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AMERICAN LEGION CLINTON POST 259

DECEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER

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COMMANDER’S CORNER Dear Legion Family, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across the United States are still on a rise. Prince George’s County has the highest number of cases in the whole state, with nearly 4,000 more cases than Montgomery County and more than double the cases in Baltimore County. Governor Hogan tweeted recently “The promise of a vaccine has given us light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have dark days ahead. We continue to urge Marylanders to take the necessary steps to keep people out of the hospital and save lives: avoid gatherings, wear a mask, get tested, & wash your hands.” It is noted that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation; therefore, in keeping with the Prince George’s County Executive’s guidelines and considering the health and safety of our members and their guests both the children and adult Christmas parties that we host annually are cancelled. Although the Christmas parties have been cancelled, the annual shotgun raffle is still on. The raffle tickets have been mailed out and the cost is $2.00 per ticket. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to win the choice of a Remington Model 11-87 semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun or $400.00 cash (Note: DC residents must take the $400.00 cash). The drawing will take place on Monday, December 28th, at the Post general membership meeting. Increase your chance of winning by purchasing additional tickets at the canteen. Membership is still a top priority of The American Legion. As such, the Post will once again hold its annual “Early Bird” program whereby all annual dues paying members (with the exception of 2020 Early Bird Winners) that have paid their 2021 membership dues by December 21st will be eligible to participate. Don’t Miss out! You can either pay online, leave payment with the bartender on duty, or you can mail your payment to American Legion Clinton Post 259, P. O. Box 44, Clinton, MD 20735. As we enter the holiday season, I would like to relay a quote I recently came across: “This moment, this day, this season will never come again. Treasure it and treasure those you love who make it memorable.” God Bless and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Yours in Legion Service,

Willie E. Evans Commander

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

2020 - 2021

Commander Willie E. Evans

1st Vice Commander Helen Smith

2nd Vice Commander Marie Vanness

3rd Vice Commander George Martin

Adjutant Glenda Sturdivant

Judge Advocate Haywood Moss

Service Officer James Woodland

Finance Officer Richard Switzer

Historian June Forte

Chaplain James Burrows

Sergeant at Arms John Jackson

Immediate Past Commander Murray Hall

Executive Committee Members-At-Large Joseph Morgan Ray Carmichael Gary Gifford*

Anthony Hinnant

(*Gary Gifford also serves as the Department of Maryland Treasurer)

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

President: Freida Skaggs Director: Darryl Fielder Commander: David Hutchinson

Vice President: Marilyn Thomas Asst. Director: James Burrows 1st Vice: Vacant

Secretary: Rose Butler Secretary: Brie O’Neal 2nd Vice: Kenny Hendrix

Treasurer: Michele Davis Treasurer: Brie O’Neal Finance Officer: Dave Desmarais

Historian: Vacant Chaplain: James Burrows Sgt At Arms: Michael Thomas

Chaplain: Shay Brown Adjutant: Rich A. Walsh Jr.

Sgt At Arm: Parnice Green Historian: Vacant

Executive Advisory Board Donna Queen Pam Streeter Cheryl Batie

Chaplain: Gary “GJ” Shafer Advisor: Eugene Murray

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Clinton Post 259 General Membership Meeting – 28 December 2020

Prince George’s County Council (PGCC) Winter Meeting – 11 January 2021 – Oxon Hill Post 248 (7:00pm)

Clinton Post 259 General Membership Meeting – 25 January 2021

Southern Maryland District (SMD) Council Meeting – 07 February 2021 – Stallings-Williams Post 206 (1:00 pm)

Super Bowl Party – February 2021 – Clinton Post 259 (TBD)

SMD Council Oratorical Contest – 20 February 2021 – Clinton Post 259 (TBD)

Clinton Post 259 General Membership Meeting – 22 February 2021

American Legion Birthday – March 15, 2021

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner – 17 March 2021 (TBD)

SMD Council Oyster Bowl – 20 March 2021 – LaPlata Post 82 (TBD)

Clinton Post 259 General Membership Meeting – 22 March 2021

Palm Sunday Brunch – 28 March 2021 – Auxiliary (TBD)

PGCC Meeting – 12 April 2021 – John B. Lassiter Post 217 (7:00 pm)

