The American Legion Colonial Heights Post 284 Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 57 U.S. Postage Paid Colonial Heights, VA 23834 Permit No. 12 AMERICAN LEGION POST 284 Colonial Heights, VA 23834 NEWS AND VIEWS • MAY 2019 Return Service Requested - COMMANDER’S MESSAGE - Fellow Legionnaire, May and Summer are right around the corner. Have fun and please take part in events that your Post supports: Fort Clifton Festival 11-12 MAY is a great event, and Post 284 is one of the signature sponsors. Come on out and enjoy Fort Clifton, the food and if you can, help us at our Legion Membership tent next to our Legion Pavilion by the entrance.

Postmaster: Dated Material — Please Deliver by May 1 Memorial Day, 27 May. See you at the Colonial Heights War Memorial across from the Court House for the Memorial Day Commemoration jointly sponsored by VFW Post 2239 and our Post 284; and then back at our POST HOME for food, beverage and fellowship with friends, veterans and families. Invite a veteran who hasn’t been! We are amid reviewing our Scholarship Program applicants; we have 25 and the committee should be done and be able to announce results by mid-May with awards at either High School awards presentation or at the Post at the July General Membership meeting. This newsletter is published to keep the members We need volunteers! If you have a skill, share it with the Post! We need members to make our programs work for the community. and friends of Post 284 involved Membership: Bret Bordwell is stepping down after two years as Membership Chairman. He’s made the job easier, but we need someone to step up and get involved. We have many members who will help, but we need a Chairman! Building and Grounds: Like getting into home repair projects, or working with contractors, we need you! I’m doing an awful job at this and need some relief!

Athletics: enthusiasts! We’re looking for a Legionnaire to be our Athletic Director and work with Bill Shill to get our 2019 - MONTHLY MEETINGS - Legion Baseball Team up and playing. Bill Shill continues to assist on this one, but he’s spread thin with other things like Blood Drive, BINGO support membership and such. If you like Base Ball, get into this and help us manage our one Legion Base Ball team.

American Legion Riders DATE/TIME CHANGE MAY ONLY Tues, May, 14, 6:30 PM Don’t want to be a Chairman at his time? Step up to help with any of our other committees, Children and Youth, Americanism, Vietnam War Commemoration, or Centennial Planning. Most of our positions are one deep. If you have a skill or want to donate your time, please consider helping as a deputy adjutant, or committee member; or spend time at BINGO on Mondays and Fridays to help the Post provide Auxiliary Membership (Unit 284) 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 PM the service to BINGO players that generate revenue for our charitable programs. Most of these jobs can be made lighter with more people involved. So, take the plunge and volunteer to make our Post better. General Membership (Post 284) 2nd Thursday, 7:30 PM Golfers: Looks like we may have a golf team to represent the Post at the QM Foundation Golf Tournament at Ft Lee on 7 June. This is a great recruiting opportunity to show how the Post and its members are involved in community events that benefit our local area. Get in S.A.L. Membership (Squadron 284) 3rd Wednesday, 6:30PM touch with Bill Shill or Tom Crocket TopSide Club: The Committee is working on proposals to address the smoking issue. Aire your concerns and comments! Executive Committee Meeting (Post 284) Last Thursday, 7:30 PM We continue collecting input to update our Post Constitution and By Laws. If you have any recommendations send them to me or the Adjutant.

Our Legion Family of Post 284 wishes everyone a safe May. God bless those serving in our Armed Forces and God bless the USA. If you want to keep apprised of Post events or status use your text capable phone to, Text POST284 to 33222 to sign up for General Membership messages.

John G. Woyansky Commander American Legion Post 284 [email protected] [email protected] (804) 301-7990 - POST OFFICERS - - UPCOMING EVENTS - - CENTENNIAL GALA RECAP - Commander John Woyansky 1 May The Centennial Gala is now in the past, and what an event it was! The Centennial Gala held at the Richmond Marriott ROTC Award Presentation, VSU 804-301-7990 Downtown, had 300 Legionnaires and their guests in attendance. The stunning Building & Grounds Meeting

2 May black tie affair honored all military veterans and their service to the nation. The First Vice Commander Adrian “Skip” Klaas Leadership Meeting evening began with a festive social hour serving up cocktails and music from the 804-469-5414 3 May 29th Infantry Division Band. Guests in attendance were treated by the premiere Bingo Second Vice Commander Louis M. “Lou” Vallette 5 May of two new videos on the History of the American Legion. With the Call-to- 804-721-8275 VA&R McGuire Visit Mess came the Master of Ceremony’s welcoming remarks by Richmond

