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We are proud to introduce here our officers for 2009–2010.

Commander

Patrick Venable

After graduating high school, Pat tried a few months of college (VSU), but became restless. He joined the Air Force; after finishing basic training, he was assigned to Radio Communications School at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi MS. After graduating in 1964, Pat was assigned to the 6970^th Support Group at Fort George G. Meade MD, which became his home base for stateside duty. After three years at Fort Meade, he was assigned for two years in Alaska as an airborne radio/radar operator. Pat returned state-side to Communication Analysis/language school, after which he became a senior reporter. His overseas tours included assignments in Turkey, Crete, Germany, Japan, Greece, and Vietnam. After retiring, Pat returned to Highland Springs, where he was employed by K-Mart as a shipping/receiving manger. He retired from K-Mart in 2000. Pat first joined the American Legion HQ as a member of Post #141 and he transfered to Battlefields Post #144 in 2005. So far, he has served our Post as Rental Mgr, 2^nd vice commander, 1^st vice commander, and now Post Commander.

1^st Vice Commander

Dan Ossa

Dan enlisted in the US Army in October 1963. After one tour in Korea and two Viet Nam, he entered the civilian world in October 1970. In January 1972, Dan enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard. He retired in November 1994 as 1^st Sergeant of the 986^th Medical Company (Air Ambulance).

2^nd Vice Commander

Douglas Snell

Douglas Snell graduated from Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, New York in 1970. Doug wrestled, played soccer, and attended some science classes at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1972, he enlisted in the Air Force, married his high school sweetheart, and served eight years as a Management Analyst in Goldsboro, NC and Homestead, FL. While a Staff Sergeant, he earned a Bachelors Degree in Business from Saint Leo University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in July, 1980. He was an Acquisition Officer for the Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) in Fort Walton Beach, FL and for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft engines in West Palm Beach, FL. As a Captain, Doug served as Chief of the Command Quality Assurance Inspection Branch in Fort Walton Beach and as Assistant Quality Assurance Division Chief for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in Dayton, OH and as Air Force Space Command’s Quality Assurance Manager in Colorado Springs, CO. Major Snell served as Executive Officer for the DLA International District in Springfield, VA until January 1998. Doug was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Defense Commendation Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Upon retirement from active duty, Doug moved to Richmond to be a Project Officer at the Defense Supply Center. He then served as a science teacher in New Kent, VA and as an Air Force Junior ROTC instructor in Richmond and West Palm Beach. He has been the Program Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Transportation since June 2006. He earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of West Florida, Department of Defense acquisition certifications in Contracting and Program Management, and the Virginia Contracting Associate certification. In his spare time, he is a soccer referee and Sunday School teacher. Doug and Paula have been married for 36 years and have two children and two grand children.

Service Officer

William Harless was born in Ashe County, North Carolina and graduated high school in West Jefferson before he joined the US Navy in 1956. After graduating Recruit Training at Great Lakes, IL, Bill completed training as a Hospital Corpsman and was first assigned to the Naval Hospital aboard Camp LeJeune, NC. He received further training in schools at Bethesda MD, Yorktown VA, and Camp Pendleton CA. Bill served aboard several ships, including: USS GEORGE CLYMER (APA 27), USS MONTICELLO (LSD 35), and USS PAUL REVERE (APA 248). Additionally, Bill served overseas on deployment in Japan, Cuba, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. He retired in 1976 as a First Class Petty Officer. Bill and his wife of 47 years, Anna, have two adult children, Kimberly and Dean, and two grandchildren (Stephanie and Michael).

Finance Officer

Dana Hanson

Adjutant

Joseph Woodham

Joe entered service with the United States Air Force in 1961. After completing Aviation Cadet School in Denver CO, Joe completed flight training at Edwards AFB. He was assigned to the the 95^th Bomb Wing (Very Heavy) at Biggs AFB TX. In April 1965, B-52 operations began from Guam against North Vietnam; the 95^th Bomb Wing was the lead Group. Joe sustained injuries in 1968 on a mission over Hanoi—he opted to leave service rather than fly a desk. Joe returned to college and completed a B.S. in Math and History. He worked in retail until 1979, when he joined Henrico County as a law officer. Retiring in 1999 from Henrico, ,Joe joined White Oak Semiconductor as a Quality Assurance Specialist. Leaving White Oak (Infineon) in 2004, Joe worked with a security company for several years before finally retiring in 2006.

Historian

Russell Beggs

Russell is a retired US Navy Master Chief Petty Officer whose active duty and Reserve career spanned 40 years, beginning during World War II. He presently serves not only Battlefields Post #144 as Historian, he is also the Vice President of Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 219. Additionally, he holds life memberships in the American Legion, US Navy League (Richmond Council), Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Retired Officers Association. Russell and his wife, Josephine, have been married for 66 years. They have five adult children: Robert, Linda, Gary, and Tina.

Chaplain

Donald J. Hoy

Sergeant-at-Arms

Victor Fletcher

Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms

Travis Colgin

Travis graduated Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville in 2002; he played volleyball and wrestled in high school. Travis received the American Legion Scholar Award from Post #242 while a student at Sandston Elementary School and the American Legion JROTC Leadership Award at Lee-Davis High School. Travis served in the storied 82^nd Airborne Division between 2003 and 2005; he finished his active duty in 2007 with the 188^th Military Police Company, Airborne Assault. His deployments included assignments in Kosovo and Iraq. Travis is employed by Lockheed-Martin Corporation. He is also a certified EMT who volunteers with the Henrico County Volunteer Rescue Squad. Travis is no stranger to Battlefields Post #144; his grandfather, Joseph Colgin, was a member who served as post Commander.

Committees

Building & Grounds

Donald Forshey

Children & Youth

Carmen S. Bustamante

Public Information

Don White

Don served in the Naval Security Group Command on active duty between 1972 and 1987. During his active duty career, he served at Naval Security Group commands at Fort George G. Meade MD, Rota (Spain), Edzell (Scotland), and Sinop (Turkey). Don also served aboard fifteen warships and submarines as a member of deployed cryptologic support teams. He was selected and initiated a Chief Petty Officer in 1981. Between 1987 and 1992, he was affiliated with the US Naval Reserve Security Group Command at Philadelphia Navy Yard. He qualified in submarines (SSN 680-class) in 1976 and was a Direct Support-qualified Russian cryptolinguist. Don works today as an independent contractor providing technical editing and writing as well as building Web sites for clients.

Executive Committee

• Tom Johnson (Immediate Past Commander)
• William T. Proffitt
• Carmen S. Bustamante
• Gus Haynes
• Thomas Adams
• Don White