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Commander’s Message

Comrades and Sisters,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support and vote electing me as your Commander this year. It is truly an honor and a privilege to again serve Post 5337 in this capacity.

I want everyone to know that I take this responsibility very seriously and I will do my very best to represent the comrades and sisters of this great organization.

I would like to congratulate Becky Hanner, our newly elected Ladies Auxiliary President. I know that through open communication we will have a very successful year this year. We are already working together as a team to make our post and our veterans programs a success. I also extend congratulations to all of this year’s newly elected officers, VFW and Auxiliary – I look forward to working with you all this year.

Always remember that the success of the VFW starts at the Post level. For success to happen, we need individual members to be active. You can support the VFW mission by serving on Post committees or serving as an Officer. Another way to support the VFW is to pay your dues on time and participate in the post functions throughout the year. It is always easy to let someone else take the lead, but everyone needs to contribute for the unit to accomplish its mission. The success or failure of our organization depends on

August 2012

the strength of its membership. The membership is the backbone of Post 5337, not the Commander.

As you have often heard me say, behind every good man stands a good woman. Never have I seen this more real than at our post. When we need something done, our ladies are always there to lend a helping hand. Always remember that the Ladies Auxiliary is an important part of our organization and should be treated with respect.

As we move into this New Year, we have good things planned for the post. As my Commander’s Special Project, I am asking permission to continue to improve our post by expanding our square footage and building an open deck off the room at the rear of the post. When approved, we will use in-house labor and will be asking for volunteers (who are handy with a hammer) and contributions (either personal or by chairing a fundraiser). By doing so, we will be able to have larger events indoors and outdoors and therefore improve the overall financial standing of our organization.

Our calendar is filling quickly with some major and not so major events throughout the year. Our first major event will be a Bull Roast and Shrimp Feast on August 25th. Tickets are now on sale for $30.00 per person and you can make reservations by contacting Val in the Canteen (410-676-4456).

We have not planned a Family Picnic for this year due to lack of participation in the last several years. If this is something that you, as members, would like to see happen, please contact me either by e-mail (dugmac@) or phone (410-459-1275). This post provides free burgers and dogs to all members and their immediate families; all we ask is that a covered dish be provided. It is a great chance to see old friends and meet new ones, but if there is not sufficient interest we will not go forward. This is just a taste of things to come.

As always, we continue to have Shrimp on Wednesday nights and Tacos on Thursdays. Beginning in August, the Kitchen will be open on Friday nights serving the Commander’s Steak Sub and Burgers. Please call for additional information/availability as these often sell out early. You can eat in-house or we can make it for carry-out for your pick-up. Pit Beef will be available on alternate Saturdays when there is no post event scheduled. Please call the post if you are unsure which Saturday we are cooking. Check your email/website also for event updates.

So watch the web, call the post; and come out and join us as we work to raise money for our Veterans, Military and Youth programs throughout the year. I look forward to working with all of you as we move forward at Post 5337!

SPECIAL NOTE: The editor will be updating the information page of the website more frequently. (Look for the Webmaster’s message). This way, you have information that might be time sensitive quicker. So please, if you know of someone who has email but is not on the editor’s list or if you would like to be on the list, please contact the editor at vfwpost5337@ .

Yours in comradeship,

Doug MacArthur

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Auxiliary President’s Message

Sisters

I would like to thank you for the outstanding support last year as your President and allowing me the opportunity to again serve. Everywhere I go I receive compliments and praise for our auxiliary and post. The greatest feeling ever was receiving all of our awards at the State Convention; it was a very proud moment. A big thank you goes out to Doug MacArthur for ensuring that all of our events were joint events. Without the teamwork between the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary our post would not be as great as it is.

I would like to congratulate Lyn MacArthur, our newly elected Sr. Vice President for the State of Maryland. I could not think of a better, more dedicated person to represent the Veteran’s and families of the State of Maryland. I also extend congratulations to all of this year’s newly elected officers, VFW and Auxiliary and look forward to working with you all this year.

With the continued teamwork and communication between the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary we will have another great year. It is a great honor being your President and I look forward to another great year.

