Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter Serving Local Warrant Officers and their Families Since 1973 |
United States Army Warrant Officers Association
Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter Serving Local Warrant Officers and their Families Since 1973 |
Chapter History and Events
The Chapter Then
The Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter was originally organized in 1973 at the U.S. Army Engineer Center and School, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. It has been continuously active since being organized in the founding years of USAWOA, thus the designation as a "Silver" Chapter. The Chapter is named after Lord Fairfax, a historical figure in George Washington's era.
For many years, the Chapter predominately consisted of warrant officers associated with the U.S. Army Engineer Center and School and other Fort Belvoir activities. It met monthly at the Fort Belvoir Officers Club and it participated in many post events and youth activities.
During part of this earlier period a Potomac Chapter was activated which serviced the Pentagon and the Military District of Washington. Upon inactivation of the Potomac Chapter most members transferred to the Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter.
The Chapter currently meets on the third Thursday of the month at 4:30 pm in the meeting room of the Kingstowne Library at the intersection of Telegraph and Beulah Roads, just outside the North Post Gate of Fort Belvoir.
The Chapter Now
After the move of the Engineer Center and School to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and the inactivation of the Potomac Chapter, the Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter moved its meetings to the Hoffman Complex in Alexandria, Virginia to better cover Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. More recently, the Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter absorbed the membership of the former Vint Hill Farms Station and Chapter. Today, Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter is the local home of over 200 Association members residing in Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and the District of Columbia. In addition to monthly meetings, the Chapter participates in Warrant Officer Professional Development (WOPD) Seminars, community service projects such as Habitat for Humanity work sites, and hosts specific events at or, in some cases hosted the entire USAWOA Annual Meetings of the Members.
Pictured left, Associate Member Lt. Col. Frank "the Chef" Holub, USAF Retired, and John "Vic" Taylor, then Chapter President, prepare Virginia Ham & Chesapeake Bay crab cakes for the 1996 Annual Meeting of the Members President's Reception in Dothan, AL, while Azalea & Dogwood Queen Michelle Arnett looks on.
In the fall of 1996 the Chapter participate in a
Habitat for Humanity project in Alexandria, VA.
Pictured (l to r) Joe Ray, Bob Cox & Joe Clay.
In May 1997, the Chapter donated a television to the Soldiers and Airmen's Home in Washington, DC.
In September 1997 the Chapter participated in the Fort Belvoir Retiree Day.
From October 21 to 24, 1997, the Chapter was deeply involved in the hosting of the 25th Anniversary 1997 Annual Meeting of the Members which was held from 21 to 24 October at the Old Colony Inn and Conference Center in Alexandria. The Chapter also sponsored the USAWOA Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery during the course of this Annual Meeting.
USAWOA 25th Anniversary wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
in Arlington National Cemetery in tribute to all our warrant officer comrades who had gone before us.
A new endeavor of the Chapter commenced in the fall of 1998 when the Commonwealth of Virginia approved the Lord Fairfax Chapter application to clean-up a section of the new Fairfax County Parkway from U.S. Route 1 (near Fort Belvoir) to the Interstate 95 Interchange in Springfield, Virginia. The Chapter gets together the Saturday morning after Chapter meetings (approximately every other month) and picks up all the accumulated trash along side the parkway and in the median.
Fall 1998 kick-off of the Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up Project
(Pictured in the front (l to r) are then Chapter President Deb Henson and Secretary Tom Sutterfield.
In the rear with the white hat, Project Chair Dick Markle, his wife Karin, V.P. Howard Lundin and Bobby Cox.
Others unidentified.)
During July 1999 Chapter members participated as volunteers at the U.S. Soldiers and Airman's Home in Washington, DC. Pictured top left is CW5 Howard Lundin, CW5 Willie Brown, and SGM (Ret) F. D. Thomas.
Pictured left, CW5 Howard Lundin is a Poker Table Dealer for residents playing cards.
Pictured right, Laura Fogarty, Chief Recreation Services
congratulates resident John O'Donnell
who won a 19 in. TV/VCR donated by the Chapter.
Lord Fairfax Silver & Arlington Hall Minuteman Chapters Support Retiree Day.
