May - June 2006

The following offices will be filled by the individuals named and are running unopposed:

Commander: Sam Ramseur; 1st Vice: Bill Strawsburg; 2nd Vice: Guy Rosenthal; 3rd Vice: Joe Malovrh; Finance Officer: Ray Harrigan; Historian: Sam Ramseur; Chaplain: Paul Surin; Athletic Officer: Brad Barrington; Member-at-Large: Rodney Grimes; Board of Directors (8): Art Dupay, Bill Strawsburg; Dewitt Duggar; Chuck Voccio; Ray Harrigan; Paul Klepper; Guy Rosenthal and Peter Pate. Also running unopposed are the Trustee 3 (vacated by departure of Dennis LaPorte): Ray Harrigan. The only contested office is Trustee 1 (3 year term): Alan Amos vs Bill Strawsburg.

The role of the Trustees in Post 162 is the safeguard and security of Post 162's Building Fund. The current balance in the account is over $7,000.00. The Building Fund was formally added to the By-Laws by the General Membership during their regular meeting on 18 June 2005. Money can only be expended from the Building Fund with the approval of the General Membership during a meeting. The Executive Committee has the responsibility of adding to the Building Fund.

Club News General Manager

Our Post Clean Up day & Sammy Do "Road Kill Cafe" went very well. There was a new SAL member that I told about the clean up & cook out (I did not tell him what time) he was here at 7:30 all alone working. Thank you all for all your hard work. The yard looks good. I hope to get mulch put down in the next couple of weeks.

Events for May

Taco Tuesday 4-? -
NASCAR DRAW 7:00 Every TuesdayMay 4 & 5 Health screening 8:30 - 5 in Hall
There will be flyers put up before that date.
Karaoke Friday May 5 with Babs
Wing Thursday May 11
Oysters on the half shell Thursday May 18th
Betty Juke Box Night Friday May 19
Karaoke Saturday May 20 with Babs
Spiced Shrimp Thursday May 25 12-?
Pool Tournament Saturday May 27th (Thanks Brad)
May 27 we are having a benefit for Steve McCarthy.
Steve is one our long time members that has been very sick and needs our help.
Look for more information on this as I get it.

Events for June

Taco Tuesday 4-? - NASCAR DRAW 7:00 Every Tuesday
Wing Thursday June 8
Karaoke with Babs June 2
Installation of officers June 3 - Karaoke w/Vic
Oysters on half shell Thursday June 15
Betty's juke box night June 16
Karaoke w/Babs June 17
Karaoke with Vic June 23
Pool Tournament June 24 (Thanks Brad)
Spiced Shrimp Thursday June 29

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS GO OUT TO:

May: Linda Reed, Helen Voccio, Dave Lowden

June: Ray Harrigan, Bobby Chambers, David Surin, Rich White

Thanks to Helen Voccio She is our Birthday Lady - She Makes all the cakes for our Birthdays.

From the little purple circles: One reason why computers can do more work than people is that they never have to answer the phone.

Don't forget to check the web site. Ray does a wonderful job on keeping everything up dated www.valegion162.org.
"Ann"

The House Committee Commander Elect

I know you have heard of us and are familiar with some of the things we do, our committee consists of the Operation Manager, 3rd Vice Commander, Chaplain, Judge Advocate, Member at Large, Finance Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors. There is also a standing invitation to a representative of the Auxiliary and the SAL and the Commander is always invited. Our function basically is to supervise the operation of the physical facilities of the Post as authorized by the Executive Committee and the General or House Rules addressing the conduct of the members while on the premises.

During the past three years the committee, sanction by the Executive Committee has overseen the necessary repairs, upgrades and the purchases of new equipment for the Post. Many of theses changes are not readily noticeable, because they were not cosmetic, however, they were considered vital to the continued smooth and successful operation of our Post Home.

The list is extensive but in this short space I will list some of those we feel were most significant. They are as follows: Successful MAJOR external audit of the post; new heating and air conditioning system; new attic installation; new security system; upgraded fire suppression system in kitchen over stove inspected and approved by Fire Marshal; Jar Trek cash register & Inventory System with back up server, provides, game inventory that is tracked by serial number, including profit analysis by game type, complete beer & food inventory, and an electronic journal where every transaction is posted to a daily journal; remolded Operations Manager Office, and instituted a new filing system for day to day business operations; new accounting system established with comprehensive reporting and quarterly audit of all game revenues; resumption of hall rentals; new web site with perpetual calendars and photo albums; Job description for General Manager and ABC Managers; and 90% of ABC Managers have obtained a food handler's license, just to name a few.

