Currently viewing the tag: "Thurmont American Legion Post 168"

100th Anniversary of Flag Day

By On · Add Comment · In Community News

Member of VFW 6658 Emmitsburg places a flag for retirement during Flag Day Ceremony.

This year marked the 100th anniversary of Flag Day. The Thurmont American Legion Post 168, in coordination with Legion Post 121 Emmitsburg and AMVETS Post 7 Thurmont, hosted a Flag Day Ceremony at Memorial Park.  Guest Speaker and special music set the tone on the importance of our national flag and its historical and current significance to our nation.

June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress commemorated the adoption of our national flag. In 1916, it was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson, officially establishing the day as Flag Day.  The year 1877 marked the first celebration of Flag Day. To this day, civic groups such as the American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS host a ceremony on June 14 to honor our national flag.

Every year, Post 168 and Post 121 alternate towns where the ceremony is held. Included in the ceremony is a flag retirement ceremony. The United States Flag Code states: “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Worn, ripped, and damaged flags are usually given to the American Legion for disposal. A special ceremony honoring our nation’s flag is done and the flags are then burned.

BSA Scouts T270B/G, T1011 (Walkersville), Venturing Crew 270, Cub Scout Pack 270, Girl Scouts Daisy and Brownie T37191, and Girl Scout Junior T37126 spent hours folding bags of flags properly, including a flag donated by Criswell in Thurmont. Scouts, as well as ceremony attendees, took turns retiring our nation’s flag with honor. 

Community Veteran Event Board

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

Thurmont American Legion Post 168, Thurmont

We would like to thank all the supporters and volunteers that participated in our Golf Tournament. It was a success, and we can’t wait to have another one to support the Veterans.

The Thurmont Legion is forming a Legion Riders group. Don’t ride a motorcycle? No worries. You can enjoy the rides in your vehicle, while still supporting the cause. Applications are available at the Legion. To join, you must be a member of an American Legion, any Post. Be on the lookout for some fundraising raffles to support the Legion Riders.

The Auxiliary will be having its members’ picnic/meeting on Monday, August 15, at 6:00 p.m. Any Auxiliary member planning on attending is to bring a side dish or a dessert. We would love to see you there. The Auxiliary also has T-shirts for sale (they are very patriotic)! Send an email to thurmontlegionaux168@gmail.com if you would like to see a picture of the logo on the front and on the sleeve.

August will start our new year with new officers taking their positions in the Legion. The Legionnaires officers are: Commander—Nick Middendorff, 1st Vice Commander—Carie Stafford, 2nd Vice Commander—Debra Middendorff, Adjutant—Rick Hall, Finance—Gary Spegal, Chaplin—Alvin Hatcher, Judge Advocate—James Mackley, Sergeant at Arms—Allen Middendorff, Post Service Officer—Brian Burdette.

The Sons of the American Legion officers are: Commander—George Albright, Vice Commander—Danny Hurt, 2nd Vice—Donnie Etzler, 3rd Vice—Ed Culb, Adjutant—Lou Perrotti, Finance Officer—Brian Glass, Chaplin—Robbie Maze, Tony Cornejo—Sergeant at Arms.

The Auxiliary Officers are: President—Marsha Ridenour, 1st Vice—Tracey Burdette, 2nd Vice—Melissa Kinna, Secretary—Lisa Reed, Correspondence—Palma Willard, Historian—Joyce Glass, Chaplain—Bernadette Wurdarski, Treasurer—Alice Eyler, Sergeant at Arms—Tracey Burdette.

Once again, summer has gone way too fast, and the children will be returning to school. We would like to wish all the students a healthy and successful school year. If you are a junior or senior at Catoctin High School, check in with your guidance counselors periodically for scholarship information and other programs that the Legion has to offer.

The membership picnic will be held on Sunday, September 11. Tickets will go on sale after August 15. In order to attend the picnic, your 2022 dues must be paid and you must be 21 years of age.

Remember to check us out on Facebook: The American Legion 168. You will find kitchen specials and other events and happenings at the American Legion.

