Visit this Week (September 11  -September 14): Friday and Saturday, open 6-10 PM. 

 
VISITORS WELCOME
VETERANS - ACTIVE DUTY - FAMILY - FRIENDS
 
We're pleased to announce two exciting updates to the John Lyon VFW Post 3150 website! Visit our newly redesigned Membership page to learn more about the benefits of joining our Post, and check out our new Follow John Lyon Post Facebook page to stay current on Post news, events, photos, and community activities. We encourage you to explore both pages and share them with fellow veterans, family, and friends.

Friday, September 11: 
9/11 Food packing event (See below, 7 AM)
Commander's Post up, 4 PM until 5:30 PM
9/11 Post Memorial at the Pentagon Memorial, 6 PM
9/11 Memorial at the Post, 7 PM
Canteen open, 6 PM
Trivia Night, 7:30 PM

Saturday, September 12: 
Hiking Group Short Hike, 6 AM
Department SOI, 9 AM
G4V Group Guitar Lessons, 9 AM
Canteen Open, 6 PM
Tutubi Live Band, 7 PM
 
Sunday, September 13: 
Zoom Yoga, 10 am
G4V Gonzalez, 11 am
 
Monday, September 14: 
Post House Committee Meeting, 6 PM
Post Officer's Call, 7 PM
 
September 14-17: National Fall Legislative Council Session
 
We are moving into our busy season!  There are tons of ways to get involved with your Post and community, check them out!
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:
 

9/11 Patriots Day - There are 4 events the Post will be participating in: 

 

 

    • September 11: That morning, the Post will also be attending the 9/11 Washington, DC Meal Pack for 9/11 Day from 7:30 AM until about 12 PM at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (Exhibit Hall), 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW in Washington, DC.  Please sign up here and let us know that you will be attending. Wear your favorite VFW swag! Here is the link to sign up; please select the 730 AM to 12 PM shift  9/11 Meal Pack Washington DC.

 

 

    • September 11:  That evening, the Post will meet at the 9/11 Memorial Entrance at the Pentagon at 6 PM to commemorate the events of the day. If you are interested in being part of this team, let the Post leadership know:  CDRpost3150@vfwva.org.

 

5 Ws:

Who:  Anyone from the Post or Arlington
What: Attend and participate in a short memorial and commemoration program at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
When:  6 PM at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Stone (there is a picture of the entrance stone on our Facebook page)
Where:  Travel independently to the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial.  Parking in the South Parking lot is open to the public after 5 PM on weekdays.  If you are at the Post at 5:30 PM, there will be some carpool options.  We will meet at the Gathering Stone at the entrance of the memorial.
Why:  This happened in our county and where some of us worked that day. It is important to remember those that died in the Pentagon and on Flight 77.

Commander's Post up:  Friday, September 11th, 4 PM til 5:30:  There will be an abbreviated Commander's Post up this Friday afternoon from 4 til 5:30 PM.  Do you want to learn about the Sea of Cortez?  Sea an octopus love story?  Talk about the VFW?  Talk about your Post or most anything else?  Come to the Post, take a number, pull up a chair and let's talk. 
 
If you need a ride to the 9/11 Memorial Event, this would be a great way to carpool to the Pentagon South Parking Lot.   

Viewing of Arlington County Public Library 9/11 Video - Friday September 11th,  7:00 PM:  The Post will show the Arlington County Public Library's 9/11 commemoration video, "This is How We Say Thank You:  9/11 in Arlington".  This is the product of an Eagle Scout Project sponsored by the Arlington County Public Library and presented by Daniel Gesssel for the Arlington County Historical Society.  If you can't make it to your Post, please watch it here:
"This is How We Say Thank You:  9/11 in Arlington". 
 
Trivia Night - Friday September 11th,  7:30 PM:  Trivia Night returns to the Post!  Join former Commander Mike Cantwell as he presents 3 rounds of Jeopardy-style trivia.  Test your knowledge against the most trivial minds in our Post. 

September Short Hike - September 12th, 6 AM:  The Short Hike: 2–3 hours on trail, within a 2-hour drive of Arlington, and paced for beginners. If you haven't hiked in years (or ever), this is your hike. No experience needed — just decent shoes and a water bottle.  This month's hike will be a short hike in Rock Creek Park (just across the river) and will include a visit to Pierce Mill and the iconic Stone Bridge.  Meet at Post 3150, 2116 19th St N, Arlington, VA 22201. Carpool meet time @ 6:00–9:00 AM, coordinated the specific time with Jack R.
 
Tutubi Evolution! - September 12th, 7 PM:  Tutubi signs their version of the Beatles Revolver.  If you are a Beatles fan, or a fan of Philipino cover bands, come out to the Post and check out Tutubi.  Free admission, if there is a Beatles song you want to hear, or sing along with, come a few minutes early and talk to Julian.  
 
Post House Committee and Officers Call, Monday, September 14th, 6-8 PM:  Interested in learning how the sausage is made?  Would you like more information about a specific program, or just want to see the Post be more organized?  Come join us for the Post O-Call and House Committee meeting at the Post, or you can zoom in from the Post's calendar. 
 
