American Legion Post 221 Officers 2024-2025
- Commander- Larry Stotsberry
- 1st Vice Commander- Rich Mortland
- 2nd Vice Commander- Chip Stark
- Chaplain- Howard Marotto
- Adjutant- Mark Weldon
- Finance Officer- Mark Weldon
Sgt. At Arms- Michael Stanley
MEMBERSHIP DUES
IF YOU HAVE NOT RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2025, IT IS NOT TOO LATE!!! YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS VERY
IMPORTANT TO THE LEGION FAMILY. WHETHER YOU ARE A LEGIONNAIRE, AUXILIARY, SONS OF THE AMERICAN
LEGION, OR LEGION RIDER, YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE TEAM. PLEASE SEND IN YOUR DUES OR DROP THEM OFF AT THE TAVERN.
MAILING ADDRESS:
AMERICAN LEGION P0ST 221
427 LINCOLN WAY EAST
MASSILLON, OHIO 44646
THANK YOU!
COMMANDERS COMMENTS
Hello Legion Members!
I think you all would agree that we are about done with this snow. With that thought in mind, if any member has unfortunately fallen because of the weather and is on the mend please reach out to the post so we can help with your time of healing. For example, a member was laid up for a few weeks and needed their trash taken to curb and taken back from curb the next day.
We had our annual Teacher’s Appreciation for elementary school teachers and each was very grateful that we thanked them and appreciated all their hard work. Plans for our middle and high school teacher’s appreciations are being planned for first week of May. If anyone would like to participate please contact me or leave message at the post.
The Department of Ohio annual corn hole tournament is on April 12th starting at noon. We are planning on having trips for veterans this summer and will let you know where and when very soon. I hope to see everyone at the post to watch the scout Pinewood Derby on March 22 at 11 am. We are also continuing with the “karaoke night” so you can come and have a good time….
Birthdays for veterans is posted on the activity board and are open for change of time as plans change for our veterans.
If you haven’t renewed yet we would encourage you to do it a little early as the dead line is approaching soon. “The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” – Joel Brown
This quote by Joel Brown reminds us that the only barriers to achieving our dreams are our own doubts and lack of effort. When faced with adversity, it’s essential to believe in ourselves and our ability to overcome any obstacle. With determination and a positive mindset, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.
Why was the sergeant mad when his son brought home a 100 on a math test?
The kid spent more time dividing than conquering.
What happens when you eat too many Navy beans?
You end up with a dishonorable discharge.
~~Larry Stottsberry, Commander
COLOR AND HONOR GUARD
In January we had 5 local honors, traveled 200 miles with 40 man hours. For those of you who are not familiar with the honor guard, we also commit to helping at Western Reserve National Cemetery with honors for our veterans. We commit one full day of service at OWRNC every 7 weeks providing a rifle salute and taps for a fallen service member. This effort requires 5 to 7 members about 8 days every year traveling to OWRNC for a full day. On January 30, 2025 we had our first day this year at Western Reserve.
Last year our honor guard performed 102 honors, traveled 7039 miles, and 928 man honors. If you are a veteran you will have the same honor that is given to all who have served. If you have questions about OWRNC call the Legion and we will try to make sure we have answers or will get them for you or your family.
JERRY YOCHUM
AMERICAN LEGION MASSILLON POST 221
ANNUAL ROBERT HAAS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
(Named in memory of General Robert Haas, long time member and friend of Post 221 and other veterans organizations)
1. Massillon American Legion Post 221 will offer a maximum of two (2) $2500.00 Scholarships in 2025. This is a $1000.00 increase from last year.
2. Applications will be available March 1st, 2025, and may be picked up at the Post 221 tavern or downloaded from the Post web site.
3. Eligibility: Scholarship recipients must be the natural, legally adopted child, step child or grandchild of a member in good standing of Massillon American Legion Post 221, or the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 221. Member in good standing includes a deceased parent or grandparent who was a member in good standing at the time of his or her death. Applicants must have completed at least their junior year in high school.
4. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, and the recipients will be chosen by a Scholarship Committee appointed by the Post Commander.
5. The committee will consider academic achievement, character and service in the selection of the recipients.
6. Applications that are incomplete, do not conform to directions, or are received after the deadline will NOT be considered.