Yes, painting of the club area and Foyer, installing new titles and painting air movers in the hall, new furniture, and replacing the perimeter fence are planned. These projects along with several others will be completed throughout the year. Additionally, we are closely working with the Auxiliary to purchase and install new playground equipment outback. I am sure the House Committee will continue their efforts to ensure our home reflects the pride we have in it.

JUST SOME THOUGHTS 2nd Vice

Well the cold weather is releasing its grip on us and our thoughts are of spring with its balmy sunny days, warm winds, and singing birds; but realizing deep down in our heart that the dreaded heat and humidity of a Washington summer is on the way.

We know Memorial Day, the unofficial day of summer is not far off, and Flag Day and The 4th of July are the next three holidays that mean fun, food, family and friends. But for a large number of us, during this time of year our prayers are for those men, and women, who are serving in the Armed Forces throughout the world, and our thoughts are of their families who worry and pray for there safe return. Here at our post we especially think of two of our own serving in Harms Way.

Private First Class Joshua A. Peterson, 172nd Stryker Brigade, A/4-23rd Infantry, and Private First Class Patricia A. Peterson 164th Military Police Company, Ft. Richardson, Alaska. Josh deployed for Iraq in August 2005, and is now in Rawah, Iraq. Patricia is with the 164th Military Police Company from Ft. Richardson, Alaska. She just returned to Ft. Richardson from a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan.

We remember also with heavy hearts those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom, justice and the American Way. For many it is a time to stop for a moment and reflect on what it really means to be living in the greatest Country in the world. We sing the National Anthem, say the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag, place small flags on the graves of our fallen, march in parades and attend cook cuts and other family gatherings, but is the meaning and the rational behind the establishment of such observances slowly vanishing? Some times we wonder, is patriotism on the decline, do the young really know about and understand the many sacrifices made by the men and women who came before them? At times it seems the lines are blurred, time goes by so swiftly, and with time it appears peoples attitudes and thoughts have changed, and sometime it seems the historic importance of the event/observance is diminished, hidden or lost in it's celebration. But as always, the strength, courage and determination of the people surfaces and reminds you of the greatness of our country... one nation under God..........

SPRING CLEAN UP 3rd vice

On Saturday April 1, 2006, the Post held it's annual spring clean up. We would like to thank the following individuals who donated their time and energy to this effort: Betty and Katie O'Connor, Chuck and Helen Voccio, Paul Goodin, Sam Miller, Fred Hanson, Ray Harrigan, Brad Barrington, Bobby Chambers, Dave and Jenny Speers, (special thanks to Dave who came with his motorized all terrain vehicle) Helen Lemonedes, Joe Malovrh, Alan Amos, Vickie Pickering, Rich White, and Mickey Mohaupt.

Also hard at work out front were Big John and Roy Webb who use their exceptional skill with the chain saw to whittle down to size a fallen tree. And Bill Strawsburg was hard at work cleaning out the Officer's office.

Following all of this hard work this hard working contingent was treated to a good old down home Road Kill BBQ. Thanks to Sam Ramseur, Ann Kuntz, Helen Lemonedes and Dewitt Duggar, who trapped, cleaned and cook the critters.

The menu consisted of:
Hit and Run Dogs, Crawling Links, Muddy Hole Fish Filets, Tire Track and Railroad Track Chicken, Man Hole Cover Deviled Eggs, Cow Burgers, Stick Beans, Potato Salad, and something Bobby Brought. Everyone had a great time and remember-- SEE YOU IN THE FALL.

THE HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DA Y
Sam Ramseur - Historian/Public Affairs

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stones as to its actual beginnings, with over two-dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music,1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Oder No. 11 and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).

It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L 90 -363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

In 1915, inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
that grows on fields where valor led.
It seems to signal to the skies
That Mood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for on it.war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their Buddy Poppy Program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness.