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Commander's Corner
As we recently had our
nominations, I ran for commander again unopposed.
I'm looking forward to
once again, serving our Post and its members in this up coming year. My
goal last year was to focus our efforts on specific targets and having
great accomplishments. Our exec committee and volunteers have completed
those goals far beyond all expectations. I want to thank all of our
members for a fantastic year and the countless hours of hard work and
dedication! This year I hope we can continue that momentum.
have installation of
officers. The Auxiliary, Sons, and 40 & 8 along with the Legionnaires will
all be installed at the same time. Cocktails will be at 6:00 p.m. and
dinner at 7:00 p.m. with installation immediately following dinner. Non-
members of the American Legion Family will be charged $25.00 for the
dinner. Further, for your listening enjoyment, we will have Karaoke by Joe
immediately following installation in the lounge.
On 14 June at 8:00 p.m.
we will have our annual Flag Retirement Ceremony. Now is a great time to
replace that old worn out flag with a new one. Bring the old one to the
Post for disposal.
Please mark your
calendars for 11:00 a.m. on the 4th of July. The Lorton Community is again
requesting our presence in their Annual Parade. We will meet at the Post
Home at 10:00a.m.
Reminder: If you have
web access, our "on- line' calendar gets refreshed on a frequent basis and
will reflect any last minute changes corrections, or additions. We will
continue to post these items at the Post Home as well. Some things around
the corner are Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the Annual Convention.
Finally, please remember all those who
continue to serve in harms way and their families and loved ones who
sacrifice and pray for their safe return.
For God and Country
Steve Leo, Commander
Post 162 Sports
Post 162 sponsors an
adult co-ed softball team. They will play all their games on Sundays, all
but one will be at the Prince William County Stadium. The exception will
be May 22 games which will be played at Eagle Field which is just of Route
1 near the Wawa and Lindsay Chevrolet. Last season our team was the
champion of PWC. Please see the calendar section for the schedule.
The Post also sponsors
an American Legion Baseball team. It's made up of High School age boys.
Our coach Andy Ihle, thinks he has a pretty good team this year. The
schedule has not been released as yet but both our teams' schedules will
be on our website.
SUBVETS
Post 162 would like to
welcome the Northern Virginia Base of the United States Submarine
Veterans, Inc. (a non-profit corporation of Sub Vets). They are now
meeting here at the Post Home on the 2nd Saturday of every month. If you
are in the area stop by and give them a big 162 welcome. Some other
information:
Their creed: To
perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit
of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds
and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater
accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States
Government.
They are United States
Submarine Sailors! They were, and are, members of the elite fighting force
of the United States Navy. They are all QUALIFIED IN SUBMARINES. Included
are submariners from the very early boats: S, R or earlier: WWII boats;
post-war GUPPY boats and FBM and Fast Attack submariners. All Qualified in
Submarines - from E2 to 4 Stars. Retired, short timer, or active duty - it
makes no difference. If you are Qualified in Submarines we want you in
United States Submarine Veterans Inc.
There are 100+ local
Bases (chapters) from Pearl Harbor to Portsmouth, NH and two Internet
bases. Their members are from every state in the Union. In addition to the
regional and district meetings throughout the year we also hold a National
Convention in a different city every year.
If you want to leam
submarine history from the people who wrote it, tell or hear sea stories
from Pre- WWII, WWII, Korea, VN, Cold War or right now, USSVI is the place
to do it. If you want to find shipmates, plan or attend a boat reunion,
eat, drink, or just share a common bond that never goes away, USSVI is the
place. If you are active duty and wonder how things used to be, or how a
problem used to be solved, a USSVI meeting is where you can ask. Want to
ask a question only COMSUBPAC/COMSUBLANT can answer? There are many
members of both staffs that are members. For more information go to
www.ussyj.org or |
Auxiliary News
Hi everyone from the
Auxiliary. We have been very busy starting with our new idea of raffle
baskets for every occasion. Valentines, Easter, St Patrick's and Veterans
Days and anything else we can think of. We appreciate all your support and
donations: if you have any donations for these baskets please let Kelly
Leo know.
The Department Spring
Conference in Virginia Beach was great, the weather held and our
representatives (Dot Hall & Linda Salgado) got to meet lots of people from
around the state. We learned a lot about what other Units are doing around
the state to support ALA programs.
President Cindy once
again carried off a very successful Veterans Dinner of corned beef and
cabbage. All the Vets had a great time. Plus a big thank you to everyone
who helped make it so successful. Pictures of the dinner can be seen at
Upcoming events will be
the installation of officers on June 4th at the Post Home. Our Junior
Girls will be having their first car wash. Please participate by bringing
in you dirtiest car and if anyone has any old towels or sponges please
bring them by.
Don't forget - reports
on all the different committees are due in by May 1st. Questions
concerning these reports should be directed to Cindy.
And in parting: If you
don't know what your passion is, realize that the one reason for your
existence on earth is to find it.
Linda Salgado, Unit
Secretary
Club News
Tax time is over and
Spring is in the air! We have upcoming events and we would really like to
see all your smiling faces along with your participation. We have Tacos
every Tuesday from 4 - ? and don't forget about Chef Ralph's Friday Night
pizzas. Ralph is the best pizza chef in Northern Virginia. Also on the 2nd
Thursday of each month we have wings from 4 - ? and on the last Thursday
of each month we have spiced shrimp from 12-? We will take shrimp orders
over the phone if you are going to be late getting to the Post Home so
call before they are all gone.
As an experiment, we
will be having karaoke 6 times during May and June. Check the calendar for
you
favorite KJ and/or
dates. Don't forget Betty's jukebox night (she might even sing) and the
Bartenders' Brunch on the first Sunday of the Month.
Linda Reed is
coordinating an Atlantic City Bus trip for 25 June. You can sign up with
one of our servers. We need to fill the bus. When you all get back from
Atlantic City (and if you have any money left) I will be waiting for you
with food and karaoke music. The bar- tenders and I are trying to plan
events so you will want to come to our Post Home and spend time with us.
Last but not least, we
are now again renting out the hall for parties, etc. (100 or less
persons). Rent with us. We try harder.
"Ann Kuntz, General
Manager"
The Poppy Flower
Mention the word poppy to many people and
automatically they think of the opium poppy (P. Somniferum). I guess in
many ways that is understandable because drugs seem to dominate our lives,
however, it is a shame, because there is another meaning associated with
the Poppy Flower that speaks volumes about individuals that have paid the
ultimate price for the freedom you and I enjoy today.
How did such a small flower that can thrive
almost anywhere because of its ability to germinate in loose or moist
soil, sand, and even crumbling mortar, become associated with war, and
some how later be- come the emblem that symbolize soldiers who had died in
battle.
During World War I, Lt. Colonel John McCrae
of the Canadian Medical Corps immortalized the poppy in the poem "In
Flanders Fields". It has been stated that this poem provided the
inspiration for the Poppy to be- come the emblem of remembrance for
military personnel who died in battle.
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD
(1872-1918) Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie In
Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Sam Ramsuer, PAO |