Francis X. Elder, American Legion Post 121, Emmitsburg

Submitted by Kevin Cogan, Commander Post No. 121

Hello and greetings from the Emmitsburg American Legion. We are in the process of updating and repairing our WW2 monument that stands out in front of the Post. If you know of any names on the monument that have been misspelled or were not added at the time the monument was placed, please inform the Post, so we can make the corrections and give Honor and Respect to our Veterans of that era. Thank You for your help with this project! Call the Post at 301-447-2274.

Christmas Wreaths Placed on Veterans’ Graves

By On · Add Comment · In Community News

Over 600 wreaths were delivered to the Thurmont American Legion on the afternoon of December 16 by Wreaths Across America.

The wreaths were placed on Veterans’ graves at Weller Cemetery and Blue Ridge Cemetery the following Saturday, December 18. The wreaths were purchased by the Thurmont Lions Club and were placed by Thurmont Scouts.

Thanks to Wreaths Across America, the Thurmont Lions Club, Thurmont Scouts, Thurmont American Legion Post 168, AMVETS Post 7, and all those that attended for helping to make this event possible.

Cub Scout Pack 270 Hosts Bridging Ceremony

By On · Add Comment · In Community News
Bro

Cub Scout Pack 270 hosted its bridging ceremony at annual pack campout and Blue and Gold ceremony at the Thurmont American Legion Post 168, June 4-6, 2021. 

This campout is when the Cub Scouts move up/bridge to the next rank in their Cub Scouting program and earn any additional awards. 

Due to COVID restrictions, their annual Blue and Gold celebration (Cub Scout Birthday) usually held in February was postponed and also celebrated at this campout.

Congratulations Cub Scouts on your achievements and bridging to your next rank! Go to www.thurmontscouting.org to find out more.

Community Veteran Event Board

By On · Add Comment · In Veteran Spotlight

Thurmont American Legion Post 168

The American Legion family would like to extend a big shout-out to the seniors at Catoctin High School: Congratulations on your graduation! We wish the class of 2021 a happy and successful future.

Flag Day ceremonies will be held Monday, June 14, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. The location is Thurmont Memorial Park. In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. At the ceremony, flags will be disposed of properly, by having a flag burning ceremony.

The American Legion’s kitchen hours are Wednesday through Friday, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Please join us for carryout (301-271-4411) or dine-in. Specials for the week are posted on our Facebook page: The American Legion Post 168.

Francis X Elder Post 121, Emmitsburg

Submitted by Kevin Cogan, Commander Post No. 121

Great hope and anticipation await us in June. Schools will be out for the summer, and families will be able to spend some much-needed time together in the outdoors. Enjoy this time, take in some sunshine and make note to the representation of our great country by where you might see our U.S. flag proudly displayed.

The United States flag was approved by congress as our nation’s flag on June 14, 1777.  June 14 commemorates this date as Flag Day. The colors represent: White—purity and innocence; Red—valor and bravery; and Blue—vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The stars represent the heavens and the stripes are symbolic of the rays of light streaming from the sun. Also, the stripes are our first 13 colonies. Our brave military takes hold of our U.S. flag and never desert its followers. It is a powerful symbol of our Americanism, as it represents us, the American people, and all the sacrifices good people have made to make it the great country we are able to live freely in today.

A few other dates of significance for June: June 6, 2021—Anniversary of the World War II Allied invasion in Normandy, France, known as D-Day (1944). During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. The battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when some 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of France’s Normandy region; June 20, 2021—Father’s Day. Let’s salute our military fathers and give thanks for all fathers on this day; June 25, 2021—The anniversary of the start of the Korean War (1950). It was a conflict between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The war reached international proportions in June 1950, when North Korea, supplied and advised by the Soviet Union, invaded the South. The United Nations, with the United States as the principal participant, joined the war on the side of the South Koreans, and the People’s Republic of China came to North Korea’s aid. After more than a million combat casualties had been suffered on both sides, the fighting ended in July 1953, with Korea still divided into two hostile states. Negotiations in 1954 produced no further agreement, and the front line has been accepted ever since as the boundary between North and South Korea; June 27, 2021—National PTSD Awareness Day. National Center for PTSD help:  800-273-8255 (press “1” if you are a Veteran). Anyone who wants to learn more can visit the National Center for PTSD website at www.ptsd.va.gov.