SMD Council Public Safety Awards Program – 25 April 2021 - Greenbelt Post 136 (1:00 pm)

Clinton Post 259 General Membership Meeting – 26 April 2021

Clinton Post 259 General Membership Meeting – 24 May 2021

PGCC Commander’s Roast – 27 May 2021 – Laurel Post 60 (7:00 pm)

Memorial Day Program – 31 May 2021 – Clinton Post 259 (TBD)

SMD Council Reception – 05 June 2021 – SMD Youth Camp (TBD)

SAL Golf Tournament – June 2021 (TBD)

Flag Day – 14 June 2021

PGCC Caucus – 14 June 2021 – Glenarden Post 275 (7:00 pm)

SMD Council Caucus – 27 June 2021 – Cheverly Post 108 (1:00 pm)

Clinton Post 259 General Membership Meeting – 28 June 2021

Department Convention – 13-16 July 2021 – Ocean City, MD (TBD)

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Messages from First Vice Commander Helen Smith

Happy Holiday!! Membership:

The current paid-up membership total for 2021 is 649 putting us at 72.43% of the 896 membership goal. This represents 49 new members as of December 4, 2020. We are only 23 members short of reaching our December 9, 2020 goal. Let’s push harder to make our 896-membership goal achievable before May 12, 2021. We can do this!

The membership committee continue to use the “Buddy Check” method to check on our veterans. Please join us to check with our friends and neighbors to find out if anyone knows a veteran that we can check on. We never know who may need our help.

New Recruits

Robert White - Army

Clyde F. Brunette - Air Force

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Why should you become a Paid Up For Life (PUFL) member?

Paid Up For Life membership is a lifelong membership plan of The American Legion. It ensures you receive all the benefits of Legion membership for life. Lifetime membership is paid either in one payment giving you an immediate savings offer – or charged to your credit card in 12 equal monthly payments. Once you fulfill your membership dues, you will never pay another dime in American Legion membership dues.

What are the benefits for being a PUFL?

• No more renewal notices. No more paying annual dues. • No more worrying, "Did I renew my membership or not?" • Counted in the numbers of over 184,000 PUFL Legionnaires in saying, "I believe in The American

Legion and what it's doing. I’m in this for the long haul." • Avoid future dues increases. No matter what inflation does, you never have to pay another penny in

dues. • Lifetime subscription to The American Legion Magazine!

Each Paid Up For Life member receives a permanent plastic card, as well as an annual paper card to verify continuing membership in The American Legion. The annual card is mailed in July of each year. To get your personalized Paid Up For Life offer, click on the following link or paste in your web browser:

https://www.members.legion.org/tal/pufl?puflsource=PF1912&msclkid=66f6a61e3e251d31da5efb736c455ec5

BE SAFE!

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SPOTLIGHT – MATT GAROFALO

When the American Legion has a veteran who has been at Post 259 for 43 years, the longevity is something to talk about.

Not only that, but Legionnaire Matt Garofalo also loves and respects the Post he belongs to. Perhaps that is the reason he was selected as the Post’s 2020 Legionnaire of the Year.

“I really appreciate it, and I love the jacket,” said Garofalo. “When I came home I sat, fell asleep, woke up the next morning, and still had the jacket on. It’s nice and warm.”

The jacket was given to him at last month’s general meeting on November 23.

In the many years Matt has been at the Post, this all-around guy has been on the Executive Committee, was 2nd Vice Commander, Golf Chair, and helped with softball, crab feasts, and was a bingo caller. In the Air Force he was a B-Niner which he carried over to bingo, since one of the numbers called is B-9.

A Vietnam War veteran, Matt joined the Air Force in 1956 and served for 38 years, in which he retired in 1993. He served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 at the air base in the village of Phu-cat. Matt was married at the time with two children.

During his Air Force career, Matt served in the Air Guard where he went on active duty as an aircraft mechanic. He eventually became the Aircraft General Flight Branch Chief.

A native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania (Pa), Matt grew up in Crabtree, Pa. He proudly mentioned that the professional golfer Arnold Palmer was a native of Latrobe. The Pittsburgh Steelers practice camp also resides in Latrobe.

Matt currently works part time as a funeral assistant at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home.

“I do everything but embalm a person,” he said.

Matt has been an assistant for 20 years, working at the Oxon Hill and Edgewater offices.

