SGTPAshleyNovDec2015

SGT. PRESTON ASHLEY AMERICAN LEGION POST 228 21423 SHARP STREET P.O. BOX 207 ROCK HALL, MD. 21661 LEGION PHONE NUMBER 410-639-7081

NOVEMBER- DECEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER Published 6 times a year in January, March, May, July, September & November.

ISSUE NO. 06-15 EDITOR: JOE STROLLO PHONE # 410-708-2045-EMAIL-alpost228.newsletter@gmail.com WEB SITE: www.almdpost228.org.

THE LEGION ANNUAL CASH GIVE AWAY

EDITORS NOTE: Don’t forget to find the eagle hidden in the ads. In the last issue- the eagle was hidden in Bayside Foods’ Ad. The winner was Chelsie Blackiston.

We are very pleased to announce that our web site is live (See insert). There is a wealth of information and a wonderful history of our Post. Please make sure you check it out. A special thank you to my son, Joey Strollo, for the design and for volunteering as Web Master. Your questions or comments are welcome.

Joe Strollo, Editor: alpost228.newsletter@gmail.com

COMMANDERS MESSAGE We are now into November and December and the Holiday Season is fast approaching us.

The town of Galena is holding its annual Veteran’s Day Service Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 9:15 A.M. at the Galena Cemetery to honor Veterans. Please take a moment to remember our Veterans- young and old and those that are still in harm’s way.

The Post everlasting ceremony will be held Sunday, November 15 at 1P.M. to honor Legion, Auxiliary and SAL members that have passed away this year. This is a very moving ceremony. If you have never attended one, please try to come out.

Please keep in mind that we have our quarterly Family Meeting at the Post on November 10th at 7:00 P.M. to discuss different functions going on within the Legion family.

There will be a (NESD) North Eastern Shore District Meeting on November 29, 2015 at our Post- SGT. Preston Ashley Post 228. It will start off at 10:30 A.M. with the Sons of the American Legion and then the Auxiliary and Legion meeting at 1 P.M. There will also be a luncheon at 12:00 P.M. for those who attend their respective meetings. Everyone’s attendance would be greatly appreciated to have a good showing for our Post.

The Post-Christmas Party will be held on Friday, December 18th. Social hour and OPEN BAR will be from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Dinner will follow and New Yarmouth will be catering the meal again this year. The menu will be fried chicken, ham, mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Again this year we will be taking reservations and asking members to pay a $10.00 deposit per person which will be kept to help fray the cost of the dinner. Deadline to sign up for the party will be Friday December 11th. Again all Legion members, Unit members, SAL members and Legion members and their guest are invited. There will be a sign-up sheet at the BAR and your money will be placed in an envelope and sealed. Sign up soon- the

seating is limited. Any questions call Neal Metz bower at (410) 778-2652.

Our New Year’s Eve Party will be the same as last year, with more information following at a later date.

Please keep in mind the functions coming up and don’t forget to support the events of the Legion Family.

We are all glad to hear that Leroy Squares and Bob Ritchie are on the road to recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

On behalf of the Officers and members of the Legion, Auxiliary, SAL and Riders a BIG THANK YOU to the Strollo’s—Joe, Barb and especially Joe Jr. for an extraordinary job on designing, setting up and getting our Web Site on line. The amount of hours they spent on this is astonishing. These kind of dedicated people are few and far in between.

Keep our Service members and their families in your prayers this holiday season and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY, WALTER V. RODNEY JR. COMMANDER

RIDERS NEWS Our Riders schedule of rides has almost been completed. We are now looking into going on some additional rides before the end of the year. We are open for suggestions. Our last scheduled ride in December is the toy run so look for the toy box at the post.

The Riders had a table set up for Bike Fest and had a number of applications taken. Hopefully we will get some new members from this.

We met at Tommy n Donna’s home for crabs and shrimp. Everything was excellent and we had a wonderful time.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you, Director Jerry

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THE CLOTHIER FAMILY

A small town (Rock Hall) family has contributed 114 years of military service in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam. The names follow: TOP ROW- Bill Clothier( WWII), Romie Clothier (WWII), John Clothier (Vietnam),Douglas Clothier (Vietnam), James Hurtt ( WWII) MIDDLE ROW: Oliver Townsend (WWII), Wayne Clothier(Vietnam),Michael Clothier, Barry Clothier, Bill Clothier BOTTOM ROW: Henry Clothier ( Korean Conflict(), Denny Hurtt (Vietnam), Bob Clothier ( Vietnam), Romannie Happersat, Bud Clothier

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AROUND THE POST Thank you Patsy for your help with the Web-site

Rock Hall Mayor accepts donation for the town.

