Commander's Corner
2005: A very good year!
The 2004/5 Legion Year was a very good year. We won the 17th District
Award for Americanism Program for a medium sized post and also we won the
17th District Liberty Bell Award for overall best Americanism Program
regardless of size. We were in the running for Post of the Year, but we
didn’t make that because the winner, Springfield Post 176 made their
membership goal and we didn’t. Bill Strawsburg is predicting that we will
make our 2006 goal, which will help next year. I would like to thank
everyone who participated in all of our activities this past year because
you all made it happen for Post 162.
More good news: Our own Sam Ramseur has been selected as our Post 162 2005
Legionnaire of the Year. While holding the office of Historian and being
Chairman of our House Committee, he has been extremely successful in
organizing the daily operation of our Post Home. Along with that he will
be entering our History Book in the Department Historical Book Contest
during the Department Convention in Roanoke.
Also, this year I chaired the Honorary Life Membership committee which met
in April. I am pleased to announce that the committee selected Bill
Strawsburg for Honorary Life Membership. After Bill arrived here while on
active duty in 1984 and through 1988, he immediately became active in Post
162, serving as 1st and 2nd Vice-Commander, was a member of Post 162’s
Men’s softball team, and helped organize events. Since his retirement from
the Army, Bill has since returned, served three times as Commander, and is
now moving through the chairs of the 17th District and is leading
candidate for election as District Commander for the 2007 – 2008 Legion
Year. He is currently serving on the Department POW/MIA Committee and the
National Foreign Relations Council of the American Legion. I am pleased to
welcome Bill to the ranks of Honorary Life Membership
I am looking forward to another fine year at Post 162 and I will be
looking forward to seeing you visit your post. Remember, we need to do
better on membership this coming year.
For God and Country
Steve Leo, Cmdr.
Membership
It is my sad duty to report that Post 162 did not make its 2005 membership
goal. Some of this is attributable to Post Everlasting and members who
moved out of the area. However, most of it comes from the fact that we had
almost 40 members who just didn’t renew their membership. These difficult
times are producing less and less dollars for the Department of Veterans
Affairs budget (yes it did increase slightly but falls way short of what
it should be). While still fighting the concurrent remandatory funding
vice discretionary funding, now the Federal Legislature wants to double
the prescription co-pay for all Veterans. While the increase from 7 to 15
dollars would not appear to be much, a older veteran on a small fixed
income who needs 8 or more prescriptions every month will have his
medicinal expenses more than double.
No, the VA’s budget doesn’t hinder on Post 162’s membership totals. What
does make a difference is the amount of clout the Legion’s Congressional
Lobbyists have on Capital Hill. We lost about 4% of our membership. If
that happened nationwide, it would signal a downturn in our country’s
support of our veterans allowing members of Congress to pay less attention
to us at election time.
Once again this year, I would like to see Post 162’s membership hit 100%
BEFORE New Years. Just the savings on the renewal mailing costs would have
a very positive effect on Post 162 and the American Legion as a whole. The
first 2006 renewal notice will be in the mail soon. The 2006 membership
cards are already in. Please help Post 162 and the American Legion by
renewing early.
Bill Strawsburg
On 23 May, 2005 myself
and Ray Harrigan attended and worked for the first major display delivery
to the new Cold War Museum that will be housed at the Nike Missile Site
adjacent to the Lorton Prison. The display consisted of a Soviet SA-2
Surface to Air Missile (SA2) and related components. The missile itself
weighs in at 3,600 lbs and we had to off load it with out the help of
pallet jacks or forklifts.
The new president of the museum is Francis Gary Powers, Jr. devoted son of
the famous U-2 spy plane pilot who was shot down over the Soviet Union in
1960 where he remained a prisoner for nearly three years. The shooting
down of the U-2 sparked an international incident. The senior Powers was
killed in 1977 crash while piloting a traffic helicopter in Los Angeles.
The son was 12 years at the time of his father’s accident.
Powers got the idea of the museum while going around to high schools
talking about the U-2 incident, and the kids thought he was going to be
talking about the rock band. Originally started as a small traveling
museum covering only the U-2 incident, the Cold War Museum will cover the
period from the end of World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Besides the Soviet SA2 missile, the museum has doors and bunks from a
Stasi Prison in what was East Germany, a KGB Colonel’s uniform, and the
mailbox used as a drop site by spy Aldrich H. Ames.
The Nike missile silos will also be part of the museum. Few remember that
at one time, there were 24 nuclear tipped missiles deployed here in Lorton
making this area a prime target for Soviet Intercontinental Ballistic
Missiles. The headline on a 1955 Washington Post and Times Herald story
about Lorton put it this way: “Nike, Washington’s Last-Ditch Defense, Is
Battle-Ready If Atom Attack Comes.”
The museum is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007. An “Atomic Café” and
“Safe House” restaurant also are envisioned. Look for more to come on this
museum right here.
