Home

PLEASE NOTE

MEETINGS CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

==============+===============

Veterans Day Ceremony, Nov 11, 2020

The LOW Veterans Club will conduct its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11th at the Community Center. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The 11 a.m. commemoration of the signing of the Peace of Versailles officially ending World War I that was signed at 11:11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. This hour long patriotic event will appropriately pay tribute to American veterans who have proudly served their country.

This tribute honors all service members of the Armed Forces that honorable served this country in peace and war. Throughout our country’s history, military service members have put on their uniforms to protect the values and liberties that this county was founded upon.

In the spirit of honoring veterans, the LOW Clubhouse will offer a free Veterans Appreciation dinner to any LOW resident Armed Service veteran that night. A veteran must be a member of the LOW Veterans Club or present a valid Armed Forces Identification Card, a veteran’s card, or a DD214 to receive the gratitude dinner. Wearing of masks is required for entering and exiting the facility.

The four entrée dinner will be served from 5-9 pm with music provided by the Chris and Mark Band. The entrees include: 1. chicken parmesan over pasta; 2. liver and onions; 3. twin pork chops; 4. tilapia with lobster sauce; 5. vegetable lasagna. All entrees are served with two sides. Guests can order off the regular menu and pay accordingly.

Reservations are required. Further details are included in this Lake Currents edition. To make reservations contact the Clubhouse at 540-972-2221.

The LOW Veterans Club expresses our gratitude to the staff at the Clubhouse for providing this offer. Attending veterans can bring pictures of themselves, taken in uniform, to be displayed on the Clubhouse Christmas tree.

The club held its 2020-2021 election of officers at the October 22ndmeeting. The elected officers include: President Mike Ferguson, Vice PresidentDan Greene, Secretary Alan Clune, and Treasurer Gil Churchill. In addition, the club proudly donated $1,000 to the representative of the Families of the Wounded Fund, Inc.

==============+===============

New Veterans Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019

One of the elements of the LOW Veterans Club mission is to educate members and non-affiliated veterans about benefits that are available to them. A newly passed veteran related law is now in effect.

On Saturday, August 8, President Trump signed into law the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019. This law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Justice Department establish a federal Veterans Treatment Courts (VTC) Program which will provide $30 million in grants and technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments to develop and maintain such courts.

The Veterans Treatment Courts will specifically address the problems that veterans face similar to the way a drug or mental health victims are provided treatment rather than criminal punishment. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health concluded that this concept works. The one-year recidivism rate for veteran court participants was nearly half that of other offenders.

Veterans appearing before the VTC charged with misdemeanors and non-violent crimes suffering from substance abuse, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or other forms of mental health problems as a result of their military service will be recommended for treatment. Those veterans that do not successfully complete the rehabilitation program will be required to complete their full sentences in jail.

For information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

LOW Veterans Club Independence Day Reminder

The LOW Veterans Club members would like to remind residents of the upcoming anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This year will be the 243rd anniversary of the unanimous signing of the declaration by the thirteen United States of America. All 56 delegates are found on the document signed in Philadelphia.

As the day approaches, the LOW Veterans Club would like to quote some of the most significant parts of the documentation:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

This revolutionary document started this country on its way to being a democratic republic and should rightly be honored and celebrated on the 4^th of July each year. There will not be the normal LOW celebrating because of the impact of the Coronavirus; however, the significance of this historic event should not be forgotten.

Instead, time should be set aside to reflect on the meaning and significance of the words contained in the Declaration of Independence. The LOW Veterans Club encourages everyone to solemnly do so.

The official Lake of the Woods Independence Day celebration is scheduled for Saturday, September 5. Activities include the parade, events at the point, water ski show, and of course, fireworks.

For information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

LOW Veterans Club Honors American Flag on Flag Day, June 14, 2020

The LOW Veterans Club encourages all residents to display the American flag on Flag Day, June 14^th. That Sunday nationwide observance day is part of officially declared National Flag Week.

The Continental Congress replaced the British Grand Union flag with a new American flag on June 14, 1777. It was not until August 1949 when President Harry Truman signed the legislation that proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day.

The official flag of the United States represents freedom and sacrifices of and for its citizens. Also, the two described events provide an opportunity for Americans to remember their loyalty to the nation, reaffirm their belief in liberty and justice.