Donation to Rock Hall Elementary School

Donation to Amy Lynn Farris Adult Activity Center

Donation to Rock Hall Fire Company

Auxiliary Bingo Night

ANNUAL CASH GIVE AWAY On Friday Sept. 11, members of Sgt. Preston Ashley American Legion Post 228 in Rock Hall held a luncheon for recipients of donations from the Post. The vast majority of the donations were to the Kent County area. Total donations were for $34,645.00 to 42 organizations. Vernon Rodney, Commander of the 290 member Post, stated he was proud that his Post could still maintain this level of donations. He also stated that it is only through the support of the local community and our Legion Family members that we are able to continue serving. Sgt. Preston Ashley, for whom the Post was named, was one of the first from our small waterfront town to fall during the African Campaign of World War II. Please visit our new web site to see the complete history of our Post. It’s very impressive. www.almdpost228.org. Also see a full photo gallery of the event.

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Kent Amateur Radio Society Rock Hall Elementary School Town of Rock Hall GSCB Inc. Troop 404 Rock Hall Senior Citizens Assoc.

Mid Shore Community Foundation Casey Cares Upper Shore Aging Inc. Sgt. Preston Ashley Memorial Scholarship Kent Assoc. of Riding Therapy Kent County Marching Band VAMHC, Green St. Baltimore Friends of Eastern Neck, Inc. Chester River Health Foundation UC2 Wesley Cemetery Assoc.

VA Medical Center Perry Pt. Crossroads Community Kent County Waterman’s Assoc.

Kent County High School Humane Society of Kent County Rock Hall Lions Club Kent Center Inc. Kent County Adult Day Care

25. Fisher House Foundation 26. Alzheimer’s Association of MD. 27. Kent Youth Inc. 28. Boy Scouts of America Troop 130 29. Townsend Memorial Medical Clinic 30. Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company 31. American Cancer Society 32. Pop Warner Football Inc., of Kent County 33. Anne Arundel Medical Center 34. CASA 35. Rock Hall United Methodist Church 36. St. John’s Catholic Church Cemetery Fund 37. Amy Linn Ferris Adult Activity Center 38. K & QA Bay hawk’s Baseball 39. VA Out Patient Clinic 40. VA Extended Care Center Lock Raven Blvd.

41. Chester River Home Care &Hospice 42 .Kent County Learning Center

www.almdpost228.org NAVIGATION HINTS

MENU BAR:  Home- Hours, upcoming events and Preamble to the American Legion Constitution. Please note- place your mouse over each flag and it will show the name of the service branch.  About Us-History, Current Officers & Pictures, Past Commanders, Our Awards, Directions on Goggle maps, Hall Rental Information. Please note: If you click on any picture it will open a photo gallery. Half way down the picture will be an arrow. Continue to click on the arrow and it will guide you through the gallery. Click on the right to go forward and left to go back. X to close.  Legion Family- Links to the Legion, Auxiliary, Sons, and the Legion Riders. Please note- there are eligibility requirements under each family. There is contact information if someone wants to join. The Riders have their FACEBOOK link on their page.  Newsletter- Current issue and archive issues. Please note; if you select current issue it will load. If you go to archive issues- you can view the very first newsletter from the Legion in August 1993 or any other archived issues.  Events: Current calendar, meeting schedules and past events.  Links-National, State, Government Directory, Flag Etiquette. Please Note-there are links to take you to the web site you selected. If you just want to read through them, after you are finished go back to links and select the next one you want to view.  Youth- Links to Boys State and Girls State  Veterans: Links to all veterans’ benefits and a link for PTSD.  Contact us: Just fill it in and we will get back to you. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

WWW.ALMDPOST228.ORG

AUXILIARY NEWS Our breakfasts for the 2015 year are finished and we appreciate all who supported us. Our July and September ones were the biggest ones ever!

Congratulations to our ladies for all their hard work to make these functions successful. In addition to the women, there are several men who help with the setup, trash removal and the breakdown. They are a tremendous help and we appreciate them.

The “Bingo for Cash” on Oct.1st was a success also and we are considering having 1 every other month or so providing the weather cooperates. Check the Legion website and Tidewater Trader for future bingo’s. We will also put them on face book.

Get well wishes to Barb and Joe Strollo, Darlene Neal and Janet King. If a member is sick or just needs our thoughts and prayers, please let our Chaplain Louise Durocher know.

