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District 9 News
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Saipan Award to World War II
vet
The American Legion prides itself on
its commitment to veterans. Howland Post
700 has been very fortunate to have a
fellow Legionnaire Al (Butch) Ray as a
member of the post. Butch travels
extensively in his civilian employment,
which took him to the island of Saipan.
While Butch was there he learned of an
award and certificate of appreciation by
the government there offered to any WWII
veteran who served in Saipan during the
war. Comrade Ray returned to Saipan as he
took the required documents identifying
our Immediate Past Commander Richard Orwig
as being eligible for this award. Butch
secured these awards during his latest
visit there. During our general membership
meeting in December 2009, Comrade Ray
presented to Comrade Orwig a beautiful
medal and certificate of appreciation for
his participation in the struggles of that
island during WWII. Pictured is Comrade
Butch Ray (left) presenting Immediate Past
Commander (right) of Howland Post 700 his
awards.
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Post 103 Legion Riders present award
to police
Ashtabula Post 103 Legion Riders are
shown presenting an award to Officer
Gerald Corneilus for supporting the Legion
Riders in their escort of Post 103's Honor
Guard. Pictured from left to right are
John Dottore, Bob Moore, Scott Simmons,
Officer Gerald Corneilus, Bill Zall
holding the Legion Riders Flag, Geno
Rostocil, and Doug Howard.
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Halloween Haunt
Pictured are some of over 50 costumed
members attending Ashtabula Post 103's
Halloween Party on October 31st.
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Santa visits Ashtabula Post 103
American Legion Post 103 in Ashtabula
held their Christmas Party for Legion
families and children on December 20,
2009. Pictured is Mrs. Claus (Tina Baum),
Santa (Richard Welton), and Desiree Cropek
sitting on Santa's lap. Over 30 children
were signed up for the event this
year.
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Post 700 Adjutant Bud Luman speaking
to a resident veteran.
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Post 700 visits
nursing home veterans
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The American Legion's motto continues to
be Veteran's serving Veteran's. As our
World War II and Korean veteran's grow in
numbers of the elderly, many of them are
now residing in assisted living or nursing
homes. A veteran has earned that title and
always wants to be remembered for his or
her service to this great nation. On
Veteran's Day, Howland Post 700 and their
Auxiliary Unit 700 made arrangements to go
the Autumn Hills Nursing Home in Niles,
Ohio, to spend time with and recognize
these veterans.
Commander Jim Campbell and members of
Howland Post 700 and Auxiliary Unit
entered the nursing home finding a room
filled with veterans. All were identified
by bright yellow ribbon bows pinned on
their chest, which had been made by our
auxiliary. The colors of the country were
posted by the Color Guard of the post,
which included Comrade Bud Luman and
Comrade Al Lambing. The post acknowledged
the veterans and their families. Vocal
patriotic music was provided during the
ceremony by the Autumn Hills facility. A
presentation by the post of the Table for
One was explained. Auxiliary member Joann
Lambing spoke on behalf of their members
and thanked all of the veteran's present
for their service to country and all
veterans who have served and are serving
presently.
After the ceremony, members of the
Auxiliary and the Post spent time speaking
to the veteran's at their tables and
enjoying a meal with them. As our WWII and
Korean veteran's continue to age, we must
take the time to recognize and remember
these dedicated men and women of our Armed
Forces.
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Revival efforts at
Warren Post
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By Raymond L. Smith
Tribune Chronicle
WARREN - The American Legion conducted a
door-to-door campaign in an attempt to
revive Warren's American Legion Post 564,
where membership has declined to an almost
non-existence state.
But while officials involved with the
Warren Post can speculate on the reduction
in membership numbers to less than 20,
other posts in the area and even around
the state are experiencing booms in
numbers.
''This post has, over the years,
provided many services to the community,"
said James Fiedler, a representative of
the national American Legion office.
''Through this revitalization effort, we
hope to regenerate membership and
programs.''
The gradual decline in activity at
American Legion Post 564 is not
symptomatic of what is happening
nationwide, Fiedler said.
"We have posts where there is an
increase in memberships," he said. "There
is a renewed need and support for the
veterans."
Sean Sparks, a member of the national
American Legion and Warren native, said
the local post's declined in membership
and activity was gradual.
''Growing up here in Warren, the
perception of the American Legion was it
was a bar for veterans,'' Sparks said.
''People did not know there was a lot
of opportunities for the community. Young
people did not know they could get
scholarships. We did not know about
American Legion baseball or the Boys
Nation program.''
Councilman Bob Dean, a veteran, says
the city will provide space for the legion
to have meetings.
Conversely, the Howland Post is
experiencing the highest membership in its
history.
Jim Campbell, commander of Post 700 in
Howland, said his organization is up to 86
members, after starting three years ago
with 53.