Also, the LOW Veterans Club wants to provide information about the care of your American Flag. It is time to wash your flag if it is beginning to look dirty or dingy. The Flag Code does not prohibit washing. However hand-washing is preferred with a mild laundry detergent. Some dry cleaners do offer free flag-cleaning services.

According to the Flag Code, any American Flag that is worn, damaged or tattered should be retired in a respectful and dignified manner. For LOW residents, there is a locked collection box provided by the Scouts located in the lower level vestibule of the Holcomb Building.

The LOW Veterans Club recently conducted a modified Memorial Day event on May 25th at the LOW Clubhouse. This annual ceremony is conducted by the club in order to honor those Armed Service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

On behalf of the Lake of the Woods Association, Major Richard Harrell and Sargent Tabatha Henslee placed the wreath remembering and honoring our deceased veterans since last Memorial Day. Other participants that assisted the LOW Veterans Club were bugler, Ben Corner and Star Spangled Banner, singer Nancy King.

For information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

LOW Veterans Club Article for April 24

One of the elements of the LOW Veterans Club mission is to educate members and non-affiliated veterans about benefits that are available to them. Numerous changes have been made by the Federal Government concerning burial and survivor benefits.

Any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable from any of the Armed Forces is eligible for burial in a Veterans Affairs National Cemetery. A minimum of 24 months of active duty is required if a veteran’s service was after September 7, 1980.

The Veterans Administration does not pay burial benefits if the deceased died during active military service or was a member of Congress at time of death, or was a Federal prisoner.

Upon request the VA will make eligibility determinations for burial in a VA National Cemetery in advance of need. Veterans are entitled to burial in any open cemetery which includes opening/closing of the grave, a government furnished grave liner, perpetual care of the gravesite, and a government furnished upright headstone or flat marker at no cost to the family.

The new burial regulations will permit the VA to pay a flat rate for survivor allowances. Thereby enabling the VA to automate payments of burial benefits to eligible surviving spouses and decrease the time required to process other benefit claims.

If the veteran died on or after October 1, 2017 the spouse and dependent survivors will receive a $300 burial allowance and $762 for a burial plot. Prior to that date, the survivor benefit the same for burial allowance, but the VA would pay a plot allowance of $749.

An eligible survivor can apply on line at Vets.gov or by filling out VA Form 21P-530, Application for Burial Allowance and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state. You should attach a copy of the deceased veteran’s DD 214 and appropriate death certificate.

The LOW Veterans Club scheduled meeting for April has been cancelled. For information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

LOW Veterans Club Demonstration of Final Salute Ceremony

The LOW Veterans Club conducted a demonstration by their Honor Squad of the “Final Salute” Ceremony to all members at the monthly meeting held on March 26^th. The “Final Salute” ceremony is provided to all deceased LOW resident veterans when requested. To obtain more information about this unique LOW Veterans Club service please contact Joe McEuen at 540-972-2054.

Most recent ceremony was conducted on Saturday, March 7, 2020 in honor for the service of retired Navy Captain Daniel L. Banks, Jr. Proudly LOW Veterans Club President Dan Greene presented our unique “service coin” to Banks’ wife of 73 years.

Today on Friday March 27, there will be a Veterans Day Ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Culpeper National Ceremony, 305 US Avenue, Culpeper, VA. The keynote speaker will be Brigadier General John Rose. There will be pinning for appropriate veterans.

Also, the LOW Veterans Club would like to invite Vietnam and Vietnam Era veterans and their families to a special Vietnam War Commemoration on Sunday March 29^th. The noon to 2 p.m. event will be held at the National Marine Corps Museum in Triangle Virginia.

Applicable veterans will receive a complimentary Vietnam War Commemoration Lapel Pin during the program. Also, guided museum tours and light refreshments will be provided to guests following the ceremony. In addition, key note speaker retired General Richard I. Neal will provide appropriate remarks.

Free registration is available at www.capitalcaring.org/welcomehome.

For information concerning the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

Nov. 11, 11:00 AM

Veterans Day Ceremony

The LOW Veterans Club will conduct its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 11^th at the Community Center. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the event. This hour long patriotic event will appropriately pay tribute to American veterans who have proudly served their country.

