EXPRESSIONS Post 162 A merican Legion Post 162 8 2 1 0 L e gi o n Dri v e L o rton, VA 2 2 0 7 9 ( 7 0 3) 6 9 0-1107 www.val e gi o n 1 6 2. or g August 2015 The Commander s Corner Volume 4, Issue 2 Inside this issue: Commander s Corner 1st Vice Report 2nd Vice Report 3rd Vice Report Auxiliary Unit Report Squadron 162 Report ALR 162 Report GM Report Chaplain s Report Thoughts of the Month 1st Vice Report (Cont.) Hall Rental August 2015 Events 2 August 17th District Meeting 5 August Auxiliary Unit Meeting 7-9 August Department Leadership College 12 August Beef Tips Dinner 12 August Legion Riders Meeting 15 August EXCOM 15 August SAL Squadron Meeting 20 August General Membership Meeting 26 August ALR Dinner 27 August -September 3 American Legion National Convention 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 Calendar 8 Greetings Legion Family! As we end a great year, I was humbled and honored to accept a few awards from the 17 th District and the Department of Virginia on behalf of our Post. From the 17 th District, we received the Americanism, Children & Youth, and VA & R, and Membership awards; from the Department of Virginia, we received the Americanism award, Service Trophy for the most outstanding Veterans Service Program, 1 st place for our Post 162 Expressions Newsletter, and 2 nd place for the Post History book. Additionally, we received The Al Weinberg Award (Category 3-A - Posts over 400 Members) from the National American Legion Press Association (NALPA) for 2015. This is such an honor! I want to personally congratulate our Past Historian and newsletter editor, Dave Wallace and Marv Rodney, for a great accomplishment, but more importantly I want to thank each of you that have contributed your time and effort to our Legion programs and activities. It is you that deserves recognition for such an accomplishment. Thank you! This month there will be a change to our General Membership Meeting. We will now have our meetings on the Thursday after EXCOM of each month at 7:00pm. EXCOM will continue to be on the 3 rd Saturday of the month at 10:15am. There will be a 17 th District Organizational Meeting at the Falls Church American Legion Post 130 on August 2 nd at 1:00pm. All 17 th District Officers, Committee Chairmen, Post Commanders and Past District Commanders are strongly encouraged to attend. The American Legion Leadership College will be held between 7-9 August at the Doubletree Koger Center Midlothian, VA. Patty Veld Commander Post 162
Page 2 Expressions Post 162 First Vice Commander s Report Legion Family, I just got back from the Department Convention and I am really excited to see how the new leadership and committees will accomplish over the next year. On a personal note, I was appointed the Department s Chair for Veterans Employment and Education Services and also as the Vice Chair for Membership of the Northern Region. In addition, our Post newsletter from this past membership year was awarded 1 st Place in the Virginia American Legion Press Association (VALPA) newsletter contest and the Post was awarded 2 nd place in the Department s Post History Contest (Narrative). As we officially shift gears into the 2015-2016 Legion year, our new Department Commander Jim Chapman introduced his main theme as mentorship and that is definitely an area that any Post in The American Legion can do a better job. My goal for this year is to ensure each and every new member has complete interaction with the membership team and encourage them to be actively involved at our Post. I would like to see more of our members come to our General Membership Meetings and if you can find time, take part in one of our many programs and/or activities that our Post has. We do understand that your family, work and other items in your personal life come first, however, we need help to keep our Post s programs such as Boys State, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Programs, Children and Youth Programs and many others alive and vibrant. It is impossible to keep having the same Legionnaires continue to do the same work over and over and we need to build a pipeline of new talent and volunteers to help mentor and learn what The American Legion is truly about. Legion College is coming up in August and is a great place to learn about all of our programs as well as being trained by some of our top leaders within the Department. If you are interested in going, please let me know. Our Post membership drive hit the ground running and thanks to Alan s dedicated work in processing we have processed 5 new members, all 32 PUFLs and 130 renewals, plus we have had 24 on-line renewals. For some of our newer members, and even some of our tenured members, please keep in mind that the Legion Membership Year is run on a Legion Fiscal year- from July to June of the following year. This is why you receive emails and letters in the mail reminding you to renew your membership at around this time-frame each year. As stated last month, membership dues will be going up $5 from National beginning January 1 st and that affects our membership dues in return. Please get your renewals in before December 31 st so you are not affected this year by the price increase. As Ben Franklin once said, (continued p.6) Commander 1stVice 2nd Vice 3rd Vice Adjutant Patty Veld David Wallace Sam Ramseur Rick Weinard Alan Amos Finance Officer Alan Amos Chaplain Service Officer Historian Ken Packwood Tony Husen Judge Advocate vacant Sgt-at-Arms 2015-2016 Post Officers Past Commander Marv Rodney Legionnaire of the Year Rick Weinard Board of Directors: Victor Graulau George Frank Paul Goodin, Bernie Duncan, Vic Graulau, Tony Husen George Frank, Sam Ramseur, Patty Veld, Chuck Voccio, William Strawsburg 2016 Membership and Renewal Information The respective Legion Family Membership Chair, contact information and cost of dues are: Legion: Dave Wallace david.f.wallace09@gmail.com $35.00 Auxiliary: Jen Donohue jen@valegion162.org $25.00 (Seniors) $10.00 (Juniors) SAL : Dave Wallace david.f.wallace09@gmail.com $35.00 (Seniors) $10.00 (Juniors and Dual) ALR: Jen Donohue jen@valegion162.org $20.00 As always, you can leave your renewal information in an envelope at the bar. Please ensure that you put your name and (Legion Family entity) Membership Renewal on the front of the envelope. Cards are available.