Our sincere condolences to the family of Auxiliary member Ann Culley, and S.A.L. members Jimmy “Crow” Wilson and Willie Beck.

Membership is the heartbeat of our organization and it is time to renew yours if you have not done so. Please keep in mind, if you have not paid your 2016 dues before January 1, 2016 you will be delinquent and will not be a member in good standing. Every member is important to us and we sincerely hope you will continue to renew your membership. Senior dues are $18 yearly and Jr’s under 18 are $5.00. We also encourage anyone who is eligible, please submit an application to join our Unit. So far this year we are about 60% of our goal.

We shout out a bigggg thank you to the S.A.L. for the new kitchen carts they purchased! They are wonderful!

We have a busy November with the following events scheduled: Nov. 3 -regular meeting, Nov. 7- Alumni dinner, Nov. 13-RHES bingo, Nov. 15 Post Everlasting, Nov. 22 Senior Thanksgiving Dinner, and Nov. 29- North Eastern Shore District meeting. As you can see we will need lots of help. Please join us! We not only work but have a great time doing it!

We are beginning to think about needy families for Christmas. If you know of a needy family please contact us. Names will be kept confidential and voted on at our December meeting.

As the holidays approach, let us keep in mind our Military men and women and their families. They are the reason we have our freedoms! Their sacrifices and dedications are of their own free will, not because they have to serve but because they choose to. God bless each of them, and our Veterans.

As this will be our last newsletter for this year, I wish each of you an early Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! God’s Blessings, safe travels, and good health to all!

In service to our Veterans, Children & Youth and Community Cindy Crouch Auxiliary President

SERVICE OFFICER TED CUMINGS The Post Executive Committee has approved a Post Resolution supporting the Establishment of a National Day of Remembrance in Honor of the Veterans of the Cold War and Their Families.

This Resolution is being presented to the County Commander for his consideration, and will be presented to the District Commanders’ Conference for consideration and a decision on adopting the Resolution as a District Resolution here at Post 228 on 29 November. Assuming a favorable decision, District will present the Resolution for approval at the Department of Maryland level—and on up the chain to National. A National Resolution becomes a focus of the American Legion’s efforts to support veterans nationwide.

The Executive Committee believes strongly that the service and sacrifices of the tens of millions of veterans and families who contributed to winning the most dangerous war ever fought must be recognized by the citizens of this great country—and must be so recognized by a National Day of Remembrance each year. I urge you to support this worthwhile--and deserved—effort in your contacts with your fellow citizens

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MEMBERSHIP REPORT We are now in our fifth and sixth month of collecting our 2016 membership dues. We have 232 members paid up and our goal for 2016 is 294 by mid-June.

In an effort to keep this trend going, we’re going to offer the same EARLY BIRD incentive as last year. Each member that renews his membership by Nov. 1, 2015 will receive 2 drink credits in the lounge. This includes nonalcoholic drinks also.

We’ll also enter all of those EARLY BIRDS in a drawing, 1st prize will be a $100.00 credit, 2nd prize will be an $80.00 credit, 3rd prize will be a $60.00 credit, 4th prize will be a $40.00 credit and 5th prize will be a $20.00 credit. All prizes must be redeemed by June 30, 2016 the end of the Legion year. Your credit will be kept at the BAR and will be given out at your request. PUFL’s will be included. You’ll be notified if you’re a winner, so if you haven’t renewed yet, please do so as soon as possible.

We want to stress to members how important your membership is to our Post and your frequent visits are encouraged.

You can send your $25.00 to the Post or pay at the lounge and pick up your current card there. Check your current membership card and if it is not a 2016 card it would be appreciated if you could make an effort to pay your dues.

Remember, it’s not the dues you pay to belong, it’s the dues you paid to be eligible YOURS IN AMERICANISM, WALTER V. RODNEY JR., COMMANDER

November 2015 SUNDAY

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TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

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6:00 SAL Gen Meeting 7:00 AL Exec Meeting &:00 AUX Gen Meeting

Check Pool Schedule for Wednesday Pool

THURSDAY

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POOL Night

FRIDAY

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Post Open 4 PM

Post Open Noon

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Post Open 1 PM

POOL Night

Family Meeting

Veterans Day

7:00 Al Riders Gen. Meeting

Post Open 4 PM

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Post Open 1 PM POST EVERLASTING

POOL Night

6:00 SAL Gen Meeting 7:30 AL Gen Meeting

Post Open 4 PM

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Post Open 1 PM Senior Thanksgiving Dinner

POOL Night

THANKSGIVING

Post Open 4 PM

Post Open Noon

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Post Open 1 PM District Meeting

POOL Night

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December 2015 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

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6:00 Sal. Exec.

