Murdock gets top state job in American Legion

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo Sen. Roy Dyson (D-St. Mary’s, Calvert, Charles), left, presents Gail Murdock of Mechanicsville with a Maryland Senate resolution at the oath of office ceremony July 18 in Ocean City when Murdock became department commander, the top position in the American Legion in Maryland. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Gail Murdock of Mechanicsville is now in charge of all of them.

On July 18, Murdock was sworn in as this year’s department commander, the top job in the state’s network of American Legion posts. ‘‘It is a full-time job,” he said Monday. ‘‘I’m going to make it a full-time job.”

A member of the Southern Maryland American Legion Post 221 in Avenue for 31 years, Murdock has held numerous offices in the organization, including commander at the Avenue post for 12 years; county commander; and then several state-level positions. ‘‘You don’t just jump into the top chair,” Murdock said.

As the department commander, Murdock said he will be responsible for laying out the program for the year and setting the legion’s goals. Those goals include ‘‘getting out the vote with a voter registration drive,” he said. The American Legion will also be working on the gaming issue in the state, a topic of particular importance to the organization that collects approximately 80 percent of its donations from those kinds of activities.

The legion in Maryland is also ‘‘still pushing to make military retirement tax exempt for the state,” Murdock said. He noted that this issue is of particular interest to St. Mary’s County, with Patuxent River Naval Air Station hoping to attract military retirees to the area. ‘‘How can we expect retirees to come down here and then tax them to death?” he asked.

Murdock served in the U.S. Navy from January 1958 to February 1977. He then worked for area contracting firms for 23 years in jobs supporting Navy projects. He has lived in St. Mary’s since 1963, when he was stationed here and then ‘‘met one of the local girls, Marian Gray,” whom he married.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, wartime veterans organization. The organization now numbers nearly 3 million members in nearly 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide. These posts are organized into 55 departments — one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

The American Legion has pioneered many programs and legislation. One of the most significant was in 1943, past National Commander Harry Colman drafted a document that became the G.I. Bill, signed into law in 1944. Today, The American Legion sponsors scholarships, Hometown Heroes for rehabilitating veterans (including active duty), plus other programs.

‘‘I invite all veterans to join the legion ... and join the fight,” Murdock said.

Applications available for Christmas in April

Christmas in April-St. Mary’s County is distributing free applications for assistance for its 2009 program. Those who live in and own their own home in St. Mary’s County and are low-income, elderly or disabled and are in need of home repairs can obtain a free application by calling 301-863-2905. Applications are also available in all county public libraries, most U.S. post offices, the health department in Leonardtown, department of aging and Social Services offices. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15.

Singers needed

St. Maries Musica is seeking two new voices — one male, one female for the upcoming season. The vocal ensemble consists of 20 voices — most are trained and all read music.

The group performs at the State House madrigal dinners, community concerts and does a spring pops concert. If interested in an audition, callĘBarb Lorton at 301-373-8181.

MDA yard fairaccepting donations

The 22nd annual MDA giant yard fair, raffle and sale will be held, rain or shine, on Sept. 1 at the farmers market in Charlotte Hall. This event is in memory of John Vernon Nagle, and all proceeds will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Maryland. All donations are tax-deductible. To make a donation or volunteer, call Janet Nagle at 301-884-8195.

Artists needed

Local artists are invited to participate in a new art show sale and fundraiser. Art displayed at the show will be made from recycled materials. The event will benefit Three Notch Theatre and will be held Sept. 27 and 28 at a private residence in Hollywood. Show organizers are seeking artists working with recycled and sustainable materials to create wearable art, jewelry, pottery, wood products, toys, art or decorations for home or garden, toys, etc.

Artwork can be made from used goods, found objects, deconstructing and reconstructing, mutation and metamorphosis and sustainable materials — those that will ‘‘grow back quickly,” such as bamboo vs. oak or materials that are already ‘‘dead” such as barn wood or driftwood.

Interested artists should contact Candy Cummings to indicate interest and determine eligibility at 301-863-6693 or by e-mail at prodigaldaughter1@verizon.net. Organizers request that artists donate 10 percent of their sale proceeds to the cause. The donation will be tax deductible. The deadline for filing a Request for Entry form is Aug. 15.