My Fellow Post 295 Gaithersburg Legionnaires. For those of you who don’t know
me, my name is Cliff Bergstresser, and I am your latest Post Commander. Bob
Ouellette is currently pursuing a position as Commander of the Western Region
and can not hold both the Post Commander and Regional Commander at the
same time. We feel certain Bob will be the new Regional Commander for the 2022
– 2023 year. I am honored to be your Post Commander for the second time in my
13 years here at the post.
Speaking of the 2022 – 2023 year, it’s time for membership renewal again. We
didn’t meet our goal of 100% this past year but did better than the national
average. Membership is very important to the American Legion as our numbers
give us a voice with the Federal Government. Currently we are pressing Congress
to do something about the Veterans suffering from the effects of Burn Pit smoke
inhalation, cause when the military burns the camps garbage in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
This coming year will be a challenge as we have financial woes. We lost our one
and only fund raiser during COVID (golf tournament) and are trying to determine
a replacement. We are considering an Army / Navy board if the members are
willing to buy squares. All suggestion is welcome to resolve this. Lastly we are
continuing to meet the second Thursday of the month at the Mission BBQ in
Germantown. Mission BBQ has been wonderful and have allowed us to use their
back room. Going forward we may lose this access to the room since they are
opening a catering call center. That said, we need to fine an alternate meeting
place. I will keep you in the loop.
My Fellow Post 295 Gaithersburg Legionnaires. For those of you who don’t know
me, my name is Cliff Bergstresser, and I am your latest Post Commander. Bob
Ouellette is currently pursuing a position as Commander of the Western Region
and can not hold both the Post Commander and Regional Commander at the
same time. We feel certain Bob will be the new Regional Commander for the 2022
– 2023 year. I am honored to be your Post Commander for the second time in my
13 years here at the post.
Speaking of the 2022 – 2023 year, it’s time for membership renewal again. We
didn’t meet our goal of 100% this past year but did better than the national
average. Membership is very important to the American Legion as our numbers
give us a voice with the Federal Government. Currently we are pressing Congress
to do something about the Veterans suffering from the effects of Burn Pit smoke
inhalation, cause when the military burns the camps garbage in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
This coming year will be a challenge as we have financial woes. We lost our one
and only fund raiser during COVID (golf tournament) and are trying to determine
a replacement. We are considering an Army / Navy board if the members are
willing to buy squares. All suggestion is welcome to resolve this. Lastly we are
continuing to meet the second Thursday of the month at the Mission BBQ in
Germantown. Mission BBQ has been wonderful and have allowed us to use their
back room. Going forward we may lose this access to the room since they are
opening a catering call center. That said, we need to fine an alternate meeting
place. I will keep you in the loop.
My Fellow Post 295 Gaithersburg Legionnaires. It’s hard to believe the summer is
over. We are now in the second month of the American Legion year and looking
forward to participating with the local community here is Gaithersburg. On Labor
Day we were represented in the annual Gaithersburg parade by our Legion Rider
group. Four motorcycles / trikes rode in the parade. Although very warm sitting
on running bike at 3 MPH, many waves, and words of thanks from the citizens in
Gaithersburg. Our next community event will be the Oktoberfest at the Kentland
on Sunday Oct 9 th noon – 5:00 pm. Come out and visit our booth plus enjoy a fall
day activity of the German tradition.
It’s that time of year for our membership renewal. We are currently at 51.90% for
the year, which is on track. Please consider renewing your membership now. That
money helps cover our budget, the Department MD, and National HQ.
Speaking of budget, we decided to have an Army / Navy football game board fund
raiser and party at the Germantown Mission BBQ Saturday Dec 10 th 2:00 – 6:00
pm. Please consider buying squares at $10 per square. The board will be at our
post meetings this fall with the next meeting being Thursday Sept 8 th 7:00-8:00
pm. We plan on having food at the party, plus 50/50 and pull tabs. Our meetings
are typically the second Thursday of the month at the Germantown Mission BBQ
starting at 7:00 pm.
In the news last month, the PACT ACT was signed into law. This act is there to
help our veterans who have been exposed to toxic Burn Pit fumes. This has been
many years in the making and the American Legion has been on the forefront of
this initiative. We are also pushing for the Afghan Interpreters relocation
legislation to help these folks who helped us in that war on terror.
Lastly, we have a new National Commander Vincent J. Troiola, who message this
year is “Be the One” with his focus on reducing veteran suicides. If you are
struggling with this issue, please consider calling the 988-emergency suicide
hotline or text 838255. There is no shame in getting help.