Becky Hanner

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SERVICE OFFICER

Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Pryer for donating several boxes of flags, flag poles and grave markers to the Post. The donation was made in the name of her father S-2/C Charles Showalter who was manning a 40MM antiaircraft gun on the Heavy Destroyer-Minelayer, USS Aaron Ward (DM-34), when he was severely burned and awarded the Purple Heart. Mr. Showalter served for 60 years as an executive in the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

On May 3, 1945, the Aaron Ward was serving 70 miles Southwest of Okinawa when it was hit by (6) kamikaze planes. 42 crew members were killed and 100 severely injured. The ship was towed to a Harbor in Okinawa where temporary repairs were made; this allowed the ship to return to Brooklyn Navy Yard on a single engine room and screw. Unfortunately the ship was declared un-repairable and scrapped.

The Pryer’s contacted Post Member Richard English who made arrangements to have the flags picked up.

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Service Officer

I want to remind all VFW members of the benefits of the VFW State Service Office. The MD Service Officer is Philip S. Medlin Sr. His office is in room 1226, Fallon Federal Building, 31 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201. The Service Office can represent Veterans in working with the VA. Please call Mr. Medlin’s main office at 410-230-4480 to set up an appointment and/or to obtain the required forms

Al Fidler

Service Officer

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CANTEEN CORNER

Please join us Wednesday Evening’s for Shrimp (5 – 7 PM).

Planning a Party?

Don’t want the fuss in your home?

Remember we rent the hall and porch for your special occasions. Call me at 410-676-4456.

Val

Canteen Steward

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Newsletter Article Deadline

Articles for the March Newsletter are due on Sep. 15th. Please forward articles (Word Doc’s) by email to PLBLMB@ or leave an envelope at the post marked: NEWSLETTER – ATTN Pete Bogdan, Editor.

Newsletter Reserves the Right to Edit all Information added to the Post Newsletter and Web Site

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POST EVERLASTING

Getter P Jennings – 01/20/2012, Life Member

Phillip E Farnschlader – 03/19/2012, Life Member

William J Green – 04/04/2012, Life Member

Edgar J Wykle – 06/2012, Life Member

Herbert G Janssen – 07/07/2012, Life Member

Walter R Godfrey – 08/03/2012, Charter/Life Member

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Chaplain’s Report

Origin of the National Prayer Breakfast

In 1952, when Eisenhower was out on the campaign trail, he confided to

Senator Carlson that during the war, when he was commanding the Allied forces in Europe, he had a spiritual experience. He had felt the hand of God guiding him and felt the presence of God. And he spoke of how his friends had provided real spiritual strength in the days before D-day. Senator Carlson said he understood, that he himself was getting spiritual strength from members of a little prayer group in the Senate.

A few months later, just a few days after he was sworn in as President, Eisenhower invited frank Carlson over to the White House. He said, “Frank, this is the loneliest house I have ever been in. What can I do?” And Carlson said, “I think it may be time for you to come and meet with our prayer group.” And Eisenhower did. In 1953 President Eisenhower attended the first combined Prayer Breakfast for both houses of Congress. And thus a precedent was set for this annual event called the National Prayer Breakfast.

Military Commands and Installations have followed the Commander-in-Chief’s precedent and have conducted a National Prayer Breakfast and or Luncheon annually each February in a sincere effort to improve spiritual fitness and invoke Divine favor on the mission to maintain national security.

“LET US PRAY”

Lord watch over our military men and women who serve in Harm’s Way. Bless their Family’s back home that pray and wait for their return.

Amen

Please, if a loved one passes away, notify the Post (410-676-4456) as soon as possible with all of the pertinent information so we can notify our members and, if wanted, provide a memorial service that all Veterans are entitled to receive. Memorial Services are conducted for both VFW and Auxiliary Membership.

Contact the Post is you are aware of any members that are ill.

Bob Gehr

Chaplain

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AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP

If you have not already done so, please pay your dues TODAY. We need your help to sustain our programs. Your dues do make a difference.

Congratulations to Kim Carruth for being the winner of this year’s drawing for the Auxiliary Life Membership.