Volume 4, Issue 2 Page 3 Second Vice Commander s Report As expected July has been are very hectic month. Once again your hard work in behalf of this great organization was recognized at the District and Department levels but I am sure the Commander will cover this in further detail. For God and country In my last article I informed you that as the newly elected 2 nd Vice and Chairman of the House Committee, my direction from the Commander was to identify ways to increase our revenues, and support the American Legion Programs. Now that the Department Convention is over I have started to focus my attention to that task. Since my last article I have put together a strong House Committee Team and we have started to develop what we hope is a game plan that will bring a variety of entertainment for every member of our legion family to paricipate and enjoy. That's all I have for now, I will have more to say in the future. In the meantime let's have a fun year, get involved and support our elected officers and Committee Chairmen. Please keep all of our Veterans and their families in your prayers. Sam Ramseur Second Vice Commander Chairman: Samuel S. Ramseur Members: 2015/16 House Committee George Frank, Sean Counihan As these plans are formulated we will solicit input from our ABC Managers and the membership. At-Large Members: Ann Kuntz, Karen Donais, Steve Levinson Third Vice Commander s Report Greetings Post 162. As we continue to bask in the heat of summer, our list of projects will continue to keep us busy. We are discussing the possibility of a mural painted on the rear exterior wall of our building. One idea that is being considered is a design contest by our local high school art students with the actual painting of the mural to be completed by art students as well. Any input or ideas on this mural project is more than welcome. Efforts are underway to repair/refurbish the audio system in the hall. The audio system has been in a state of disrepair for some time. We are asking for donations: CD player or disc changer, Preamp Tuner, or AM/FM Receiver to help make the repairs possible. If you have something to contribute, please email me at rweinard61@yahoo.com If anyone notices something that needs repair, please tell our GM Ann Kuntz, or the ABC Manager on duty in our Social Quarters. Please ensure you leave your name and telephone number so I can contact you should I have any questions concerning the repair. Rick Weinard 3 rd Vice Commander Post Everlasting July 25th Ray Nagel A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 8 at Covenant Funeral Service Fredericksburg Chapel.
Page 4 Auxiliary Unit 162 Report So, as the month comes to an end I want to say Thank You to everyone who came out and supported the 4 th of July picnic! We had a great time and the desserts were awesome. The Auxiliary is waiting to hear back from the Post as to whether we can hold our Annual Yard Sale on Sep 26-27 th and I will ask that all donations wait until it is confirmed. You will be able to rent a table for only $10.00 or we can provide you with a donation letter from the Auxiliary. Thank you, in advance, for all the support and goodies you bring to us. I have not received the 2016 membership cards yet, but I m working with the Department Secretary to ensure that our roster is up-to-date and we have rectified the last few years issues. We will begin processing them as soon as they are received. Our goal is 160 again this year. We did not make this goal for 2015 so now it is up to each one of you to recruit and spread the word about your Post. You can drop your dues off with the ABC Manager on Duty and we ll get your cards processed as soon as possible. Remember its $25.00 for seniors and $10.00 for juniors. The Auxiliary is also hoping to start dinners up again in the month of September so check the calendar. We will reconvene our regular meeting the first Wednesday in September - I look forward to seeing you there! Until next month, Jen Donohue Auxiliary Unit 162 President Expressions Post 162 2015-2016 Auxiliary Officers President Jen Donohue 1st Vice Deb Mohaupt 2nd Vice Gloria Bannister Treasurer Karen Donais Historian Beth Mohaupt Chaplain Fran Ricker Sgt-at-Arms Amy Bowser Secretary Karen Donais 2015-2016 S.A.L. Officers Commander Steve Levinson 1st Vice Dave Wallace 2nd Vice Bob Lucas 3rd Vice Rick Weinard Sgt-at-Arms Dave Albert Chaplain Victor Graulau Finance Officer Bill Strawsburg Judge Advocate John Powell Adjutant Victor Graulau My greetings to all Squadron Members. I hope you are getting the opportunity to enjoy the summer and are staying cool in this heat. Previously, I have asked our former Squadron Commander, John Powell, to serve as our Judge Advocate, and he has graciously agreed. Thanks, John! The Historian position remains vacant please contact any of our officers or leave a note at the Post if you are interested in being considered. 