Bill Strawsburg
On 23 Jun 2005, American
Legion Post 162 awarded Legion School Award Medals to three graduating 6th
grade students at Lorton Station Elementary School, Lorton, VA. Angelina
Assegid, Judy Hong, & Omar Kamara received the award on recommendation of
their teachers and selection by the Post. Each of these students
demonstrated the six characteristics required for the award:
Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship & Service. The
teachers made a special note of Angelina's dedication in ensuring school
flag ceremonies were always done correctly. Bill Strawsburg and
myself were the presenters of the Awards.
The Post intends to
extend the awards program to other area schools over the next years. We
intend to make connections with Gunston Elementary and the South County
middle and high schools and continue to encourage and recognize the many
fine citizens in those schools.
Peter Pate |
Unit 162 would like to
thank everyone for their membership renewals and new members. We are in
1st place in the 17th District with 101%. Great job ladies and a big
thanks to Bill Strawsburg for tallying up the numbers.
All of us at Unit 162 would like to wish Cindy Mohaupt a speedy recovery,
you are in all of our hearts and prayers. Your presence is greatly missed.
Unit 162 sent 8 girls to Girls State-- 5 are from Mt Vernon High School
and 3 are from Hayfield High School. Way to go Fran!
New officers for 2005-2006 Legion Year: President Cindy Maslinski; 1st
Vice Shelly Hooks; 2nd Vice Beth Mohaupt; Treasurer Kelly Leo; Secretary
Linda Salgado; Chaplain Leona Jones; Historian Janet Jacobs and
Sgt-at-Arms Sarah Mohaupt.
This year’s first car wash was held on 4 June at the Lorton Fire
Department. Thanks to all who helped.
If any of you have a suggestions for decorating our float for this year’s
Independence Day Parade please leave them for Cindy or “Strawberry.”
May God bless you and keep you in the palm of his hand. To get a friend,
we must first be a friend. Together everyone accomplishes more!!
Linda Salgado, Secretary
This year’s
Installation Dinner was the best I think we have ever had. It was just
wonderful. Thanks to Bob Boothe and crew for the great meal. After dinner
most of you joined Joe for Karaoke, there were people singing and dancing
that I have never seen sing or dance. We all had a wonderful time. We
(myself and the new officers) are all looking forward to working together
another year.
We have acquired a new popcorn machine for those of you who missed the
popcorn.
I would like to thank Wendy Card and Laura Johnson for cooking out for us.
Their “beer can” chicken is out of this world.
Don’t forget our Independence Day (4 July) Celebration. We will have an
open house from 2 – 5 in the afternoon following the Lorton Parade.
Bluegrass music will be provided by our own Alex Hannula and “Cedar Run.”
We wil bar-b-q (somebody must make sure Dewitt gets an occasional
beverage) during the afternoon. Please see elsewhere in the newsletter for
other events.
We make our calendar fairly large so you can remove it and put it on the
refrigerator to remind you of any special events you are planning to
attend. Some dates to remember are: Taco Tuesdays from 4 – until gone; 2nd
Thursday of every month is Wing Day; last Thursday is Spiced Shrimp Day
and a new one, 3rd Thursday is Club Special Day. Flyers will be posted to
let you know what the special will be.
“Ann”
4th of July
Parade marchers needed!!! Post volunteers
marching in the parade who don’t have a white Legion polo shirt will be
furnished one on the fourth. Parade participants should arrive at the Post
Home by 10:00 a.m. We will car pool over to the fire station for the start
of the parade. After the parade arrives at the Lorton VRE station, there
will be festivities around the parking lot until 1:00 p.m. After the
conclusion of the festivities, Post 162 will hold an open house for the
community from 2 – 5 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.
Raffles, prizes and kiddie games will also be held. Unit 162 will be
furnishing desert. Bring the family and enjoy a great day before heading
off to the nearest fireworks display.
NASCAR Club
As of this writing (after week 15)
Mr. Wiggles (Ann Kuntz) is in and out of first place. Wiggle Boy was
bumped into 3rd by our Leading NASCAR Expert Alan Amos. Don Haynes moved
up to 2nd and Dewitt Duggar and Sam Ramseur round out the top 5.
We will have our mid season party on July 24th at 1:00 p.m. during the
Pennsylvania 500. Come on down and watch the race with your NASCAR Club
friends. We will keep the juke box down or off during the race for your
listening enjoyment. Party will go on even if race is rained out.
Last, for those of you who follow the Busch Series, we have a new car and
sponsor in the competition. Car #76 is the American Legion Freedom Car and
it is really a great looking car. You will soon be able to purchase items
and clothing with their number and the American Legion logo from either
the internet or at a sporting goods store.
“Bill”
To the Members of The American Legion Post
162
Our family would like to express our
gratitude for all that Post 162 has done to help us through this
difficult time. As you all know, Post 162 was a great part of
George’s life. He had many close and dear friends here. The
ceremony performed by the Legion at the funeral home was very touching.
I know George would be proud.
The outpouring of affection after the
service at the Legion was very comforting for the whole family.
The food and arrangements at the reception were over abundant.
The pictures taken will help us to
reflect and remember how many friends surrounded us that day and will
always be cherished. Your thoughtfulness has meant so much and
everything you have done is truly appreciated.
Thank you,
Dottie Cook
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