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Honor Flight North Coast California (June 6th, 2015)| American Legion Riders from ALR Chapter 177 in Fairfax, Virginia support the Honor Flight fronm Northern California (North Coast). |
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Quantico Wreath Laying (June 6th, 2015)| Wreath Laying at Quantico National Cemetery in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. Keynote Speaker if Forrest Lingenfelter. |
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May 30th Events of ALR 177 (May 30th, 2015)| The 30th of May, 2015 was a busy day for The American Legion Riders of Chapter 177 in Fairfax, Virginia. The day started out with assisting in the cleaning of the Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C., and escort of an Honor Flight from Indiana and a visit to support The Department of Maryland ALR 259 in Clinton. |
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4th Annual Run to the Thunder (May 22nd to 24th 2015)| Photos taken during the 4th Annual National American Legion Riders Run to the Thunder hosted by American Legion Riders Chapter 177, Fairfax, Virginia |
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11 17 2013 CSM Mike Buxbaum (November 17th, 2013)| Photos taken at Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington, Virginia at CSM Mike Buxbaum's Memorial Service |
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10 12 2013 ALR 177 Tenn Honor Flight (October 12th, 2013)Photos taken of the Post 177 ALR supporting the
Johnson City, TN WWII vets at the USAF Memorial on 12 Oct 13 |
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Sgt Gene L. Lamie KIA 07-06-07 (May 26th, 2013)This year, Department of Virginia American Legion Riders Chapter Post 177 "adopted" Linda and Gene Lamie, the Gold Star parents of one of our Nations Heroes. Sgt Gene L. Lamie was Killed in Action on July 6th, 2007 in Iraq.
We were honored to have Linda and Gene Lamie share their lives with us this past weekend.
Mrs. Lamie asked that I share the following:
Gene left May 7, 2007 for his 2nd tour of Iraq he was with the 3-7 Cav Gary Owen. I did not know until after his death that Gene had told many friends and family members that he knew he was not going to make it home. He would have never told me that. But before he left we spent as many days with him, his wife Dara , his two children 10 month old Gene Benjamin and his daughter Lyrean 5. We had many cook outs and over night trips together.
One of the Sgt in his unit asked him "If you knew you were not going to make it back, would you still go?" Gene answered "Yes, the men under me are counting on me. When I am strong they will be strong, I need to go to make sure all of them come home. Just a few nights before he left I was up late talking with Gene, he followed me in the kitchen to get a fresh glass of sweet tea his favorite. He just stood there and said to me "Mom, I love you and you have been a great mom." I want you to know that I am so thankful that you are my mom. I had no idea this was his way of saying good bye to me. He called his dad right before he got on the plane "Dad if any thing happens I want to be buried at ANC" Of course his dad said you will be fine you will be home. Gene said " I know Dad but don't forget if I don't make it back I want to be at ANC so my children will know what I stood for". Then he said Dad all I ever wanted to do was to be as good as a Dad as you were. Gene was saying good by to his father.
Gene called the last time on Sunday July 1st . He sounded so tired he said he had just come back from a mission and it was getting rough over there. We told him we loved him and to stay safe. He promised he would. Gene was hit by a IED on his way back to the fob he and his driver were KIA.
Below is some thing I wrote because I never understood when some one said to me "thank you"
I raised a Hero
I did not take the oath; I did not raise my hand
All I did was have a child who grew to be that man
He did his job with honor, his men he led with pride
He was not afraid to fight, he was not afraid to die
The baby I held in my arms, the boy I raised to be a man
He put his self in danger in a foreign land
He said not to worry; He said I will come home
Those words come back to haunt me said over a phone
The knock on the door is always just a moment ago
The tears in my eyes the pain that breaks my soul
For I did not take the oath I did not raise my hand
All I did was raise a child who grew to be that man
The baby that I held, the child I watched grow
Filled my heart with so much joy as only a mother can know
The memories of his life will stay with me forever
The connection of our hearts can never be severed
They awarded me the title of Gold Star Mother
Because my son gave his life for the protection of others
But I did not take the oath; I did not raise my hand
All I did was raise a boy who grew to be that man
By Linda Lamie mother of Sgt Gene L. Laime
KIA 07-06-07 Taji Iraq
Thank you for your sacrifice and thank you what you continue to do each and every day for our Gold Star Families. One can only imagine the pain and suffering that you experienced when your son made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. May his soul rest in peace.
