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Squadron 176 Officers
Commander
Chip Byers, Vice
Commander Eric Boyer, Adjutant
, Sergeant At Arms
Tim Dioquino, Chaplain Arthur S. Childs,
Finance Officer Bill Swaner, Membership
Our Squadron is proud to have the fifth largest membership in the Department of Virginia. We are very active both within our Post and within the community. Our efforts have been recognized by the Department of Virginia by our receipt of the Children & Youth Award in both 1996 & 1997 and the Americanism Award in 1997. Squadron 176 is proud to have our First Vice-Commander, Steve Levinson, serve as SAL Detachment of Virginia Judge Advocate.
Squadron 176 has supported the Challenger Baseball program for several years now and has raised thousands of dollars for this campaign which enables physically challenged youngsters to play organized baseball. We have also volunteered as buddies for the youngsters during their ball games.
For the past several years the Squadron has been responsible for planning and presenting the Post 176 Flag Day ceremony. Our programs have included all members of the Legion family including many children. The programs have consisted of inspirational readings, poetry and music.
Among our fund-raising activities are numerous raffles and one or two dances per year. We raise significant funds through the sale of White House Christmas Ornaments. This is an annual fund-raising project. Funds generated by SAL activities are donated to several worthy charities, Boys and Girls State programs, and Veterans organizations in need. In 1999, SAL held the 1st Annual St. Patrick's Day "Wheelbarrow of Cheer" raffle, and made a $700 donation to the Leukemia Society with the proceeds. Other activities include Adopt-A-Highway road cleanups, SAL trips to the National Monuments in Washington, DC, and our annual gathering at Rolling Thunder on Memorial Day weekend, where we proudly display the SAL Squadron 176 colors along the parade route in support of our veterans and POW/MIAs.
Our Squadron is active in assisting with all Post activities including Halloween, Christmas, and Easter parties for the children; Bingo; the Annual Open House; the Annual Poppy drive; the annual Post picnic; and other major Post activities. In 1998, Squadron 176 joined DC Post 8 in becoming the first SAL contingency ever to march in one of the nation's oldest and most traditional parades, the Alexandria President's Day Parade in celebration of George Washington's Birthday. We have marched in the President's Day parade every year since, except in 2003 when the parade was cancelled because of inclement weather. We intend to participate in 2004 and the future.
We are an active Squadron and always have a great time. We hope you will come and join us at any or all of the above activities. We can always use more help, and we always welcome new members.
More about The Sons of The American Legion
SAL Squadron 176 Membership Information
Squadron 176 Rolling Thunder Page- includes photos and links