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This newsletter is published to keep the members and friends of Post 284 involved
Postmaster: Dated Material — Please Deliver by October 1
The American Legion Colonial Heights Post 284 P.O. Box 57 Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 12 Colonial Heights, VA
23834
Return Service Requested
- MONTHLY MEETINGS -
American Legion Riders 1st Tuesday, 6:30 PM
Auxiliary Membership (Unit 284) 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 PM
General Membership (Post 284) 2nd Thursday, 7:30 PM
S.A.L. Membership (Squadron 284) 3rd Wednesday, 6:30PM
Executive Committee Meeting (Post 284) Last Thursday, 7:30 PM
Greetings! As the heat and humidity begin to slack off for the year, activity around the Post remains at a high level. Here
are some of the recent highlights:
American Legion National Legacy Scholarship Ride: This year’s annual National Legacy Scholarship
Ride left from Post 57 in Lake City Florida and ended in Indianapolis, the site of this year’s American
Legion National Convention. Over 350 riders and passengers registered for the 18-23 August event.
Enroute the ride was met by a contingent of Virginia riders in Jonesville, VA on 21 August where a check
was presented to the outgoing National Commander Brett Reistad for $30,000, the amount collected by
the recent Virginia Instate Legacy Ride in July.
National Commander Visit 5 September: Post 284 was honored with a visit from the newly installed
National Commander, Bill Oxford. His visit was part of a 4 day tour of Virginia that was hosted by Virginia Department
Commander, Mr. A.B. Brown. Several members of the Post 284 Riders Chapter provided motorcycle escorts for the trip
around the Commonwealth. As part of the Virginia tour, the Commanders had dinner at Post 284 on 5 September. A special
Thank You to all the Legion Family members who pulled together to make this event happen. Good job to all!
Hurricane DORIAN Relief: Helping other veterans is always a priority for the Legion family. From 5-6 September,
donations of disaster relief supplies (pampers, paper products, pet food, etc.) for the victims of Hurricane DORIAN were
collected at the Post. On 7 September, they were added to other donations from Post 320 in Spotsylvania and sent to Post 58
in Rocky Mount North Carolina to be distributed to needy veterans in the hurricane’s path. National Commander Oxford led
the caravan to Rocky Mount to deliver the relief supplies. Thankfully, no Posts in North Carolina needed any of the
assistance so all items collected will ultimately be turned over to a National Relief Agency for further distribution as the need
arises.
Smoking in Topside Lounge: At the General Membership meeting on 12 September, a vote was taken on suspending
smoking in the Topside Lounge. The vote was 63 in favor of the ban on smoking, and 36 against. Therefore, effective 1
October 2019, there will be no smoking allowed in the Topside Lounge. I would like to thank all that came out to vote. It
was definitely the largest group at a membership meeting I had ever seen with over 110 in attendance. I would now also ask
all those who voted to stop smoking in Topside to come out and patronize the lounge’s facilities and continue to support its
employees.
First Responders: On 11 September members of the American Legion Post 284 and the Veterans Of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Post 2239 provided pizza, chicken wings and cookies to local area first responders. Locations visited included a total of 7
local fire and police department and sheriff’s offices along with 6 school resource officers.