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Annual Dues: $15.00 Application Fee: $7.00

LIFE MEMBESHIP FEES

AGE as of December 31st of Year of Application

|Age |Fee |Age |Fee |

|16-20 |$220 |56-60 |$150 |

|21-25 |$210 |61-65 |$140 |

|26-30 |$200 |66-70 |$130 |

|31-35 |$190 |71-75 |$115 |

|36-40 |$185 |76-80 |$ 95 |

|41-45 |$175 |81-85 |$ 75 |

|46-50 |$170 |86-90 |$ 60 |

|51-55 |$165 |91+ |$ 50 |

Please refer any questions to

Lyn MacArthur

Treasurer

Membership Chairman 2011-12

lindamac55@ / 410-459-1149

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VFW Membership

If you are an annual member, please forward your dues payable to the VFW Post 5337 to the Post Home at

3705 Pulaski Highway

Abingdon, MD 21009

Attn: Membership

By paying your dues, you help support the programs and activities of the VFW Post Home, even if you cannot physically volunteer

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Comrades:

Join with us in supporting our troops and Veterans as they have, and continue to support our country and communities by supporting the Post Activities and Programs

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Help to protect the environment and the Post funds. If you have email, allow us to email you the Post Newsletter. Just email the Post email address located on the front page with your name and we’ll take it from there.

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REPLACING DD FORM 214 OR LOST AWARDS

Please write to the following address:

National Personnel Records Center

ATTN: Army Reference Branch (NCPMA) if 214s/ (NRPMA-M) if awards

9700 Page Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

OR

Go on-line to

(Make sure you include your name, rank, SSN and dates you were in the service)

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Help Support this Auxiliary Program

Pins Available for $3.00 each

Contact Pat Giesendaffer

Just email the Post and we’ll forward your email to Pat

vfwpost5337@

AUXILIARY BREAKFAST

The Auxiliary Breakfast begins again in September and the First Sunday of each month through May:

NEXT BREAKFAST

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

From 8 to 11 AM

Harford County Memorial VFW Post 5337 and the

Ladies Auxiliary Post 5337

Are sponsoring a

BULL ROAST &

SHRIMP FEAST

Saturday, August 25, 2012

1:00 pm until 5:00 pm

FEATURING:

Pit Beef, Pit Ham, Steamed Shrimp, Italian Sausage,

Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Meatballs,

Corn on the Cob, Hot Soup,

Potato Salad, Cole Slaw,

Fresh Vegetable Tray, Fresh Cheese Tray,

Draft Beer and Soft Drinks

DJ Cross from 4:00pm – UNTIL

Donation: $30.00

ONLY 125 TICKETS TO BE SOLD FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

For Ticket information and table reservations see or call VAL 410-676-4456 or DOUG 410-459-1275

ABSOLUTELY NO CARRYOUTS!

OFFICERS VFW AND AUXILIARY FOR THE 2012/2013 YEAR

VFW Officers 2012 / 2013 Ladies Auxiliary Officers 2012 / 2013

|Commander |Douglas MacArthur | |President |Rebecca Hanner |

|Sr. Vice Commander |Kenneth Bero | |Sr. Vice President |Helen Carden |

|Jr. Vice Commander |Charles Merritt | |Jr. Vice President |Betty Gehr |

|Quartermaster |Alan Fidler | |Secretary |Leola Bogdan |

|Chaplain |Robert Gehr | |Treasurer |Lyn MacArthur |

|Judge Advocate |Rueben Swords | |Chaplain |Mary Racey |

|Surgeon |Timothy Kluchinsky | |Conductress |Mary Swords |

|1st Year Trustee |Fred Cholette | |Guard |Pat Geisendaffer |

|2nd Year Trustee |Emanuel Anderson | |1st Year Trustee |Pat Geisendaffer |

|3rd Year Trustee |Sam Barbour | |2nd Year Trustee |Helen Carden |

|Adjutant |Jerry Wade | |3rd Year Trustee |Mary Middendorf |

|Service Officer |Alan Fidler | |Patriotic Instructor |Annette Merritt |

|Sgt at Arms |Emilio Valdivia | |Historian |Leola Bogdan |

|Officer of the Day |Rueben Swords | | | |

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HARFORD COUNTY MEMORIAL VFW POST 5337

3705 PULASKI HIGHWAY, ABINGDON MARYLAND 21009

410-676-4456 Email – vfwpost5337@ We’re On The Web At

Commander Doug MacArthur

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