This tribute honors all service members of the Armed Forces that honorable served this country in peace and war. Throughout our country’s history, military service members have put on their uniforms to protect the values and liberties that this county was founded upon.

Immediately following the Veterans Day ceremony, the Quilts of Valor organization will present quilts to the following veterans: Zachary Dunn, Eric Hoar, Robert Cole, and Holly Bond. The Quilts of Value is a non-profit organization whose goal is to cover all physically or psychologically wounded service members with a freedom quilt honoring their sacrifices.

LOW Veterans Club held its 2020-2021 elections at the October 24^th meeting. The elected officers include: President Dan Greene, Vice President Michael Ferguson, Secretary Alan Clune, Treasurer Gil Churchill, and Assistant Treasurer Jim Fargo. In addition President Greene appointed Bill Derryberry as Events Coordinator and Fred Pulis as Communications Specialist.

For further information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

Nov. 8, 5 - 9 PM

Veterans Appreciation Dinner

In the spirit of honoring veterans, the LOW Clubhouse will offer a free Veterans Appreciation dinner to any LOW resident Armed Service veteran on Friday, November 8^th. A veteran must be a member of the LOW Veterans Club or present a valid Armed Forces Identification Card, a veteran’s card, or a DD214 to receive the gratitude dinner.

The four entrée dinner will be served from 5-9 pm with music provided by the Chris and Mark Band. The entrees include: Chicken Parmesan over pasta; liver and onions; sirloin steak with red wine demi; Cajun catfish; and manicotti. All entrees are served with two sides.

Reservations are required. Further details are included in this Lake Currents edition. To make reservations contact the Clubhouse at 540-972-2221.

The LOW Veterans Club expresses our gratitude to the staff at the Clubhouse for providing this offer. Attending veterans can bring pictures of themselves, taken in uniform, to be displayed on the Clubhouse Christmas tree.

Also, the LOW Veterans Club donated American Flag is proudly displayed now in the LOW Fitness Center.

For further information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

Oct. 24 Meeting

Speaker: D.J. Mallman

(USN, Retired)

The LOW Veterans Club next meeting is Thursday, October 24 at 7 p.m. at the Clubhouse lower level. The featured speaker will be retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer D.J. Mallmann. He has over 40 years of experience as an imagery analyst concerning areas of expertise in military, political, terrorism, and underground facilities for North Africa and the Middle East.

Also, Mallmann retired as a senior analyst for the CIA. He currently is a resident author at the Lake of the Woods. His published book is entitled SHIBBOLETH and he will be discussing it as well.

Nominations for elected club officers including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are needed. In addition, consideration will be given for the appointed positions of Event Coordinator, Communications Chairman, and Historian. All members are encouraged to notify the Nominating Committee in order to seek nomination and election for the term beginning in January. The nominating Committee members are: Chairman Bill Derryberry, derrybeb.aol.com; Fred Pulis, scpopulis@gmail.com; and Ed Kessler roxedk@comcast.net.

At that same meeting veterans are encouraged to bring pictures of themselves taken in uniform for the purpose of hanging them on the LOWA Clubhouse Christmas Tree. The unique concept was a great success last year according to visitors to the Clubhouse.

For information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

Flag Donated to LOWA Fitness Center

The LOW Veterans Club is donating a full size American Flag to the LOWA Fitness Center. The flag previously flown in Afghanistan is intended to be on display inside the Fitness Center.

Also, the LOW Veterans Club has hundreds of non-fiction World War II books that are available for free. Please contact club president Dan Greene about acquiring any amount of such books. His telephone number and email are identified in the last paragraph of this article.

At our last meeting, a veteran highly praised the cancer treatment that he has received from the Veterans Administration hospital in Richmond, Virginia. The Hunter Holmes McGuire Hospital provided the excellent medical care.

SEPT 26 MEETING!

The LOW Veterans Club next meeting is Thursday, September 26 at 7 p.m. at the Clubhouse lower level. The featured speaker will be Jason Rector. He is the representative of Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs. He will provide an informative and entertaining presentation about veteran rights and benefits.

Nominations for club officers including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are being considered. All members are encouraged to notify the Nominating Committee in order to seek nomination and election for the term beginning in January.

At that same meeting veterans are encouraged to bring pictures of themselves taken in uniform for the purpose of hanging them on the LOWA Clubhouse Christmas Tree. The unique concept was a great success last year according to visitors to the Clubhouse.

