American Legion Post 284News and Views • FEBRUARY 2018

Fellow Legionnaires,

We began our winter with record breaking lows and two rare snow storms. If only I had seen that coming, we could have helped out the Special Olympics with a “Polar Plunge into Swift Creek” fund raiser. It would be nice if our summer turns out cooler than usual, also.

I am looking forward to seeing members again at the February Membership Breakfast (Feb 10). Remember that this breakfast is for all branches of the Legion family. Come out and meet or greet your friends and peers who have similar interests. We had a small attendance for breakfast in Janu-ary, but with the coordination of Building and Grounds Chairman Mike Latham and the help of a good turnout of the American Legion Riders we were able to get the fall leaves up around our prop-erty on the “Hill”. Thank you all that stayed after breakfast to help out.

The need for blood in our area is critical. This has much to do with the flu season and the near epi-demic of the flu in the region. The flu has severely reduced the number of donors eligible to donate. Please donate at our legion hall Feb 4 between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. You can sign up online at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

At 2:00 PM on Sunday February 25, we will be honoring the courage and selfless sacrifices of those Four Chaplin’s who gave their lives on February 3, 1943, when U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was torpedoed by a German U Boat. Please join us in the Legion Hall for this inspirational event.

The Department Spring Conference registration deadline is February 15. It will be held at the Virginia Beach Hotel and Conference Center again. You can get the registration form at online at valegion.org or you can call Alfred Steward at 757-573-3966 to register.

It’s time to celebrate the birthday of the American Legion again. We will celebrate our 99th on March 3rd this year and also honor our Past Commanders. It will also be a Semi-Formal event as was the Christmas Dinner/Dance.

World War II Veteran and 29 year member William Rose passed on to “Post Everlasting” last month. Please keep his family in your prayers.

I hope everyone has a safe and healthy February and God Bless you for caring about our veterans and the community.

For God and Country; William “Bill” Shill, Commander Post 284

page 1

The American LegionColonial Heights Post 284P.O. Box 57Colonial Heights, VA 23834

This newsletter is published to keep the members and friends of Post 284 involved

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 12Colonial Heights, VA

23834

Postmaster: Dated Material • Please Deliver by February 1

- Monthly Meetings -

General Membership (Post 284) 2nd Thursday , 7:30 PM

Executive Committee Meeting (Post 284) Last Thursday , 7:30 PM

Auxiliary Membership (Unit 284) 2nd Wednesday, 7:30 PM

S.A.L. Membership (Squadron 284) 3rd Wednesday , 6:30PM

American Legion Riders 1st Tuesday, 6:30 PM

Return Service Requested- commander’s message -

American Legion Post 284 Scholarships are available for the 2018-2019 school year. Eligible High School Seniors and College Students who are children or grandchildren of

sponsoring Post Members may apply. To apply go to: http://alpost284.x10host.com/downloads.htm,

download the instructions and application. Completed applications are due by 6 April 2018.

- upcoming events -Feb 4

Red Cross Blood DriveFeb 8

Food Handling Safety Course (6:00 – 8:00 PM)Feb 10

Membership BreakfastFeb 25

Four Chaplin’s Ceremony at Post (2:00 PM)Mar 3

Legion Birthday/Past Commanders dinner.Mar 9-11

Spring Conference (Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center)

April 7Reverse Raffle for Brett Reistad

April 10Food Handling Safety Course (6:00 – 8:00 PM)

- POST OFFICERS -Commander William “Bill” Shill 218-1198

First Vice Commander John Woyansky 301-7990

Second Vice Commander Adrian “Skip” Klass 469-5414

Adjutant Richard C. “Rick” Oertel 520-2338

Chaplain William H. Gibson III 536-1125

Finance Officer William “Bill” Feasenmyer 337-8753

Asst Finance Officer Timothy “Tim” Farley 526-6611

Judge Advocate

Service Officer Louis M. “Lou” Vallette 721-8275

Historian Anne Robins

Mass Media & Comm Doug Osborn 703-200-0543

Athletic Officer

Sgt-at-Arms Robert G. Emerick James “Lee” Lipscomb

AUXILIARY UNIT 284President Betty Haney 732-6229

S.A.L. SQUADRON 284Commander Joe Gallagher

Southern VA Chapter, ALR

Director Carlton Drummond

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, Colo-nial Heights, VA 23834.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:To Rick Oertel at 804-520-2338 or adj.post284@gmail.com

