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Commander’s Corner
Volume 2015, Issue 2
Disney-Bell Family News
The American Legion — Disney-Bell Post 66 — Bowie , Maryland
Of Special Interest:
Legion membership is at
85% of last year
We’ve started our concert series for the year.
There’s still plenty of entertainment to come.
Check out page 9 and the
website for more details.
Friday meals and Tuesday
sandwiches/meals are a great night out with no
cooking or cleaning at home! Check out the
calendar on page 3 and the
website for more details.
Commander 1
List of Post Officers
and Committees 2
Calendar 3
S.A.L. 4
Adjutant 5
Auxiliary 6
Talk About Town 10
Features
April - May 2015
Greetings from Disney-Bell Post 66. We
have had much going on in the last month,
but I will let you read Adjutant Larson’s
rant about that (he stole my thunder once
again) on page 5. Spring has sprung and
we have many things to do on the Post 66
property. But, before I get into that, I just
want to inform everyone of our Post history
that was recited at the Post Birthday
Dinner on March 21. Sometimes we forget,
so it is reprinted on page 11 just to remind
everyone of where we came from. You can
see that there is a long history of the
“Biggest Little Post” in Maryland.
Post 66 is 83 years young this year. We
celebrated with a Birthday Dinner, which
was a great night. The S.A.L. recognized
the Prince Georges County Law
Enforcement Officer of the year (see the
photo on page 4).
On Sunday, March 22, we hosted a Heroes
Hall Concert with a duo that was amazing.
Sergeant First Class Emily Randle, U.S.
Army, a member of “Pershing’s Own” from
Ft. Meyer, Virginia, sang with John Frinzi
who is a gifted singer and songwriter and
has written music for Jimmy Buffet and
The Coral Reefer Band. SFC Emily intends
on making the Army a career (10 years to
go) and who knows where she will land, but
it will be good. This girl can play the violin,
Stradivarius, and the fiddle - aren’t they all
the same instrument? A GOOD time was
had by all! Again, you will read more about
more Heroes Hall Concerts in the Adjutant
section.
So coming up, we have our annual Post
Spring Clean-Up on April 4 at 9:00 a.m.,
ALL Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and S.A.L.
members are invited to come and roll up
their sleeves and spruce up our Post
grounds. On April 11 at 2:00 p.m., we will
conduct our Post Everlasting service to pay
tribute to all members of the Post 66
Legion Family who have gone to the
Supreme Commander of us all in the last
year. This is solemn ceremony and I would
request that attendees wear appropriate
attire. Thanks.
In closing, no more SNOW, we hope, but
many meetings, dinners, concerts and
activities at Post 66 that you can enjoy. I
encourage everyone to come on out and see
the subtle improvements we have made.
This is your Post, so get involved. If you
see something we can do differently, please
bring it to my attention or to the attention
of another officer.
For God and Country,
Brian Frye
Commander, Post 66
Past Department of Maryland Commander Gary
Vogt and Post 66 2nd Vice Commander Nick
Muller at the 2014 Memorial Day observance at
Bowie Veterans park.
PAGE 2 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
Commander Brian Frye
1st Vice Commander <vacant>
2nd Vice Commander Nick Muller
Adjutant J. D. Larson
Finance Officer J. D. Larson
Chaplain Toni King
Judge Advocate Brian Goldman
Historian <vacant>
Service Officer Claudio Poiani
Sergeant-at-Arms Ryan Wagner
Executive Committee Ray Hart
John Delinsky
Rick McShane
Joe Johns
<vacant>
Post Officers 2014 - 2015
Primary Business Address Address Line 2
Address Line 3 Address Line 4
COMMITTEES AND EVENTS LEADER
Finance Committee J. D. Larson
Audit Committee Brain Goldman
House Committee Nick Muller
Membership Committee J. D. Larson
Patriotism and Youth Committees Brian Frye
Baseball Commissioner <vacant> Flag Education Brian Frye
Oratorical Contest <vacant> Scholarships Brian Frye
Scouts Brian Goldman
ROTC/JROTC Brian Frye
Boys State Brian Frye
Veterans Committees
Honor Guard Commander <vacant> Veterans Support Toni King
National Defense Brian Goldman
Post Publications Newsletter Ray Hart
Website Ray Hart
Annual Events (In Order by Legion Year) Joint Installation of Officers July
Turkey Shoots October - March
Children’s Halloween Party October
Veteran’s Day Services November
Early Bird Dinner November
Toys for Tots Campaign November - December
Children’s Christmas Party December
Christmas Eve Party ` December
New Year’s Eve Party December
Super Bowl Party February
Daytona 500 Party February
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner March
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt March/April
Post Everlasting April
Memorial Day Services May
Flag Day Event June
Fourth of July Picnic July
Volunteer Opportunities.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization!