Unit #121 ALA will be hosting Trivia Night on Friday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m., and Bingo on Saturday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m.

The SAL will host the annual fishing derby held on Sunday, June 6, at the pond on Kline Farms, located between Thurmont and Emmitsburg on Rt. 15.

Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month. For more information, call us at 301-447-2274. Veteran regular member meetings will be held at Kumps Dam through September. 

Thank you to all who support the American Legion and our military personnel.

For God and Country!

Thurmont American Legion Post 168

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and was able to spend time with their family.

It seemed really strange not to be able to celebrate our Veterans in a way that we are accustomed to, but hopefully, Veterans were recognized for their service to our country.

December will bring another quiet month to the Legion, as there will not be Breakfast with Santa or a Ham & Turkey Night events. It’s a shame because both have been successful events in the past.

Don’t forget to pay your dues. If you are interested in becoming a member, stop by the Legion (8 Park Lane in Thurmont), and pick up an application.

The Legion will also be closed on Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, in observance of Christmas. Please enjoy this time with your family!

The kitchen remains open Wednesday through Friday, 5:00-8:00 p.m., while the Legion is open.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Community Veteran Event Board

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

Thurmont American Legion Post 168

Happy Veterans Day!  Who/What is a Veteran?  Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a Veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”

To show our appreciation to our Veterans, if you are a member at Thurmont American Legion, please stop by Post 168 on Wednesday, November 12, between noon-9:00 p.m., to receive a thank you for your service from the Auxiliary. Show your love to our Veterans by wearing a Poppy for the month of November, or all year round! Don’t have a Poppy to wear? We have a fix for that. To pick up your poppy to wear (for a donation to the Veterans), you can stop by Main Street Thurmont (11 Water Street), Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from noon-4:00 p.m.; Marie’s Beauty Salon (21 Meadow Lane; call 301-271-4551 for hours); or the Thurmont American Legion (8 Park Lane), Monday through Sunday, from noon-11:00 p.m.).

Interested in becoming a Legion member? Thanks to the LEGION Act, we can now have more members: www.legion.org/membership/246557/legion-act-signed-law. Stop by the Legion and ask for an application to join as a Legion member, Son of a Legion member (SAL), or an Auxiliary member.

The kitchen is open Wednesday through Friday, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Call to place your order at 301-271-4411 for carryout, or you can eat in our dining area. Remember, you do not need to be a member to enjoy the awesome specials and regular menu items we offer, just follow us on Facebook: The American Legion Post 168. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Stay safe and healthy.

Community Veteran Event Board

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

Thurmont American Legion Post 168

Ed Gravatt, Past Commander

Just in case any of you haven’t noticed, the Town of Thurmont did an excellent job in cleaning up after Colorfest, and wasn’t it a beautiful weekend. I want to send out a big “Thank You” to several members of our Sons of the American Legion for their tireless efforts getting our Octoberfest set up and cleaned up. Without their assistance, it wouldn’t have come off so effortlessly. Now we can start planning for next year.

In the past couple of months, we have had to do some extensive repairs, and there will be a handicap restroom in the near future. All of this required some patience, both on our part and from members who had to contend with our construction mess and inconveniences.

There is some really good entertainment here at the Legion this month. On Saturday, November 4, 5 1/2 Men will be here again; pretty soon, they might have to change their name to 5 3/4 Men. They are a very good band, playing a variety of music from country to Rock to Pop. On November 11, we have the honor to have the Catoctin High School Safe & Sane Dance here again this year. This is an excellent event, raising funds to help keep our Kids SAFE, and out of trouble. On November 17, we will have TC Beats in our party room.

Please remember that our kitchen is open on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Doreen and Christi do a wonderful job; we are lucky to have them.  The soups and specials from our kitchen are made from scratch and could compare to any of the finest restaurants around. Come on out for a good meal. Join us for the Ace of Hearts drawing on Wednesdays or for Bingo on Thursdays, along with  some great entertainment on most Fridays.

We, here at the Edwin C Creeger American Legion Post 168, would like to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. For any of you who may be venturing into the wilderness this month in search of the elusive White Tail Deer, please have a safe and successful hunt.