Building Rental Info: Contact Bill Feasenmyer at 337-8753 (cell)

NEWS & VIEWS EMAIL:post284news@gmail.com Attn: Editor POST WEBSITE: http://alpost284.x10host.com

- Membership -Greetings Legionaries,

Thank you and a Shout Out to Ron Cummings, Doug Osborne, Bob Emerick and Chuck Medeiros for re-cruiting new members. Keep up the great work.

We are at 87% of our 2018 membership goals. We missed the Department goal of 85% last month by two members. My goal is to hit the next Department goal of 90% by 4 February. The award requires a 90% renewal rate by the first week of February. We are looking good so far.

Bob Emerick and I attended the Richmond Gun Show the weekend of 20-21 February. A few other members also showed up to assist, including Chuck Medeiros and Rick Oertel. On Saturday, we recruited 2 new members, and on Sunday, an additional 5 new members. A bit of luck involved with getting 5, as there were two couples that made up 4 of the five additional members. We should be able to welcome them to our post in just a few weeks. It was also a bit refreshing, as one applicant brought me his DD214 the next day, and another went to his truck and got me a copy of his DD214 the same day. If only it was that easy every time.

Another nice thing I learned while working the Gun Show, was how to accept a credit card, and not get any fees charged to our post. That paid off well at the Gun Show, and made recruiting 3 of the seven new members that much easier.

I finally got a chance to meet some of the District Membership members. Linda Hardwick who pro-cesses all of our membership paperwork attended the Richmond Gun Show along with her husband Randy Hardwick. Hats off to Linda. She keeps me straight on my paperwork, and assists anytime we ask.

Renew online at www.Legion.org/renew. Its fast, it’s easy, you can do it from your Smart Phone.

Respectfully,

Bret O. BordwellAmerican Legion Post 284Membership Chairmanbret@bordwell.com804.712.8308 (text friendly)

- from the commander -We need you to help us with membership. Please get out and tell everyone how much we do for veterans. Some of the organizations we donate to are the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Children’s Hospital, Martha’s’ Shelter for the Homeless, American Legion Emergency Fund, McGuire VA Hospital, the DAV. That’s to name a few. Tell your eligible friends and family about the low priced specials Topside offers throughout the week.If each member recruited one new member every 4 years we not have this continued decline in our numbers. From what I have seen, in my opinion, we have the best post in the state. Please spread the word.

I would like give a special thanks to Auxiliary member Rose Moore for donating a “Bingo Special Meal” to sell to bingo players. The players requested a little variety for their Bingo Session meal, so Rose deliv-ered. Thank you so much Rose.

Boom and its already February, but that means Spring is just around the corner.

The Entire SAL 284 Squadron would like to thank all of Post 284 family who came out and supported our Chili dinner fund raiser on the 16th. It is always a great feel-ing for us to know we are supported in our efforts by our family at 284.

We also had another meeting of our JR. SAL members in January, at which, they received their SAL 284 hats and talked a bit more about what Americanism means. Our Jr group continues to stay engaged and are an area that we are committed to building as they are our future. If you have a Son, Grandson, etc. in your family and they aren’t yet apart of the SAL at 284 please let us know so we can get them into membership. It’s the only way that our legacy continues.

I am sorry to report that there will be no SAL 284 Sweetheart dance on Feb. 10 this year. We were unable to book music entertainment this year for the dance. We are sorry after so many years of this dance happen-ing to have to cancel it this year. Stay tuned for next year.

As we move through February we will be planning for our Spring events, one of which is Spring Conference in early March, where we will be proudly presenting our own Jeff Lee as the Leading Candidate for Detachment Commander for the coming year. This is a great honor for 284.