We always look for folks to help with committees and annual Post
events. If you don’t have enough time to volunteer on a committee,
please help at our one-time events listed above.
You can have fun by becoming more involved in the activities at the
Post. You can volunteer by contacting us by e-mail at:
[email protected] or by calling the Post at 301-464-9814.
The American Legion Disney-Bell Post 66
9605 Old Laurel-Bowie Road Bowie, Maryland 20720 Phone: 301-464-9814 Fax: 301-805-6832 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.alpost66.org
The award-winning Disney-Bell Family News is published bi-monthly (6 issues per year) and is published on the Post 66 website. If you need your copy mailed to you, please send a note to [email protected] or contact the Post at 301-464-9814.
We welcome your news, ideas, suggestions, comments, or questions for future issues of the Disney-Bell Family News. E-mail us at: [email protected], or drop it off at the Post to the attention of the Newsletter Editor.
PAGE 3 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
PO
ST
66 C
AL
EN
DA
R O
F E
VE
NT
S
Organizational Meetings - 7:30 p.m. - unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday April 8 Executive Committee Meeting
Monday April 13 S.A.L. Meeting
Wednesday April 15 Auxiliary Meeting
Wednesday April 22 General Membership Meeting
Monday May 11 S.A.L. Meeting
Wednesday May 13 Executive Committee Meeting
Wednesday May 20 Auxiliary Meeting
Wednesday May 27 General Membership Meeting
Special Events
Saturday April 4 Spring Clean-up at the Post - 9:00 a.m.
Saturday April 4 Children’s Easter Party - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday April 11 Post Everlasting - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 18 Concert - Jim Morris/BB Band with TBD - starting at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday May 16 Concert - Music with the JP’s - starting at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday May 23 City of Bowie Memorial Day Parade
Monday May 25 Memorial Day Observances at Bowie Veteran’s Park - 11:00 a.m.
Post Meals
Tuesdays Ongoing Sandwich and dinner nights - Sandwiches and dinners on
alternate Tuesdays, call the Post for that Tuesday’s menu.
Friday April 3
May 1 Steak and/or Shrimp Dinner - 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Honor Guard)
Friday April 10
May 8 Dinner - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Menus are on Page 5. (Auxiliary)
Friday April 17
May 15 1/2 Baked Chicken Dinner - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (S.A.L.)
Friday April 24
May 22 All U Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Honor Guard)
Only enemies speak the truth; friends
and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the
web of duty. - Stephen King
We are not retreating - we are
advancing in another direction.
- Douglas McArthur
PAGE 4 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
S.A.L. Squadron 66
Hopefully by the time this Newsletter is published
spring will have finally arrived. Snow on the first
day of spring - REALLY! Hopefully we will not
have snow on April Fools’ Day. Even though we
have had a winter to remember, the S.A.L. has
continued it activities. Thanks to our members,
the Post is looking new, just as we look toward the
new growth, flowers, and warm weather. Thanks
to all who support our S.A.L. and Post activities.
Believe it or not the end of the Legion year is
coming soon and we will be planning for our own
“New Year.” In April, we will begin the process of
selecting our officers for the upcoming year.
Speaking of new officers, I would like to
acknowledge and thank Tom Fisher who agreed to
accept the position of Finance Officer. Tom has a
background that will well enable him to do an
excellent job in this vital position. THANK YOU,
TOM!
Spring or not, our S.A.L. continues to move
toward the best time of the year. We will continue
to work to advance the S.A.L., especially with new
active members and attempting to get some of our
existing members to take a more active role. We
continue to have our outstanding meals and a host
of other activities to support the S.A.L. and the
Legion. Please come out and support our
activities and events. This support makes all of
us stronger.
As I mentioned before, DON’T FORGET that
at our April meeting, we will be nominating our
Squadron Officers for the 2015-2016 year.
Election of officers will be held at our usual May
meeting. We need some active members for these
positions. Come to both the April and May
meetings, run for an officer position and make us
stronger.
