Commander's Report

Dear Legionnaires, Auxiliary Members, SAL Members & Family Members, 

The 2006 school year is starting again and the fall season is approaching fast.  We at the Post are preparing for a busy closing of the summer season and the beginning of the fall season and here are just a few items to we are working on: Completing the new Legion Entrance Sign project, Removing several trees and brush between the Legion and the Apartments next door, Redesigning our Post Legion Website, Placing a fence between the Legion and the Apartments next door, Completing the Legion Land Survey and placing proper land markings for our Legion property, Replacing all doors within the upstairs of our Legion, Complete the new brick stairs project leading up to the balcony, preparing for our annual October Flag Disposal Ceremony, Prepare for the our Annual Early Bird Membership dinner and dance, Veterans Day and finally our September and October WWII Honor Flight support  trips the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. As you can see we have a very busy upcoming schedule. 

I am very excited about the wonderful weather we had for our annual Legion Family Day Picnic.  I am more pleased with the wonderful turn-out of people.  The food preparation and cooking was primarily supervised by our Donna Frank (Club Manager), Darrell Talley (3^rd Vice Commander) and our SAL Commander Mark Pearson and many of the SAL Members and I want to extend my thanks and gratitude to them for a Job Well Done!  I want to also congratulate Mary Nell Dey for becoming Auxiliary Lady of the Year and to further congratulate Jerry Whipple for becoming the Legionnaire of the Year for Post 177.  It would not be proper if I didn’t give a special thanks to all the terrific volunteers that make the Family Day Picnic such a success!  I can’t begin to mention each person by name however please know that the Post is extremely blessed to have you all volunteer your services and time.  The Veterans and their families had a wonderful time.  I’m looking forward to next year’s Family Day Picnic already. 

Exciting News: we unveiled our new Legion Entrance Sign out in the front yard of our Post.  The sign is bright and can be seen from a great distance.  I know you all will really like the new look and curb appeal the sign adds to our Post home.  Special thanks is extended for volunteering their special skills and talents to:  Legionnaires - Michael Wheeler, Paul Sandy, SAL’s – Rad Smith, Bill Nester and Bob Kelly! 

Another special note to announce is that our 2^nd Vice Commander John Kestler was awarded the highest level award from the Legion’s Department of Virginia for becoming 1^st Place winner in the state of Virginia for producing the BEST monthly newsletter.  This is the first time I am aware of that this Post won such a prestigious award.  Lot’s a time and hard work goes into preparing our monthly newsletter and we at the Post are proud to have John Kestler serving with such pride and distinction.  One additional person to praise who assisted John is our Past Commander and Life Member – Leyman Young! 

Please remember to pay your dues and please don’t let your membership expire.  Also remember to “Thank a Veteran” and our brave men and women who are serving this great nation! 

Sincerely, 

Mark R. Duke

Post Commander 

For God and Country

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Teamwork is always the important part of any effort, and this last month SAL members proved once again that they are outstanding team! The SAL helped in the 60^th post picnic drew a crowd they made the difference thanks to all of them. We have a nice award from state Virginia for the last two years we received for recognition! Bret and I went to Richmond Virginia to the Legion College. We learned a lot about the origination we also had a chance to visit our new Department headquarters in Richmond Virginia. The 2006 membership cards are in so please pay your membership to enjoy the early bird dinner at the legion post. The next meeting is schedule is the first Tuesday of September starts at 7: 00 pm hope to see you there.. 

For God Country

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 I hope each and every one of you had a safe and happy summer. It is now time for us to get back to our Auxiliary business, our next meeting will be at the usual time in September 14, 2005 at 7: 00 pm mark your calendar its on a Wednesday. At the 17^th District meeting held in June our unit was awarded with several trophies. First place was given for our Americanism, Chaplin, and Legislative programs. Also we took 2^nd place for our Children and Youth Education, Junior Activities, History, and VA&R programs. This all happen at Department Convention in Roanoke Virginia.

Mary Nell Dey was selected for our unit lady of the year 2004 thru 2005 this is a high honor to received she was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and very attractive pin. I am very proud of Mary Nell to Congratulation in her achievement. Auxiliary will be preparing and serving Sunday breakfast on September 11, 2005 this is a special day honoring all its been four year to date we were under attacked that day please mark your calendar we need lots of help that day preparing historical day serving our veterans and our community that day. Each year National sponsors a contest in the Americanism program. This year the essay title was “My Letter to a Person in The Armed Forces.” Out of 26 outstanding essays went to American Legion Department for judging. One was selected and has been sent to National. I was very impressed with the winner and I am sharing this article it was written by Emily Fary from Fairfax High school.

 By Hilda Schaffer President.

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By Emily Fary

    Every morning at school, an administer comes onto the loudspeaker and blares out the Pledge of Allegiance. The sleepy class will start to stir, unwilling to leave their seats, but do so at the urging of their teacher. Their hands will rise to their upper torsos, not to rest upon their hearts in reverence, but instead on their shoulders with laziness. Their mouths may move, not to recite the country’s sacred pledge, but to yawn or talk to a friend. Before the thirty seconds long pledge is even over, the students are once again in their seats. It saddens me every morning as I stand; hand over heart, to recite the Pledge. Besides the teacher, my voice is lone as is resonates through out the class, bouncing off the bare concrete walls. To many, the Pledge of Allegiance is just, a ritual a mandatory, programmed habit that has to be said every day. To me, saying the Pledge is my personal thank you note to those in the service, and those out. As I recite the verses that have been etched into my memory since my youth, my mind drifts to those fighting at that moment securing my freedom, and promoting democracy throughout the world. My hearts floods with prayers for their safety, families and fast return home. I strive to use that moment as a time to honor soldiers for their service, courage and gifts of freedom that they have generously sacrificed their lives to give me. I admire the men and women of America’s armed forces because they have taken it upon themselves to truly keep this great nation the land of the free, and because of this, America is the home of the of the brave I thank God every day to born in a land so rich with opportunity and that I have the chance to expand my potential further. This privilege would not be bestowed upon me if it were not for those who defend my rights and protect my freedom. To these men and women I send my respect and my gratitude, all which is inscribed on a letter in my heart. I am a firm believer that actions speak louder that words, I believe that through my actions, those around me can witness the pride and devotion I have for the United State’s service members. So every day when I rise to partake in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, I will also pledge my support for those who continually fight for America. Amongst the others in my class I will stand tall, just as those men and women have stood in danger’s path. I will not let my voice waver, but I will project it for all to hear. I will not let my hand descend from my heart until I am reminded of those in the service, for my hand will stay where my letter of gratitude rests. 

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