Springfield Post 176 American Legion Family,
Joint American Legion/Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Memorial Day Ceremony:
VFW Post 7327 Commander Gary Kelch will be the Key Note Speaker at tomorrow’s Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony. Plan to arrive at Springfield Post 176 and be seated on or before 10:50 a.m. as the event will start promptly at 11:00 a.m.
Yellow Ribbon Escort Mission: Walter Reed-National Military Medical Center to Rolling Thunder:
Police and Springfield Post 176 American Legion Riders (ALR) escorted Wounded Warriors able to ride by bus from Walter Reed’s National Military Medical Center to the War Memorials in Washington, D.C., so they could participate in Rolling Thunder today. What an awesome mission and experience for all concerned. Post 176 Chapter Riders included Mike Tomsey, John Moar, Kim Palmer, Brian Steele, Carl Commenator Josie and Ric Licardo, and Christy and James Matlock. Special thanks go out to Comrade Bob Eidsvoog and Comrade Maudie Price for opening the Post up at 6:30 a.m. this morning supporting the event. Of course, thanks to Brian Steele for coordinating Post 176 role in the event, as well as, serving as our Safety Officer and Road Captain.
Poppy Program:
Deloris Buettner, Auxiliary Unit 176 Chaplain, reported,
We had a very successful Poppy Drive thanks to all our volunteers. We collected a total of $2488.00 (approx waiting for final count) for poppy distribution at 3 Giants (Huntsman, Kingstowne and Cardinal Forest). We would like to thank all of our volunteers who distributed poppies including Tony Dzierski John Moar, Pat Peterson. Lew and Floy Lipscomb, Jimmy and Anita Jones, Bob Eidsvoog, Mary Siwik, Ashia Ohm Buck, Laura Wages, Mike Tomsey, Charlie and I.
Junior ROTC Medals for 2014 Achievements:
Lt Col Kurt Berry, Senior Army Instructor, Edison High School, has announced his Junior ROTC Medal Presentation Ceremony is scheduled for 28 May at 12:45 hrs in Room H-138, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310. As you may know, our Post’s Americanism program presents Medals to the JROTC members. Please plan to participate.
Springfield Post 176’s 2014-2015 Officer Installation Ceremony:
Springfield Post 176’s 2014-2015 Officer Installation Ceremony is confirmed for Friday, June 6th with dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Ceremony will include Officers from our entire Post’s American Legion Family (a) Legionnaires, (b) Sons of the American Legion, (c) American Legion Riders, and (d) American Legion Auxiliary.
Post 176 General Membership is invited to attend the Officer Installation Ceremony and support our incoming Leadership Team. The no-host Installation Ceremony Dinner Menu is Roast Beef with Garlic Mashed Potato and Vegetables ($14/meal) or Chicken Cordon Bleu with Rice and Vegetables ($14/meal).
Joe Finch Blood Drive:
On June 17th there is a Blood Drive being held at the American Legion Springfield Post, 6520 Amherst Ave, Springfield, VA 22150. Summer is upon us and the need for blood is critical. Please consider spending the time on June 17th to donate one precious pint of blood.
Lawn Maintenance:
A special appreciation goes out to Comrade Ric Rodriguez for single handedly manicuring our Post’s lawn this week. Thank again Ric.
Warrior Cafe: Is open to the general public Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. offering Breakfast and Lunch. Sunday Cafe hours begin is 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Friday Night Dinner: (5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.): Menu will be announced Monday.
Kid’s Meal of Chicken Fingers with fries and applesauce with pudding for $6.00.
Social Quarters:
Social Quarter’s operational hours for your enjoyment are as follows: Monday operational hours are 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday 12:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday12:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.; and Sunday 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Upcoming Activities:
Monday, May 26th: Joint AL/VFW Memorial Day Ceremony at Post 176 beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, May 31st: Queen of Hearts Drawing at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 31st: Post 176 is hosting the 2014 Springfield Day Car Show (Sponsored by Springfield Toyota) from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Friday, June 6th: Springfield Post 176’s 2014-2015 Officer Installation Ceremony at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 15th-21st: 72nd Session of Virginia Boys State, 2014 at Radford University
Tuesday, June 17th: Joe Finch Blood Drive held at Springfield Post 176
Monday, June 15th – 21st: Virginia Girls State, at Longwood University
Sunday, July 10-13th: 2014 State Convention Hilton Washington Dulles Herndon
Wednesdays in our Social Quarters: Buffalo Wings (50 cents/each) are being served in our Social Quarters during evening hours of operation.
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month: The Bridge Club meets in the Warrior Café at 7:00 p.m. Call Bonnie Norem, 703 750-2228 or 703 477-4496 for additional details.
Springfield’s 2014 BridgeWalk Ceremony:
Fence your calendars for Tuesday, August 26 for Springfield’s 2014 BridgeWalk Ceremony. Once again, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored our Post by requesting we host the BridgeWalk Ceremony this year. It is always a pleasure to partner with State-, local-government officials, business and industry, non-profits, School Districts, etc. to recognize our active duty and reserve component members serving at Fort Belvoir.
State of Virginia, Department of the American Legion, 2014 ALR Rally:
This year’s VA ALR Rally is on Sept 12-14 at the J. Thompon Wyatt Post 2 in Petersburg. Check them out on FB at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Legion-Post-2-VA/344601485626422
Annual POW/MIA Ceremony at the War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia
Springfield Post 176’s ALR Chapter identified the Annual POW/MIA Ceremony at the War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia, as their “Signature Event” being held on Sept. 20th. A Signature Event for our ALR Post 176 Chapter means, they:
· have a seat on the State-level POW/MIA Planning Committee;
· will serve as the major hub in Northern Virginia for ALRs to gather and begin the Ceremonial Ride to the War Memorial from Post 176; and
· Assist with POW/MIA Ceremony in Richmond, Virginia
With that said, I am asking our Legionnaires, Sons of the American Legion, and American Legion Auxiliary to volunteer your time and talent to ensure the 2014 POW/MIA activities are successful. Success can as simple as decorating Post 176 prior to the event, mowing the lawn and trimming the hedges, assisting our Warrior Café Staff on the morning of Sept 20th as POW/MIA participants gather at our Post for breakfast, transport Ceremonial items to the War Memorial the morning of the event, and attending the POW/MIA Ceremony, etc. To volunteer or obtain additional information, please contact our ALR Director, Mike Tomsey, at the following E-mail address: michaelbox2@aol.com, John Moar, Assistant ALR Director, Springfield Post 176 at E-mail address: jmoar44@gmail.com or James Matlock, ALR Chaplain, Springfield Post 176 at E-mail address: ALRPost176Chaplain@gmail.com
