This newsletter is published to keep the members and friends of Post 284 involved
Postmaster: Dated Material — Please Deliver by August 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
Fellow Legionaires,
July was a pretty full month for the Post, consisting of both internal and external events supporting both fellow veterans
and the local community.
Department Convention: The department annual convention was held from 10-14 July at the Double
Tree Hotel in Richmond. Of special note, the riders hosted the first ever “No Bike Night” at the
event. Events included an indoor poker run sponsored by the American Legion Riders and various
bike related games. All funds (and traffic fines!) raised were donated to the Virginia In State Legacy
Ride to support college scholarships for the children of veterans either killed or significantly disabled
(more than 50%) while on active duty since 11 September, 2001.
Building and Grounds: B/G has had a very busy month. They completed the upgrades to the back deck and cleaned
out the basement of the Post. Both places now look 100% better! Thanks to Tom Goudreault and his team for their
efforts in putting this all together. Good job to all! Next job is going to be cleaning out the storage rooms on the hill.
In State Legacy Ride: The Legion Riders took part in the 2nd annual Virginia In State Legacy Ride. The funds raised
during the two day ride around the Commonwealth, from 19-20 July, will be donated to the National Scholarship Ride.
Current plans are to present the funds during the National Legacy Ride in August which will go from Florida to
Indianapolis, IN, the site of this year’s annual American Legion National Convention.
4th of July Picnic: The Post hosted the annual “Happy Birthday America” picnic and it proved to be a huge success. It
is estimated that approximately 350 people took part in the celebration. The 4th was also the kick off for the 2020
Legion Family membership renewal drives. Table were set up around the hall to facilitate paying dues.
Smoking at Topside: The issue of smoking in Topside has been progressing. The Topside Committee has presented
suggestions on how to resolve the issue and presented them to the Finance Committee (FC) and the Executive
Committee (EC) for their review / comments. Once the FC / EC have finished their reviews, their recommendations
will be forwarded to the General Membership for final vote. Keep reading the News and Views for more information
on the projected dates for that vote.
Upcoming August Events
• American Legion College, 2-4 August
• National Legacy Scholarship Ride, 16-22 August.
• American Legion 101st National Convention, Indianapolis, IN, 23-29 August
For God and Country,
Adrian “Skip” Klaas
Commander
American Legion Post 284
AMERICAN LEGION POST 284
NEWS AND VIEWS • AUGUST 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
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Rick Oertel at 804-520-2338 or
Building Rental Info: Contact Bill Feasenmyer
at 804-337-8753 (cell)
POST WEBSITE: http://alpost284.x10host.com
2-4 August
Legion Leadership College, Richmond Midlothian Doubletree
3 August
Car Show, John Tyler Community College
4 August
VA&R McGuire Visit
6 August
SVALR Meeting
7 August
Bldg & Grnds
ALA Meeting
8 August
Legion General Membership Meeting
12 August
Topside Committee Meeting,
16-22 August
National Legacy Scholarship Ride
18 August
VA&R McGuire Visit
21 August
SAL Meeting 7pm (Dinner 6:30)
23-29 August
101st National Convention, Indianapolis
29 August
Legion Exec Committee Meeting
30 August—2 September
Labor Day Weekend
- SCHOLARSHIP - On Thursday, July 11, Colonial Heights American Legion Post 284 presented $23,875.00 in Scholarships to 25 High
School students bound for college.
The Department of Virginia established this financial aid program to help students from the American Legion family
attain their educational objectives and to contribute to the development of an informed citizenry. Applicants must be
enrolled in or have been accepted for enrollment in a Virginia institution including universities, colleges, junior colleg-
es, community colleges and technical schools. With scholarships from Post 284 ranging in amount from $600 to
$1,500, each scholarship is given to the student to apply to educational costs during the upcoming school year. Schol-
arship recipients have been accepted to a wide variety of schools including: James Madison University; Liberty Uni-
versity; Georgetown University; Christopher Newport University; Richard Bland College; Austin Peay State Universi-
ty; and Berkeley College of Music.
Scholarship Recipients pictured above include Taylor B. Jenkins; Allison C. Tucker; Kendall M. Tomlinson; Olivia J. Wilmarth; Daniel J.
Schofield; Hayden J. Crowder; Barrett P. Smith; Noah Slate; Gavin M. Crockett; Braden E. Johnson; Zachary T. Adams; and Jackie M. Gazzola
- POST 284 LEADERSHIP ON INDEPENDENCE DAY
Reminder! There’s a Drop-off at Post 284 for Unserviceable Flags
WOW, what a warm welcome I have received and I can't thank you enough for the support. The
July 4th picnic was spectacular with over 158 members renewing, 5 new members joining and
more in the boxes by Topside. We are off to a great year.