Major Upcoming Events:
31 October, Halloween In The Park, 6:00pm
For God and Country,
Adrian “Skip” Klaas
Commander
American Legion Post 284
AMERICAN LEGION POST 284
NEWS AND VIEWS • OCTOBER 2019
- COMMANDER’S MESSAGE -
Commander Adrian “Skip” Klaas 540-220-5013 First Vice Commander Louis M. “Lou” Vallette 804-721-8275 Second Vice Commander Jerry Chenault 804-414-1066 Adjutant Richard C. “Rick” Oertel 804-520-2338 Chaplain William H. Gibson III 804-536-1125 Finance Officer William “Bill” Feasenmyer 804-337-8753 Asst Finance Officer Timothy “Tim” Farley 804-526-6611 Judge Advocate Jim Althouse 804-516-4534 Veteran Service Officer Craig Ervin 931-980-7934 Historian Jesse Stacy 954-536-9501 Mass Media & Comm Doug Osborn 703-200-0543 Athletic Officer Bill Shill 804-218-1198 Sgt-at-Arms Robert G. Emerick John Bowers
AUXILIARY UNIT 284 President Ann Robins 804-502-5233
S.A.L. SQUADRON 284 Commander Joe Gallagher 804-836-3046
Southern VA Chapter, ALR Director Brad Harter
- POST OFFICERS - - UPCOMING EVENTS -
News & Views is the publication of Colonial Heights Post No. 284, The
American Legion, Department of Virginia. The purpose of this newsletter is
to keep all members of Post No. 284 informed about activities at their Post.
The Legion Home telephone is 804-526-4167. Address comments to the
Editor, PO Box 57, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. NEWS & VIEWS :
Doug Osborn, Editor
[email protected] CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Rick Oertel at 804-520-2338 or
[email protected] BUILDING RENTAL INFO: Contact Bill Feasenmyer
at 804-337-8753 (cell)
1 October
Celebrate Safe Communities
SVALR Meeting
2 October
Building & Grounds Meeting
4 October
Bingo
6 October
VA&R McGuire Visit
7 October
Bingo
8 October
Topside Committee
9 October
ALA Meeting
10 October
General Membership Meeting
11 October
Bingo
12 October
Member Breakfast & Post Clean-up
14 October
SAL flags out (Columbus Day)
Bingo
16 October
SAL Meeting 7pm (Dinner 6:30)
18 October
Bingo
20 October
VA&R McGuire Visit
21 October
Bingo
25 October
Bingo
25-27 October
Department Fall Conference
28 October
Bingo
31 October
Halloween in The Park
- SEPTEMBER PHOTOS -
Building and Grounds
With the “Smoking Ban” taking place on 1 OCT, Post Leadership thought to provide members who do smoke a smoking area away from the
entry door to Topside. B&G has contacted several contractors to get bids on an elevated deck off the ramp and pad into the main Topside entry
point. We hope to have it constructed by the 1 OCT date, but that may not happen. However, the area will be constructed as soon as possible.
We contacted three contractors; have had two as of this date to inspect the project area and come up with proposals, sketches and cost estimates.
Hopefully the third will do so as well and we can then select for the work.
12 OCT will be a Post Clean Up day after the Members Breakfast, so please show up and lend your support to keeping our Post Home
presentable
If you can’t come that weekend, then show up some day to pull weeds, water the front building plants (we have a 100 ft hose near the main
entrance, just connect the hose to the faucet near the kitchen door and help keep our plants watered). If you do any work at the Post related to
B&G, send me you name and number of hours you worked; this will help collect our efforts on behalf of the Post.
Some ideas we’ve had are to construct 12X12 concrete pads, or paver pads for two of the picnic table in the grass area between the building and
back deck, and then have pergola/gazebo structures put up for shade and weather protection. Any ideas on what we can do to improve Posts
buildings and the property? Sound out; get in touch with the B&G CMTE.
John G. Woyansky
B&G CMTE Interim Chair
804-301-7990
- BUILDING & GROUNDS -
Post, 11th District, and Eastern Region
Commander of the Year John Woyansky
Joanne Duncan, Skip Klaas, and Bill
Feasenmyer Delivering food to First
Responders on 9/11
Buccaneer’s Coach Jeremy Cole
presents the team’s championship cup
to Commander Klaas
Young men who attended this year’s Boys State
after receiving the American Legion Boys State
Medal
Bob Barrett is presented the Category 6
Americanism Award for 2018-2019
Craig Ervin is presented the Department
Service Award for 2018-2019
Tom Goudreault is presented Legionnaire of
the Year for 2018-2019
What an exciting month. An evening with the National Commander, Bill Oxford, and Department
Commander Brown was a great time and an honor. They have great enthusiasm for the future of
the organization. A last-minute collection of items for hurricane victims resulted in Commander
Klaas driving a load to North Carolina with the help of the Post 284 Riders.