Our membership drive for 2015 is going strong,
but we are short of achieving the 4-Star honor. We
still have a number of members who have not
renewed their membership for this year. It is not
too late – renew now! Please pay your dues as
soon as possible. Remember, pay at the Legion
and pick-up your cards at the Legion. We also
need new members in the S.A.L. who want to
play a role in advancing an organization that
supports our Veterans.
As an early notice, last year our membership
voted to increase our yearly dues beginning
in 2016 to $15.00. This is a modest increase
given the overall increases in everything we have
experienced lately. I know our dues have not
increased for over 15 years and we will still have
one of the lowest, if not the lowest, yearly dues in
the State.
On April 11 at 2:00 pm, our Post Family will
conduct our Annual Post Everlasting Ceremony.
Unfortunately, we have had a number of losses
this year. Please come out an honor our S.A.L.,
Legion, and Auxiliary members who have
transferred to Post Everlasting. As part of our
usual activities, in May we remember our
Veterans during the Memorial Day observances.
But let’s not just remember them a couple of days
each year. Let’s remember them each day of the
year. Keep our all of our Veterans and active duty
military members and their families in our
thoughts and prayers always. Let’s hope all of our
active duty military members come home safely
and soon.
Del Billings
Commander, Squadron 66
PAGE 5 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
Adjutant’s Call For many years, one of the most common
complaints received from our members is that
there is nothing to do at Post 66. The complaints
ranged from no activities for children, no activities
for young couples, no activities for our aging
population. While the argument continues to
range, it is astounding to me how many people
who are in the Post on a regular basis have
literally no idea what we do. It is also very
surprising how little most of our activities are
attended or even supported by our members.
Literally every Friday night, there is a dinner at
the Post. The first Friday of the month is the
traditional steak night hosted by our National
Champion Color Guard. The second Friday of the
month is hosted by Auxiliary Unit 66 and the
menu can range from tacos, to ham, to seafood, to
chicken. The third Friday is hosted by our Sons of
The American Legion (S.A.L.) and famously
known as half-baked chicken night. Naturally the
chicken is cooked all the way through, but since
they serve a half chicken, an old joke just can’t
seem to be put away. The final Friday is again the
Honor Guard, led by the Honor Guard Mother
Marie Pritchett, and it is an all-you-can-eat
spaghetti dinner. On those rare occasions when
there is a fifth Friday, the S.A.L. takes over with a
delicious fish fry. For most dinners, we ask that
you make a reservation by the Wednesday before
the dinner so we know how much to buy.
Sunday afternoons will see a very diverse crowd
whose main purpose is to enjoy some snacks and
light lunch along with the NASCAR race. You
don’t have to be a race fan to partake of the chow.
Every week is different and all food is happily
provided by our members who love to share.
Music, Music, Music! There is an event planned
for every month from now until the fall. There is a
separate article on page 9 about these events but
there is no better way to enjoy an afternoon or
evening than with some of the great talent we host
at the Post.
During the course of the year, the Post, generally
through the auspices of the Unit, have several
children’s events including an Easter Party,
Halloween Party, Christmas Party with Santa,
essay contests, and more. Certainly, during the
annual July 4th picnic, there are all sorts of games
and activities hosted by our friendly clown Vicki.
These keep the kids active while the adults keep
in touch with old friends. There is also a kid-
friendly playground area by the pavilion which
adult-supervised children can use at any time.
We host car washes, car shows, crab feasts and
parties. You can join football fans, sing-a-longs,
bar bingo, and keno. Play the jukebox, go bowling,
chat in the gazebo, or just sit and stare at the
walls. The only thing missing is a Tiki bar (of
course, painted banana yellow, lime green
and flamingo pink).
In any case, when you stop and consider it, there
is always something for you and your family and
friends to do at Post 66.
For God and Country, I am,
J. D. Larson
Adjutant, Post 66
PAGE 6 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
Auxiliary Unit 66
The winter months have passed and hearing the
peeps coming from the water and the birds
singing is so refreshing. Spring is here to stay for
a while. The Auxiliary will be winding down their
activities until August. But we still have April,
May, and June to still work on other activities.
February and March were 2 very cold months.
The Auxiliary (Seniors and Juniors) made 11
fleece blankets to go to the Linus Project for the
District's Children and Youth Project. Dinners
turned out A-Okay! Breakfast turned out A-Okay
too! The Breakfasts for the turkey shoots will
start again in October 2015 and end in March
2016. If anyone is interested in volunteering
some hours to help with the breakfasts, please call
Fran Sauers at 301-466-3103.
