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COMMANDERS CORNER
Little did I know several years ago, when I became a member of Lorton
American Legion Post 162, that one day the membership would elect me as
the Commander. I have met with the members of OUR team, that group of
individuals you the membership have bestowed your faith and trust in to
manage the affairs of our Post. Let me assure you, like myself they are
dedicated, motivated, and determine to continue on a course that will make
us all proud to be associated with and members of Post 162.
So far we have gotten off to a good start by winning the 17th District
Award for Americanism Programs for a medium sized post for the year
2005-2006. In addition we received a plaque from the 40 and 8 National
Organization in appreciation for our support of their Memorial Day
Observance.
Several committee chairman have already hit the ground running, Ray
Harrigan, our Finance Officer, has selected his committee, Dewitt Duggar,
Co-Chairman along with Lou Ricker has met with the 13 young men and their
parents selected from our representative high schools (Hayfield, Mount
Vernon, West Potomac, and South County), to participate in Boys State
Program in Richmond. Chuck Voccio, is the new Chairman of the House
Committee, Art Dupay is our new Service Officer, Bill Strawsburg is our
Americanism and Membership Committee Chairman, Brad Barrington is the
Athletic Officer, and has accepted the appointment as Sergeant-at-Arms,
and Alan Amos is the Judge Advocate/Adjutant. For now I am serving as the
Chairman for Children and Youth and Public Relations, and more volunteers
are needed. If interested please let
any of the officers listed above know.
We are moving swiftly to complete the work/repairs already approved in
committee and are also in the early process of defining and developing
additional goals and objectives, for this year.
These are the four basic objectives I will work diligently to ensure we
accomplish as a team and an organization. First, that we convey clear and
precise Communications to the membership about what we are doing and why.
Secondly, more involved support to Veterans and Veterans Organizations in
our local area. Thirdly, continued support to our Children and Youth
programs, especially, focusing on the local programs that directly affect
and support the youth programs that our members and staff participate in.
And fourth, continuing Upgrades/improvements of our post home.
For God and Country
Sam Ramseur, Commander
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MEMBERSHIP
Although Post 162
finished the year at 99.2% of its target goal, we finished the year with
14 MORE members than we had last year. This means we have had a very
successful year. Thank all of you for becoming or remaining members of the
largest organization of war time Veterans organization in the world. Next
year should be even better.
Unfortunately, since National Headquarters has been running on a deficit
for the last year and a half, they have decided to raise the amount of
money per person that is transmitted to Headquarters. The increase will be
from $14.50 to $19.00 and be effective with dues received on or after 2
January 2007.
Post 162 cannot absorb
this increase without an increase in our own dues. Therefore the General
Membership met on 17 June and voted an increase effective with dues paid
on or after 2 January, 2007, Post 162's dues will increase from $25.00 to
$30.00. There is an upside to this increase. New or renewal dues paid
before 2 January will continue at the $25.00 rate for 2007.
The 2007 membership
cards are in so renew early and enjoy the $5.00 savings for 2007
Membership Year.
Bill Strawsburg, 1st
Vice / Membership
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FLAG DISPOSAL CEREMONY
On Flag Day, Wednesday June 14, 2006, at 8:00 p.m. the post conducted it's
annual Flag Retirement Ceremony. The ceremony allows for a dignified and
honorable way of disposing of unserviceable American Flags. Collections
from our flag disposal container located at the Lorton fire Station along
with public, civic, organizations and individual contributions totaled 500
flags for disposal.
Post members participating in the ceremony were Sam Ramseur, Bill
Straws-burg, Dewitt Duggar, Paul Surin, Brad Bar-rington, Alan Amos, and
Ray Harrigan. Around 20 individuals from the post and local community were
in attendance.
Sam Ramseur, (PAO)
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Lorton Independence Day Parade
We are again placing many people in the parade this year. Participants in
the Parade should meet at the Post home at 10:00 a.m. on the 4th. This is
always a great parade and last year drew close to 2000 viewers and
participants.
The parade is one of the last "Home Style" parades left in the United
States as it is not done as a commercialized event.
Also, on Monday the 3rd, we need a few volunteers to help prepare for the
event. If you would like to help out, please be at the Post by 5:30 p.m.
