colonial heights post 284 non american legion post 284
TRANSCRIPT
This newsletter is published to keep the members and friends of Post 284 involved
Postmaster: Dated Material — Please Deliver by December 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
AMERICAN LEGION POST 284
NEWS AND VIEWS • DECEMBER 2018
- COMMANDER’S MESSAGE -
- 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
Fellow Legionnaires,
Thanks to all the Legion Family members that supported our joint Veterans Day Commemoration with Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 2239 at our Colonial Heights War Memorial on the Boulevard, 11:00AM 11 Nov 2018. We had a great ceremony
and a good bit of fellowship at our Post Home after the ceremony service. However, it was evident that
Sunday service obligations and the cold may have lowered our attendance.
We continue to work with our local Colonial Heights City government to improve the War Memorial
area. We used the new pad installed in the last weeks for some of our elderly veterans from WWII. We
were graced with having Liz and George, and Ludwig and Karen to use that new pad. For the first time
our Color Guard was able to “Post the Colors” in permanent flag mounts behind the memorial. We are
asking the City to install two more mounts so that we may post four flags appropriately.
Our next big Post 284 event is our Christmas Party on 8 December at our Post Home. Tickets ($10.00
each) are available from most Post Officers and TopSide up to the event.
We are looking at means to get more volunteers to help at BINGO on Monday and Fridays. Some of these ideas involve
sharing some of the BINGO profits. These will be discussed by our Executive Committee. Most of the charitable work we do
at our Post comes from the funds generated by BINGO.
The Post needs many volunteers to assist Post Officers. 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, membership, athletics, Americanism, child and youth or
another committee chair. Most of these jobs can be made lighter with more people involved. So, step up, take the plunge and
volunteer to make our Post better.
We look forward to the Christmas Basket Program 15-16 DEC. See you on Saturday 15 DEC for basket loading; and
Christmas Basket distribution is 16 DEC.
We want our WWII Veterans to be a part of the 100th Centennial Celebration of the American Legion in March 2019. We’d
like to take some of our WWII Vets and their spouse or attendant to the Department of Virginia’s Centennial Gala on 23
March 2019. Get your names to any of the Post Officers so we can take care of tickets, accommodations and transportation
for that event.
Our Post is our Legion Home, so take care of it. When our Building and Grounds Committee sets up dates for cleanups and
work, please try to take the time to volunteer your time to keep our Post Home area presentable and safe.
Our Legion Family of Post 284 wishes everyone a safe month of December and the New Year. 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
(804) 301-7990
Commander John Woyansky 804-301-7990 First Vice Commander Adrian “Skip” Klaas 804-469-5414 Second Vice Commander Louis M. “Lou” Vallette 804-721-8275 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 Service Officer Andre Holcomb 804– 896-4627 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 James “Lee” Lipscomb
AUXILIARY UNIT 284 President Nalena Klaas 804-469-5414
S.A.L. SQUADRON 284 Commander Joe Gallagher 804-836-3046
Southern VA Chapter, ALR Director Carlton Drummond
- 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 526-4167. Address comments to the Editor,
PO Box 57, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
To Rick Oertel at 804-520-2338 or
Building Rental Info: Contact Bill Feasenmyer
at 337-8753 (cell)
NEWS & VIEWS :
Doug Osborn, Editor
POST WEBSITE: http://alpost284.x10host.com
2 December
8am McGuire Breakfast
4 December
7pm Colonial Heights Christmas Parade
6 December
6pm Leadership Meeting
8 December
Membership Breakfast/Post Clean-up
6pm Legion Christmas Party
10 December
Final Day for ALA Quinlin’s Toy Drive
11 December
Topside Committee Meeting
12 December
7pm ALA Meeting
13 December
6:30pm Legion General Membership Meeting
15 December
7:30am Christmas Food Basket Prep
ALR Wreaths Across America
6pm ALR Christmas Party
16 December
8am McGuire Breakfast
1pm Christmas Food Basket Distribution
20 December
6:30pm SAL Meeting
26 December
1-5pm Blood Drive
30 December
8am McGuire Breakfast
31 December
New Year’s Eve
19 January
International Dinner
AMERICAN LEGION CENTENNIAL GALA
Happy Holidays, Legion Family members! What better a gift than to buy your loved one a ticket to
the Centennial Gala? Give them a chance to get out and have fun. This watershed event is already
almost 30% sold out, and hotel rooms at the Marriott are going fast. The Department FaceBook page
has it’s own section for the Gala. You can see it at https://www.facebook.com/
events/163357814590236 and learn more about it. There is also a link on the Department website, and
a flyer in the elevator and on the bulletin board in our Post home. Of course, you can catch me around
Post and I will have tickets until we sell out.
