Happy Easter and to

all the Moms, Happy Mother's Day!


Frances Sauers

President, Unit 66


Chaplain’s Notes

If any Legion member or a member of their family

needs the services of the Post Chaplain, please

contact:

Toni King, Post 66 Chaplain

301-262-0257 - home; 301-318-1108 - cell;

or 301-464-9814 - Post

Service Officer’s Notes

The Post Service Officer is available to help with a

variety of different Veteran’s programs. Some of the items

he can help with include: providing the proper claim forms

for VA benefit claims; assisting with VA claim

applications; assisting with State and Federal burial

benefits registration; and assisting with VA medical

benefits registration.

Claudio Poiani, Post 66 Service Officer

301-464-9814 - Post

[email protected]

Post 66 Being Sued by the EPA This is an open letter to the members of Post 66. I have to bring up a serious matter that has been

given to me by the Post attorney.

Disney-Bell Post 66 Incorporated is being sued by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency of

the United States for $16 Million. We are being sued for damages to the environment and the

watershed due to pollution and ground water contamination from our waste sewage holding tank

overflowing and leaking into the water table as well as the water runoff from our Pavilion. This is a

class action law suit brought by the Federal Government and Prince Georges County.

The cost of this litigation will no doubt bankrupt the Post as well as the Post Officers. If the

Government succeeds at this litigation, each and every Post member for the last 10 years will be

liable for a share of the cost of fines and court costs. At the current estimate, that would come to

about $22,000.00 per member. This includes all Legion, S.A.L., and Auxiliary members.

The Federal Government Fish and Wildlife Management as well has given us notice that they are

withdrawing our right of use title to the Post property and we will have to vacate the property by

December 31, 2015. We have requested the D.A.V. allow us use of their hall for our Post meetings

until we can find a new Post home or until such time that we might surrender our charter to the

Department of Maryland American Legion and dissolve. At this time, the Government has put in a

freeze order on all the Post assets and bank accounts and left us no operating funds to pay our staff or

bills.

Monthly meetings on our legal case will start being held at the Post Executive Committee meeting on

the second Wednesday of each month. Interested parties are welcome to attend but space is limited

and we may have to start meeting in the Post pavilion. Please send only one person per family to

these meetings. Please do not call the Post directly on this matter but refer all questions to our legal

counsel Lawyer Hiram Dagnabit, Attorney at Law. Also please do not contact me as I resign my

position on the Post Executive Committee and my wife and I are moving to Belize.

Sorry for all this bad news just before holidays but try to have a Happy Easter and a Happier

April Fools’ Day anyway.


Brian Goldman

Post 66 Judge Advocate


New Ways to Donate to Post 66 After years of fighting against the Maryland General Assembly, legislation passed more than 2 years

ago has finally permitted non-profits on the “western” shore to obtain slot machines. While not slots

in the generally accepted term, the machines at Post 66 to provide a slot-like experience while

allowing an opportunity to win some cash. The slots at Post 66 pay off 90 percent of all money that

gets put in, a much higher rate than at any casino. Of the 10 percent remaining, the Post keeps 4.5

percent while the State keeps the remainder. That percentage will change over the next 2 years until

the post retains 6 percent with the State receiving 4 percent.

Keno, along with Racetrax, began 2 weeks ago and is proving to be very popular. While the

percentage of income the Post earns is lower than slots, we still expect to make a few bucks.

Queen of Hearts, our Saturday night special, is stronger every week. Remember, you do not have to be

present to win, but it is more profitable. Bar bingo, pull tabs, raffles, are always available when you

visit.

But wait, we’re not done. The first non-approved and non-regulation roulette table is on order and

should be arriving by mid-month. This will be located on the wall in the hall where the picture of the

one and only Post 66 Department Commander used to hang. An OTB office will be installed in the

current office space which will require the office to be relocated to an area as yet to be determined.

The House Committee is seriously looking into expanding our attic spaces, currently underutilized, as

a possible spot. If not there, then to the large rest room adjacent to the Pool Room so that the attic can

be converted to a Tiki bar (of course, painted banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink).

To the untrained eye it may appear as if the lounge has quietly turned into a gaming parlor.

Please be assured we remain the same Veteran-driven American Legion Post you have always known.

What you may not know is that it costs roughly $5,000.00 a month for expenses before we have ever

even sold a beer. Running the Post home is not cheap and without gaming, dues would be about

$180.00 for every man, woman, and child in our organizations. So have a coke, put a dollar in the

jukebox, and enjoy the day.

Bar Specials

Two for

Tuesday

Whiney Wino

Wednesday

Thirsty

Thursday

Friday, Saturday

and Sunday

2 beers for $3

2 wines for $4

$1.75 drafts

5 beers for $10.00

Bucket of beer specials

Happy Hour: Monday - Friday, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., $.25 off all drinks


Heroes Hall Concerts (Music, Music, Music) About 2 years ago, bar manager Gidget Gunson had an idea for a concert in the pavilion. She put

together a great event by signing a group called “Easy Money”, the remnants of a 70's band called

“Kix”. It was a huge success and proved that Post 66 could indeed host live musical entertainment for

our members. That was the beginning of our Post hosting various musical groups from both the local

area and elsewhere.