My Fellow Post 295 Gaithersburg Legionnaires. It’s hard to believe the summer is
over. We are now in the second month of the American Legion year and looking
forward to participating with the local community here is Gaithersburg. On Labor
Day we were represented in the annual Gaithersburg parade by our Legion Rider
group. Four motorcycles / trikes rode in the parade. Although very warm sitting
on running bike at 3 MPH, many waves, and words of thanks from the citizens in
Gaithersburg. Our next community event will be the Oktoberfest at the Kentland
on Sunday Oct 9 th noon – 5:00 pm. Come out and visit our booth plus enjoy a fall
day activity of the German tradition.
It’s that time of year for our membership renewal. We are currently at 51.90% for
the year, which is on track. Please consider renewing your membership now. That
money helps cover our budget, the Department MD, and National HQ.
Speaking of budget, we decided to have an Army / Navy football game board fund
raiser and party at the Germantown Mission BBQ Saturday Dec 10 th 2:00 – 6:00
pm. Please consider buying squares at $10 per square. The board will be at our
post meetings this fall with the next meeting being Thursday Sept 8 th 7:00-8:00
pm. We plan on having food at the party, plus 50/50 and pull tabs. Our meetings
are typically the second Thursday of the month at the Germantown Mission BBQ
starting at 7:00 pm.
In the news last month, the PACT ACT was signed into law. This act is there to
help our veterans who have been exposed to toxic Burn Pit fumes. This has been
many years in the making and the American Legion has been on the forefront of
this initiative. We are also pushing for the Afghan Interpreters relocation
legislation to help these folks who helped us in that war on terror.
Lastly, we have a new National Commander Vincent J. Troiola, who message this
year is “Be the One” with his focus on reducing veteran suicides. If you are
struggling with this issue, please consider calling the 988-emergency suicide
hotline or text 838255. There is no shame in getting help.
My Fellow Post 295 Gaithersburg Legionnaires. It’s hard to believe the summer is
over. We are now in the second month of the American Legion year and looking
forward to participating with the local community here is Gaithersburg. On Labor
Day we were represented in the annual Gaithersburg parade by our Legion Rider
group. Four motorcycles / trikes rode in the parade. Although very warm sitting
on running bike at 3 MPH, many waves, and words of thanks from the citizens in
Gaithersburg. Our next community event will be the Oktoberfest at the Kentland
on Sunday Oct 9 th noon – 5:00 pm. Come out and visit our booth plus enjoy a fall
day activity of the German tradition.
It’s that time of year for our membership renewal. We are currently at 51.90% for
the year, which is on track. Please consider renewing your membership now. That
money helps cover our budget, the Department MD, and National HQ.
Speaking of budget, we decided to have an Army / Navy football game board fund
raiser and party at the Germantown Mission BBQ Saturday Dec 10 th 2:00 – 6:00
pm. Please consider buying squares at $10 per square. The board will be at our
post meetings this fall with the next meeting being Thursday Sept 8 th 7:00-8:00
pm. We plan on having food at the party, plus 50/50 and pull tabs. Our meetings
are typically the second Thursday of the month at the Germantown Mission BBQ
starting at 7:00 pm.
In the news last month, the PACT ACT was signed into law. This act is there to
help our veterans who have been exposed to toxic Burn Pit fumes. This has been
many years in the making and the American Legion has been on the forefront of
this initiative. We are also pushing for the Afghan Interpreters relocation
legislation to help these folks who helped us in that war on terror.
Lastly, we have a new National Commander Vincent J. Troiola, who message this
year is “Be the One” with his focus on reducing veteran suicides. If you are
struggling with this issue, please consider calling the 988-emergency suicide
hotline or text 838255. There is no shame in getting help.
My Fellow Post 295 Gaithersburg Legionnaires. Spring has spun, at least I hope so.
We have had a busy March so far. The Post was in the Gaithersburg Saint Patrick’s
Day parade. We rode in the cold with Rus, Mary Ann, Paul, and me. What a great
way to show the community we are here in Gaithersburg. We heard many in the
crowd thanking us for our service.
We also had a luncheon event with the Vets at Asbury Retirement Village. Mission
BBQ provided lunch and Paul presented his experience on the Submarine Dallas.
Same sub in the Clancy Novel, “Hunt for Red October”. We had ten Vets in
attendance from Asbury, ranging from WWII, Korean, and Vietnam. We plan on
doing this event every quarter. Let me know if you would like to share your
military experiences with the Vets at Asbury. They very much appreciated us
visiting them. Post 295 shows that we care for our fellow comrades who
proceeded us.