April 2, 2015. This is a workday to make up from
the weather. School is closed on April 3 - 10,
2015, for Spring Break.
April 4, 2015. Children’s Easter Party from 2:00-
4:00 p.m. Fun activities and games, egg hunt, and
maybe the Easter Bunny will appear. Sign up at
the Post at 301-464-9814.
April 5, 2015. HAPPY EASTER!
April 10, 2015. Auxiliary Dinner from 6:30 to 8:00
p.m. Menu: pork chop baked with stuffing and
gravy, potatoes, green beans, salad, and dessert.
Please sign up by Wednesday April 8, 2015.
$12.00 a person.
April 15, 2015. Auxiliary Meeting at 7:00 p.m. If
you would like to see how the Auxiliary works and
help volunteer for some things, come on out.
April 19, 2015. SM District Meeting at Laurel
Post 60 with lunch at 1:00 p.m. and meeting at
2:00 p.m. This meeting will be for the
Americanism Essay Contest winner. Come out
and see what the District is doing.
April 23, 2015. Americanism Essay Contest
Program at 7:00 p.m. at the Post. Come and see
our winner from the schools we support.
April 25, 2015. Girls State Orientation at 2:00
p.m. at the Post. We have two Juniors going to
Girls State from Eleanor Roosevelt High School
April 26, 2015. Maryland Creative Arts Festival
at the Bowie Performing Art Center, Annapolis
Road, Bowie, MD (Next to Bowie High School).
Tickets are $10.00. 1:00 p.m. for the Art Show,
and 2:00 p.m. for the Show. See or call Fran
Sauers at 301-466-310 or Linda Green at 202-230-
2431 (cell) or 301-350-1794 (home) for tickets. It
is close and a good outing.
May 2, 2015. Department Drawdown at Kent
Island Post 278. If you want tickets, call Linda
Caudell at 301-964-1606 or e-mail at
lcaudell48@gmail com.
May 3, 2015. DEC Meeting at Glenarden Post
275.
May 8, 2015. Auxiliary Dinner from 6:30 p.m. to
8:00 p.m. Menu: Tacos.
May 10, 2015. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
MAY 20, 2015. Auxiliary Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
We will have nominees for our officers’ positions.
Come out and voice your opinion. We need new
ideas and new volunteers to help out with the
activities.
REMINDERS
Bowie Interfaith Food Pantry. The Auxiliary will
be having a paper and cleaning drive for the
pantry. We need toilet paper, paper towels, paper
plates, napkins, laundry detergent, dishwashing
laundry, and soap. We are still collecting
nonperishable food items.
I hope everyone will have a Happy Easter and to
all the Moms, Happy Mother's Day!
For God and Country,
Frances Sauers
President, Unit 66
PAGE 7 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
Chaplain’s Notes
If any Legion member or a member of their family
needs the services of the Post Chaplain, please
contact:
Toni King, Post 66 Chaplain
301-262-0257 - home; 301-318-1108 - cell;
or 301-464-9814 - Post
Service Officer’s Notes
The Post Service Officer is available to help with a
variety of different Veteran’s programs. Some of the items
he can help with include: providing the proper claim forms
for VA benefit claims; assisting with VA claim
applications; assisting with State and Federal burial
benefits registration; and assisting with VA medical
benefits registration.
Claudio Poiani, Post 66 Service Officer
301-464-9814 - Post
Post 66 Being Sued by the EPA This is an open letter to the members of Post 66. I have to bring up a serious matter that has been
given to me by the Post attorney.
Disney-Bell Post 66 Incorporated is being sued by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency of
the United States for $16 Million. We are being sued for damages to the environment and the
watershed due to pollution and ground water contamination from our waste sewage holding tank
overflowing and leaking into the water table as well as the water runoff from our Pavilion. This is a
class action law suit brought by the Federal Government and Prince Georges County.
The cost of this litigation will no doubt bankrupt the Post as well as the Post Officers. If the
Government succeeds at this litigation, each and every Post member for the last 10 years will be
liable for a share of the cost of fines and court costs. At the current estimate, that would come to
about $22,000.00 per member. This includes all Legion, S.A.L., and Auxiliary members.