6 May celebrity-entertainer Parker Slaybaugh. The Posting of the Colors, conducted in Adjutant Richard C. “Rick” Oertel Bingo 804-520-2338 7 May accompaniment of fife and drums, were followed by a stellar rendition of the Law & Order Night National Anthem by SSG Garnett of the 392d Army Band, Fort Lee. Following this were two remarkable and moving Chaplain William H. Gibson III 8 May ceremonies – the traditional “Fallen Warrior Ceremony,” and a rendition of “Old 804-536-1125 Auxiliary Monthly Meeting 9 May Glory” by Army SFC Brown of Fort Lee Garrison. A lighthearted Grog Bowl Finance Officer William “Bill” Feasenmyer Legion General Membership Meeting ceremony was then conducted with representation by each of the Legion Family 804-337-8753 10 May members masterfully adding their “element” of the mysterious concoction. Bingo Following several toasts, in a very stirring ceremony 74 years in the making, Asst Finance Officer Timothy “Tim” Farley 11 May 804-526-6611 Membership Breakfast each World War II veteran present – including Ludwig and Liz from our own 11th District Annual Spring Meeting 13 May Post!- was presented a special medallion from the Virginia WWI/WWII Judge Advocate Jim Althouse Bingo Commission, and given a standing ovation, which left many a legionnaire with a 804-516-4534 14 May tear in their eye and pride in their heart. Department Commander Tom Queck then cut the birthday cake with Legion Riders Meeting, 7:30pm (Dinner 6:30) Veteran Service Officer Craig Ervin Topside Committee Meeting, 7pm assistance of a University of Richmond ROTC Cadet and a WWII Veteran. 931-980-7934 15 May SAL Meeting 7pm (Dinner 6:30) Historian Jesse Stacy 17 May Following a delicious dinner, Guest Speakers Army Major General Tim Williams, The Virginia Adjutant General, 954-536-9501 Bingo captivated the audience speaking about the current demands and requirements on 19 May our nation’s military. Following the benediction and retrieval of the Colors by Mass Media & Comm Doug Osborn VA&R McGuire Visit th accompanied 29 ID Color Guard, The American Legion National Adjutant, 703-200-0543 20 May Bingo Dan Wheeler, presented closing remarks regarding the state of our Legion, and Athletic Officer Bill Shill 24 May the ever increasing need to reach out to our current Veteran community. I was ALA Poppies 804-218-1198 then fortunate enough to take stage for a few minutes and draw the lucky winner Bingo Sgt-at-Arms Robert G. Emerick 27 May of the Centennial Pistol I have been selling raffle tickets for since last summer, Memorial Day Ceremony/Lunch James “Lee” Lipscomb and it was won by the Commander of the Virginia Beach Post. The rest of the 30 May Legion Exec Committee Meeting evening was dancing to the River City Party Band, and the floor didn’t empty until the music stopped. What a grand 31 May event- and much of it is due to the work and contributions from the members of AUXILIARY UNIT 284 Bingo Post, Unit, and Squadron 284, and the Southern Virginia American Legion Riders. President Nalena Klaas News & Views is the publication of Colonial Heights Post No. 284, The Mari and I thank each of you, from the bottom of our hearts! 804-469-5414 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. Membership Rita Feasenmyer The Legion Home telephone is 526-4167. Address comments to the Editor, PO Box 57, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. 804-337-0905 JAMES E. "Jim" ALTHOUSE NEWS & VIEWS : Chairman Doug Osborn, Editor The American Legion Centennial Gala [email protected] S.A.L. SQUADRON 284 Department of Virginia CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Commander Joe Gallagher Rick Oertel at 804-520-2338 or 804-836-3046 [email protected]

Building Rental Info: Contact Bill Feasenmyer Southern VA Chapter, ALR at 804-337-8753 (cell)

Director Brad Harter POST WEBSITE: http://alpost284.x10host.com - CHAPLAIN’S REPORT - - AUXILIARY UNIT 284 - The following items were accomplished by me for the month of April:

