|
Commander's Corner
Submitted by Bill
Sirawsburg
Steve has been doing about 35-45 hours a week overtime plus his
Nationa1 Guard time so here goes:
July and August have been busy with the Post. The new membership
cards are in and we have already met the September goal of 45%. If
we can get 45% before the middle of August, there is no reason we
can't be at 100% before 1 December. I am urging all of you to just
mail in your dues now and avoid all the notices you will receive in
the future.
Our annual picnic is coming up on 17th of September. 2nd Vice Sam
Ramseur is hard at work planning for the event. This year the
Auxiliary is involved in the planning process and it should make for
a great day at Post 162. Everyone should mark their calendars and
plan on attending.
As I write this column, US Submarine Veterans, Inc NOVA Chapter are
gearing up for their annual picnic at the Post Home on 13 August.
Over 90% of them belong to the American Legion and we are hoping
that more of them will-become Lorton Legionnaires.
We are almost at the point where we can expect the sewer tap to be
installed, getting us off our septic system. The septic system has
been full for years and now requires pumping every other week. The
sewer will be a great relief for the Post Home.
Alan Amos has acquired a new sign which will be placed at the
intersection of Lorton Road and Sanger Street showing the direction
to the Post Home. Alan has promised that it will be in place before
the Labor Day weekend. It will add to our visibility for someone who
doesn't know where we are located.
Dennis LaPorte, Paul Surin and I attended the Department of Virginia
Leadership College the first weekend in August in Richmond. Paul
Surin is a 1st time attendee. Membership, Americanism, Chaplains,
Children & Youth, Parliamentary Procedure and Boys State were
covered plus many other subjects.
Speaking of Boys State, Lou Ricker, our past Boys State Chairman,
needs a replacement. After many years of leading this effort for
Post 162, he is retiring. If any of you are interested in this
extremely important program, please attend the September 17th
General Membership Meeting @ 10:00 a.m. and let me or CDR Steve
know.
Prior to the next newsletter, CDR Steve and the Vice Commanders will
be taking up the subject of what direction we want to take at the
Post. Now would be a good time to ask about something by writing a
letter or dropping a note in the suggestion box at the Post Home.
For God and Country
Post 162 Member
Departing for Iraq
PFC Joshua A. Peterson, son of Janet Jacobs, will be departing for
Mosul, Iraq on August 17 for a one year tour. PFC Peterson is
currently assigned to Alaska and will be reassigned to the 172nd
Infantry Brigade, 423rd Infantry Regiment. Janet has promised us to
have him e-mail us often with the real story from Iraq, not the one
you see on TV. Janet is a member of Unit 162 and Joshua's brother,
Jason, is a member of Squadron 162. I know that all of us at Post
162 wish Joshua God Speed and a safe return.
Pfc. Joshua Peterson, USA
172nd Brigade
423 Infantry
joshua.peterson3@us.army.mil
Member
American Legion Post 162
American Legion Squadron 162
|
Club
News
Submitted by Ann Kuntz
Our Hall rentals for July and August were very good. Remember, if
you would like to rent the hall or if someone you know would like to
rent our Hall (or Picnic Area) then give me a call and see if your
date is available. With our rentals, Thursday specials and karaoke,
things are looking up in the business. Participation is one way you
can support our Post. Come to our specials events.
I would like to thank all of our Post 162 ABC Managers for all of
their hard work on the "Bartender Brunches". You have not had a
great brunch until you have had theirs. So come on in and see Helen,
Betty, Shorty (yes she still works here after 25 years), Linda,
Vickie, and Sue. We can't forget Wendy & Laura who have been a big
help preparing the brunch.
As an experiment (without Earl Culbertson), we put on an impromptu
fish fry in July. It was loads of run. Bobby Chambers was our chef.
That boy can cook some fish. Thanks Bobby.