22 members already renewed their memberships for the next year. Let s keep this going! The Early Bird membership has started, and future information about upcoming membership activities will be forthcoming. Our Junior Sons members had a meeting on Saturday, July 25th. Established by our 1st Vice Commander Dave Wallace, the group is open to all young adults from the Squadron 162 Report 2nd to the 12th grade level. Dues are $10.00 please consider signing your child/children up as members. For more informatio n, p l ease e mail david.f.wallace09@gmail.com. The Squadron is in the process of planning our fund-raising activities for the coming year. We will be having our annual Octoberfest dinner at the end of September, as well as various Redskin tailgates and other activities. Watch this space for details. Please let me know what activities you want, or what charities you might like the Squadron to support. This is your Squadron, and we want you to be heard! Finally, The American Legion Leadership College will be on Aug 7-9th at the Double Tree Hotel Richmond Midlothian Leadership College enhances knowledge and appreciation of The American Legion and teaches the core values and contributions of the organization, its Auxiliary, the Sons of The American Legion, and many subordinate programs. I will be attending this year, along with our Adjutant Vic Graulau, and possibly several others. Males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and who were eligible for American Legion membership are eligible to be Squadron members. Our meeting is held at the Post home on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm (beginning right after the Queen of Hearts drawing). Please feel free to contact me at any time. I can be reached at 703-313-8226 or by email at stevemlevinson@aol.com. Steve Levinson Squadron Commander
Volume 4, Issue 2 ALR 162 Report By now you all have heard about the horrific crash on I-85 in North Carolina last month where a semi-truck driver had fallen asleep at the wheel hitting six bikers only to pull over a mile down the road because of a flat tire. The Black Eagle Ryders - most of them actual truck drivers themselves - were going to Atlanta for a bike rally. They had stopped to take a break and reports say that one Rider might have had trouble with his bike. As of my submission of this article, two of the Riders have died. It is with a sadden heart to report this happens to our bikers and even our four-wheel friends. People just don t pay attention to the road and if you can recall, something like this has happened to some of our own Riders. More than once carelessness, not paying attention, not sharing the road, drinking and driving, and weather conditions add up to that one moment that can take a life! I ask you all to watch the road, pay attention General Manager s Report We are having a very nice summer, not as hot but I still love it. The weather was a little uncertain on July 4 th so I brought some things inside for our members and friends to enjoy. Sam Ramseur did an outstanding job putting the picnic together. Randy Hacker, Jim Hacker, Steve Levinson and Sam Ramseur for cooking, and a thank you to Holly Hacker for helping me with the inside work we can t forget our bartender Vickie Pickering for doing an outstanding job. There is someone very special I would like to thank he donated his time to us for this picnic that s Jeff Magee for his wonderful music. Everybody and relax. The day will come for all of us and I want to know that it won t be because I didn t take the time to smell the roses. Please keep the other Riders in your prayers - not a sermon but a thought! The Riders dinner will be held on Wednesday, Aug 26 th, with our monthly grill cookout! Please come and join us for a great night of food, fun, and friends! Your 2016 cards is waiting for you at the Post. All you need to do is renew with your organization and show it to Jen Donohue, pay your dues and voila you have a card. Don t forget the ALR meetings are the 2 nd Wednesday of every month. GO NATS, George Frank ALR 162 Director seemed to have a great time. We missed you Patty Veld! It s time to get the big September picnic together-lots of work but another event with lots of fun. Check the calendar at the end of this newsletter for August upcoming programs and social events in our Post Social Quarters. Ann Kuntz General Manager Post 162 Social Quarters 2015-2016 ALR Officers Director Page 5 George Frank Asst. Director Jason Hoffstot Finance Jen Donohue Sgt-at-Arms Randy Hacker Chaplain Robert Lucas Road Captains Randy Hacker Aug 1 Aug 5 Aug 14 Aug 18 Aug 21 Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 30 Bill Kegelmeyer Birthdays August Birthdays Mary Smith David Spears Edye Jorstad Willie Bryant Charlie Krear John Yaksima Amy Bowser Bernie Duncan Paul Goodin Mikey Bache
