This Saturday, Feb. 20, the American Legion Post 202 in Topsham will be having their annual softball game fundraiser, this year to support Maine's homeless veterans. Yup, this isn't a mistake, it is a softball game in the snow! And this year, John Splaine from the Harbor has entered a Boothbay Region team! So, put on your coats, hats, and gloves and come to the game, the first game starts at 9 a.m. Hot coffee, cocoa and other refreshments will be available. Ed Harmon and his VETS crew will have a shelter trailer there providing one is available.

The American Legion Legislative team, including yours truly, will be briefing Senators Collins and King and Representatives Golden and Pingree later this month. We will be putting together our talking points this weekend so if anyone has any issues, they would like us to discuss with our delegation, please e-mail me (dapatch@roadrunner.com) ASAP.

The National American Legion priorities in 2021 are: (1) protecting the US flag from physical desecration, (2) establishing a Global War on Terrorism Memorial in DC, (3) addressing toxic exposure such as agent orange and burn pits, (4) women's health issues, (5) telehealth, especially in rural areas, (6) addressing "forever foreign wars" by balancing diplomacy with military force, (7) citizenship for military with honorable service, (8) pay the Coast Guard when the Government shuts down, (9) fund the VA and provide grants to service organization to support peer to peer mentoring, and (10) supports legislation that lifts obstacles that impede investigation of minority veterans from all wars and conflicts whose military records and official descriptions of combat actions support consideration for the Medal of Honor and other military citations or medals.

Now for the exciting news! Our breakfast schedule is now firm. We open again on April 11 and, as usual, will be every other Sunday until the end of October. I would like to thank our regular breakfast crew for signing up again for another season. While our kitchen crew is all set, we always have room for more volunteers on the serving line, waiting tables, and cleaning up. If you are interested in being part of this terrific team, send me an email as well. We will be having a quick organizational meeting of those interested in supporting the breakfast at 4 p.m. on March 19. You don't have to be a member of the Legion to volunteer. All are welcome!

Raffle tickets are now on sale for a cord of split firewood at the low price of $5. All members of the Legion will be receiving the tickets to sell within the next couple of weeks, so support the Legion by buying your tickets.

The 4 Chaplain Ceremony can be viewed by going to  https://vimeo.com/508986428/66f57168ea.

The next Post meeting will be ZOOM only on March 8 at 1800. Please join us! Not a member and want to participate, email medapatch@roadrunner.com, and I'll send you the connection.