2008-2009 Legion Year

Fellow Legionnaires,

Welcome to the 2008-2009 Legion year. We accomplished quite a lot this past year. We are now the 2nd largest American Legion Post in Montgomery County with 480 members! Just six years ago the Post had 27 members! We successfully raffled our Tribute Bike, held our annual Golf Tournament, cancelled our Casino Night, but rescued the Auction Portion of it and we are in the middle of another successful baseball season.

Membership for 2009 is off to a good start, already we have renewed or recruited 30% of our membership goal of 480 members. Early Birds renewing before the 1st dues notice can pay $25. After the dues notices are out dues are now $30. All members should pay their dues prior to December 31st to be current for 2009. To be an Early Bird, mail your check, payable to AL Post 295 for $25 to: Bob Ouellette, 17300 Chiswell Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837

Your officers for the 2008-2009 Legion Year:
• Commander Bob Ouellette
• 1st Vice Commander Nelson Torres
• 2nd Vice Commander Mary Ann Van Petten
• 3rd Vice Commander Tom Finnin
• Adjutant/Treasurer Rick Price
• Chaplain Chris Glass
• Historian John Hardy
• Sgt at Arms Tom Rufty

Montgomery County officers for the 2008-2009 Legion Year:
• County Commander Bob Ouellette (Post 295) Past County Commander 2002-2005
• 1st Vice Commander Levelle Ferrell (Post 86) Past County Commander 2005-2006
• 2nd Vice Commander Will Trotter (Post 171) Past County Commander 2006-2008
• County Adjutant Will Trotter (Post 171)

As you can see many of the people who volunteer their time are the same ones, if you suddenly desire to help come to a meeting and speak up.

I will not volunteer anyone against their will. If you just want to hang out with others who share a common bond that is good too!

During the coming year, please come out to at least 1 meeting if you are capable of driving. Should you need transportation please contact the commander. You should not be disappointed. Check the web site for meeting locations. Gathering is 6:30, we order dinner at 7pm, then conduct our business and socialize.

On the agenda for the June meeting will be fundraising for Operation Provide Comfort, Baseball, Boy Scouts and other Legion programs.

In particular, we will be discussing a new raffle. We have been offered a 2005 Harley-Davidson Road King Police Edition that was a Montgomery County Police Bike that had been in a minor accident for $5,300. One of the issues is that we do not have the funds to purchase the bike outright. So the Post either needs get donations to buy it, or secure a loan. The idea for the new raffle is, 1st prize motorcycle, 2nd prize Hot Tub, 3rd prize flat screen TV. Tickets would be 1 for $10 or 3 for $20. Each member would be asked to at least buy 1 tickets and attempt to sell $100 worth. So, 480 members at $10 would bring in $4800 and almost pay for the bike. So come out on July 10th to discuss and vote on this issue.

I would like to continue our effort to assist those who have been wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. While, Operation Provide Comfort has been acknowledged by the American Legion Department of Maryland as an outstanding Veterans Affairs Program we need your assistance, any donations are tax deductible. Volunteers are also needed. I cannot continue this without your help.

I have also been collecting items for care packages to send off to Post members. Contact me for specific items to send, as always cash donations are acceptable,. If you have a loved one in theater please forward his/her address to me so that we can send them a package. Also if YOU are in theater the same applies to you. We will send you a package that you may distribute to your comrades.

Post members who are business owners and would like to market other Post members may do so only through the Post Directory. The Directory will be provided to all members of the Legion, Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, free of charge. Cost for a 1 page ad is $150, half page is $75 and a Quarter Page is $50. Business card add's are available for $35 each. Non-Post members, full page $200, Half page $100, ¼ page $75, business card size for $50. Mail your advertisement to Post 295, ATTN: Directory, PO Box 690, Germantown, MD 20875

For the Veteran!

Bob Ouellette
Commander