We will also be setting and sending out the date of our Spring “Boston Butt” fund raiser. Twice a year we do this and we sell out each time. We can only cook 120 at a time as they range between 8 and 10 pounds and our Butt Leader, Linwood Moore, uses up every square inch of the cookers he brings. So when the date is an-nounced make sure that you get your ticket early and ensure you get one, as you know they are the best Butt’s in town and around.

If you haven’t renewed your membership yet, please do so as your 2017 cards are no longer valid. BEST $25.00 you will spend in 2018 and your membership and work if you chose to participate all go toward our support of our Veterans and our Community.

For God and CountryThe Squadron of 284 & Joe Gallagher Commander SAL 284

- SAL squadron 284 -

- auxiliary unit 284 -

The Four Chaplains

February 3, 2018, marks the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the United States Army Transport (USAT) Dorchester and a remarkable display of bravery. On that day in 1943, in the North Atlantic off the coast of Greenland a torpedo struck the ship which resulted in acts of courage and sacrifice commemorated every year by the American Legion Posts across the coun-try.

Four Lieutenants gave their lives that day; each one an Army Chaplain. They included Methodist Min-ister, Rev. George L. Fox; Jewish Rabbi Alexander D. Goode; Roman Catholic Priest Fr. John P. Wash-ington; and Reformed Church in America Minister, Rev. Clark V. Poling. They met at the Army Chaplain School at Harvard University where they became friends as they prepared for service in the war, and their journey to their new assignments aboard the USAT Dorchester. Their backgrounds, personalities and faiths were widely different, but all had one God in common whom they all worshipped.

On February 2, 1943 the German submarine U-223 spotted the convoy which the Dorchester was a part of, and fired a torpedo which fatally struck the Dorchester. Knocking out the electrical system and leaving the ship dark, panic set in amongst the men - many trapped below deck. Hundreds of men packed the decks of the rapidly sinking ship and scrambled for the lifeboats. The chaplains sought to calm the men and helped guide wounded men to safety. When the supply of life jackets ran out, each of the four chaplains gave theirs to other soldiers and helped men into lifeboats. When the last lifeboat was away, the chaplains remained on deck, linked arms and prayed together as the Dorchester disappeared below the waves.

All members of the legion family are invited to join Chaplain William H. Gibson in the Four Chaplain Ceremony commemorating the selfless sacrifice by the four remarkable men of faith at 2:00pm on Sunday February 25 at the Legion Post.

We have one month of 2018 behind us and things are starting to get busy. I hope everyone has been keeping warm and healthy. Our Auxiliary National President, Diane Duscheck, came to Virginia De-partment Headquarters last month. The reception for her on Jan. 6 was simply wonderful.

A big THANK YOU to four of our members, Rita Feasenmyer, Sue Oertel, Rose Moore, and Lynne Norton, for helping to put on the reception. What talented and wonderful ladies we have in our Unit.

Our next meeting will be on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 and our dinner will be served at 6:30pm by our own Legionnaires. Ladies, please make every effort to come to the dinner and our meeting. It is so nice to sit back, relax, and be waited on. Of course, as we all know, the winter weather is not over, so please make sure you keep your email/phone num-bers up to date so that we can keep you informed if we have any changes.

Our Flags for First Graders program starts on Feb. 5th and will run through the middle of March(Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays). The 40&8 and ALA members visit local schools teach-ing thousands of 1st grade students flag etiquette. Please contact me, Betty Haney, at 732-6229 (cell 931-4470) or HYPERLINK “mailto:wrhbkh47@yahoo.com” bth0409@yahoo.com for more infor-mation. Transportation is provided to the schools from the post. We are in need of volunteers, so please sign up at the next meeting.

AL and ALA Unit 284 2018 scholarship informa-tion is located in this month’s News & Views and the Post website: http://alpost284.x10host.com/ Please contact ALA 284 Education chairman Bar-bara Worley for more information 804-638-8381.