If you are more prone to shop on line get tickets on line at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-american
-legion-centennial-gala-tickets-503.
The excitement is building, so don’t be left out. Department is planning an open house for earlier in the day, before the gala, so
you may take a tour of the new history room. You will find interesting items there, and on loan from National at the Gala site.
The event will be enjoyable from the social hour on through to the last dance. Get together with your friends and reserve a table,
we can accommodate most requests for seating, at least now, while it is still early. This will also be a truly great occasion for the
Legion Family 284 to really shine in front of the entire Department and our own President Moore and Commander Lee. While
you are at it, take a chance and grab a few raffle tickets. We have a $500 VISA gift card up for drawing on December 19th, just
what you need for those last minute gifts! Or, buy a ticket for a beautiful American Legion 100th Anniversary .45 pistol,
magnificently engraved with may gold plated parts. All proceeds support the Gala, and the remainder goes to American Legion
Charities. And of course I close in mentioning, we are always looking for volunteers! Merry Christmas and Happy new Year to
all!
Jim Althouse
Chairman
- BUILDING & GROUNDS -
Like a whirlwind November has come and gone!
December's cleanup on Saturday the 8th will be inside and
outside - take your pick! We’ll have the usual clean-up of
the restrooms and throughout the inside, and then some
clean up outside of the leaves which have carpeted the area
with wall-to-wall foliage!
Drop in and enjoy a belly-filling breakfast, and then we’ll
tackle the work with a joyful heart. So put on your old jeans
and gloves; bring your leaf blowers and rakes, and we’ll
knock this out together!
Looking forward to seeing you Saturday morning December
8 for clean-up, and then later that night for our Christmas
Party. Have yourself a Merry Christmas, and watch for up-
dates on Building and Grounds throughout the New Year!
Michael Latham 804-835-3299c [email protected]
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Christmas is almost here. I hope all of you are more prepared than me, but I am usually
still doing shopping two days before Christmas. You would think that at my age I would have learned to be better
prepared.
Welcome to all our new members who were initiated into the American Legion Auxiliary and Unit 284 at our
November General Meeting.
November was a busy month for the Auxiliary with 16 members volunteering their time on Veterans Day to serve
lunch to everyone who attended the ceremony. After Thanksgiving the Auxiliary did their annual decorating of the
Legion Hall and putting up the Christmas Tree. Thanks to everyone who helped at those events.
Our Education Chairman Barbara Worley and her husband hosted Thanksgiving dinner for three service members
from Ft. Lee. The Past Presidents Parley Chairman Betty Haney and other members of Unit 284 put together 16
bags of personal items for female veterans at McGuire VA Hospital.
This year we did away with a meal prior to our monthly General Meeting except for our potluck dinners in Decem-
ber and June. Well, 12 December is our Christmas Potluck that will begin at 6:00pm (no Executive Meeting). If
you would like to bring an appetizer, salad, side dish or dessert, please have it there no later than 5:45 so we can
have all the food out to be served at 6:00; the Unit will be providing the ham. The Auxiliary is also serving the
Legionnaires dinner on 13 December at 6:30; if you are available to set up and serve, please be at the Legion Hall
around 5:30.