The two chapters teamed-up to support Retiree Appreciation Day at Scott Hall, Fort Belvoir, VA on Saturday, September 18. The also jointly presented a USAWOA Coverlet to the Retiree Services Office as a door prize at the conclusion of the day. Pictured (l to r) are CW5 Dick Markle, Lord Fairfax; CW5 Don McFarland and CW4 Ken Van Der Werf, both Arlington Hall Minuteman.
(Picture by CW5 (Ret) Dave Welsh)
Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter won the 1999 USAWOA Community Affairs Award. The community service award for the Chapter with the best community sustaining program for the USAWOA award year July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999 was based on the Chapter's support of the Soldier's and Sailor's Home, support of Retiree Days, and the Fairfax County Parkway 'Adopt-a-Highway. programs. The award was accepted by CW3 Dee Robinson, Chapter Treasurer and delegate, at the Awards Banquet on October 29th which closed the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Members in the General Patton Hotel, Garmisch, Germany. Other Chapter members in attendance at the Annual Meeting and Banquet included CW5 (Ret) Ray Bell, CW4 (Ret) Don Hess, CW5 (Ret) Dave Welsh (chapter Webmaster), CW4 Chuck Sowles, CW2 Deb Hahnenkamp (Chapter Secretary), CW5 Jim Morgan, and CW5 Matt Wojdak.
Lord Fairfax Silver received the 2001 Community Affairs Award for Sustaining Chapter Programs for the best sustaining community programs. Most notable was the continuing work with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, support of Retiree Activities Day at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and Adopt-A-Highway programs at the Awards Banquet which concluded the Annual Meeting of the Members in Las Vegas, NV on October 23, 1997 This was third consecutive year that the Chapter has won a Community Affairs Award.
(Pictured L to R are USAWOA President Frank Meeks, Northeast Region Director Gary Nisker, Chapter Secretary CW2 Cevilla Mosby and USAWOA Vice President Jim White - picture by Ray Bell)
In December 2001 the Chapter participated in the Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer, VA, Adopt-a-Family for Christmas Programs - Each family received several bags of non-perishable food items, a $75.00 gift certificate from Safeway for them to buy perishables items of their holiday meals, and a $75.00 AAFES gift certificate to purchase size and style specific items. Additionally the Chapter provided gifts from the Chapter members ranging from bicycles, to dolls, stuffed animals, games, puzzles, clothing items, pampers, and other wished-for items. We think both families had a very blessed holiday.
In September 2002 the Chapter donated school supplies
to the Fort Belvoir Elementary School (VA).
Pictured (l to R) are Chapter President CW5 (Ret) Rick Ford, Principal Mrs. Jan Wilson, and Chapter Treasurer Dick Markle.
(Photo courtesy Wayne V. Hall, Belvoir EAGLE)
In December 2002, the Chapter participated in the Adopt-a-Family for Christmas programs at both Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer. The Chapter started off with one family at each post however the donations from Chapter members and friends were so plentiful that before the drive was over the Chapter ended up Adopting three families, 1 large family at Fort Belvoir and 2 families at Fort Meyer. Among the items donated were 6 bicycles, a Sony Play station II for a family of six, gift certificates at AAFES and the Commissary and many, many other gifts for the family members.
In 2003, the Chapter again participated in the Alexandria, VA Christmas in April Program
Members and friends repaired and/or refurbished three homes of needy older residents in Alexandria, VA. Pictured are CW2 (Ret) Tom Cronin, COL (Ret) Gerry Braun, COL Chris Young, CW5 (Ret) Willie Brown, Nicole Lina, Theresa Johnson, Janice Yi, CW3 (Ret) Larry Woodmansee, CW5 (Ret) Dick Markle, CW5 (Ret) Ron McLendon, CW2 Cevilla Mosby and CW3 Keith Anderson. Participants not in the picture were CW5 Craig Sincock and CW5 (Ret) Rick Ford. (Picture by Rick Ford)
On August 2, 2003, we were blessed with a mostly overcast, but dry day for a car wash at the Fort Belvoir South Post Mini-Mart. Donations of over $440 dollars were received in the little more than 4 1/2 hours. Ron McLendon and Dick Markle extend thanks to Willie Brown, Larry Woodmansee, Cevilla Mosby, Maria Valdovino, Larry Kelly, Tom Cronin, Lisa Henderson, Ron Whalen (from Pottsville, PA), Rick Ford, Kimberly and Samantha Markle, and newly arrived WO1 Patrick Morris, for their much appreciated help.
