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 PAID YOUR 2025
MEMBERSHIP DUES, YOUR MEMBERSHIP
WILL EXPIRE ON 12/31/24. THIS INCLUDES AMERICAN LEGION, AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY, SONS OF THE AMERICAN
LEGION, AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS, AND
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIPS. IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP. PLEASE REMIT YOUR DUES TO 427 LINCOLN WAY EAST MASSILLON, OHIO 44646, OR BRING THEM IN TO THE TAVERN. YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY. THANK YOU!
COMMANDERS COMMENTS
Hello everyone,
Hello Everyone!
As you have begun to feel the cooler weather, you are probably beginning to make preparations for the coming winter months. This would include changing the batteries in the smoke detectors and checking or changing the air filters in your furnace. If you need assistance with these operations, please give us a call and we will see how we can help.
The Holidays are coming up very fast and I hope everyone has seen the posting for the VSC Christmas party. We are also having a DJ in the tavern on November 9th at 7:00pm. We want to thank Barrett Scott and Jerry Yochum for their help keeping the post up and running as we continue to make updates and the repairs that were long overdue.
It is great to see new members at the post and see regular members as well at meetings and seeking information about our post activities. We still need help with the Color Guard and Honor Guard; if you are interested please contact the post.
Thank you to all who have renewed with us for another year, your renewal helps with Legion programs. If you have not renewed your membership it is OK, you still have time to do so. The Legion will be sending out reminders again soon.
Did you hear about the accident on base? A tank ran over a box of popcorn and killed two kernels!!
Although life can be full of challenges, a positive message and a few word of encouragement have the power to lift your spirits. An encouraging word about pulling through a difficult situation or overcoming an obstacle can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for personal motivation, comforting a friend, or just reflecting on life, words of encouragement can offer a new perspective or simply make you feel better. Whenever you see a veteran, just saying “Hi” can make all the difference.
“Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.” Charles Swindoll.
~~Larry Stotsberry, Commander
1ST VICE COMMANDER
COMMENTS
Boy! Where has the year gone? This is the last article of the year. It’s been interesting to say the least. We are at 307 members paid for 60%. I would say we need to pick it up a bit but the holidays are coming so I understand. So stay safe and have a happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas; and don’t forget our fellow veterans down south that have been affected by the hurricanes that came through. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
~~ Rich Mortland, 1st Vice Commander
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT
I have been thinking recently about how blessed we are to be living in such a vibrant community. The City of Massillon is growing with new building in and around the city; new stores, new housing on Walnut Street and such.
Several new projects have been or are in the process at our post. To name a few, new floors in the tavern, new water lines throughout the building plus other improvements. The new chair lift was recently installed and is operational.
Just a reminder, it is that time of the year once again. It is time to renew your American Legion membership. We are all part of a special group of people; we are veterans who served our country and put our lives on the line for her. God Bless America!
We are truly blessed. Thank you for your service!
~~ Howard Marotto
DID YOU KNOW?
Veterans Day does not include an apostrophe but does include an “s” at the end of “veterans” because it is not a day that “belongs” to veterans; it is a day for honoring all veterans.
Who decides if a government office or business closes or stays open on Veterans Day? Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Generally, when a holiday falls on a non-workday—Saturday or Sunday—the federal government is closed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).
State and local governments, including schools, are not required to follow OPM closure policies and may determined for themselves whether to close or remain open. Likewise, non-government businesses are free to make their own decisions to close or remain open for business, regardless of federal, state or local government closings.
Is Veterans Day celebrated in other countries? Yes, a number of countries honor their veterans each year on November 11, although the name and types of commemorations differ somewhat from Veterans Day celebrations in the United States. For example, Canada and Australia observe “Remembrance Day” on November 11, and Great Britain observes “Remembrance Day” on the Sunday nearest to November 11. There are similarities and differences between these countries’ Remembrance Day and America’s Veterans Day. Canada’s observance is actually quite similar to the U.S. celebration, in that the day is intended to honor all who served in Canada’s Armed Forces. However, unlike in the U.S., many Canadians wear red poppy flowers on November 11 in honor of their war dead. In Australia, Remembrance Day is very much like America’s Memorial Day, a day to honor that nation’s war dead.
In Great Britain, the day is commemorated by church services and parades of ex-service members in Whitehall, a wide ceremonial avenue leading from London’s Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. Wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph, a war memorial in Whitehall, which was built after the First World War.
At the Cenotaph and elsewhere in the country, a two-minute silence is observed at 11 a.m., to honor those who lost their lives in wars.
Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs
COLOR AND HONOR GUARD
In September, the Honor Guard traveled 483 miles, 50 man hours, and completed 10 honors for deceased veterans and families. These veterans do this 365 days a year and in all weather and ask for nothing in return. Below is a list of these men; when you see them in the Legion please thank them for all they do to honor veterans and their families. All of these men take part in honors for deceased veterans and the Color Guard takes the lead in community events like the Memorial Day parade, Christmas parade, Massillon football home games, and many other local events by presenting colors.
Jerry Yochum, Mark Weldon, Barrett Scott, Richard Mortland, Pete Mozingo, John Ward, Chip Stark, Tony Shiplett, Robert Wykoff, Kenneth Girt, Jeff Runser, Nils Mark Eklund, Robert Findley, and Richard Thatcher.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
NOVEMBER
NOV 3 AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS 10:00AM
NOV 5 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00PM
NOV 5 AUXILIARY REGULAR MEETING 7:00PM
NOV 9 KARAOKE – TAVERN 7:00PM
NOV 11 VETERAN’S DAY LUNCHEON 11:00AM
NOV 12 LEGION EXEC BOARD 7:00PM
NOV 13 S.A.L. MEETING 7:00PM
NOV 13 CARDINGO- BAKED CHICKEN SPEC. 7:00PM
NOV 19 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00PM
NOV 20 RWDSU MEETING (DINING ROOM) 5:00PM
NOV 27 CARDINGO-MEAT LOAF SPEC. 7:00PM
NOV 28 THANKSGIVING- TAVERN CLOSED
DECEMBER
DEC 1 AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS RIDE? 10:00am
DEC 3 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
DEC 3 AUXILIARY REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
DEC 7 STARK COUNTY USC CHRISTMAS PARTY
DEC 7 S.A.L. BELL RINGING 10am-8pm
DEC 8 POST PARADE ARTICLES DUE BY
DEC 10 LEGION EXEC BOARD 7:00pm
DEC 11 S.A.L. MEETING 7:00pm
DEC 11 CARDINGO-POT ROAST SPEC. 7:00pm
DEC 14 LEGION BELL RINGING 10am-8pm
DEC 17 LEGION REGULAR MEETING 7:00pm
DEC 17 LABEL POST PARADE 5:30pm
DEC 24 CHRISTMAS EVE- TAVERN HOURS 11am-5pm
DEC 25 CHRISTMAS- TAVERN CLOSED
DEC 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE- REG. TAVERN HOURS
JANUARY
JAN 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR- TAVERN CLOSED