!. Visited "Chuck" Boswell in nursing home--sent get well card. Wow, what a great time we had at our Auxiliary Centennial Wine Gala on 13 April. This was our 2. Mailed get well card to Cyril Allen III. major fundraiser for the year and we appreciate all the support we received from the community. 3. Mailed sympathy card to Leon Green. Thank you to all the Auxiliary members who donated your time in setting up the Legion Hall, 4. Gave Bible and flag cover to Joseph Perkinson's family. helping prepare the appetizers for this event and arriving early to put out these appetizers. A special thank you to Rita Feasenmyer’s son who made some fantastic appetizers and also our 5. Gave Bible and flag cover to John Kettner's family. members’ husbands who volunteered their time to help us put this all together. Everyone did an 6. Visited Sterling Cummins' home and he was very appreciative. Picked him up for membership meeting, everyone was glad to see him there. outstanding job! 7. Called and spoke with Herb Baylor, he is needing our prayers. Our Committee to come up with a slate of officers for the 2019-2020 year has been hard at work putting together a 8. Spoke with John Ronkartz, his mother needs our prayers. Her home was damaged by a recent storm. slate, but there are still some empty positions that are required to be filled. These “required” positions are 9. Visited Ron Kimberlin at St. Mary's Hospital, he was in surgery, but I spoke with his wife. Called him the next day and his wife Secretary, Chaplain and one Page position. Although there are many Program Chairman positions that need to be said he was being discharged. His surgery went very well. filled, one of the most important is Membership and that also needs to be filled immediately; the outgoing 10. I will be on vacation from the 29th of April until the 15th of May. I will be praying for you and I look forward to seeing you all when I return. God Bless You!! Membership Chairman will help train the new Chairman. Please consider volunteering for one of the positions on the Executive Board or a Chairmanship. If you are interested in a becoming an officer, contact Lynne Norton at Rev Gibson [email protected] or Barbara Worley at [email protected]. Elections will be held at our May meeting and Officers will be installed at the June meeting. - TAPS - Originally Unit 284 was scheduled to host the 11th District meeting on 4 May. However, the date and location have Thomas M. Lewis changed and the meeting will now be held on 11 May at Battlefield Unit 144, 1717 Old Hanover Rd, Sandston, VA. Registration starts at 8:30am and the meeting will begin at 9:00am. There is an $8 fee which includes our John F. Kettner lunch. Information will be put out at the May meeting regarding carpooling, etc.

Joseph D. Perkinson May is Poppy distribution month and the Auxiliary will be handing out Poppies on 24 and 25 May. Locations are the Walmart in Colonial Heights and Kroger at Breckinridge. Please contact our Poppy Chairman at [email protected] to find out and sign up for available times. Remember, all funds collected go to the - ATHLETIC OFFICER REPORT Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Budget to benefit our fantastic veterans. Baseball:

Next month our Post 284 Buccaneers baseball players will be taking the field again hoping to make it to the 2019 American Baseball Legion World Series. These are select, talented high school and college young men who are there to continue honing their skills after high school 27 May is Memorial Day and Post 284 will be hosting the luncheon following the Ceremony. The VFW will be baseball ends with hopes of playing college or professional baseball. We may see some of these boys in the Baseball Hall of Fame just as providing the food but Unit 284 typically does the serving line. Legionnaire’s from other Posts have seen their player’s like Mike Mussina, , , Roberto Alomor and be inducted into the prestigious Hall (just to name a few). Although it is a little early to remind everyone, I want you to remember that our June meeting will be the last Please come out to the games and support these kids. There is nothing like the roar of cheering fans to motive a player to make that extra effort General Membership meeting until September. This is also one of the two Potluck meetings we have a year. to help his teammates. Home games will be played at the newly renovated Sheperd Stadium and most of the games will start at 7:00 PM to make There will be a food signup sheet at the May meeting, it more comfortable for spectators who wish to avoid the heat of the afternoon. however, if you are unable to make that meeting but We still need volunteers to help in the Concession stand. Free admission, free food and that great feeling of helping youth sports are just some of would like to signup to bring something in June, let me the perks. Call Bill at 804-218-1198 if interested in working some of the 7 home games at the Stadium. know at [email protected]. Also, talk to Bill about advertising your company or being listed as a supporter in our AMERICAN LEGION POST 284 BASEBALL PROGRAM which is sold at all home games. Upcoming Events: Golf: 08 May: Auxiliary Monthly Meeting June 7 the Quartermasters Museum will host a golf tournament and we hope to be able to sponsor a hole or two. Along with sponsoring a hole, 11 May: 11th District Annual Spring Meeting, Unit 144, we get to play a four man team. If any golfers would like to play on a team that day contact Bill at 804-218-1198. 24-25 May: Distribute Poppies 27 May: Memorial Day Ceremony/Lunch