At National Convention Sue Oertel won the National Legislative Presidents Award and
Lynne Norton was presented with Unit Lady of the year.
Lynne Norton, Lari Woyansky, Aleta Perkins, Betty Haney and Sue Oertel attended the back to school night for
Colonial Heights, while Barbara Worley donated the school supplies she collected to another school in desperate
need. Pam Ward, VA&R chair, did a fantastic job with the September BINGO at McGuire. Nalena Klaas, Betty
Haney, Lynne Norton and Amy Blumenthal were on the job!! Many of the Veterans needed help to participate
and 40+ Veterans enjoyed the event.
NEWS: As you many have heard, male spouses may now join the American Legion Auxiliary. The American
Legion voted to extend membership in the American Legion Auxiliary to male spouses of U.S. veterans and
servicemembers. During The American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis in August, delegates of the
American Legion voted to replace the word "wife" with "spouse" in their constitution and bylaws, opening up
membership in the American Legion Auxiliary.
I can’t end this without congratulating Rose Moore, Past Department President, for ending her year in style.
Great job Rose!
It is with great sadness that we must drape the charter once again. We lost 2 incredible ladies: Gloria Stark and
Rosemary Scarborough.
For God and Country
Ann Robins
Upcoming Events:
9 October – Unit Meeting
12 October – Eastern Zone Workshop at Unit
25/26 October – Department Fall Conference
31 October, Halloween in the Park
For God and Country
Regards For God and Country
Ann Robins
President, Unit 284
- AUXILIARY UNIT 284 - - CHAPLAIN’S REPORT -
This past month was somewhat slow for me; the following activities were accomplished: 1. Participated in Legionaire Richard "Dick" Eastman funeral ceremony. 2. Participated in the back to school program. 3. Participated in Legionaire Bob Barrett's Son-in-Laws Memorial Service. 4. Went to Oklahoma and visited several sites; including the POW/MIA Monument at Tinker AFB, The Firefighters
Museum, The Oklahoma City National Memorial (the site of the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah
Federal Building, and ended with some sights in Tulsa. 5. Invited to do the invocation for the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony. 6. Legionaire Harold Bibey will be going into the hospital for surgery, keep him in our prayers. ****Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)****
Rev Gibson
804-536-1125
Rose Moore, Past Department
President, ending her year in style .
Sue Oertel, recipient of the National
Legislative Presidents Award
Old Dominion Honor Flight (ODHF) is seeking Veterans and Guardians for ODHF Mission 1, which
will launch November 2, 2019. Mission 1 will visit the World War II Memorial, the Korean War
Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.; the National
Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico; and the Air Force Memorial and Arlington National
Cemetery in Arlington.
Applications are being accepted now for Mission 1. The trip is FREE for the Veterans. There is a $125 fee to serve as a
Guardian. Guardians must attend training (in the evening) either on October 22 (Tidewater) or October 24
(Richmond). Anyone interested in the honor of serving as a Guardian should to download the attached GUARDIAN
APPLICATION, print and complete the form, and send it to the address shown on the form.
More information is on the ODHF Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Charity-Organization/
Old-Dominion-Honor-Flight-416148685825985/
AARP SMART DRIVER CLASSES AT 284
Nov 27 2019
Participants over 55 get an insurance discount if they take the course. Classes start at 9 a.m. on the above dates and lasts for 8 hours. Bring along a bag lunch..
Reminder!
There’s a Drop-off at Post 284 for Unserviceable Flags
Rose Moore, Recruitment award, Peggy Kagels, Recruitment Award, Sue Oertel, Dept.