Unit 284 has lost our Chaplain and are in dire need of a replacement. If you would like to vol-
unteer for the position, please contact me at [email protected] . We have Interim Chairmen
for Americanism and Legislative but would really like someone to step up and become a
permanent Chairman for these positions.
I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and all your Christmas
wishes come true.
For God and Country
Nalena Klaas
President, Unit 284
- AUXILIARY UNIT 284 -
AARP SMART DRIVER CLASSES AT 284
Jan 24, Mar 21, May 23, Jul 25, Sep 26, Nov 28 2019
Participants over 55 get an insurance discount if they take the course. Classes start at 9 a.m. on the above dates and
last for 8 hours. Bring along a bag lunch.. Contact Raymond Spalek for registration or information
804-526-2668
- TOPSIDE NOTICE -
- CHAPLAIN’S REPORT -
The following items were accomplished this past month:
1. Made a couple of hospital and home visits; all were very appreciative!
2. Participated in the Post Everlasting Ceremony and Veterans Day Celebration
.
3. Looking forward to the Post Christmas Party and the Holiday Season!
4. Issued some Bibles to Post Auxiliary Chaplain!
***Praying that all will be safe and enjoy the Holidays!!***
-Rev Gibson
KEY CARDS
• All key cards (entry cards) will expire on December
31, 2018. You must show the staff at Topside your
2019 Legion family membership card to gain entry
into Topside after 12/31/2018.
• Even though we may see some of you often, you will
be asked to show your card until our records are updat-
ed with current information.
• Please note: You will not receive a new key card, your
existing card will be updated for 2019. If you have lost
or misplaced your key card, you can get a replacement
one for $5.
• Also, you can bring your 2019 Legion family mem-
bership card and key card anytime prior to the end of
the year to update.
LIQUOR LOCKERS
Liquor locker fees expire on 12/31/2018. Please see the
manager or bartender to renew your locker. All lockers
that are not renewed by 1/31/2019 will be opened and the
contents will be destroyed. You may renew your locker for
multiple years if you wish. The fee is $5 per year.
- POST 284 SCHOLARSHIPS -
Any American Legion Post 284 member in good standing
for three years can have their children or grandchildren
(stepchildren included) who are HS seniors or in an
accredited institute of higher learning apply for a Post 284
Scholarship for the 2019-2020 school year. Download
instructions and applications at:
http://alpost284.x10host.com/downloads.htm.
Applications must be received by the Post 284
Scholarship Committee Chairman by 5 April 2019.
- MEMBERSHIP - Thank you and a Shout Out to Bill Shill, for teaming up
with me at the Texas Roadhouse and recruiting new members.
Your support of Membership is appreciated.
Membership is very close to hitting our 75% goal due by the
5th of December. I feel confident we will hit that goal. The
next benchmark of 85% is due 3 January. With Christmas
holidays during this time, this will be a tough goal to hit. If
you haven’t renewed for 2019 yet, please do that now. We
can hit 100% again this year but I need your help.
Bill Shill and I manned a recruiting table in front of the Texas
Road House on Veterans day. Bill set up for me, allowing me
to attend church that Sunday. We passed out as many wooden
nickels as we could. This little gift was a great ice breaker to
start a conversation.
The manager of the Road House has been very supportive of
our Veterans, and the American Legion. Veterans young and
old took advantage of a free meal on this day. Next time you
get asked "Where do you want to eat?", keep this restaurant in
mind. Bill and I were very successful that Sunday, and we
will add a minimum of 3 new members to our post and accept
a transfer. Join us at the next recruiting event. Take a few
hours of your time and talk to some very interesting veterans;
hopefully you will get a new member and possibly a new
friend.
National Commander's Pin Incentive Program: American
Legion National Commander Brett P. Reistad will award his
national commander "Membership Excellence: Team 100"
incentive pin to any Legion Family member who obtains three
new members into The American Legion. Earn your pin
before this special event expires.