For information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president Dan Greene at 540-972-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

AUGUST 22 Meeting

Guest Speaker: LOW World War II Veteran

World War II Army veteran Alex Salustri will be our guest speaker at LOW Veterans Club next meeting on August 22. The 93-year-old LOW resident will discuss his wartime experience in Germany from 1945-47. He served as an infantry corporal with the first occupational forces during that period and has exciting and informative information to provide to the membership. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

All LOW residents are encouraged to attend the meeting at the Community Center. This should be the LOW Veterans Club last meeting at our temporary site and starting on September 26 our monthly meetings will return to the LOW Clubhouse.

The LOW Clubhouse has identified November 8 as the Veterans Day Appreciation dinner. All LOW veteran residents are entitled to a free dinner item as a way of thanking the veterans for their military service.

Also, the date for the LOW Veterans Club Christmas dinner has been scheduled for Friday, December 6th. Members should start identifying their or relatives pictures in uniform to be placed on our Christmas tree. Last year, the club received very positive reviews and comments about our unique ornaments. More details will be provided as the date gets closer.

For information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president, Dan Greene, at 540 973-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

PENDING VETERAN RELATED LEGISLATION

The LOW Veterans Club would like to bring attention to the veteran residents about the pending United States Congress legislation concerning expanding American Legion member eligibility. The LEGION Act (The Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act) has been deferred to a House Subcommittee for further action.

The LEGION Act was passed unanimously by the United States Senate inJune and referred to the House as S 504. The proposed legislation would allow any veteran who served Honorably under federal orders since World War II to join the American Legion.

Currently armed service veterans who served from years between January 1947-June 1950; February 1955-February 1961: or May 1975-August 1982 by law are not eligible for American Legion membership with associated rights and benefits.

Because The American Legion membership periods are congressionallychartered, the organization is prevented from expanding membership without an act of Congress. Therefore, The Legion change in membership can only be done with congressional approval.

Passage of legislation would ensure all veterans are able to be recognized for their contributions and sacrifices in service to this country.These veterans who performed all military duties assigned to them deserve to be given the option to join the American Legion or not.

World War II Army veteran Alex Salustri will be our guest speaker at LOW Veterans Club next meeting on August 22. The 93-year-old LOW resident will discuss his wartime experience in Germany. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. All LOW residents are encouraged to attend the meeting at the Community Center.

The LOW Veterans Club would like to thank the LOW Men’s Golf Association for their generous donation to our club because of our recently held Full Service Flags Ceremony at the home course golf tournament supporting the Fisher House organization. Their donation is greatly appreciated.

For information about the LOW Veterans Club and its activities, please contact club president, Dan Greene, at 540 973-0153 or email him at greene7841@gmail.com.

==============+===============

DID YOU MISS OUR JUNE 27 MEETING?

TO VIEW THE SLIDESHOW PRESENTATION,

CLICK HERE

==============+===============

LOW Veterans Club Recommends WW1, WW2 Museum

The LOW Veterans Club encourages everyone to attend the Profiles of Honor Tour on Saturday, June 22nd at the front of the Clubhouse parking lot. The one-day visit of the mobile museum commemorates the 100^thanniversary of the end of World War I and the 75^thanniversary of D-Day Omaha Beach invasion of Normandy during World War II will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

One of the goals of the mobile museum is to provide an opportunity for visitors to explore personal connections with Virginia’s involvement in the two wars. Also, the museum provides an opportunity for visitors to contribute items such as letters, pictures, diaries, or documents related to various Virginia veterans. These historic events will be scanned and digitized to be archived by the library of Virginia. All items will be returned immediately on Saturday.

The LOW Veterans Club also encourages all residents to participate in the Lake of the Woods golf tournament on Saturday, June 29^ththat benefits the Blue Star Mothers of Fredericksburg. The 9 a.m. shotgun start will be played under captain’s choice rules with all proceeds going to the mission of that organization. The funds will help the organization in its support of active duty members and veterans. Specifically, the funds will be used to provide personal items to troops deployed overseas. For more information or to register contact Faye Mohler at fmohler@LOWA.org. or by phone at 571-245-4318.