We can promise you HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. |
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05 24 2013 ALR Ride to Candlelight Vigil (May 24th, 2013)Many American Legion Riders who were able to arrive early on Friday came to Post 177 to register for the weekend activities and after dinner and the opening ceremony departed for an organized ride to the Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Wall.
Photos provided by David Windmiller |
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05 24 2013 ALR Opening Ceremony (May 24th, 2013)American Legion Riders from across the country arrive at Fairfax Post 177 to register for the weekend activities. Friday night dinner of Baby Back Ribs or Fried Shrimp was served. An opening POW MIA Ceremony and Dedication of a Fallen Soldier Cross was witnessed by all. Special Guests in Attendance were two Gold Star Families - The Lamies (from Southern Georgia) and the Ventura's (from New York - Long Island).
Photos for this album provided by David Windmiller |
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05 25 2013 ALR Shirt Presentation (May 25th, 2013)| Shirts commemorating the ALR wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery were presented to Terry Woodburn, Chad Woodburn and Roy Smith. |
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05 25 2013 Events at Post 177 (May 25th, 2013)American Legion Riders from across the country gather at Fairfax Post 177 to register for the weekends activities. On Saturday there will be 20 Vendors, an ALR wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown and a BBQ.
Photos taken by Diana Jeanes |
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05 26 2013 Post 177 Ceremony (May 26th, 2013)American Legion Riders from across the country gather at Fairfax Post 177 for a Patriotic Ceremony before departing the Post en masse to the Pentagon and join the Rolling Thunder Ride. There were Bag Pipes, a Bugler and the 17th District Honor Guard present. The ceremony was started with a prayer from Post 177 Chaplain and Vietnam Veteran Joe Boyle. After greetings from the Post Commander Mike Kimlick, Dan Dellinger Past Department Commander and Candidate for the American Legion National Commander offered remarks as the Keynote Speaker. Additional remarks and greetings from the Department Commander who could not be present were offered by the Department of Virginia National Executive Committeeman George Lussier. In attendance was the saluting Marine, SSGT Tim Chambers who offered some remarks followed by ALR Post 177 Road Captain Jeremy Bird. The Riders departed the post under a flag Held over the road by the Fairfax Fire Department.
Photos for this album were provided by Lee Bettis, JJ Jones, Diana Jeanes,JJ Jones, Bob Sussan and David Windmiller (in alphabetical order) |
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05 25 2013 ALR Wreath Tomb Unknown ANC (May 25th 2013)Up to 200 American Legion Riders and one tour bus (donated by Academy Bus Lines) went to Arlington National Cemetery to witness a wreath being layed at the Tomb of the Unknown on behalf of the American Legion Riders participating in the 2013 Run to the Thunder. Presenting the wreath were Dan Dellinger, Roy Smith, Chad Woodburn and Terry Woodburn (in alphabetical order).
Photos taken by Bob Sussan and David Windmiller. |
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09 15 2012 Honor Flight (September 15th, 2012)| The American Legion Riders from Chapters 177 in Fairfax and 162 in Lorton escort members of the Greatest Generation (WWII Veterans) from Dulles Airport to thw World War II memorial. |
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09 08 2012 ALR 177 Meeting (September 8th, 2012)| The American Legion Riders Post 177 hold their monthly meeting. Topics discuss were the 2012 Legacy Ride, Commander's Ride Home and following EXPO also planning committee's have been set up for this coming years 2nd Annual Ride to the Thunder. |
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Legacy Run 2011 (August 2011)| Pictures from the 2011 Legacy Run from Indianapolis, IN to Minneapolis, MN. |
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Rolling Thunder 2011 (May 29, 2011)| American Legion Riders from Post 177 in Rolling Thunder 2011. |
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