By Wayne Creed
Viewing Gordon Campbell’s aerial photographs of the barrier islands, you become aware of the chaotic and fractal geomorphic patterns that define them. As you descend closer, and ultimately land, some of this chaos gives way to patterns of complexity. The randomness of nature, is somewhat mediated by the actions of the people that inhabit the peninsula that those islands protect. When I think of those actions, nothing stands out more than the work being done by American Legion Post 56 in Cheriton.
Post 56 was originally chartered to serve veterans on the Eastern Shore back in 1922. Veterans of WWII and the Korean War regularly met at the hall until the late 1950s. After a fire destroyed the hall, the Post was left homeless, and found itself struggling to maintain membership. An odd bit of luck occurred when, in an attempt to find a new home and rebuild membership, the Post bought an old car dealership building in Cape Charles. The new building did little to alleviate the membership issues, but after selling it, the Post was able to maximize profits, add to existing assets and put over $300,000.00 in the bank.
With membership stalled at 76 active members, PPC Walter Dellanbach, Jim Chapman and retired Marine Joe Vaccaro assumed the task of finding Post 56 a new home. In what appeared to be another serendipitous event, the search party located the old grocery store in Cheriton. It was apparent to all that this was the perfect location. Although the store was still filled with the original contents, by donating to the local food bank, the SPCA, and directly to local residents, Vaccaro and team had it emptied out in eight days—it also served as a training exercise for what has become Post 56’s most important work: community outreach, support and charity.
What many feared would become just another rowdy beer hall, has instead turned out to be one of our community’s most important partners. “The fact is, this has been a gathering place for the community seven days a week,” Post 56 Commander Joe Vaccaro says. “We have other groups who come here to meet. It’s a very family-oriented post.” With 250 Legionaries, 60 plus SAL members, and a vibrant Women’s Auxiliary, Post 56 while embodying “duty, honor and Country” has become an important member of the Lower Eastern Shore family. The Legion has now boosted its membership to over 230.
Locally, the Post has shone its stripes by raising almost $7000 for a woman who was assaulted in Oyster. This winter, Post 56 collected and delivered over 570 dry and canned food items to the Cape Charles Food Pantry. Commander Vaccaro and Post 56 understand, however, that even as it is so important to act locally, this kind of work is without borders. This is highlighted by Post 56’s efforts to secure a Community Based VA Clinic that could help service the 5000+ veterans that live on the Shore, as well as establish a model of service that could be replicated in other rural and underserved areas of the United States.
Just as Gordon Campbell’s aerial photography documents the dynamic nature of the barrier islands, Post 56 is also in a constant state of dynamism and change. Member Bill Payne is leading the American Legion Middle School Essay Contest, “I like living in America because…” At the Department level, the student with the winning essay will receive $250, but more importantly, it will generate over $100 for their teacher to use for supplies in the classroom.
Dr. John Schulz is leading The American Legion Oratorical Contest. The Oratorical Contest presents participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches “important leadership qualities, the history of our nation's laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship”.
One of the most critical (and fun) endeavors is being led by Bill Stramm, as he has taken the reigns as Chairman for American Legion Boy's State. Dating back to 1935, the Boys State is an educational deep dive program of government instruction for high school students. These students are trained on just what it means to be a franchised citizen—what are the rights and privileges, as well as what are the duties and the responsibilities. This is a hands-on exercise with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. The program is open to high school juniors (selected by local American Legion Posts) with expenses paid by a sponsoring American Legion Post, and sometimes in conjunction with a local business.
Members of Post 56 are also involved with a mentorship program, donating their time, experience and expertise to many of the underserved young men and women of the Eastern Shore.
All this fine work has not gone unnoticed. Post 56’s Jim Chapman is on his way to becoming the next Department of VA Commander—to have one of the Shore’s own; leading the entire State of Virginia is an incredible accomplishment. Current Commander Joe Vaccaro is also occupying a leadership role as the Deputy Judge Advocate for the State.
So many times, from a high level, rural communities like the Eastern Shore appear desolate, dying on the vine, with little hope, and have the odds stacked against them. What we miss are those boots on the ground that refuse to accept those odds, that realize that those of us that inhabit these little communities, if we are to survive, have to work together to accomplish common goals. Joe Vaccaro, sometimes describes Post 56 as a Phoenix that has risen from the ashes. However, the Phoenix has magic at its disposal, and I don’t believe that metaphor accurately describes all the dedication and hard work, nor does justice to what this small group of men has accomplished in this rural outpost. Just as Post 56’s efforts to establish a Community Based VA Clinic may produce a workable model for the rest of the country, their outreach, community awareness, open dialog, mentorship, and charity can also serve as an example for other organizations, civic or governmental, all up and down the Eastern Shore.
Wayne Creed is technology consultant supporting the US Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. He lives in Cape Charles, Virginia where he is a regular contributor to the local press, a supporter of the arts and theater, and a big fan of Post 56 and all the work they do.