The next meeting of the LOW Veterans Club is scheduled for Thursday, June27 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center. Our guest speaker will be Bill Ashton. He is the current Military Veterans Agriculture Liaison for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The retired Navy Lieutenant Commander will explain what USDA does for veterans and which veteran benefits are available through the Veterans Administration. Bill will discuss the role of the Virginia’s Joint Leadership Council where he is an appointed member by the Governor. Also, he will brief us on some of the General Assembly bills and how they are affecting our veterans.

June 14th

LOW Veterans Club Honors Flag Day

The LOW Veterans Club encourages everyone to proudly display the American Flag on Friday, June 14^th. On June 14, 1777 the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that it contains 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

A Wisconsin teacher originated the concept of an annual flag day to be celebrated across the country every June 14 starting in 1885. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially designated June 14 as Flag Day.

The colors of the vertical stripes each represent a different value. White signifies purity and innocence; while red signifies hardiness and valor; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

The number of stars on the American Flag represents the number of states in the union. In the late 50’s before Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as respective states, an Ohio student named Bob Heft designed his creation of what a 50 star flag would look like. On July 4, 1960 President Eisenhower selected Heft’s design and both the president and high school student stood together when the 50-star flag was raised for the first time.

Also, the LOW Veterans Club encourage everyone to attend the June 15 Wounded Veterans event hosted by LOW Adaptive Watersports Foundation. It is very important to register for the event at adaptivesports.org.

At the recently held Memorial Day event hosted by the Veterans Club the following names of LOW of deceased veterans were read and honored; ARMY: Harold “Hal” Bailey, John “Jerry Griffith Davis, Richard Eusanio, Betram Heffernan, David “Dave” LeMay, Ted Ludvigsen, Anna O’Bannon, Gerald “Jerry” Schrage, and John Solebello. MARINE CORPS: Robert “Bob” J. Clarke, Charles A. “Chuck” Tamburo. NAVY: Bernard Merritt, David Motague, Curtis Pendergrass, and John “Jack” Walker. AIR FORCE: Boyd Bowers and Wayne Mayfield.

The next meeting of the LOW Veterans Club is scheduled for Thursday, June27 at 7 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Bill Ashton. He is the current Military Veterans Agriculture Liaison for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

May 27th

LOW Veterans Club Honor Deceased on Memorial Day

As the nation gets ready to celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, the LOW Veterans Club will provide an impressive ceremony honoring those individuals who have died in active duty military service to their country. The approximately one hour event starting at 11 a.m. at the flag pole in front of the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse will feature several ways of recognizing those individuals who paid the ultimate price of their lives for their country.

LOW residents and their guests are invited to witness the true meaning of Memorial Day. Some of the patriotic events include proper raising and lowering of the American Flag, reading of the names of deceased LOW veterans, description of the historic meaning of Memorial Day, and the presentation of the wreath.

The LOW Veterans Club is also involved with observing all fatalities involved in the Battles of Chancellorsville and Wilderness on Saturday, May 25. The Memorial Day tribute will be held at historic Elwood Manor which was the site of a Confederate hospital and later became the location of Federal headquarters.

The one hour event will begin at 2 p.m. with the presentation of “colors” by the Lake of the Woods Veterans Club. The featured speaker will be Park Supervisory Historian Greg Mertz. The program will conclude with a military tribute to the soldiers who died during the historic battles from both the Union and Confederate armies.

Admission is free and open to the public.

In the spirit and intent of honoring fallen armed forces personnel the LOW Veterans Club recommends the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) that is a nonprofit organization that funded the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall located in Washington, DC. VVMF has created an In Memory plaque which contains names which honors the Vietnam veterans who have lost their lives as a result of their service in Vietnam.

Examples of death that fit the criteria include: Exposure to Agent Orange; PTSD/Suicide; Cancer; Diabetes; Heart Disease, and Parkinson ’s disease. For more information contact VVMF at InMemory@vvmf.org.

Mar 28th Meeting, 1900 Hours

The LOW Veterans Club would like to describe the most valuable separation document that is issued to all active duty Armed Forces veterans. The specific document is the DD Form 214 entitled “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.”

The DD 214 is the capstone military service document. It reflects the complete, government verified record of a veteran’s time in military service, awards and medals, rate or rank at time of separation from active duty. In addition it reflects total military combat service and completed military training, and specialty.