The Spring Conference in Virginia Beach will be March 9-11. Registration forms can be found at: http://valegion.org/?page_id=137

Upcoming Events:Feb. 14- General Membership Meeting-Dinner 6:30pm/Meeting 7:30pmFeb. 25- Four Chaplin’s Ceremony at Post 2pmMar.9-11- Spring Conference- Va. Beach Resort

Betty HaneyPresident, Unit 284

AARP SMART DRIVER CLASSES AT 284

March 21, 2018May 23, 2018July 25, 2018Sept 26, 2018Nov 28, 2018

Participants over 55 get an insurance discount if they take the course. Classes start at 9 a.m. a.m. on the above dates and last for

8 hours. Bring along a bag lunch.

Contact Raymond Spalek for regristation or information

804-526-2668

- Building & Grounds -

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 284 Scholarships The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 284 is pleased to announce the following three Unit 284 scholarships for the college school year 2018-2019.

Unit 284 Auxiliary Scholarship ($500.00) for a child or grandchild of an Auxiliary member graduating from an accredited high school. For the student to be eligible, the 284 Auxiliary member must be a cur-rent member in good standing and have been a member for at least three consecutive years. This application will be available from the Post website: http://alpost284.x10host.com/ (under Forms/Miscellaneous Downloads). Elsie Ford Medical Profession Scholarship ($500.00) is available to a student pursuing a career in the medical profession. Applicants must be in their senior year at one of the following area high schools: Colonial Heights, Matoaca, or Thomas Dale. This application will be available from the school’s guidance department or from the Post website: http://alpost284.x10host.com/ (under Forms/ Miscellaneous Downloads).High School Scholarship ($500.00) is offered to a student graduating from one of the following area high schools: Colonial Heights, Matoaca, or Thomas Dale. This application will also be available from the school’s guidance department or from the Post website: http://alpost284.x10host.com/ (under Forms/Miscellaneous Downloads).

Applications for the above Unit scholarships are to be returned to the ALA Unit 284 Education Chairman (Barbara Worley) via email at: ala284scholarship@gmail.com and must be received no later than April 07, 2018. Subject line must contain ALA 284 - 2018-2019 scholarship application along with the scholarship name you are applying for. Stu-dents may apply for each scholarship applicable however; no applicant will be awarded multiple Unit scholarships. Regular mail or hand delivered applications will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Department of Virginia scholarship information, eligibility require-ments, and applications can be found on the Post website: http://alpost284.x10host.com/ (under Forms/ Miscellaneous Downloads). Applications must be returned to the applicants’ community ALA Unit President. One application per Unit will be chosen for submission to the Department Education Chairman.

National scholarship information can be found on the website: https://www.alaforveterans.org/Resources/ Scholarships-and-Education/. Applications can also be found on the Post web site: http://alpost284.x10host.com/ (under Forms/ Miscellaneous Downloads). If there are any discrepancies between the Post and National websites, the National website supersedes. Applications must be returned to the applicants’ community ALA Unit President. One application per Unit will be cho-sen for submission to the Department Secretary.

Please note that Department and National scholarships have different deadlines.

For more information, contact: Barbara Worley, ALA Unit 284 Educa-tion Chairman, at 804-638-8381 or ala284scholarship@gmail.com.

Wow! What a great day we had on January 13th, our last post clean-up! Around 20 dedicated volunteers hit the hill with blowers, rakes and vacuums and put a huge dent in the leaf accumulation up on the hill. Even after the rain that Thursday and Friday, everyone came together and worked hard and had great fellowship while enhancing our property, and that is what it’s all about folks, great fellow-ship. Getting to meet more members, doing for the post and having enough people that a lot of work is easy. And that is what a volunteer organization is all about. Thank you again to all those that could make it! Looking forward to February 10th when we will have our next membership breakfast and post clean-up, remem-ber folks, these breakfasts are for our membership. You do not have to come to the clean-up to enjoy some great fellowship and a good breakfast! But, for those who can give back, and want to, we will be working in the hall as of right now. (subject to any last minute rentals) Replac-ing ceiling tiles i the bathrooms and hall itself, replacing exit lights and cleaning in the kitchen (hood filters, wiping stainless down). Again, nothing is hard, and the Building and Grounds team members will be here to help with all aspects of the clean-up. As we enter into the winter and spring there are many projects on our table: if you want to be involved, come to our meetings and join our committee! First Wednesday of every month in the main hall at 6:30. Almost all aspects of the property are our responsibility, from the new plants to the building painted, all improvements have gone through the Building and Grounds committee meetings.