On October 24, 2003, the Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter was the proud recipient of a 30-Year flag streamer recognizing the Chapter for continuous service to USAWOA and it's members since 1973. The presentation was made at the USAWOA Annual Awards Banquet and Ball, at the Holiday Inn-Battlefield, Gettysburg, PA. Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter President Cevilla Mosby accepted the award on behalf of the Chapter and it's members. ) Pictured left to right are USAWOA National President Frank Meeks, Chapter President Mosby, and USAWOA National Vice President Roy Valiant.
(Picture by Dave Welsh)
On December 18, 2003, the Chapter held it's annual holiday get-together at the Kingstowne Library and On behalf of our Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter president, CW2 Cevilla Mosby, to all of you that provided either a gift or a monetary donation to our Adopt-a-Family program again this year, our heartfelt thanks. Your generous contribution will go a long way toward providing a brighter holiday season for our adopted families at both Ft Myer and Ft Belvoir. The presents and gift certificates were delivered to the respective ACS offices at both locations on December 19th.
December 2004 - Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter Adopt-a-Family 2004 - The Chapter had a tremendous response to the 2004 Adopt-A-Family program. We received gifts for all members of both of our adopted families and cash donations of $725, which went for Commissary gift certificates and AAFES gift cards for both families. The gifts and certificates were delivered to the Ft Belvoir ACS office on Thursday, 16 December, and to the Fort Myer ACS office on Friday, 17 December. Many thanks to the following individuals for their gifts and or cash donations: Larry Kelly, Linda Johnson, Sam Rheem, Charlie Parker, Eddie & Betty Mallard, Willie and Frankie Brown, Ron McLendon, Gary Novis and family, Maria Valdovino, Ron Whalen, Jerry Dillard, Terry Todd, Frank Holub, Leonard Crain, Tom & Maggie Cronin, Dennis Phillips, Faye Brown, Rick Ford, Patrick Morris, Frank and Jean Dyer, and Valerie Lubin.
On June 4, 2005 - CW5 Mallard supports USO Care Package Program On Saturday, June 4, 2005, from 0800-1630 hrs, about 65 volunteers joined the USO at their warehouse on Jackson Loop, Fort Belvoir, VA to stuff care packages with phone calling cards, gum, candy canes and other items in plastic bags that will be delivered to U.S. troops deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries in the Middle East. CW5 Eddie Mallard, VP Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter (with Eagle Rising on his ball cap & tee shirt) tapes a box containing 25 individual bags for shipment (each pallet contained 20 boxes with 25 individual bags per box). At the conclusion, the volunteers had stuffed 10,000 bags.
On Friday, 16 December, 2005, presents and gift certificates were delivered to the Ft Myer and Ft Belvoir ACS Adopt-A-Family coordinators for pickup by the Chapter adopted families. A hearty thank you to the following helpers for their support of the Adopt-A-Family program fr 2005. Monetary contributions totaled $630 and/or presents for the several children in the two adopted families guaranteed that the families had a much merrier holiday season. Thanks goes out to Ron McLendon, Larry Kelly, Eddie & Betty Mallard, Sam & Kathleen Rhem, Frank & Jean Dyer, Xiomara Rivera, Rick Ford, Maria Valdovino, Leonard Crain, Ron Whalen, Frank Holub, Jerry Dillard, Terry Todd, Ed Clayton, Larry Woodmansee, and Patrick Morris.
A Thank you to you!
Dec 28, 2005
Dear Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter, US Army Warrant Officer Association
The Army Community Service Family, as well as the family you donated to, would like to thank you for your support of Military Families and your generosity.
The family wanted you to know that your contributions to their Christmas made a difference. The kindness you showed made this holiday special.
Thank you again and have a wonderful New Year.
