SYNEPUXENT POST 166

Synepuxent Post 166

NEWS UPDATE
November 24, 2024

November 15, 2024

What a week it has been

Starting with Post 166 joining with State Senator Mary Beth Carozza to present a donation to Charlotte Hall Veterans home, and ending with the Veterans Day ceremony at the Post, and then a rousing Rooftop Bar closing party complete with complimentary food.

In between there were two celebrations of the Marine Corps 249th birthday, the annual Veterans Day programs at Worcester Prep School and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, at which Post 166 was represented. Then it was on to the Post itself for the traditional Veterans 

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IN THIS ISSUE

Post 166 at Charlotte Hall

Two Marine Corps Birthday Celebrations

Veterans Day Observances

Rooftop Bar Season-Ending Party

   Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Receives Donation

From Post 166

The week began with an almost eight-hour round-trip to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in St. Mary’s County with State Senator Mary Beth Carozza driving her father, former Marine Tony Carozza, and Post 166 members, Leathernecks Ed Pinto and Don Coffin. They were there to deliver a $1,000 check as part of program arranged by Maryland State Senator Michael Jackson, Chair of the State Senate Veterans Caucus. Along with our check, Sen. Jackson arranged for delivery of shoes and boxes of personal-need items for the veterans living in the assisted living home.

Marine Corps Birthday Ball Celebrated by

Delaware Marine Corps League Members

Commander J. R. Best was a guest as Marine Corps League members from the Delaware First State Detachment held their Marine Corps Birthday Ball celebration at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. In the photo, Commander Best is with FSD members Frank Del Piano and Al Soto, Major, USMC (Ret).

In 2023, Major Soto, then Commandant of the detachment and a Post 166 member, and Post 166 Executive Committee member Bob Broderick, were instrumental in organizing the Post 166 Leathernecks. On August 1, the American Legion Department of Maryland recognized the Leathernecks as a Post 166 Program, making the group officially part of the Post 166 family. 



Leathernecks Celebrate the 249th Marine Corps Birthday



Post 166 Leatherneck's celebrated the Marine Corps 249th birthday at the Atlantic Hotel in in Berlin with Post 166 members and friends. The Leathernecks used the occasion to celebrate all of our armed forces under the motto WE ARE ONE. The traditional Marine Corps Birthday cake cutting was held, including passing a slice to both the oldest and the youngest Marines in attendance. The youngest Marine was our own Assistant Steward William Hoover. He received the cake slice from the oldest, retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Jim Wright.

After that part of the ceremonies were over the Leathernecks displayed a second cake to honor all the other services, with a veteran or active duty member from each but one branch. The anthems of all the services were played.

Past Commander Tom Wengert represented the Air Force, Post 166 member Bob Smith did the honors for the Army. Senior Chief Charles Dawkins, Officer-in-Charge of the Ocean City Coast Guard Station, was there for the Coast Guard. The Navy was represented by Leatherneck, Navy veteran Chuck Schaub. With no Space Force member available locally, Harry Kolodner, Leatherneck treasurer and member of SAL Squadron 166, joined the others at the All-Services cake.

Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial

Rain greeted volunteers from Post 166 on the morning of Veterans Day when they were scheduled to set up the chairs for guests who would be attending the ceremonies at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial. And then, shortly after House Committee Chair Tommy Ottenwaelder and Post 166 Leathernecks arrived, the skies cleared. The program was a go. As is traditional, the Post 166 Color Guard was there, part of a combined Color Guard with Berlin Posts 123 and 231.

While the chairs were being placed, Post Commander J. R. Best was at Worcester Preparatory School, for an annual program that explained the meaning of Veterans Day to the students. He then attended the program at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, before heading to the Post for our observance. The hour-long commemoration at the Veterans Memorial ended with the Color Guard firing the traditional gun salute at the conclusion.  

Veterans Day at Post 166

The Post 166 celebration was presided over by Second Vice Commander Bob Thompson. Post Commander J.R. Best greeted the guests. The traditional explanation of the meaning of the POW/MIA table was narrated by Finance Officer George Barstis. This year, instead of just displaying the table and explaining why it is set as it is, members of Scout Troop 261 placed each item the table as Army veteran Barstis explained its individual meaning. This was an innovative approach to a most solemn part of the Veterans Day celebration. Keynote speaker this year was Air Force veteran Chief Master Sergeant Curtis Waters, who delivered an emotional and inspirational talk about what it means to him to have served. 

Third grade students from Showell elementary School, Scout Troop 621 as well as 261, were enlisted to help honor our veterans.

Following the celebration, our VVA and AVVA chapters drew the name of the winner of their mega 50-50 fund raiser. The winning ticket picked by State Senator Mary Beth Carozza was Melanie and Bob Moulden of Ocean Pines. Lunch was then served, and for dessert three cakes honoring all services were carved for guests. 

Rooftop Bar Closing Party

The Veterans Day celebration had barely ended when it was time for guests to join in the party upstairs, hosted by our Post to mark the closing of our very successful inaugural season of the Rooftop Bar and Patio. The new amenity was filled almost to capacity as guests celebrated with their drinks of choice, and complimentary food provided by the Post. The bar had an incredible season, surpassing all expectations.

It was a busy week that ended with a truly busy, but rewarding day for those who us who have served and our families. 

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Now a Look at What's Coming up at Post 166

Operation We Care

Operation We Care returns to Post 166 on November 30 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. This is your opportunity to support our deployed troops.

Donations are needed of common everyday items. Such as dental floss, pens, decks of cards, toothbrushes. Shampoo. And more. The Poster shows you want is needed. Your donations should be brought to the Post.

Then on November 30, show up and help us pack. We mail dozens and dozens of boxes every year to deployed troops, and the boxes have to be filled. That's what volunteers from all the Post Family do on that day. So mark it on your calendar.

SAL Announces Another Bull and Oyster Roast



Coming in January, the annual SAL Bull and Oyster Roast. It’s always a fun night with more oysters that you can shake an oyster shucking knife at, as well as the beef and sides. Get your tickets early before they sell out as usual.





Putting For A Cause

Mark your calendars for the Third Annual Putting for a Cause hosted by the Auxiliary to raise money for Stop Soldier Suicide. This now traditional winter event in January brings out the best and worst of us in costumes, as we travel around the city to various bars that set up mini-golf putting courses. The competition is rowdy and fun. The money raised is priceless. Get your team together and join in the fun for a great cause.