Michael Latham804-835-3299csigndogopie@aol.comBuilding & Grounds Chairman Post 284 SAL 1st Vice Commander/Membership 2017/2018

- AnnouncemENts -

Changes of address:Changes of address should be submitted to the Adjutant as soon as known. The Adjutant can and will make the changes at National for you. Address changes can be submitted to adj.post284@gmail.com; sent to American Legion Post 284, Attn: Adjutant, PO Box 57, Col Heights, 23834-0057; or submitted to the Adjutant by phone message, 804-520-2338.

If you wish to be on the Post e-mail distribution list and receive items of general interest to Veterans and their fami-lies, please send an e-mail to adj.post284@gmail.com and request to be added. Messages are sent out via blind copy and you may be removed at any time if you request.

Rehabilitation Information:VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED ON SUNDAYIt’s a great feeling seeing how the disabled and handicapped Veterans respond to our visits to McGuire VA Hospital get them to the Chapels’ service. Try to imagine knowing you will spend the rest of your life in a Hospital. It’s no wonder a visit from the Post 284 volunteers to get them to the Chapel, always brings a smile to the patients.These volunteers meet at the Legion Hall on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays for breakfast at 8:00 AM (Chefs Tony Rea-gan or Howard Perross usually cook) and take the Post 284 Van to the hospital (it leaves about 9:00 AM).On the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, some of the regular volunteers drive to the hospital in their private vehicles to get the patience to the Chapel. If we had as many volunteers as we need on these Sundays, we could take the Post Van to McGuire. For more information please call Bill Shill at 804-218-1198 or John Wills at 804-458-3236.

Service Officer:For all Service Officer needs and inquiries, please callLou Vallette at 804-721-8275.FOR GOD AND COUNTRY,Lou Vallette, Service Officer, Post 284

Southern virginia chapter of the american legion riders

Greetings and Happy New Year~

Well, my first month of the year as Director is almost behind me and the weather has certainly slowed us down.

Our annual Polar Bear Ride on Monday January 1st was delayed a twice in January due to the unseason-ably cold weather. Stay tuned to next month’s News and Views to see if we were actually able to have the ride.

On Friday nights at the Topside the American Legion Riders continuing to hold the Queen of Hearts from 5-7pm. Please come out to support the Riders and the Topside. Good Friends, good food and a good time, who knows you may just start your year out with some extra cash.

The latest gun raffle has started and it is for a Glock 17. Tickets are $5 each and only 500 being sold. Please see any Rider to get your tickets. Remember, you can’t win if you don’t play. Congratulations to Lloyd, who was once again the top seller for the last gun raffle.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who came out to help with Post Clean up on Saturday January 13th. It was cold but we always have a good time no matter what we do.

Until Next Month, stay warm and safe.

Carlton DrummondSVALR Director

ATTENTIONUnit 284 AUXILIARY MEMBERS!!

2018 ANNUAL DUES ARE

$30.00If you are paying them via the membership boxes, PLEASE text or call (804-337-0905) or e-mail

membership chairman Rita Feasenmyer at ritafeas@gmail.com in order for your card to be distributed in a timely manner. Thank You!

*NOTE* It is not the responsibility of the Topside employees to provide information regarding membership. Please contact the membership chairman with any questions!

Your cooperation is appreciated!

Bre

akfa

st

Post

Cle

an U

p

Build

ing &

G

rounds

Mee

ting

6:3

0 p

m