Thurmont Top Shots Awarded American Legion Champion Squad for Second Year

By On · Add Comment · In Sports News

The Thurmont Top Shots are the youth shooting sports athletes that participate in the youth trapshooting program at the Thurmont Conservation and Sportsman’s Club.

With the support of the Thurmont American Legion Post 168, eight members of the Top Shots participated in the 2017 AIM Grand National Championships, held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois, from July 28-August 1, 2017, the largest shooting event of its kind. The Top Shots were awarded the American Legion Champion Squad in the trapshooting singles competition for the second year in a row.

Individual awards were presented to Stephanie Kennedy, who was the Junior, Class C Doubles Champion; and PJ Hinch, who placed tenth in the Junior Handicap competition.

For more information on how to join the Thurmont Top Shot shooting program or if you have any questions, you can contact Coach Dan Neuland at danneuland@verizon.net.

Congratulations to the Thurmont Top Shots!

Pictured from left are Josh Runion, Kyle Snowden, Stephanie Kennedy, Nathaniel Neuland, Blake Seonarain, Jack Stohlman, Shane Biser, and PJ Hinch.

Flag Day Ceremony at Memorial Park

By On · Add Comment · In Featured Articles

On June 14, 2017, a Flag Day Ceremony at Thurmont’s Memorial Park was hosted by the communities of Emmitsburg and Thurmont, with the support of Thurmont American Legion Post 168, Emmitsburg American Legion Post 121, Thurmont Amvets Post 7, and Emmitsburg VFW Post 6658. Area Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Venture Crew helped with the Flag Retirement portion of the ceremony. Thanks to those representing our Veterans organizations and Scouts for helping celebrate the 240th Anniversary of the adoption of the United States flag by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

Community Veteran Event Board

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

Thurmont American Legion Post 168

Ed Gravatt, Past Commander
Guess what? It’s time for Colorfest already! Get the swimming pools covered and start raking those leaves. It’s time to get the air conditioners covered or taken out of the windows and to fill up those oil tanks—old man winter is on its way.

Speaking of Colorfest, here at the Legion, there is 140 spaces for vendors. There will also be almost anything you may desire to eat, along with delicious desserts and an adult beverage of your choice. For you football fans, there are several TVs—with college football on Saturday and NFL on Sunday, in our beer garden.

Starting in October, we will again be having entertainment every weekend, mostly on Fridays, but also on a couple of Saturday nights, just to make it interesting. On Saturday, October 29, our Halloween party is always a fun time. This year, we are having Jimmy James with DJ/Karaoke. Don’t forget to wear your costume!

The ace of hearts is going well; at the time of this writing, there is in excess of $10,000 in the pot. Come on down, even if you are a member of a different legion—somebody is going to win sooner or later.

On Sundays during the NFL season, there are several TVs with the Direct TV NFL package—no reason you cannot watch the game of your choice. The kitchen is here on Wednesday for the ace of hearts crew, Thursday for the bingo players, and Friday night dinners with some specials and good burgers. On Sunday, there is a good selection of items that Art served up for your enjoyment while you enjoy the games.

After this month, we will be closing out pavilion for the winter, so if you want to use it, check with us for availability. Our ballroom upstairs is available for rental, full kitchen, bar and the largest wooden dance floor in Frederick County—perfect for a reception, a dinner, or for almost any type of event.

Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7

On Sunday, November 13, 2016, the Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7 is hosting a free Veterans Breakfast, from 7:00-11:00 a.m. They will honor all Veterans with a free buffet-style breakfast; for the family of the Veteran, the cost will be $5.00 for adults; $2.50 for ages seven to fourteen; and free for ages six and under. This event is open to the public.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19, 2016, for the Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7’s Steamed Shrimp & Fried Chicken Feed. Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. The cost is $20.00 per person and includes sides and beverage. This event is open to the public. Proceeds benefit the community and Veterans.

Attention Service Men and Women in the Thurmont Area

By On · Add Comment · In Community News

The Thurmont American Legion Post 168 Auxiliary is looking for Active Duty and Veterans who live in Thurmont and the surrounding communities. More information will be available once we hear from you.

Please mail your name, address, telephone number, and email address to: Thurmont American Legion Post 168, ATTENTION Lisa M. Reed, 8 Park Lane, Thurmont, MD 21788.