Ms. Sandy L. Sullivan
Ms. Gwendolyn Smallwood
Fort Myer Military Community
Army Community Service Center
On 29 July 2006, the Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter, USAWOA members and guests participated as volunteers for “Casino Night” at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC. Pictured from left to right is Historian, CW5(R) Ron McLendon, President, CW2 Patrick Morris, MSG Danita Austin, Vice-President, CW5 Eddie Mallard, and Treasurer, CW5(R) Dick Markle. See more pictures and story
.
See also Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter On-The-Move pictures and stories
Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter Stays Busy
Adopt-a-Highway Project - Pictured left, In November 2006, CW2 Patrick Morris, President, Lord Fairfax ‘Silver’ Chapter, USAWOA with volunteers Romell and Caroline Mallard participates in the quarterly clear-up of the Fairfax County Parkway between Route 1 and I-95 during the chapter’s Adopt-A-Highway Program in November 2006.
(Photo by CW5 Eddie Mallard, LFSC VP)
Christmas Adopt-a-Family Projects - In December 2006, thanks to Chapter Members and friends many presents, $735 in cash donations, and commissary and PX gift certificates were donated for two junior enlisted families in the Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer military communities. The presents and gift certificates were delivered by CW5 (Ret) Dick Markle to Ft Myer for that adopted family, and to the Ft Belvoir ACS office by CW5 Markle and Chapter President CW2 Patrick Morris for the adopted family from the Ft Belvoir community. These two families had a much brighter holiday season this year due to the generosity and kindness of the Chapter. Many thanks to Sam & Kathy Rhem, CW3 Xiomara Rivera, CW5 Eddie Mallard and his wife Betty, Tom & Maggie Cronin, Betty Mayes, Larry Kelly, Frank Dyer, Ron McLendon, Charlie Parker, CW4 Russ Gaines, Sam Hrncir, Terry Todd, CW5 Ed Clayton, Frank Holub, Bruce Gardner, Patrick Morris, Rick Ford, and Matt Schmitt for their generous contributions to this annual project. Pictured right, the gifts are for some of our Adopt-a-Family members.
Pictured right, attendees at the Chapter's Holiday Social where all the presents were collected (l to r) are CW5(Ret) Ron McLendon, CW5(Ret) Rick Ford, CW2 Matt Schmitt, CW5(Ret) Dick Markle, CW5 Eddie Mallard, CW5 (Ret) Frank Dyer, and Frank Holub (LTC, USAF Ret).
CHAPTER DONATES TO OPERATION SUGARPLUM - Warrant Officers of the Lord Fairfax “Silver” Chapter at Fort Belvoir, VA presented a donation of Christmas gifts to the Fort Belvoir Army Community Service (ACS) on 18 December 2006 in support of Operation Sugarplum (Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program). The Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program helps support the families of the Fort Belvoir and surrounding communities.
Pictured (l to r): CW2 Patrick Morris, Chapter President, Ms. Faithleen Henderson, ACS Program Coordinator, CW5 (Ret) Richard “Dick” Markle, Chapter Treasurer. Article and photo submitted by CW2 Patrick Morris, Lord Fairfax “Silver” Chapter President
In October 2007, Chapter President Patrick Morris attended the 35th USAWOA AMM in San Antonio and came home the USAWOA 2007 Community Affairs Award for Sustaining Programs and the PFCU $100 Raffle Prize. See 35th AMM page and Photo Gallery.
(Pictured l to r: Chapter President CW3 Patrick Morris attaches the 2007 Community Affairs for Sustaining Programs Streamer to the Chapter Flag while Secretary CW5 (Ret) Rick Ford and Treasurer CW5 (Ret) Dick Markle look on)
In December 2007, Lord Fairfax “Silver” Chapter USAWOA donated to Operation Sugarplum. Chapter members donated Christmas gifts to the Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer Army Community Services (ACS) on 14 December 2007 in support of Operation Sugarplum (Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program). The Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program helps support the less fortunate families within the Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer communities.
Pictured (l to r): Frank Holub, LTC, USAF Ret, CW5 (Ret) Dick Markle, Chapter Treasurer, CW2 (Ret) Edith Belso, CW2 Stephen Francis, CW3 Patrick Morris, Chapter President, CW5 Eddie Mallard, Chapter Vice-President.
Lord Fairfax Silver Chapter
2/12/2008