On a personal note, my wife and I are now caring for two 4
year olds. I already have a full time job and this change to our
lives will keep me from dedicating enough time to
Membership. Regretfully I need to step aside and allow
another person to take this position. On a positive note, I have
streamlined the admin work for this job. What used to take a
couple of hours can now be done in 30-40 minutes. This is a
great position to meet people. Interested?
Stay informed, subscribe to our “Mobile Alerts,” I highly rec-
ommend joining this service by texting “POST284” to 33222.
It’s free, and we plan to only send about two messages per
month
Renew online at www.Legion.org/renew. It’s fast; it’s easy,
and you can do it from your Smart Phone.
Bret O. Bordwell
Membership Chairman
804.712.8308 (text friendly)
- SAL SQUADRON 284 -
Season Greetings! Squadron 284 wishes everyone a Merry and
Blessed Christmas, and the Happiest of New Years! It’s hard to believe we are ending yet another year. Time flies
when you’re serving our beloved veterans! 2018 has been a
another great year for the 284 family. We continue to make a
difference in so many lives and in our community. During 2018
the 284 family continued to be seen throughout the Legion family
as leaders. Going into 2019 we in the SAL at 284 are proud our
Past Squadron Commander, Jeff Lee, has done such a remarkable
job as Detachment Commander this past year. Along with Jeff,
we are pleased that Rose Moore of 284 has made such a
remarkable impact as ALA President for the Department of
Virginia. There’s a great deal to be proud of this year, and it’s an
honor for the Sons to serve in such an esteemed post family. We would like to thank everyone who supported our Boston Butt
sale this past month. If you missed out, make sure you get your
orders in early next time they come around. They are remarkably
delicious, and a great tradition around the Gallagher household
for the holiday season! Proceeds support the programs of the
Sons of the American Legion and American Legion - all of which
benefit our Veterans, their families and our community.
SAL members, if you haven’t yet renewed your membership for
this year please do so as soon as possible. The end of the year is
rapidly approaching and you will need your 2019 membership
card to be in good standing. Please contact Mike Nauseff our
First Vice Commander and Membership Chair, at 804-931-
3609.
We are looking forward to celebrating with everyone at the
Legion’s Christmas party on December 8th. We also look
forward to rolling up our sleeves as we pack and deliver
Christmas food bags December 15th and 16th at the post. May the
spirit of Christmas fill each of us with gratitude, and lead us into
2019 with our continued commitment to all whom we serve.
Please take time during this season to remember those service
members currently deployed who won’t be home for
Christmas. And let us not forget those military families who will
spend the holidays without their loved ones - especially those lost
in the line of duty. May they feel the warmth of our presence, and
may it sustain their hope and love. Stay tuned for upcoming SAL activities this holiday season, and
throughout the year to come!