AARP SMART DRIVER CLASSES AT 284

May 29, Jul 31, Sep 25, Nov 27 2019 For God and Country Participants over 55 get an insurance discount if they take the course. Nalena Klaas Classes start at 9 a.m. on the above dates and lasts for 8 hours. Bring Auxiliary Centennial Wine Gala was a great success due to ALA along a bag lunch.. President, Unit 284 members and their husbands who volunteered their time.. Contact Raymond Spalek for registration or information 804-526-2668 SOUTHERN VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF - MEMBERSHIP - - SAL SQUADRON 284 - THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS Thank you and a shout out to Jim Russell, Paul Jenkins, Rick Oertel, Randy Gunn and Tommy Zaddick for As I write this for our May 2019 News and recruiting new members. BOOM! Teamwork strikes again. Views Spring has finally Sprung. We have had another great month. The 100 Year Gala was on March 23rd. We enjoyed the speakers and attending. Those that volunteered to help with the event did a fantastic job. Our own Jim Althouse and his During April your SAL at 284 was busy. wife Mari were a huge reason that the Gala was such a success. Thank you Jimbo and Mari! Another Thank You to Bill Shill for covering for me while We had our semi-annual Boston Butt fund I took a well-deserved vacation. While I was out, Bill raiser. Held a Spaghetti fund raiser to presented the Membership Report at the Executive Meeting Post 284 hosted a Blood Drive on April 3rd. We had a moderate turn out for this event. Thank you to all support our Children and Youth programs and assisted in processing renewals and a transfer. Thanks who donated. Every drop counts. and Cooked for our Post 284 Open house. Bill. BTW, a week vacation is weak.

We also approved sending 2 girls to Girls State and 4 Boys McGuire Veterans Hospital hosted a picnic on April 6th. Post 284 was responsible for providing all of the picnic fixings. We We hit 93% of our goal of 1076 members for 2019. We to Boys State, appreciate all that came out and participated. And thanks to our home Post for such a generous contribution. Also, on the 6th, should have hit 100% by now. Last month I sent hand Janet Rigney rode to raise Autism Awareness. Thank you, Janet! written envelopes to the final holdouts on renewing. The We want to thank all those who supported our Boston Butt handwritten envelope encouraged the member to open the Semi Annual sale. It was once again a great event for us. If Happy Spring SVALR! With the days warming up, and the sun finally chasing some of the rain away, it's a fantastic time to be envelope. That mailout resulted in about a 10% response. If you missed out there may be a couple of left. a Rider! Be mindful of debris from grass clippings when you are out and about on your bike. Remember everyone, please do I was using this technique for sales, I’d be very happy. I am not blow your grass clippings into the road, it becomes as dangerous as ice for someone on a motorcycle. happy with the response, but we are still short of our goal. I May is going to be an active month for the SAL at 284. On currently have enough new/renewals in the queue to hit May 7 we hold our 11th annual Law and Order night, which is always a great event and exposes our post to our Remember to keep an eye on the Ride Calendar. As we add, or remove, events, the calendar will be updated. That website is 95%. community and beyond. A time to just say Thanks and bit.ly/svalrCAL On a personal note, my wife and I are now caring for two 4 recognize our local heroes who serve us daily.

-year-olds. I already have a full-time job and this change to PLEASE remember to turn your Gun Raffle tickets in to Phil Vaughan, or Lester Brewer. The drawing will be held at our May our lives will keep me from dedicating enough time to We will be supporting our ALA sisters at 284 with their meeting. Membership. Regretfully I need to step aside and allow Poppy drive and fund raiser. Come out make a donation another person to take this position. On a positive note, I and get your Poppy and wear it with pride. Upcoming events: have streamlined the admin work for this job. What used to • Law and Order Dinner is on May 7th. We will be serving, please wear your dress attire (white shirt, black pants. take a couple of hours can now be done in less than an The SAL of 284 will be cooking and providing food for the • SVALR monthly meeting is on May 14th at 1830. This is not a regularly scheduled meeting, due to the Law and Order hour. This is a great position to meet people. Interested? Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce’s annual reverse Dinner. We had to move the meeting out a week. raffle on May 23. This is a great fund raiser for the SAL.

• General Membership meeting is on May 9th. Dinner at 1830, meeting to follow at 1930. Stay informed, subscribe to our “Mobile Alerts,” I highly recommend joining this service by texting “POST284” to Don’t miss out on seeing our beautiful Country’s flag • American Legion Riders Run to the Thunder is May 24th through the 26th. waving in the air along the Boulevard on May 18 in honor • Memorial Day wreath laying at the Colonial Heights War Memorial is on May 27th. 33222. It’s free, and we plan to only send about two mes- sages per month. You may even get invited to a free break- of Armed Forces Day and again they will be posted on May 27 on Memorial Day when we honor and remember all Brad Harter fast. SVALR Director those who served and gave their all for our freedoms. Renew online at www.Legion.org/renew. It’s fast; it’s easy, and you can do it from your Smart Phone. For God and Country The Squadron of 284 Bret O. Bordwell & Joe Gallagher Commander SAL 284

Membership Chairman [email protected] 804.712.8308 (text friendly)