We were also honored to host the Convention here in Richmond to honor President Rose Moore
and her year. Thank you so much for all the help and support, especially Barbara Worley who
was everywhere needed.
Our Unit came out in full force and won several awards.
Department Lady of the Year - Lynne Norton
2nd year in a row for our Unit
BEST OVERALL — LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
BEST OVERALL — CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAM
BEST OVERALL — AMERICANISM PROGRAM
OUTSTANDING UNIT PROGRAM PROMOTION — EDUCATION
OUTSTANDING UNIT PROGRAM PROMOTION — VA&R
CITATION FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE
Your Executive Committee will be meeting in August to plan out the year. We look forward seeing all of you in
September.
NOTE: We still have a few Chairmanships to fill, so please consider lending a hand.
Regards For God and Country
Ann Robins
President, Unit 284
- AUXILIARY UNIT 284 - - CHAPLAIN’S REPORT -
AARP SMART DRIVER CLASSES AT 284
Sep 25, 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.. Contact Raymond Spalek for registration or information
804-526-2668
The month of July was very busy for me; the following items were accomplished by me:
1. Visited Robert "Bob" Miller at St. Mary's Hospital, it was a very good visit.
2. Visited Norman Lovin at MCV, it was a very good visit.
3. Visited Past Commander Bud Pruett, he seemed to enjoy the visit. Him and his family needs our prayers.
4. Visited Harold Green, he was glad for the visit. I told him that I would pick him up for membership meeting. He was very thankful
for the offer. He said maybe next month.
5. Participated in the Independence Day Celebration, very good crowd.
6. Took sympathy card to Small's Funeral Home for Mrs. Ardenia Worthen's Family.
7. Called Jay Allen checking to see how he was doing, spoke with his wife. He is doing pretty good.
8. Called and spoke with Chuck Stewart, he was glad for the phone call.
9. Called and spoke with Mr. Sterling Cummins, he was not able to attend meeting this month.
***Drink plenty of water and stay out of the heat if possible. Hot weather is here!!!***
Rev Gibson
- SAL SQUADRON 284 -
As I write this, we have just come back from our Department of Virginia Annual Convention and we are all braving this incredible heat. Your SAL has been busy! On Independence Day we cooked for our post family picnic celebrating our Country and her independence — giving thanks for all those who fought to allow us this freedom and who continue to do so. God Bless America.
Several of us were in Richmond this past weekend for our annual convention. We won the Children and Youth award for the large squadron category. In addition, our Detachment Commander and 284 brother, Jeff Lee completed his term and finished a very successful year. The Detachment officers elected and installed for the coming year are Fred Vaccarella Detachment Commander, Vice Commanders are me, Joe Gallagher, Victor Grulau, and David Boggs. NEC will be Linwood Moore, and the Assistant Adjutant is Kevin Chaplin, who also will hold the title of “First Dude” this year as his wife Lisa was installed as the President of the ALA for the Department of VA. It was a very successful convention and we look forward to the coming year which is a big one for the Detachment of Virginia, as our very own Clint Bolt from Virginia will be elected and installed as National Commander at the National Convention at the end of August in Indy. We also spent time planning out our coming year for the SAL of 284 to ensure we are being productive in our efforts to support our Veterans, community, state, nation and the 4 pillars of the American Legion. MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA and Protect her active duty military. 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
Happy Summer.... If you can handle the heat. Really good month for riding if you can take
the hot weather.
We have participated in a few events this past month. The Friday night ALR entertainment at the De-
partment of Virginia Conference, it was a total hit. Great job to the Eastern Region ALR for pulling it
off.
The In-State Legacy Ride was July 19-20. Our group donated $2000.00 to the ISLR. I don’t have the numbers as of this
newsletter, but I’m sure it will be another record-breaking donation from the State of Virginia ALR.
As a reminder, the t-shirts are in. Please see Michelle Brewer if you have pre-ordered. We do have extras for sale if an-
yone is interested. Good job, t-shirt committee.
9th Annual American Legion Riders Virginia Rally registrations are now being excepted. Make sure you get your in.
Rally is in Newport News this year at Braxton-Perkins Chapter 25 on September 20-21. Good time to be had at the
Rally. Bike games, bike show, entertainment, vendor’s, 50/50 and door prizes. Camping also available.
Don’t forget that the early bird membership is now in effect. From July 4, - September 1. Save $5.00 on your
next years dues. Remember you must pay you regular legion membership first. Speaking about member-
ship, Congraulations on 101 paid members for 2019 so far. Thanks to everyone involved on this goal of mine. Let’s
keep up the hard work and get a few more. Bradley E. Harter
Director, SVALR
American Legion Post 284
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF
THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
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