The Federal Government Fish and Wildlife Management as well has given us notice that they are
withdrawing our right of use title to the Post property and we will have to vacate the property by
December 31, 2015. We have requested the D.A.V. allow us use of their hall for our Post meetings
until we can find a new Post home or until such time that we might surrender our charter to the
Department of Maryland American Legion and dissolve. At this time, the Government has put in a
freeze order on all the Post assets and bank accounts and left us no operating funds to pay our staff or
bills.
Monthly meetings on our legal case will start being held at the Post Executive Committee meeting on
the second Wednesday of each month. Interested parties are welcome to attend but space is limited
and we may have to start meeting in the Post pavilion. Please send only one person per family to
these meetings. Please do not call the Post directly on this matter but refer all questions to our legal
counsel Lawyer Hiram Dagnabit, Attorney at Law. Also please do not contact me as I resign my
position on the Post Executive Committee and my wife and I are moving to Belize.
Sorry for all this bad news just before holidays but try to have a Happy Easter and a Happier
April Fools’ Day anyway.
For God and Country,
Brian Goldman
Post 66 Judge Advocate
PAGE 8 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
New Ways to Donate to Post 66 After years of fighting against the Maryland General Assembly, legislation passed more than 2 years
ago has finally permitted non-profits on the “western” shore to obtain slot machines. While not slots
in the generally accepted term, the machines at Post 66 to provide a slot-like experience while
allowing an opportunity to win some cash. The slots at Post 66 pay off 90 percent of all money that
gets put in, a much higher rate than at any casino. Of the 10 percent remaining, the Post keeps 4.5
percent while the State keeps the remainder. That percentage will change over the next 2 years until
the post retains 6 percent with the State receiving 4 percent.
Keno, along with Racetrax, began 2 weeks ago and is proving to be very popular. While the
percentage of income the Post earns is lower than slots, we still expect to make a few bucks.
Queen of Hearts, our Saturday night special, is stronger every week. Remember, you do not have to be
present to win, but it is more profitable. Bar bingo, pull tabs, raffles, are always available when you
visit.
But wait, we’re not done. The first non-approved and non-regulation roulette table is on order and
should be arriving by mid-month. This will be located on the wall in the hall where the picture of the
one and only Post 66 Department Commander used to hang. An OTB office will be installed in the
current office space which will require the office to be relocated to an area as yet to be determined.
The House Committee is seriously looking into expanding our attic spaces, currently underutilized, as
a possible spot. If not there, then to the large rest room adjacent to the Pool Room so that the attic can
be converted to a Tiki bar (of course, painted banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink).
To the untrained eye it may appear as if the lounge has quietly turned into a gaming parlor.
Please be assured we remain the same Veteran-driven American Legion Post you have always known.
What you may not know is that it costs roughly $5,000.00 a month for expenses before we have ever
even sold a beer. Running the Post home is not cheap and without gaming, dues would be about
$180.00 for every man, woman, and child in our organizations. So have a coke, put a dollar in the
jukebox, and enjoy the day.
Bar Specials
Two for
Tuesday
Whiney Wino
Wednesday
Thirsty
Thursday
Friday, Saturday
and Sunday
2 beers for $3
2 wines for $4
$1.75 drafts
5 beers for $10.00
Bucket of beer specials
Happy Hour: Monday - Friday, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., $.25 off all drinks
PAGE 9 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
Heroes Hall Concerts (Music, Music, Music) About 2 years ago, bar manager Gidget Gunson had an idea for a concert in the pavilion. She put
together a great event by signing a group called “Easy Money”, the remnants of a 70's band called
“Kix”. It was a huge success and proved that Post 66 could indeed host live musical entertainment for
our members. That was the beginning of our Post hosting various musical groups from both the local
area and elsewhere.
That experience, and the groups that followed, was the beginning of the Heroes Hall Concerts, the
name given to the special musical individuals and groups that appear at Post 66. You can find Heroes
Hall Concerts on Facebook and you are encouraged to take a look at the page and “like” it. The
purpose is simple, to provide an event where people can enjoy good music from a variety of artists,
both known and unknown, and raise a little money in support of our Veterans, America’s heroes.
The first act to appear under this title was Thom Shepherd, an award-winning country
singer/songwriter who has sold more than 100 songs to country artists with 10 number one hits
including “Riding with Private Malone” and “Red Neck Yacht Club” to name but two. Next were John
Frinzi and Emily Randle, who put on a fantastic concert including original songs, some Jimmy Buffet
songs, great fiddling, and even audience participation with Michele Larson and Napoleon “Nappy”
Robinson adding to the voices. See some photos from the concert on page 12.
