March—A Very Busy Month for Unit # 217

Yes, there is much to be done this month. We must finish preparations to hold our tenth annual Maryland Veterans Creative Arts Festival, which will be on Sunday, March 22, at The Bowie Center for Performing Arts in Bowie, MD. This is located next to Bowie High School. The doors open at 12 noon for a four-hour show beginning with an art exhibit followed by a two -hour live performance. All participants are disabled veterans who are awesomely talented. The cost to attend this super event is only $10, and the public is urged and invited to attend to cheer on our veteran heroes for their amazing accomplishments. At the same time, our national president will be making her official visit to Maryland. It seems that, since we began holding these festivals, the sitting national presidents have chosen that weekend so they can add our festival to their year’s highlights. So, come out and add your encouragement to our veteran’s efforts and meet Nicole Clapp, the national president of the American Legion Auxiliary. She is a warm, gracious lady.

Our Americanism essays have been judged, and the winners have been sent to District President Carmin Brittain for further judging. Let us keep our fingers crossed that we have a national contender again this year. The students at Holy Redeemer do fabulous work.

Plans are gearing up for a veterans’ shotgun bingo fundraiser to be held at College Park Post #217 on Sunday, April 5, from 4 until 7 pm. This will be a fast and fun-filled event with 50/50 drawings, Nevada tickets (pull tabs), a cake walk, and fun, fun, fun. Come, have a ball while helping raise funds to benefit veterans’ programs.

There will be several of the American Legion family leaving from Baltimore Harbor on a Caribbean cruise from April 19–26. This is a special fundraiser cruise for Sons of the American Legion national contender J. R. Hall. These are great fun. I’ve gone once before and am looking forward to it. Also, on April 25 there will be a flea market/craft sale held at Post #217. Mark your calendars and plan to reserve your table. Call Dorothy Calloway at 301.794.6309 for details. We still have our weekly bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, our Friday night dinner dances, and Monday night shotgun bingo at 7 pm. Thank a veteran for your freedoms. We seek Gods’ protection for our troops and His continued blessings on our great America.