Matt is also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Two of his daughters are members of the Auxiliary. His son is a member of the Sons of the American Legion (SAL).

Married to his wife Shirley for 55 years, she died seven years ago. His answering machine still leaves a message of “This is Matt and Shirley, please leave a message etc.”

“The Post was more family oriented,” said Matt. “But people get up in age.”

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“People need to get more involved (in the Post),” he continued. “The committees should be the answer.”

Age has not stopped Matt from participating in Post activities. Before the pandemic, Matt held the popular “Shrimp Night” and worked with Executive Committee member Joe Morgan on the annual Fish Fry in Ocean City.

Matt gives his all whenever he is needed.

Congratulations Matt for all you do!

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Editor’s News Briefs

Legionnaire Harvey has his first grandson! Isn’t he adorable! Congratulations!

Correction

Darryl Fielder is the Director, not the President of American Legion Riders (ALR) Chapter 259 Clinton. Editor apologizes for wrong title.

Trees for Troops

Christmas Spirit Foundation - Trees for Troops

Passing of Chuck Yeager

American Legion mourns passing of Chuck Yeager | The American Legion

Get Help Filing Your Claim

Get Help Filing Your Claim or Appeal | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

Known Cases of Pandemic in Maryland

Here are the known cases of coronavirus in Maryland [GRAPHICS] - Baltimore Sun

Majority Whip Rep. James “Jim” Clyburn (D-SC) introduces legislation for WWII Blacks denied GI Benefits

Rep. Jim Clyburn introduces bill named for SC vet to get Black WWII soldiers full benefits | News | postandcourier.com

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DECEMBER 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 Southern MD District Council Reorganization Meeting

(7:00pm)

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4

5

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7

8

9

10

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13 14 Auxiliary Meeting (6:30pm)

15

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21 Executive Committee Meeting (6:30pm)

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25 (Closed)

Christmas

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27 28 General Membership Meeting (7:30pm)

29 American Red Cross Blood Drive (9:00am – 3:00pm)

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December 7, 2020 - Pearl Harbor Day

Called "A day which will live in infamy" by Franklin D. Roosevelt - On December 7,

1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

December 13, 2020 - National Guard Birthday

Source:operationwearehere.com

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POST EVERLASTING

In Memory:

Earl Jeff Mitchell, Jr. transferred to the Post everlasting on October 22, 2020. Legionnaire Mitchell was 84 years old with 10 years of continuous American Legion membership. In his later days, he was a resident of Charlotte Hall.

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Arthur Blaine Altizer, a member of Clinton Post 259 with 55 years of continuous American Legion membership, transferred to Post Everlasting on November 29, 2020. Blaine, born on March 19, 1932, was 88 years old. Blaine was the quiet sort, soft spoken and exceptionally intelligent, whose spirit and commitment to his American Legion serve as a model for all Legionnaires.

Blaine was a very active Post 259 volunteer for many years on a number of committees. His extraordinary work to make our Post Home a welcoming place for all Legionnaires was rewarded when Post members bestowed upon him Honorary Life Member.

In his first 33 years as a Post 259 member, Blaine served our Post in many ways. He was Judge Advocate, Finance Officer, Sergeant at Arms, Historian, and Review Board member. He served on several committees; Golf, Post Home Bar, Constitution & Bylaws, and Employment.

Blaine’s hard work at the Post eased after he and his wife Judy moved to Mechanicsville, but his love for the American Legion and our Post had not diminished. Until his health began to fail, he was a regular at Post meetings and at the annual Honorary Life Committee meetings.

Those who knew him will miss this inspirational Legionnaire.

God bless you, Blaine Altizer. You and Judy are in our thoughts and prayers.

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BLOOD DRIVE With the Silver Hill Lions Club

At the CLINTON AMERICAN LEGION

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

09:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Make an Appointment Today

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WIShING ALL mEmbERS Of POST 259 hAPPy hOLIdAyS ANd A PROSPEROuS, hEALThy NEW yEAR!

Stay Home-Stay Safe-Stay Connected

The American Legion

Clinton Post 259 9122 Piscataway Road

Clinton, Maryland 20735

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

I welcome your news, ideas, suggestions, comments, or questions for future issues. Forward to Editor Linda Poulson at

poulin515@gmail.com (subject to change)

Clinton Post 259 Newsletter is

published monthly