We have to erect the tents at Lorton Town Center and assist the South
County Federation if necessary. Sam Ramseur already has his convertible
lined up.
Bill Strawsburg, 1st
Vice
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Your Service - Your Benefits
I am honored to have been appointed by our new Post Commander as your
Service Officer for 2006-2007, succeeding Alan Amos in this important
position. I take this responsibility seriously and will endeavor to keep
the Legionnaires of Post 162 informed on all matters affecting the
benefits and entitlements you have earned through service to our Nation.
I also offer my assistance to all members of our Post in the preparation
of applications and claims and personal research involving Veterans
Administration benefits and Service records. I will use this space as well
as our Post Website to keep us informed on matters affecting health
care, benefits, Service awards, and Congressional legislation.
As a veteran of the US Armed Forces you should know that you may be
eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the
federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are legislated
in Title 38 of the US Code. Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon
discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable
conditions. Active service means full-time service, other than active duty
for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and
Coast Guard.
The American Legion established the position of Service Officer to provide
assistance in the form of advice and guidance to members needing to deal
with the VA or individual Services. Your Legion Post 162 is prepared to
assist in this process. Navigating the maize of information websites
operated by the Veterans Administration and individual Services to gain
access to benefits can be a formidable challenge, especially when the need
is immediate and unplanned. Please do not hesitate to contact me for
assistance or information on earned benefits or entitlements (artdupay@us.ibm.com).
Legislative Update: The 2006 National Defense Authorization Bill is
working its way through the Congressional process, with the House having
voted on its version and a Senate vote expected soon. This $512.9
billion legislation package contains the following provisions affecting
benefits:
Increase military pay
by 2.7 percent -a half percent over the president's budget request;
Expand discounted
TRICARE benefits to almost all reservists and their families, not just
those who have been mobilized since September 11, 2001; and
Deny the Pentagon
request to raise TRICARE fees for military retirees.
My thanks to Alan Amos for the great work he has done as our Post Service
Officer. I look forward to continuing to make available to all the
outstanding support he provided.
Art Dupay, Post Service
Officer
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Club
The start of this year Gizmo & Mr. Wiggles have been letting others win.
The last couple of Tuesdays Gizmo has been kicking Dewitt's you know what.
NASCAR people: we need you to help pull numbers for the race! Come in and
eat tacos, drink beer and pull numbers. Sounds like fun to me.
Brad is doing a good job with the pool tournament. Thanks Brad! And don't
forget they're on the 4th Saturday of each month.
We are having a pig roast July 22, 1 - 5. This is a benefit for Steve
McCarthy. The band playing is Cruise Control. The cost is $10.00. We need
your support for this. Steve McCarthy has been our DJ on many occasions
not accepting money - helping his Legion. Now we need to help him.
We have taken off oysters on the 3rd Thursday. We will start them again in
September.
From the purple circles: Oh Lord helps me to keep my big mouth shut until
I know what I'm talking about. This should remind you of someone we all
know and love!
Happy Birthday goes out in July to
** Vickie Pickering
** Chuck Voccio
** Dan Ponchak
** Brad Barrington
** Guy Rosenthal
** Tena Crandall
** Dee Krear
In August to
** Mary Ann Smith
** Dave Spears
** Matt Crandall —
** Jim Krear
** Charles Krear
Ann Kuntz, Operations
Manager
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What Makes Grandparents Proud
In May Chuck and Helen Voccio took a two-fold trip to Chattanooga,
Tennessee. On May 5, 2006, they attended a semi formal awards dinner at
the Sheraton Read House in Chattanooga. The purpose: their grandson
Timothy Voccio, (Post 162 SAL Member) a Junior at Hixson (TN) High School
received the Junior ROTC Leadership Award, presented by the Military
Officers Association of America. Timothy is a C/1LT in the Tennessee 081st
Squadron JROTC, and is the Assistant Flight Commander. Upon graduation
next year he plans on attending college and upon graduation pursue a
career in the United States Marines.
On May 6, 2006, they attended the graduation of their Grand Daughter
(member of Post 162 Auxiliary) who received an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Childhood Education from Chattanooga State College and
she will attend college this fall to pursue her MBA in Early Childhood
Education.
Sam Ramseur, Public
Affairs officer (PAO)
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