7. The decision of the selection committee is final and not subject to appeal.
8. Completed applications must be received by the Post no later than April 18th, 2025.
Drop off completed application and supporting documents to Post 221, or mail to:
American Legion Post 221
Attn: Scholarship
PO Box 757
Massillon, OH 44648
1ST VICE COMMANDER
COMMENTS
Hi there! It’s getting close to spring and we are getting close to the end of the enrollment year. We are at 446 and only need 61 for quota. Right now my wife is looking at me with her “to do list”, so I need you guys to pick up so I don’t have to keep explaining to her that you can’t paint the trim on the house in the winter time, even though the sun is shining. So let’s pick up the pace and get the rest of what we need. Stay Safe.
~~ Rich Mortland, 1st Vice Commander
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT
Spring is just around the corner, so that little ground hog states! Well it has be tough winter, as both the wife and I suffered arm injuries on the ice and snow. Happy, my wife and Auxiliary Historian, fell and dislocated her left arm, and while I was at the American Legion Department Conference, I slipped on an icy parking lot and broke my right arm. We are both healing at this time. So the moral to the story is to be careful and stay off icy surfaces! Please be careful out there!
Mean while our Commander, Larry Stottsberry is out visiting older Veterans, doing Birthday Drive-by’s, and delivering Birthday cheer to the WWII Veterans. This is a very worthy cause as I have been to a few of these events and the Veterans always are happy and thankful that they are remembered for their service to their country. If you are invited to come along on one of these celebrations of life, you will never regret going. We always have a great time and we bring joy to the Veterans and their families!
I am looking forward to getting back into the action in the next few weeks. I did not realize how much I would miss being a part of Massillon Post 221 during my absence.
Thank you for your Service!
~~ Howard Marotto
EDUATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS
We are now starting recruitment efforts for the 2025 American Legion Buckeye Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Buckeye Girls State programs. Post 221 directly recruits in all six High Schools in western Stark County, plus Glenoak, Louisville, and St. Thomas Aquinas.
The American Legion Boys State and Girls State programs are highly respected, and are considered to be among the premier youth development and leadership programs in the nation. Attendance at one of these programs is a resume enhancement for college admissions, and especially so for those wishing to attend one of the military academies. There also scholarship opportunities available through both programs.
Enrollment is limited to students who will have completed their Junior year in June prior to the start of the program. If you have know of a student who is a current Junior these (or any other schools out of our area), you may want to alert them to the existence of the program. If interested, they should contact their school’s guidance counselor or principal to let them know they wish to be considered. They can also contact us directly. If the student is from out of our area, they or their parents can also contact us directly at the numbers below, and we will refer them to someone to complete the process.
More information can be obtained at the program web sites by googling Buckeye Boys State or Buckeye Girls State.
Mark Weldon, Boys State Chair
330-844-0288
Brenda Stottsberry, Girls State Chair
740-610-5367
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAR 2 AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS-RIDE? 10:00am
MAR 4 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
MAR 4 AUXILIARY REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
MAR 11 LEGION EXEC BOARD 7:00pm
MAR 12 S.A.L. MEETING 7:00pm
MAR 12 CARDINGO- CRM CHICKEN SPECIAL 7:00pm
MAR 15 LEGION BIRTHDAY
MAR 17 ST. PATTY’S DAY- REUBEN SPECIAL 12-8pm
MAR 18 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
MAR 19 RWDSU MEETING (DINING ROOM) 4:00pm
MAR 22 PINEWOOD DERBY 11:00am
MAR 26 CARDINGO-HAM STEAK SPECIAL 7:00pm
APR 1 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
APR 1 AUXILIARY REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
APR 6 AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS RIDE? 10:00am
APR 8 LEGION EXEC BOARD 7:00pm
APR 9 S.A.L. MEETING 7:00pm
APR 9 CARDINGO-STUFFED PEPPER SPECIAL 7:00pm
APR 11 SPRING FLING post & salv army 5:00pm
APR 12 DEPT OF OHIO CORNHOLE Noon
APR 13 POST PARADE ARTICLES DUE
APR 13 PALM SUNDAY
APR 15 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
APR 16 RWDSU MEETING (DINING ROOM) 4:00pm
APR 20 EASTER SUNDAY-TAVERN CLOSED
APR 22 LABEL POST PARADE 5:30pm APR 23 CARDINGO-LG SALAD SPECIAL