Coming up in the next several months are
April 18. Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band. Local band and past Post performers TBD will
open at 5:30 p.m.
May 16. The JP’s. Steel drum player John Patti and singer/guitarist Jimi Pappas.
June 19. A special Tuesday event with Kelly McGuire and even rarer Maryland appearance by
this fantastic Houston based singer-songwriter.
June 21. Jim Morris appears for his “second annual” Father’s Day acoustic show.
August 22. A special fund-raising event for our Veterans called “Trop Rock the Troops” with
James “Sunny Jim” White and Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band.
There are also plans in the works to bring in some more familiar groups. This would require special
funding and, unfortunately, increased ticket prices. For instance, The Ink Spots would love to perform
but require a special “green room” (which we would need to build) with wheelchair access. Jimmy
Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band are also looking for a gig between their Thursday and Saturday
show at the Nissan Pavilion this summer, but yet again, we would need to expand our available
parking and add a Tiki bar (of course, painted banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink).
All of that aside, our venue is becoming very popular among the trop rock music genre and we
continue to get calls from various groups, both local and across the country, that want to perform here.
They like our style, the way they are welcomed and treated, and they support our Veterans. But we
also don’t want to only focus on trop rock music. Groups from any and all genres are welcome. If
anyone desires or knows of a group they think would provide good musical entertainment and support
our cause, please send your suggestions to the Post and include band information along with contacts
and pricing.
In the meantime, please enjoy the artists and music at Heroes Hall Concerts.
Talk About Town
POST EVERLASTING.
Comrade Edward H. Van Sickle, Sr., U. S. Army (Ret) has transferred to Post Everlasting. There was a
Celebration of Life on Sunday, February 15, at Post 66. Edward was the Father of Bill and Grandfather of
Robbie and father-in-law of Lois Van Sickle.
Virginia Smith, wife of Legionnaire George Smith, passed away on February 15. George and Virginia had been
married for 70 years.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!
A hearty welcome to those new members who have recently joined our Post. Welcome to: Deborah Roof, Iris
Brennan, Linroy Davis, Daniel Blades, William R. Witt, Jr., and Kevin Eugene Gebhard.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS.
JD and Michelle Larson went on a Caribbean cruise in March.
Last edition of the newsletter we reported that the Martins went on a cruise. Our spell-checking function helped
us out by changing “Jr” Martin’s name to “Joe”. Many apologies to wife Laura!
Word on the street is that Commander Frye has become our Post “Baconator” at the Turkey Shoots.
If you have a special event or other news to share, let us know and we will include it in a future
newsletter. Contact us at: [email protected].
PAGE 10 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
Photos from the Post
Birthday Dinner.
PAGE 11 NEWSLETTER T ITLE VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1
POST HISTORY
The American Legion, Disney-Bell Post No. 66
Bowie, Maryland
In the late 20's and early 30's the WWI Veterans were having very hard times. In Bowie many had been gassed
and wounded in WWI. There were no VA hospitals, no bonus, no compensation, plus the depression. Some were
unable to do manual work. Things were hard for them. The Bonus Bill was vetoed; the Bonus Marchers were run
out of Washington, D.C. by the military. But something was learned -promises to veterans are soon forgotten in
peace time. Marching and rioting gets you nowhere, but turns the Government off.
It was soon learned by our Bowie Vets, the way was through proper channels -Congressmen, Senators and the
President. The American Legion was founded March 15, 1919 in Paris, France and was having some success, but
it did not have the membership to be heard loud and clear, so the National Organization was out recruiting. It
took 15 wartime Veterans to form a local Post, so the Bowie Veterans recruited the necessary 15 locally, and a
temporary Charter was granted February 20, 1932 to Bowie Post #66. It was the 66th Post formed in Maryland.
The first meetings were held in the members' homes, then the I.O.O.F. Hall (Independent Order of Odd Fellow,
then Aaron's Lunch Room and then the Bowie School (which is now Huntington Community Center). In 1948,
they were granted 7.6. acres from the Department of Interior by an act of Congress - last bill passed and
sponsored by Senator Butler.
Day rooms from Ft. Belvoir were dismantled, moved to the site on Bowie-Laurel Road and reassembled. Over the
years these buildings were replaced by what is now being used.
The name of the Post was changed after WWII, naming it after the first man killed from the Bowie area in WWI,
William Aubrey Disney, and the first killed from the Bowie, area in WWII, Sylvester Bell, - thus the name
Disney-Bell.