That experience, and the groups that followed, was the beginning of the Heroes Hall Concerts, the

name given to the special musical individuals and groups that appear at Post 66. You can find Heroes

Hall Concerts on Facebook and you are encouraged to take a look at the page and “like” it. The

purpose is simple, to provide an event where people can enjoy good music from a variety of artists,

both known and unknown, and raise a little money in support of our Veterans, America’s heroes.

The first act to appear under this title was Thom Shepherd, an award-winning country

singer/songwriter who has sold more than 100 songs to country artists with 10 number one hits

including “Riding with Private Malone” and “Red Neck Yacht Club” to name but two. Next were John

Frinzi and Emily Randle, who put on a fantastic concert including original songs, some Jimmy Buffet

songs, great fiddling, and even audience participation with Michele Larson and Napoleon “Nappy”

Robinson adding to the voices. See some photos from the concert on page 12.

Coming up in the next several months are

April 18. Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band. Local band and past Post performers TBD will

open at 5:30 p.m.

May 16. The JP’s. Steel drum player John Patti and singer/guitarist Jimi Pappas.

June 19. A special Tuesday event with Kelly McGuire and even rarer Maryland appearance by

this fantastic Houston based singer-songwriter.

June 21. Jim Morris appears for his “second annual” Father’s Day acoustic show.

August 22. A special fund-raising event for our Veterans called “Trop Rock the Troops” with

James “Sunny Jim” White and Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band.

There are also plans in the works to bring in some more familiar groups. This would require special

funding and, unfortunately, increased ticket prices. For instance, The Ink Spots would love to perform

but require a special “green room” (which we would need to build) with wheelchair access. Jimmy

Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band are also looking for a gig between their Thursday and Saturday

show at the Nissan Pavilion this summer, but yet again, we would need to expand our available

parking and add a Tiki bar (of course, painted banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink).

All of that aside, our venue is becoming very popular among the trop rock music genre and we

continue to get calls from various groups, both local and across the country, that want to perform here.

They like our style, the way they are welcomed and treated, and they support our Veterans. But we

also don’t want to only focus on trop rock music. Groups from any and all genres are welcome. If

anyone desires or knows of a group they think would provide good musical entertainment and support

our cause, please send your suggestions to the Post and include band information along with contacts

and pricing.

In the meantime, please enjoy the artists and music at Heroes Hall Concerts.

Talk About Town

POST EVERLASTING.

Comrade Edward H. Van Sickle, Sr., U. S. Army (Ret) has transferred to Post Everlasting. There was a

Celebration of Life on Sunday, February 15, at Post 66. Edward was the Father of Bill and Grandfather of

Robbie and father-in-law of Lois Van Sickle.

Virginia Smith, wife of Legionnaire George Smith, passed away on February 15. George and Virginia had been

married for 70 years.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!

A hearty welcome to those new members who have recently joined our Post. Welcome to: Deborah Roof, Iris

Brennan, Linroy Davis, Daniel Blades, William R. Witt, Jr., and Kevin Eugene Gebhard.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS.

JD and Michelle Larson went on a Caribbean cruise in March.

Last edition of the newsletter we reported that the Martins went on a cruise. Our spell-checking function helped

us out by changing “Jr” Martin’s name to “Joe”. Many apologies to wife Laura!

Word on the street is that Commander Frye has become our Post “Baconator” at the Turkey Shoots.

If you have a special event or other news to share, let us know and we will include it in a future

newsletter. Contact us at: [email protected].

PAGE 10 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2

Photos from the Post

Birthday Dinner.

NEWSLETTER T ITLE VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1

POST HISTORY

The American Legion, Disney-Bell Post No. 66

Bowie, Maryland

In the late 20's and early 30's the WWI Veterans were having very hard times. In Bowie many had been gassed

and wounded in WWI. There were no VA hospitals, no bonus, no compensation, plus the depression. Some were

unable to do manual work. Things were hard for them. The Bonus Bill was vetoed; the Bonus Marchers were run

out of Washington, D.C. by the military. But something was learned -promises to veterans are soon forgotten in

peace time. Marching and rioting gets you nowhere, but turns the Government off.

It was soon learned by our Bowie Vets, the way was through proper channels -Congressmen, Senators and the

President. The American Legion was founded March 15, 1919 in Paris, France and was having some success, but

it did not have the membership to be heard loud and clear, so the National Organization was out recruiting. It

took 15 wartime Veterans to form a local Post, so the Bowie Veterans recruited the necessary 15 locally, and a

temporary Charter was granted February 20, 1932 to Bowie Post #66. It was the 66th Post formed in Maryland.