Award for Best Legislative Program, Lynne Norton, Department Award for best
Children and Youth Program, Betty Haney, Department Award for best Americanism
Program, Barbara Worley, Department Award for best Education program
- SAL SQUADRON 284 -
A Happy October to all of the 284 Family!
September found your SAL busy adorning the Boulevard with the majestic American flags on Labor
Day, and again on Patriots Day, 9/11. May we never forget. We also helped with cooking and
serving all at the 284 annual picnic at McGuire VA in Richmond.
We’ve got a lot coming up. We will be cooking Hot Dogs at Post 284 for the annual Safe Communities Night on
October 1st. On October 31st we will be supporting Halloween in the Park. Held in Flora Hill Park, this annual event
is a wonderful project that supports Children and Youth. Please find out how you can participate and providing local
children a safe and fun night of Trick or Treat.
Many of the SAL will be participating in the Fall Conference 25-27 October in Williamsburg, VA at the Double
Tree Williamsburg Hotel and Conference Center. This is an exciting event with meetings, award ceremonies,
vendor demonstrations, and bonding activities.
If you haven’t renewed your membership in your respective Post family, I encourage you to please do so. Also, let’s
all invite at least one person who is eligible to join our respective Post organization. With the recent passage of the
Legion Act, there are many more folks who are now eligible to join – so let’s get out there, and bring them in!
Lastly, be on the lookout for the Son’s Fall Boston Butts fundraiser on November 15 - 16. Tickets will be available
soon for this annual tradition. More information is forthcoming, so don’t delay to reserve that Butt or two or more.
For God and Country The Squadron of 284 & Joe Gallagher Commander SAL 284 For God and Country
The Squadron of 284
& Joe Gallagher Commander SAL 284
September was a great month for the SVALR. The approaching Fall weather will be perfect for upcoming rides. Please remember that the Fall leaves can be just as slick as grass clippings in the road. Maintain your vigilance as you ride. Always keeping your head on a swivel. We started the month with our September meeting. We established a nomination committee for next years officers. Please see our Committee Chairperson, Lester Brewer, if you have any nominations you would like to make. We would like to have all nominations in as soon as possible.
We were honored to attend the meet-and-greet dinner for our newly elected National Commander, Bill Oxford. Bill is a fantastic gentleman and we were excited to hear about his vision of the future for the American Legion. I would like to thank our SVALR who participated in the escort of Commander Oxford as he made his way through Virginia. Post 2 hosted a Poker Run in September 7th. We had several riders, along with guests, participate in the ride. I am proud to say, that my son, Aidan Harter, was the winner of the day. Aidan snagged top prize with 4 of a kind. Way to go! We participated in several 9/11 Memorial activities. On September 8th, we supported the Red Knights on their 3rd annual 9/11 fundraiser. On September 11th we participated in the activities at Unity Park. We must never forget those we lost. The Patriots day celebrations are a great way to honor our heroes. On September 20th and 21st, we had the 9th annual ALR Virginia State Rally at Post 25 in Newport News. On the 21st of September, we also had a picnic at McGuire VA Hospital. The Veterans always appreciate our efforts. They truly seem to enjoy looking at the motorcycles. If you participate in a rides, please make sure you report it to our Assistant Director, Joe Pully. It is very important we keep accurate records of our rides and participants each month. Joe sends a report monthly to our State Director. Upcoming Events - Monthly meeting October 1st at 1830 in the Bingo Hall. - October 10th General Membership meeting at 1930 in the Bingo Hall - October 12th 2nd Blue Festival of Meat at Hopewell VFW Post 637 from 1800 to 2300 - October 25th through 27th is the American Legion Department Conference at the Doubletree in Williamsburg. Remember to keep an eye on the ride calendar as new rides are added. Stay safe and thank you for your continued support. Bradley E. Harter
Director, SVALR
American Legion Post 284
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF
THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
The Post 284 Legion Family gathered at the recent visit in September by the National Commander
of the American Legion, Bill Oxford.