Commander's Corner Message
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Commander’s Corner Message
Post 320 website.
Auxiliary Unit 320 website.
Post 320 Baseball website.
Senator Bryce Reeves Guest Speaker
Senator Bryce Reeves, Representative for District 28 provided a briefing on
veterans legislation, veterans services and the Rappahannock Regional Veterans
Treatment Docket (RRVTD). Loretta Gulley (R) presents Senator Reeves (L) a
Post 320 Commander’s Coin.
1
Mid April 2024
Spotsylvania County Celebrates $4.6M in Federal Funding
Supervisor Deborah Frazier, Post Commander
David Bennett, 7th Congressional
Representative Abigail Spanberger, Squadron
320 Commander Tim Fincher and Supervisor
Kevin Marshal celebrate more than $4.6
million in federal funding to improve access
from I-95 to the future Veterans Affairs’ Health
Care Clinic providing much-needed access to
care for the region’s Veterans.
Improved Access to the
Veterans Affairs’ Health Care Clinic
2
Mid April 2024
Celebrating Post 320 Women of Service
McKenzie Goldberg
USN 1996-2001 Cryptologic Maintenance Technician (CTM2)
Served at NSGA Rota, Spain, and as part of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. Earned
Bluejacket Sailor of the Year at NSGA Rota, two Navy Achievement Medals,
Overseas Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Joint Commendation Medal.
3
Mid April 2024
Chaplain David promoted from Novice to Rassaphore Monk at the
St. Demetrios Monastery Brotherhood
The Abbot of St. Demetrios Monastery Brotherhood performs the Monastic
Tonsure for Chaplain David. Post Commander David Bennett congratulates
Chaplain David with his new title of Father David.
On March 25th, our Chaplain David was promoted from Novice to Rassaphore
Monk at the St. Demetrios Monastery Brotherhood (5 minutes from Post 320;
10636 Catharpin Rd). This was a major step for him in his Orthodox Christian
Church/Monastery, and his title is now Father David due to receiving monastic
tonsure. In the Eastern Christian Church tradition the title of Father is granted to
not only those ordained to Holy Orders (Deacon and Priest), but also tonsured
monks. The following is a brief explanation of the Christian monastic life that our
Chaplain has taken in prayerful service not only to the veterans of Post 320, but
also our entire nation as a monk where his life is centered on prayer for all people:
A man who enters monastic life, tries to leave his old self behind, with all the old
joys and sorrows, virtues and sins, and starts a voluntary new life, seeking to find a
new, loving relationship to all things and people in Christ, to Whom he vows his
life.
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Mid April 2024
Rassaphore (lit. "Robe-bearer")— If a novice continues on to become a monk, he
is clothed in the first degree of monasticism at a service at which he receives the
tonsure where he is required to affirm his commitment to persevere in the monastic
life. The Abbot will then perform the tonsure, cutting a small amount of hair from
four spots on the head, forming a cross. He is then given the outer Riassa which is
an outer robe with wide sleeves, from which the name of Rassaphore is derived.
He is also given a klobuk (a cylindrical brimless hat), which is covered with a veil.
This process is similar to the granting of a military uniform upon arriving for boot
camp in the Armed Services (novice rank), and the tonsure (promotion) from
novice to Rassaphore is similar to becoming a non-commissioned officer but in a
monastery.
Rappahannock Regional Veterans Treatment Docket (RRVTD)
Graduation
Veteran Mentor Co-Coordinator, Loretta Gulley, Post Commander David
Bennett, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class, Margarida
Figueroa and Squadron Commander Tim Fincher
5
Mid April 2024
Governor of Virginia Recognizes Post 320 Members
Deputy Margarida Figueroa and Loretta Gulley with the Rappahannock
Veterans Treatment Docket were recognized by the Governor of
Virginia, Glenn Youngkin for their service to our country.
6
Mid April 2024
Post Everlasting & Four Chaplains Ceremonies
Post 320 honoring the loss of four comrades and the Four Chaplains.
7
Mid April 2024
Auxiliary Unit 320 Easter Egg Hunt
Special thanks to Gertrude Dickerson for the Easter baskets donated to the
children.
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Mid April 2024
April Certificates of Appreciations
In recognition for outstanding service and assistance to the advancement
of The American Legion programs and activities dedicated to God and
Country.