Lastly several of us attended the National Commander Banquet held at Post 60 in
Laurel. Commander Vincent J. "Jim" Troiola shared with us his initiatives to help
our fellow Veterans. His motto for the year is “Be The One”. This is his focus on
reducing veteran suicides. If you are struggling with this issue, please consider
calling the 988 emergency suicide hotline or text 838255. There is no shame in
getting help.
It’s that time of year for our final push for membership renewal. We are currently
at 87.77% for the year, which is slightly less than our March 15 th goal of 90%.
Please consider renewing your membership now. That money helps cover our
budget and the Department MD / National HQ expenses.
In the news this week, the Senate voted to advance legislation that would repeal
the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs), formally
ending the Gulf and Iraq wars and reasserting Congress’ authority to declare war,
which The American Legion has long supported.
Lastly, we have our post elections at the monthly April 13 th meeting. Our meetings
are typically the second Thursday of the month 7:00 pm at the Mission BBQ in
Germantown. The exceptions are no meeting in July, November meeting is usually
on Veteran’s Day, and the December meeting is on the Saturday of the Army /
Navy football game.
Cliff
Cliff Bergstresser
The American Legion Post 295 Gaithersburg Commander
cbergstresser@verizon.net
301-466-3775 cell
My Fellow Post 295 Gaithersburg Legionnaires. Spring has spun, at least I hope so.
We have had a busy March so far. The Post was in the Gaithersburg Saint Patrick’s
Day parade. We rode in the cold with Rus, Mary Ann, Paul, and me. What a great
way to show the community we are here in Gaithersburg. We heard many in the
crowd thanking us for our service.
We also had a luncheon event with the Vets at Asbury Retirement Village. Mission
BBQ provided lunch and Paul presented his experience on the Submarine Dallas.
Same sub in the Clancy Novel, “Hunt for Red October”. We had ten Vets in
attendance from Asbury, ranging from WWII, Korean, and Vietnam. We plan on
doing this event every quarter. Let me know if you would like to share your
military experiences with the Vets at Asbury. They very much appreciated us
visiting them. Post 295 shows that we care for our fellow comrades who
proceeded us.
Lastly several of us attended the National Commander Banquet held at Post 60 in
Laurel. Commander Vincent J. "Jim" Troiola shared with us his initiatives to help
our fellow Veterans. His motto for the year is “Be The One”. This is his focus on
reducing veteran suicides. If you are struggling with this issue, please consider
calling the 988 emergency suicide hotline or text 838255. There is no shame in
getting help.
It’s that time of year for our final push for membership renewal. We are currently
at 87.77% for the year, which is slightly less than our March 15 th goal of 90%.
Please consider renewing your membership now. That money helps cover our
budget and the Department MD / National HQ expenses.
In the news this week, the Senate voted to advance legislation that would repeal
the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs), formally
ending the Gulf and Iraq wars and reasserting Congress’ authority to declare war,
which The American Legion has long supported.
Lastly, we have our post elections at the monthly April 13 th meeting. Our meetings
are typically the second Thursday of the month 7:00 pm at the Mission BBQ in
Germantown. The exceptions are no meeting in July, November meeting is usually
on Veteran’s Day, and the December meeting is on the Saturday of the Army /
Navy football game.
Cliff
Cliff Bergstresser
The American Legion Post 295 Gaithersburg Commander
cbergstresser@verizon.net
301-466-3775 cell
My Fellow Post 295 Gaithersburg Legionnaires. Spring has spun, at least I hope so. We have had a busy March so far. The Post was in the Gaithersburg Saint Patrick’s Day parade. We rode in the cold with Rus, Mary Ann, Paul, and me. What a great way to show the community we are here in Gaithersburg. We heard many in the crowd thanking us for our service.
We also had a luncheon event with the Vets at Asbury Retirement Village. Mission BBQ provided lunch and Paul presented his experience on the Submarine Dallas. Same sub in the Clancy Novel, “Hunt for Red October”. We had ten Vets in attendance from Asbury, ranging from WWII, Korean, and Vietnam. We plan on doing this event every quarter. Let me know if you would like to share your military experiences with the Vets at Asbury. They very much appreciated us visiting them. Post 295 shows that we care for our fellow comrades who proceeded us.
Lastly several of us attended the National Commander Banquet held at Post 60 in Laurel. Commander Vincent J. "Jim" Troiola shared with us his initiatives to help our fellow Veterans. His motto for the year is “Be The One”. This is his focus on reducing veteran suicides. If you are struggling with this issue, please consider calling the 988 emergency suicide hotline or text 838255. There is no shame in getting help.