''We want people to recognize their
service to their country and we want them
to be Legionnaires,'' Campbell said.
Creating programs that assist veterans
was the basis for formation of the
American Legion. It is designed to provide
services for veterans and their families,
as well as conducting patriotic programs
in the communities where posts exist.
''Active American Legion posts also
provide educational assistance for young
people through grants and scholarships,"
Fiedler said.
Nationally, the American Legion
provides $135,000 in scholarships for one
oratory contest alone. Some state colleges
provide free tuition.
''The American Legion also provide
services for injured military personnel
returning to the United States from Iraq
and Afghanistan," Fiedler said. "We must
not forget we are a nation at war. The
American Legion has many programs that are
designed to help the families of active
duty military members, including temporary
financial assistance, troop support
program, and programs for current
benefits."
There are 11 American Legion posts
throughout Trumbull County.
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Newton Falls Outreach
Newton Falls American Legion Post 236
members teamed up with the Outreach
Project of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church to
provide 250 free dinners to local
residents on Thanksgiving Day. Post
members in the photo are, at back left,
Arden Bailey and Bob James, Post
Commander. Front right, Duncan
Shetterly.
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Cyber Cafe
American Legion Jay Wilson Post 112
hosted its 4th Annual Veteran's Day
Internet Cyber Cafe on Sunday, November
15th. The Cyber Cafe had two dedicated
laptops setup to e-mail and Skype service
members serving our country at home and
overseas saying hello to them and for
Serving Our Country. Pictured e-mailing
service members in Iraq and Afghanistan in
the front row, right to left, are SAL 2nd
Vice Commander Mike Tamburiello and Legion
2nd Vice Commander Francis Walters. Back
row, legion member and cyber café
chairperson Lee Fairchild. The cyber cafe
is always held on the 3rd Sunday of the
month.
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Photo by
Post historian David Adkins
Newbury Gift Baskets
Newbury Post 663 makes up gift baskets
to aid local members of the community as
part of an annual Christmas tradition at
the Post. The members collect canned and
boxed goods in a reusable basket that is
delivered close to Christmas Day. On the
day of delivery they add perishable goods,
such as hams, turkeys and pies to the
basket. This year they also included gift
cards. Pictured from left are Ray Fidel
and Post Commander Ken Hunter loading the
baskets.
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Photo by
Bill Miller, Post Historian.
Pearl Harbor observance
On Dec 7, 2009, Burton Post 459
conducted a Pearl Harbor Day Memorial
Service at the Burton Square Gazebo. Post
459 Honor Guard did the honors. Commander
"Skipe" Beohnlein read 'The Declaration of
War' message given to Congress at the
time, and the Honor Guard did a three
volley gun salute with "Taps" being
played.
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Newton Falls Boys, Girls State
delegates
Newton Falls American Legion Post 236
recently held a banquet honoring the
Newton Falls High School students who
attended the Boys' State and Girls' State
events in June. Nearly 75 members,
sponsors, family and friends listened as
each student told of their experiences.
Top photo: seated from left to right are
Boys' State Delegates Brian Hukari,
Lawrence Woodward, Travis Weekley, Kenny
Dukes, Trevor Weekley, Craig Maas, Nick
Mock. Standing, from left to right, are
Post members Arden Baillie, Ron
Widowfield, Commander Bob James, Russ
Mason, Bob Shaulis, Ray Hanzes, Don Hall,
Alex Kish, Joe Nicolino, Fudge Rapczak,
Jess Siglin, Harold Simmons. Bottom photo:
seated from left to right, are Girls'
State Delegates Bailey Koas, Addison
Brazin, Michelle DeMarco, Heather Schier,
Chelsea Moherman, Rebecca Humberger,
Larissa Bateman. Standing, from left to
right, are Auxiliary members Jane
Widowfield, President Kathy Christy, Flo
Sumpter, Arvada Baillie, Geraldine
Simmons, Charlotte Shaulis.
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65th Anniversary
Emerson and Agnes Heinz, charter
members of Willowick-Easlake Post 678 are
shown celebrating their 65th wedding
anniversary. Emerson is a Past Post and
District 9 Commander. Both Emerson and
Agnes are Army veterans who married in the
service.
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Post 235 bowler sets
Ft. Riley 'pins' record
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Matt Bailey, a member of Post 235 in
Girard, Ohio, bowls in the Friday Night
Mixed League at Ft. Riley, Kansas. On
Jan.22, 2010, Matt bowled the set of his
life. He bowled a 268-277 and a 300 for an
855 set; 855 is the highest set ever
bowled at Ft. Riley. He will receive two
custom made rings from Brunswick &emdash;
one for the 300 game and one for the 855
set. Matt is a 21-year veteran of the U.S.
Army, retiring in May 2006. He is employed
as a Maintenance Management Specialist
with G4 Maintenance, Ft. Riley, KS.
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