Junior Rose Ed Varner
McKenzie Goldberg Ron/Jan Wactor
9
Mid April 2024
Marine Corps League Presentation
Service Officer, Roy Murphy (R) presents a Marine Corps League Certificate of
Appreciation to Post 320
Squadron Commander Tim Fincher and Derick Anderson
Squadron Commander Tim Fincher (L) and Derick Anderson of the 5th Special
Forces Group
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Mid April 2024
Upcoming Events:
19 Apr: Sons/Auxiliary spaghetti dinner 5:00 PM
20 Apr: Vets’ Retreat Virginia Run for Valor
24 Apr: JROTC Awards for the Knights Battalion will be presented at the
Spotsylvania High School at 6:00 PM
24 Apr: FLVG Community Salute @ 6:00 PM
07 May: Post 320 Meeting at 7:00 PM
07 May: JROTC Awards to be presented at Courtland High School from 6-9 PM
11 May: Baseball Kick Off Day! Meet & greet the players/parents & Post
members
25 May: Auxiliary poppy distribution at Tractor Supply
25 May: Flying Flags for Heroes. Contact the Squadron 320 Commander at
squadron320commander@gmail.com
May: Mother’s Day brunch
04 Jun: TBD. Trying to schedule a FREDNATS game with Post members & the
baseball team.
12 Jun: The Post baseball team will be playing Wednesday night double headers
12 Jun: Supporting Women’s Veterans
June: Flag Retirement & Installation of Officers
29 Jun: The American Legion Riders (ALR) Chapter 320 will host a Bike Show
12 Oct (tentative): Fall Festival
09 Nov: Veteran’s Day Celebration
Canteen: Open on Friday night at 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM with extended hours on 12
& 26 APR from 6:00 PM to 1 AM with the last call at midnight. We normally
will have a local vendor to serve food, including our own Post 320 disabled veteran
that owns a food truck.
SAL: Timothy Fincher is the Sons of The American Legion Squadron 320
Commander and is available @ squadron320commander@gmail.com. Please
reach out to Commander Fincher to renew or join Squadron 320.
Auxiliary: Jenny Ferguson is The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 320 President
and is available @ vaalauxiliary320@gmail.com. Please reach out President
Ferguson to renew or join Unit 320.
Riders: Brian Gonzalez is The American Legion Riders Chapter 320 Director and
is available at vaalp320alrd@gmail.com. Please reach out to Gonzo to renew or
join Chapter 320.
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Mid April 2024
Veteran Healthcare:
“Good Afternoon David,
The following is a quick synopsis of what I do and how I can help our legion
family .
Hello all ! My name is Michael Kulikowski Licensed Medicare agent in Virginia,
North and South Carolina and, Florida. I offer consultations and education
regarding Medicare and Medicaid products, as well as insight into Tri-care for life
and VA benefits.
I also offer most major companies and can contract with whichever company the
client is interested in if I am not already. I run my business with a 0-pressure
approach. My services are at no cost and if I can find a better plan or benefit that
fits the client better, I can sign them up as well. I specialize in clients new to the
Medicare land scape or existing Medicare members and what their options are. I
pride myself on honesty and integrity, if I cannot find something better or more
agreeable to the consumer then we leave it alone, I will not “sell” someone a policy
that does not need it just to make a sale.
I can help navigate plans that work with VA benefits and give instruction if
questions arise. I offer this service as an educational tool, so the consumer is aware
of pressure sales tactics and to good to be true policies. Consumers will no longer
feel the urge to call the bait and switch commercials on TV offering endless free
bees to anyone who calls. Unfortunately, this is not how Medicare works and these
predatory sales companies take advantage of older folks which I find unacceptable.
I try to treat all my members as a family member and friend , I am always
available, and my clients NEVER have any issues getting ahold of me.
I do not work directly for any single company so my loyalties lie with my members
and only my members, I will show all plans available in the area and the consumer
can make the choice. I will check all doctors and medications that the clients
requests to ensure the network or plan they are using accepts them.
I truly enjoy helping people and this career has given me several opportunities to
assist in any way I can, it has become a passion. If anyone is interested in my
services, please feel free to call or text me at 540 498 3640.
Thanks you
Mike”
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Mid April 2024
Need Assistance? Post members that need assistance with food or other needs can
discreetly reach out to the Post for assistance by calling 540-548-8069 and leaving
a message or contact our leadership via Post320@gmail.com.
Regards,
David R. Bennett
Commander
American Legion Post 320
Spotsylvania, VA
Email: vaalpost320cdr@gmail.com
Post Voicemail: (540) 548-8069