God Bless American Legion Post 284; and God bless our
United States Military. For God and Country
The Squadron of 284
& Joe Gallagher Commander SAL 284
Greetings All~ Well, it has been busy over the last month for the Riders. We had a ride to the Fall Conference in Williamsburg, our election of next year’s officers, a Blue Knights Benefit ride and the Veterans Day Ceremony in Colonial Heights. We would like to extend a very special “thank you” to our very own Tony Morgan and Tommy Zadick for running the hospitality room at the Fall Conference. Due to the weather, several of us caged it to the conference this year and had a great time. For those of us who could not attend, we were together in spirit. This year’s 100th Anniversary Veterans Day Ceremony presented itself with its own challenges for the Riders but that never stops us. Mother Nature gave us some chilling temperatures and some of us had to cage it but that did not stop the twenty or so members from attending. The Ceremony itself was magnificent as usual with the representatives from the American Legion, the VFW, the National Guard and Colonial Height City Government. Thirteen wreathes were laid at the ceremony this year. The most beautiful song was sung by Tussing Elementary school’s 3rd grade music class. Once again this year, thank you Mike McCann from the Emerald Society for playing your amazing bagpipes during the ceremony. With all that said, Veteran’s Day is a very special day and we’re grateful everyone took time to remember its purpose. If you have never attended a Memorial Day or Veterans Day Ceremony, it is one thing to put on your bucket list. Now, what you have all been waiting for, the 2019 elected officers: Director: Brad Harter Assistant Director: Joe Pulley Adjutant: Sharron Vaughan Treasurer: Phil Vaughan Sgt. at Arms: Tommy Zadick and Dan Worley A few raffle tickets are still available but are going FAST for the Glock 19 Gen 5 with night sites, so if you are interested in a chance to win the latest gun check with any ALR member for details to purchase your tickets. As always, tickets will be $5.00 and are limited to 500 tickets. Remember: if you don’t play, you can’t win. ALR upcoming events: Wreaths Across America on the morning of Dec 15th followed by the ALR Christmas Party that evening at 6pm. Phil Vaughan will be the Road Captain for the Wreath ceremony so stay tuned for the email details. As for the ALR Christmas party, if you plan to attend, contact Sharron or Phil Vaughan, Brad Harter, Carlton Drummond or Sue Rose for tickets by December 11th. Lastly, please keep the Kaysen family in your thoughts and prayers. Don was in an accident while participating in a Benefit ride on November 10th. He is currently at MCV Hospital and, due to the severity of his injuries, will be there for an extended period of time. Until next month, enjoy the open road and ride safe. Carlton Drummond SVALR Director
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF
THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS
The Month of December is a month for giving; a month the children in our community look forward to, and have been waiting for all year. You
are invited to help bring happiness and joy to those less fortunate in our community.
The Post will make Christmas brighter for several families by providing food baskets to those in need. Each basket consists of about five grocery
bags of food items. 7:30 am Saturday morning December 15, volunteers are needed to pick up food for the baskets at Walmart and bring it to the
Post; or come to the Post and setup tables and bags for the basket distribution. We need members with pick-up trucks, utility trailers or anything to
haul large quantities of food. Once everything is sorted, Legion family volunteers will organize and fill the baskets for distribution in the Post
membership hall. On Sunday afternoon, 16 December from 1:00 - 3:00 PM, the baskets will be distributed to families. We need volunteers for the
distribution and, in some cases, delivery of the food baskets.
If you would like to nominate a deserving family or individual, please complete the form provided in this issue of the News & Views. A
computer-fillable version may also be available on the Post website. If you have nominated someone previously, please confirm their information
and re-submit a nomination as the list changes every year. The requested information is critical in the event we have more nominations than
baskets. Baskets will be reserved on a first requested/received basis. So get your nomination in early. If there are no-shows, we may attempt to
contact nominees who did not make the list. All information is kept confidential. Please be sure to include the sponsor’s name and phone number
so we can do follow-up if necessary. Nomination without one can be disqualified. Nominations can be left at the Topside or given to Doug Osborn
or Jerry Chenault.
Volunteer sign-up sheets for this event will be available at the membership meetings and at the Topside Lounge. Everyone who participated in
these events knows the great feeling of helping someone at Christmas. Please join us this Christmas, and help bring the spirt of the season to
families in our community.
ALA Community Service Chairman- Danielle Calhoun, has partnered the Auxiliary with area businesses
who are serving as drop off sights for “Quinlan’s Toy Drive”. The toys are donated to the Pediatric Cancer Patient Unit at the Children’s Hospital VCU.
Any pediatric cancer patient in our area, to include the military children at Fort Lee or surrounding military Bases, would be cared for at the VCU Children’s Oncology Unit.
The collection boxes for donations will be placed at the Legion on November 1, 2018 and toys will be
collected through December 10th, 2018. For further information please contact Danielle Calhoun 804-691-1133, or ALA President Nalena Klaas 540-220-5014.
Thank you for assisting ALA Unit 284 with this very meaningful endeavor.