The first meetings were held in the members' homes, then the I.O.O.F. Hall (Independent Order of Odd Fellow,

then Aaron's Lunch Room and then the Bowie School (which is now Huntington Community Center). In 1948,

they were granted 7.6. acres from the Department of Interior by an act of Congress - last bill passed and

sponsored by Senator Butler.

Day rooms from Ft. Belvoir were dismantled, moved to the site on Bowie-Laurel Road and reassembled. Over the

years these buildings were replaced by what is now being used.

The name of the Post was changed after WWII, naming it after the first man killed from the Bowie area in WWI,

William Aubrey Disney, and the first killed from the Bowie, area in WWII, Sylvester Bell, - thus the name

Disney-Bell.

In December 1941 a meeting was held at the home of Ora Overholser for the formation of an Auxiliary Unit to

Post 66. Due to the wartime rationing, this was put on hold. The ladies continued to assist the Post in all their

activities however, and Disney-Bell Unit #66, American Legion Auxiliary was finally chartered in June 1944.

WILMER AUBREY DISNEY

Private Disney, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Disney, of Bowie, Prince George's county, died in France on November

20, 1918, of wounds received in action. He was a member of the First Maryland Ambulance Corps., later known

as the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ambulance Corps, on which he enlisted in June of 1917

SYLVESTER CARROL BELL Jr.

Sylvester Carrol Bell, Jr., from Bowie, was a member of the U. S. Navy, was Radioman 3c. He was lost in the

Coral Sea Battle of World War II

Commander

1st Vice Commander

2nd Vice Commander

3rd Vice Commander

Adjutant

Finance Officer

Sgt. at Arms

Executive Committee

Dr. George E. Lancaster

Noah F. Wright

Joseph H. Baumann

Frank A. Riden

Harry A. Gunning

William E. Everett

John D. Larson

John D. Larson

Dr. James H. Truitt

John E. Luers

Hans Axel Hansen

Joseph H. Baumann

Jerome E. Charters

William W. Everett

Fred E. Field

Harry A. Gunning

Hans Axel Hanson

Aaron A. Horwitz

Joseph G. Kline, Jr.

Dr. George E. Lancaster

John W. Lancaster

John D. Larson

John E. Luers

Frank A. Riden

Dr. James H. Truitt

Noah F. Wright

First Officers Elected Charter Members

NEWSLETTER T ITLE VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1

Post Renovations If you haven’t visited the Post in the past few weeks, you may not be aware that a small group of

dedicated Legion family members have been working very hard to provide some well overdue

maintenance and spruce up the place.

First, there is new paint in the lounge. Gone is the orange and in with the blue. Then new white

walls bring out a brightness that really lightens up the place. The gray trim was given a once over.

Naturally, with the orange paint gone we needed new chairs. On your next visit you will notice

beautiful (and sturdy) metal bar stools with great black padding. No more leaning on that old stuff.

The brass railings were removed and given a beautiful shine. Many pictures were removed, some

returned, the jukebox relocated and shelving moved too. Some removal was required to make room

for the Keno screens but others just because the place was getting very “crowded”. New bulletin

boards replaced the old and were moved down the wall to be less conspicuous. Even the lovely portrait

of our one and only Department Commander was exiled to the hall (is nothing sacred?).

At the risk of omitting some important folks who have contributed to the new look, the following

people are acknowledged for contributing to the clean-up effort: Gidget Gunson, Debi Clark, Joe

Clark, Steve Stevens, Pat Lamb, John O’Toole, Mike Duley, Roger Adams, Rodney Scott, Sheila

Sullivan, and Nick Muller.

Thanks to everyone for a job well done!

The job of improving our Post is never ending and we need to look ahead with plans for future

renovations as soon as funds become available. They include: installing skylights in the rest rooms,

converting the pool room to a Tiki bar (painting it banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink),

installing heating/air conditioning the pavilion, converting the turkey shoot shed to a Tiki bar

(painting it banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink), building a nine hole miniature golf course

next to the pavilion, converting the storage shed to a Tiki bar (painting it banana yellow, lime green

and flamingo pink), and finally, expanding the smoke gazebo to fit more people and converting it to a

Tiki bar (painting it banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink). As always, we are available for

other suggestions.

Photos from the first

Heroes Hall Concert,

with Thom Shepherd.

We’re on the web at

www.alpost66.org

The American Legion

Disney-Bell Post 66 9605 Old Laurel-Bowie Road Bowie, Maryland 20720

Memorial Day - May 25, 2015 Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while

serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was

formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and

Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all

Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while

Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many

volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some

rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountain areas. In cases involving a family graveyard where

remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an

extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and

put flowers on graves and renew contacts with relatives and others. There often is a religious service and a picnic-

like "dinner on the ground," the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on

sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus

may reflect the real origin of the "memorial day" idea.

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women

who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.

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