Volume 4, Issue 2 Page 6 Chaplain s Report The heat is on, what that means to me may be something different than what it means to you or another person. This is what it is like in everyday conversations when we speak to one another and the message may somehow be misinterpreted or taken out of context. You ever sit back and watch children talk to one another and one of the children gets their feelings hurt and blurts out Words Hurt. I have seen this and watched how two little word spoken can crush a persons soul in a matter of seconds. We as adults have learned to block some of those feelings out and just deal with it, especially those of us who have grown some thick skin from being in the military environment. My Friends, words do hurt, and when we say awful things about others, sometimes we should look into the mirror and evaluate ourselves. We are not all perfect, we are sinners, we must realize this before we can be forgiven and our sins our lifted from us. When we talk about others in a wrongful manner it is wrong, when we reach out to one another to help and guide it is different. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, having that conversation is healthy, but remember it is the opinion of one. There is no problem with having an opinionated conversation and moving on, it is when we as a society take someone s opinion as a personal attack and try and strike back. This is not healthy and it s too hot outside to have to put out those fires. Have a blessed rest of your summer and take care of one another. For God and Country Ken Packwood Post Chaplain Matthew 13.43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen! Comrade Albert s Thoughts of the Month Age: there is a fountain of youth; it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will have defeated age. Righteous: Do the right thing, do the best you can and always show people you care. Focus: What you envision in your mind, how you see yourself and ho you envision the world around you is of great importance. Because these things become your focus. Living in the past is a poor and lonely business; looking back strains the neck muscles and causes you to bump le not going your way. A penny saved is a penny earned. 1st Vice Report (continued) Be on the lookout for a message regarding Early Bird cut-off and the Early Bird Dinner associated with it. This still has to be approved at our next General Membership Meeting which comes after this article was written. Also, take notice of the new day and time of our General Membership Meetings beginning in August. If you are interested in being part of the Membership Team or have questions about your renewal please email me at: david.f.wallace09@gmail.com. Dave Wallace First Vice Commander
Page 7 Expressions Post 162 Hall Rental Expressions Post 162 is a monthly Newsletter available to the American Legion Post 162 Legion Family Members. Contributions to the Newsletter must be submitted by the 20th of each month. Photos and text submissions are accepted, but subject to review by the Editor and the Post Advisors. Editor: Victor I Graulau victor.graulau@verizon.net Post Advisors: Patricia Veld patriciaveld@gmail.com Dave Wallace david.f.wallace09@gmail.com Post Website: www.valegion162.org
August 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Don t forget that our Queen of Hearts game is played EVERY Wednesday at 7pm! 1 11:00 40 & 8 Promenade 2 11:30 17th District Conference Post 130 Falls Church 3Lunch Special: Meatloaf Membership Drive Shoppers Food 5:30 to 7pm 425 cent Wings US Coast Guard Day 5Lunch Special: 7:00 Queen of Hearts 6 Lunch Special: Chili Dog 7 Lunch Special: BLT 4:30 Ralph s Pizza 7:30 Betty s Juke Box Night 8 11:00 Sub Vets Meeting Leadership College Midlothian VA 7-9 August 9 Leadership College Midlothian VA 7-9 August 10Lunch Special: Rueben 1125 cent Wings 12Lunch Special: 6:00 Beef Tips & Noodles 7:00 Queen of Hearts ALR Meeting 13 Lunch Special: Chili Dog Redskins vs Browns Preseason 14 Lunch Special: Fish & Chips V-J Day (WWII) 4:30 Ralph s Pizza 7:30 Betty s Juke Box Night 1510:15 EXCOM 11:00 SAL Meeting 16 17 Lunch Special: Chicken & Rice 1825 cent Wings 19Lunch Special: 7:00 Queen of Hearts 20Lunch Special: Taco s Newsletter Articles Due 7:00 General Membership 21Lunch Special: BBQ Sliders 4:30 Ralph s Pizza 7:30 Betty s Juke Box Night 22 23 24Lunch Special: Sliders 2525 cent Wings 26Lunch Special: 6:00 ALR Dinner 7:00 Queen of Hearts 27August 27 September 3 American Legion National Convention 28Lunch Special: Sausage & Peppers 4:30 Ralph s Pizza 7:30 Betty s Juke Box Night 29August 27 September 3 American Legion National Convention Baltimore, MD 30August 27 September 3 American Legion National Convention Baltimore, MD 31Lunch Special: Spaghetti If you are sponsoring an event that needs to be on the calendar please contact: Ann Kuntz: (703) 690-1107 or by email: gm@valegion162.org Newsletter articles are due on the 20th of the month