National Legislative Fall Session, September 14-17:  Want to see your VFW in action?  Come join us for the National Legislative Fall Session.  There is a short training session and then a series of office visits as VFW Leaders visit Virginia Senate and Congressional Representative's offices to present the VFW's legislative priorities and work to gain their support on critical issues. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Post Commander or send an email to:  Cdrpost3150@vfwva.org.  
 
Patriots Pen/Voice of Democracy Annual Contests:  Once again, the Post is sponsoring a Patriots Pen (grades 6 through 8) and Voice of Democracy (grades 9 through 12) writing and oratory contest.   If you know of a Junior or Senior High School student that is interested in competing for up to $35,000 worth of scholarships, let them know about this! The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is now accepting entries for its 80th annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions. The 2026-2027 theme asks America’s students "What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” Student entries may be submitted (along with a completed entry form) to their local participating VFW Post. The deadline for both contests is October 31, 2026. To read more about the contests or download the entry form, visit the links above. 

Volunteers needed: 
 

We hope everyone had a nice summer and took a break from the heat and humidity. As the calendar turns to fall, we have a pile of events where we will be needing volunteers to lead, coordinate, and participate in.  Here is a short list:

 

 

    • Marine Corps Marathon Cleanup (October 25th) - We will be cleaning up miles 2-3 as part of a fundraising event.  We need 18 people to sign up, and 18 people to show up for the cleanup.  Please register for the event here: Sign up for the Marine Corps Marathon Clean Up.

 

    • Halloween at the Post (Saturday, October 31st) - This year, the Post will sponsor a Trunk or Treat in our parking lot, as well as a party for Post members' families.  This concept has not been formed yet, but if you are a Halloween-focused individual and you want to help the Post plan and execute this event, please let the Post leadership know. 

 

    • Marine Corps Birthday (November 10th) - Joe Wagner will be leading this effort; we are looking for Post members to help him out with the planning and execution.  We are also looking for a distinguished Marine to be our Post's keynote speaker.  If you are interested in being part of this team, let the Post leadership know.

 

    • Veterans Day Celebration (November 11th) - This is one of the Post's most important celebrations.  We will be conducting our traditional ceremonies at Clarendon War Memorial and the Cherrydale Boys' School Memorial as well as a Post Open House.  In addition, we will be conducting our Veterans Day Buddy Poppy distribution.  We will need folks to lead, coordinate, and help out at all of these events.  If you are interested in being part of this team, let the Post leadership know.

 

    • Post Thanksgiving Basket Donations (November 19th) - We are working to partner with USAA and Joint Base Fort Myer/Henderson Hall to reach out to Army and Marine Corps families that are in need during the holiday season.   If you are interested in being part of this team, let the Post leadership know.

 

Help your Post out and step up!  You will enjoy it and see how easy it is.
 
Family-Friendly Events: We have several members with school-age kids who we want to keep engaged with the Post. Are you one of them? Please let us know how we can host more family-friendly events at the Post. Easter Egg Hunt? Trick or treat? If this interests you, please bring it up at the next General Meeting or email the Sr. Vice Commander.

REFLEX Comedy Classes: Reflex Improv will offer FREE Intro to Improv classes to members of VFW Post 3150. During class, you will learn about the fundamentals of improv comedy, including Yes-And, Got Your Back teamwork, creating characters on the fly, and recognizing and playing with scene game. No prior experience in improv or comedy needed! If you're interested in joining the classes, please email Daniel Brown and cc Mike Cantwell. Include your full name and contact information, and state that you are a member of VFW Post 3150. 

Veterans in Need: If you know of a Veteran in need, here are some resources that can help them in Virginia or in the greater DMV area:
 
Right here in Arlington, there are two resources available at our comrades' American Legion Post 139:  
     - Charles Reynolds is a Virginia Veterans Service Representative.  He can be reached at (703) 417-9090 or at charle.reynolds@dvs.virginia.gov
     - George Mason Law School has an MVETS office at American Legion 139.  MVETS M-VETS enables Mason law students to assist service members, veterans, and dependent family members in a wide variety of litigation and non-litigation matters.  https://mvets.law.gmu.edu/
  
US Vets: US Vets (here is a link to their Website) has just opened a Service Hub in DC. If you know of a Veteran facing housing insecurity, please link them up with US Vets. As a note, we have a Post member who is a counselor for US Vets, our Chaplain, Chris G. 
 
Virginia Department of Veterans Services: Here is some useful contact information to assist Veterans in need. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services can help out:
 
• Contact Edwin Robles if you live in either Fairfax County or Arlington County.
• Fill out a request form if you live outside Fairfax County or Arlington County.
• If you have the resources to donate money to assist a Veteran, the Virginia Department of Veteran Services recommends donating by sending a check to Northern Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America, PO Box 2111, Reston, VA 20195.
 
Donations: Our zoning infractions case is complete.  Please consider donating to the Post for future legal fights. 

Please donate here to the Post's Legal Defense Fund.

VFW Action Corps Weekly - September 8, 2026
• House Committee Holds Hearing on Electronic Health Record Status
• Advocacy Efforts Continue During Congressional Races
• VFW Volunteer Honored at Annual Conference
• Anniversaries Prompt Reflection, Camaraderie on Newest Podcast
• MIA Update
 
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