Detachment of Maryland Commander's Message

Here's something to think about. Of the 50 states, Maryland ranks 42nd in land area and 19th in population. How is it then that the Detachment of Maryland is the 6th largest Sons of The American Legion Detachment in the Nation with over 15,000 members? The answer is you, the Blue Cap member, and your efforts year after year in recruiting and retaining members. This year is no exception. The Detachment has met or exceeded every membership goal set by our National organization. Please don't let up now. Keep mining that membership!

I recently recruited 2 new members myself. I'm proud to announce that Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Md. Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Adkins are now members of the Detachment of Maryland from my home Squadron, Susquehanna 135. I spent Veterans Day afternoon in the Governor's suite at M&T Bank Stadium rooting for the Ravens along with the Governor, Secretary Adkins, Dept. Vice-Commander Mike Mooney and a group of our state's disabled Vets. This was a very special afternoon. It was then an honor to have Secretary Adkins on hand at our most recent DEC meeting to update our organization on the programs that benefit our Veterans.

I recently toured the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center [BRECC] and the Baltimore VA Medical Center with Dept. Commander Butch Haggard and Dept. President Cass Wheeler. From my visits to these and other facilities, and in my discussions with the men and women at these centers, I can state with confidence that our Veterans in Maryland are being well taken care of.

It was a very special and rewarding holiday season for this Commander. I traveled to Western Maryland where I rode with Santa Claus [a.k.a. Bob Trueblood] in an actual horse drawn sleigh from Post 239 to Cascade Elementary School where I helped the Legion Family of the Cascade Post distribute over $9,000 worth of toys to the local children. And our Detachment's Toys for Tots drive was a huge success as we collected many hundreds of toys to brighten Christmas for less fortunate children. Also in December, I assisted the SAL Northern Central District in serving lunch to the residents of the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training [MCVET]. After lunch, we sang Christmas Carols with them and believe me; they truly enjoyed our visit. Then on Christmas Eve, I helped distribute gifts to the patients at Perry Point VA Medical Center. We are the only family that many of these men and women have and it was indeed a pleasure to see the joy on the faces of these Veterans as they received their gifts. To me, this is what the holidays are all about and these are memories that I will cherish forever.

And then on a brisk weekend in January, along with other members of our Legion Family, I participated in the Polar Bear Plunge in Southern Maryland where we raised over $15,000 for Special Olympics of Maryland. I want to thank all of you who plunged with me as well as those of you who sponsored us as we took a refreshing winter dip in the Chesapeake Bay. This made for another memory that I will never forget. [You can believe that!!!]

In February, along with a contingent from the Detachment, I toured Perry Point VA Medical Center with National Vice Commander East Tom Marsden during his official visit to Maryland. During this tour, it was my privilege to present VA Maryland Health Care with a Wii game system bundle including numerous extra games and controllers valued at approximately $900 from the Detachment of Maryland. This system will be used by the physical therapy department in the treatment of patients at the center. It was your donations that made this presentation possible.

I want to thank you for your ongoing support of all of our programs this year, including my Commander's Project; the “American Legacy Scholarship Fund”. Many men and women of our active duty military have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war against terrorism. This fund makes sure that their children have a chance to receive a college education. As the number of children left behind grows, so must our donations. If your Squadron or District has not yet made a donation, please consider doing so.

It is my honor to be serving as your Detachment Commander this year. The mission of the Sons of The American Legion has always been to support our Veterans and assist the children of our country. With your support, the Detachment of Maryland will continue “Bringing Veterans and Kids Programs to Bear”.

Yours in Service,
Larry “Bear” Weinzirl
Commander
Sons of The American Legion
Detachment of Maryland