VFW Post 609 - Alexandria - Russell Mitchell Post

Come out and be with us during this historical event.

Great time at our last post meeting. We recognized our fellow Comrades on a great year for Post 609. We want to thank our fearless leader Jerry Krueger for allowing us to do great things. We hope that you come out and join our Historic Post.

Gone but will not be forgotten. Job Well done William (Bill) Camarinos

One of our Comrades will not fight the good fight with us anymore. We send our heartfelt and gracious prayers for his family during this time.

Dobies Funeral Home & Crematory | William J. Camarinos William J. Camarinos, 87, of Tarpon Springs, Florida, passed away on Saturday morning, June 15th, 2024, at a hospital near his new home in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Memorial Day Service 2024 at Post 609

Vietnam Vets plaque Laying Ceremony

Here is our Post 609 CDR with VFW Dist 10 cdr Ray Delpesche on far right with VFW cap on along with others. They are the Fort Belvoir hospital NCOIC, Hospital CDR, Post CDR Col Joe Messina and the SGM Nowell.

Meet COL (USA ret.) Gregory Gadson (a true local Veteran hero) as he speaks about his book: “Finding Way Points” at 6:00 p.m. at American Legion Post 176 at 6520 Amherst Ave., Springfield, VA 22150 on May 13th. Hear Greg’s compelling story of his significant Army career. Learn how this Soldier for Life, himself a resilient recovering wounded warrior, perpetually inspires our military community by traveling the country as a motivational speaker advocating for all wounded warriors and all military veterans. COL Gadson recently joined us by transferring his Life Membership into our VFW Post 609. He and his wife Kimberly now live in Alexandria. We welcome them both into our community.

More photos from Carry the load. It was enjoyed by all.

Photos from our Carry the Load Event. Thank you all for your support.

On March 29th, 2024, the members of American Legion Post 24 and VFW Post 609, held a wreath presentation ceremony at the American Flag Pole at the Alexandria National Cemetary in recognition of the National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a Day of Observance. This was then followed up with the attendees posting American Flags (in-the-ground) on the graves of 51 Vietnam Veterans in the Alexandria National Cemetery who have the recognition of their service in Vietnam marked on their tombstones.

American Legion Post 24, Donna Reuss (MC)

American Legion Post 24, Chaplin Richard "Dick" Evans who provided the opening and closing prayer

Special thanks to the following for their support and participation:

Covanta Energy for providing coffee and donuts to attendees.

David Heiby, Director of the Presbyterian Cemetery

Members of the 459th Air Refueling Wing
First Sergent Alicia Lofton and her Son, Ren Loften

Senior Master Sergeant William Smith

SrA Dominique Burrell

This weekend has been full of joy and accomplishment for our Post and these deserving winners. Below are the names of our yearly winners. They went through a rugged process and they exceed and excelled above everyone else. We want to thank each of them and their families for all that they do.

Voice of Democracy winner: Sophia Webster is a Senior at West Potomac High School.

Patriots Pen first place winner is: Aritrya Barva of Riverside Elementary School

Second place winner is: Layne Foster of Mark Twain Middle School

Third place winner is: Ella Barboza of Riverside Elementary School

Teacher of the Year winner is Sergeant Major Ephrim Wilson, USMC a Naval ROTC Instructor at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, MD

Good morning Marques! I hope all is well with you! Please post the following to our page.

Comrades,

On March 22nd, Marty Menez and Rich Twitchell had the pleasure of supporting David Heiby and the National Funeral Directors Association in a wreath laying at Alexandria National Cemetery, honoring our fellow Veterans buried on this historic hallowed site. Marty gave a great impromptu speech that he delivered flawlessly. We had a bugler play TAPS, The head of the National Funeral Directors Association, who M-C'd the ceremony, is also Commander of VFW Post 423 in Lansing, Michigan.

The occasion was that of a visit, hosted by David Heiby, to the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex by attendees of the National Funerals and Cemetery Directors in conjunction with their meetings at National Harbor this week.

We hope to see some of you next Friday morning for the event honoring those who served in the Vietnam War for the National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Friday the 29th of March at 0900 at Alexandria National Cemetery.

American Legion Post 24 and VFW Post 609 will jointly conduct a wreath presentation ceremony, and then have attendees post American Flags on the graves of 51 Vietnam Vets buried in "our" cemetery. A.l. 24' Donna Reuss will MC the event and will also lead us in singing God Bless America which you know she does all so well. Light refreshments will be served by Covanta Energy.

Enjoy the attached pictures of today's event! David Heiby, the always supportive Superintendent of the adjacent Presbyterian Cemetery, is the gentleman wearing the dapper cap.

VVA Chapter 227

The chapter is conducting recruitment at four local Mission BBQ restaurants on Friday, May 29, 2034.

Duty hours are 11:00 am to 2:00 PM.

The locations are Sterling, Fairfax, Chantilly, and Herndon.

The restaurants are offering a free BBQ sandwich to Veterans on this day.

To offer your services, call Stan Derr at 703-278-9322 or email @gmail.com

Kevork Khachadurian - Jeff Thorne An Award of a Quilt of Valor® to Corporal Kevork “Khach” Khachadurian United States Marine Corps

Members of the Sea Scout Ship 818 “Draken”, gave a wonderful presentation presentation to the members of VFW Post 609. So much so that we adopted to be there Charter Sponsor for there Sea Scout Program. The Sea Scout Program is open to Boys and Girls in the ages of 13-21. They are hard working,energetic young people that are looking to make a difference in the Alexandria Community