Mtg. 7:00 Aux. Gen. Mtg. 7:00 AL Exec.

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Check Pool Schedule for Wednesday Pool

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Post Open 1 PM

POOL Night

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Post Open 1 PM NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

POOL Night

6:00 Sal. Gen. Mtg. 7:30 Al Gen. Mtg.

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Post Open 1 PM

POOL Night

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Post Open 1 PM

POOL Night

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THURSDAY

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Post Open 4 PM

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7:00 AL Riders Gen. Mtg.

Post Open 4 PM Deadline for Legion Christmas Party

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Post Open 4 PM Christmas Party

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Christmas Eve Christmas Eve POST OPEN 2PM until ?

Christmas day

Post Open Noon

31 New YEARS EVE Legion Party

AROUND THE POST Playing the wheel at the Riders Bike Fest

Auxiliary Breakfast-- Cindy and daughter Chelsie

The Big 50/50 Drawing $1085.00

Ronnie At The Auxiliary Breakfast

SAL NEWS The pit beef season is over and it was a very successful season. I want to thank all of those who helped us throughout the season, members and volunteers, for if not for those of you who helped we would not be able to continue our success and maintain the quality we have become known for.

With fall in the air it is time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have started plans for the Seniors Thanksgiving dinner. The dinner will be scheduled for the Sunday before Thanksgiving which is November 22nd. We are asking for donations. We usually have turkeys, 1 to 2 football hams, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, homemade desserts and lots of help. This is a joint venture for the legion and members. If anyone wants to donate food get in touch with J. R. Trego, as he keeps a list of everything needed.

Our gun raffle was a very successful event. The first prize winner was Mike Canarelli of Lancaster, Pa. He elected to take the $1275.00 gift card issued for Molly’s. The second place winner was Lois Hunt who won a fishing trip for four supplied by Captain Frank Filling. Congratulations to both winners.

We have done very well with all ventures to this point. We could not have done it without the help of our membership and volunteers. I am very proud of everyone who helped with all events and hope it continues throughout the remainder of this year and next year. We will have a district meeting at the post on November 29 th, the SAL will have their meeting at 10:30 am that day followed by a brunch then the Auxiliary and Legion Men will have their meeting. It would mean a lot for our Squadron to have a big showing of members for this event.

We welcome back into the club Jose A. Mendez, who was re-instated in October. Just remember SAL membership. The membership dues support the local membership, the state and the national. The local keeps 46% of the dues paid so that also means income for our local Squadron, and every little bit helps.

Thanks-Commander, Dave Townsend

SGT.PRESTON ASHLEY AMERICAN LEGION POST 228 21423 SHARP STREET P.O. BOX 207 ROCK HALL, MD. 21661

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT No. 6 CHESTERTOWN, MD 21620

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

2015-2016 OFFICERS

Commander 窶天ernon Rodney 410-639-7422 Vice Commander-Jack Jester 443-480-3606 Adjutant-Preston Jacobs 410-778-6277 Treasurer-Neal Metzbower 410-778-2652 Historian-Herb Prewitt 443-553-6451 Chaplain-Bob Ritchie 410-708-2461 Service Off-Ted Cumings 410-920-8778 Sgt. At Arms- Ray Brilz 410-639-7261

Commander-David Townsend 443-480-3814 st 1 Vice- Buster Blackiston 410-708-6541 nd 2 Vice-Mark Joiner 410-778-5608 Adjutant-Hal Hopkins 443-480-8588 Treasurer- Joe Strollo

President-Cindy Crouch 410-490-3486 st 1 Vice- Lacey Cox 443-480-4501 nd 2 Vice-Mel Trego 410-639-7638 Secretary- Holly Smith 410-725-1695 Treasurer-Libby Creighton

410-708-2045 Chaplain-J.R.Trego 410-708-9395 Historian-Steve Kendall 410-480-4876 Sgt. At Arms-Steve Kendall

410-708-8530 Chaplain-Louise Durocher 410-639-7315 Historian-Carolyn Metzbower 410-778-2652 Sgt. At Arms- Caroline Starr 410-639-2192

410-490-4876

Director- Gerald Creighton 410-708-1514 Asst. Director-Bob Lewis 610-357-1762 Tre./Road Cap.-Bob Pyfer 443-553-6253 Road Captain-Tom Lins 410-708-6917 Secretary-Pam Powell 443-480-3657 Sgt. At Arms-Ricky Kendall 410-708-2393