Events to watch for:
1st Sunday of
each month: Brunch
Taco Tuesday
every Tuesday through NAS-CAR Season
2nd Thursday:
Wing Day
3r Thursday:
Oysters on the half shell
Last Thursday;
Spiced Shrimp
September 10th:
Atlantic City Trip
September 17th:
Annual Post Picnic
American Legion Racing
by Bill Slrawsburg
The American Legion National Headquarters and Team Johnson
Motorsports have teamed together to produce Car # 76 the American
Legion Freedom Car which will run in the Busch series of NASCAR.
Jerick Johnson will drive our car and his resume can be found at
wxvw.legionracing.org. From there you will be redirected to the Team
Johnson web site.
It is estimated that over 75 million people are NASCAR fans. And
over 25 million are avid fans that follow the
Busch series. Car #01 driven by Joe Nemechek for the US Army, is
currently sponsored at the rate of $40
million dollars per season.
This partnership is completely unique in auto racing. If you think
that this is a waste of money that the American Legion could put to
better use towards its programs, think of this: The American Legion
National
Organization is expending zero dollars to sponsor this car. All
monies derived from the sale of American Legion Racing items in
local Posts and Departments will be the only source of funds from
the American Legion. What this means is that if you purchase a
t-shirt or ball cap, etc., from your local post that is the money
that will go towards Team Johnson's expenses. It all boils down to
the fact that you are actually making a donation towards the team
which makes you a co-sponsor. If you feel as I do, then you can take
pride in YOUR car.
Our first order of American Legion Racing items has been placed and
should be on hand for our annual picnic on September 17th. We will
not sell any prior to the picnic so the largest amount of members
and guests have an equal chance to acquire "a piece of the action".
Hats, t-shirts and pins will be available. There will be a l/25'h
scale model of the Freedom Car available soon. And still more items
to come.
Let's Go Racing!!! |
|
FLAG PROTECTION AMENDMENT
Although Virginia's 2 Senators are co-sponsors of the Flag
Protection Amendment, many of our members either live out of state
or have friends or relatives that live out of state. Please contact
them and urge them to support Senate Joint Resolution 7: The
Congress shall have the power to prevent physical desecration of the
Flag of the United States. The best way to do this is by writing
your Senator. Even if he or she is already a co-sponsor of SJ 7,
write anyway. The House has already passed the Resolution by a vast
majority, let's get the Senate moving in the direction we want. If
we drape our military, police, fire and rescue personnel with the
Flag, then it should be protected.
Contacting Members of Congress
Members of Congress listen to their constituents and they listen in
a variety of ways. It can be through personal phone calls, letters,
faxes, e-mail and by visits to their offices at Washington or in
their home state. In either case, it is important that they be
approached through all of these means as to why they should sponsor
and support the Flag Protection Amendment.
Visits to Offices
It is unlikely that you will be able to talk face-to-face or even by
phone with your elected representative. They are extremely busy
people and seldom have the luxury to spend a great deal of time on a
single issue. The next best option is to visit with a member of
their Congressional staff.
|
When contacting
their Washington Office, if the member is not available, try to
visit with their Administrative Assistant, Legislative Assistant or
Legislative Director. The Administrative Assistant reports directly
to the member of Congress in regards to evaluating constituent
requests. The member's Legislative Director makes recommendations
concerning particular legislative issues and necessary actions.
When visiting your elected representative, be mindful of his/her
schedule and, above all. be prepared and plan your visit carefully.
Make an appointment with the member's appointment
secretary/scheduler. Be on time, show patience and understanding if
you have to wait, and be prepared to answer questions on why we need
a constitutional amendment to protect the flag.
Writing a Letter
If you write a letter to your Senator, you have chosen the most
popular means of communication with a congressional office.
Following are some helpful suggestions on what to include in the
letter.
Always be brief and to the point, stating your purpose for writing
in the first paragraph of the letter.
Encourage your Senators to support and sponsor the "Flag Protection
Amendment." Include the bill or resolution number early in your
letter. Always be courteous and address only one issue in your
letter - protection for the flag.
Correspondence should be addressed as follows:
To a Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 |