In December 1941 a meeting was held at the home of Ora Overholser for the formation of an Auxiliary Unit to
Post 66. Due to the wartime rationing, this was put on hold. The ladies continued to assist the Post in all their
activities however, and Disney-Bell Unit #66, American Legion Auxiliary was finally chartered in June 1944.
WILMER AUBREY DISNEY
Private Disney, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Disney, of Bowie, Prince George's county, died in France on November
20, 1918, of wounds received in action. He was a member of the First Maryland Ambulance Corps., later known
as the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ambulance Corps, on which he enlisted in June of 1917
SYLVESTER CARROL BELL Jr.
Sylvester Carrol Bell, Jr., from Bowie, was a member of the U. S. Navy, was Radioman 3c. He was lost in the
Coral Sea Battle of World War II
Commander
1st Vice Commander
2nd Vice Commander
3rd Vice Commander
Adjutant
Finance Officer
Sgt. at Arms
Executive Committee
Dr. George E. Lancaster
Noah F. Wright
Joseph H. Baumann
Frank A. Riden
Harry A. Gunning
William E. Everett
John D. Larson
John D. Larson
Dr. James H. Truitt
John E. Luers
Hans Axel Hansen
Joseph H. Baumann
Jerome E. Charters
William W. Everett
Fred E. Field
Harry A. Gunning
Hans Axel Hanson
Aaron A. Horwitz
Joseph G. Kline, Jr.
Dr. George E. Lancaster
John W. Lancaster
John D. Larson
John E. Luers
Frank A. Riden
Dr. James H. Truitt
Noah F. Wright
First Officers Elected Charter Members
PAGE 12 NEWSLETTER T ITLE VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1
Post Renovations If you haven’t visited the Post in the past few weeks, you may not be aware that a small group of
dedicated Legion family members have been working very hard to provide some well overdue
maintenance and spruce up the place.
First, there is new paint in the lounge. Gone is the orange and in with the blue. Then new white
walls bring out a brightness that really lightens up the place. The gray trim was given a once over.
Naturally, with the orange paint gone we needed new chairs. On your next visit you will notice
beautiful (and sturdy) metal bar stools with great black padding. No more leaning on that old stuff.
The brass railings were removed and given a beautiful shine. Many pictures were removed, some
returned, the jukebox relocated and shelving moved too. Some removal was required to make room
for the Keno screens but others just because the place was getting very “crowded”. New bulletin
boards replaced the old and were moved down the wall to be less conspicuous. Even the lovely portrait
of our one and only Department Commander was exiled to the hall (is nothing sacred?).
At the risk of omitting some important folks who have contributed to the new look, the following
people are acknowledged for contributing to the clean-up effort: Gidget Gunson, Debi Clark, Joe
Clark, Steve Stevens, Pat Lamb, John O’Toole, Mike Duley, Roger Adams, Rodney Scott, Sheila
Sullivan, and Nick Muller.
Thanks to everyone for a job well done!
The job of improving our Post is never ending and we need to look ahead with plans for future
renovations as soon as funds become available. They include: installing skylights in the rest rooms,
converting the pool room to a Tiki bar (painting it banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink),
installing heating/air conditioning the pavilion, converting the turkey shoot shed to a Tiki bar
(painting it banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink), building a nine hole miniature golf course
next to the pavilion, converting the storage shed to a Tiki bar (painting it banana yellow, lime green
and flamingo pink), and finally, expanding the smoke gazebo to fit more people and converting it to a
Tiki bar (painting it banana yellow, lime green and flamingo pink). As always, we are available for
other suggestions.
Photos from the first
Heroes Hall Concert,
with Thom Shepherd.
PAGE 13 DISNEY-BELL FAMILY NEWS VOLUME 2015 , ISSUE 2
We’re on the web at
www.alpost66.org
The American Legion
Disney-Bell Post 66 9605 Old Laurel-Bowie Road Bowie, Maryland 20720
Memorial Day - May 25, 2015 Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while
serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was
formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and
Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all
Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while
Labor Day marks its end.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many
volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some
rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountain areas. In cases involving a family graveyard where
remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an
extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and
put flowers on graves and renew contacts with relatives and others. There often is a religious service and a picnic-
like "dinner on the ground," the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on
sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus
may reflect the real origin of the "memorial day" idea.
Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women
who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.