The DD 214 completed form is commonly used by various agencies;however, the most significant is the Department of Veterans Affairs. This definitive document is required for Veterans Affairs provided medical care, home loans, school loans, and is used for any medical claims of service connected disability.

This same document is required by funeral directors to determine eligibility for interment in VA cemetery and other related veteran benefits. The DD214 is also required for surviving dependent application for receiving death benefits.

Needless to say, the original DD214 document should be kept in a very secure location. Copies can be made for proving veteran service for eligibility of any benefits and original never should be submitted.

The LOW Veterans Club will conduct its monthly meeting on Thursday, March 28th at the LOW Community Center starting at 7 p.m. The scheduled guest speaker is Dennis Springer, who will provide pertinent information about the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico Virginia. Other topics of discussion will include regular Club business as well as the other veteran related information and issues.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Feb 28th Meeting, 1900 Hours

The LOW Veterans Club will conduct its monthly meeting on Thursday, February 28^th at the LOW Community Center starting at 7 p.m. The scheduled guest speaker is Jenny A. Marra. She has over eighteen years of experience as a Geospatial Intelligence and All-Source Analyst providing a full range of finished intelligence products supporting the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Her presentation should be both informative and entertaining. Veteran Club members and guests are encouraged to attend as well as LOW residents.

The LOW Veterans Club membership is open to all LOW resident veterans who have been Honorable Discharged, retired, currently on active duty or serving in our reserve military armed forces. The LOW Veterans Club meets each month to promote fellowship, patriotism, and provide veterans-related information.

The Club actively participates in LOW celebrations such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day. Several field trips are planned for 2019.

Annual Club membership dues are due for current members which is five dollars. Dues payment can be made at our Club meetings or mailed to our treasurer Gil Churchill at 110 Cumberland Circle. Initial membership dues are $25 which includes LOW VETS cap, nametag, and annual dues.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

World War II Veterans to Speak at LOW Veterans Club Meeting

The LOW Veterans Club will hold its first meeting of the year on Thursday January 24^thfeaturing World War II veterans as speakers. Both Army veterans Linc Landis and Alex Salustri will share their memories and experience at the 7 p.m. meeting at the Community Center.

Additionally, the annual Veterans Club Christmas Dinner featured eight living World War II veteran attendees who all reside in Lake of the Woods. Also any unclaimed military photos from the Christmas tree can be picked up at our January meeting.

The LOW Veterans Club had quite a year in 2018. Events included: celebration of 10 year anniversary of club; conducting Memorial Day Ceremony, Independence Day Parade participation, conducting Veterans Day Ceremony, and honoring all veterans at our December 7^thChristmas Party.

The Club sponsored the visit of the World War I and World War II Commemoration Commission’s WW I and WW II Mobile Museum.

In addition, the LOW Veterans Club performs “Final Salute” tribute to deceased LOW veterans at their respective funeral services. Assisting in the American Flag proper disposal is performed when needed. Monetarily the club annually donates one thousand dollars to the “Families of the Wounded” foundation.

Guest speakers included male and female retired military enlisted and officer personnel, former State Department employees, a battlefield photographer, and Orange County Sheriff. Their entertaining and informative presentations were overwhelmingly welcomed by the membership.

Miscellaneous topics of discussion and information included: Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs services; burial benefits for veterans, medical and dental benefits for veterans, and other veteran relevant information.

The LOW Veterans Club is open for membership to any LOW resident who served honorable in any of this nation’s armed forces. In addition to the activities described above, the Club presents a place for member comradery and also a place to promote patriotism and citizenship. The Club current paid-up membership is 101 including 40 lifetime members and 6 World War II veterans.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

World War II veterans honored at LOW Veterans Club Christmas Party

The LOW Veterans Club held its annual Christmas Party on December 7^th at the LOW Clubhouse and honored all veterans in attendance. (There were more than 100 people present!) The World War II veterans were guests of the Club and provided special recognition as well as free meals. That was also true for their spouses and caregivers.

Specific World War II veterans included (in photo below):

Luis Amador (Coast Guard), James Cantrell (Navy), Link Landis (Army), Frank Liberti (Navy), William Phillips (Army), Alex Salustri (Army), and Ossie Schmidt (Army).