Braxton Perkins Post 25 American Legion Home

Marshall Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607

ALSO - 82 Saint Croix Drive, Newport News, VA 23602

http://www.ls.net/~newriver/va/al25.htm

 

 

 
THEN: NOW:
"Braxton Perkins Post 25 American Legion home located on Marshall Ave. in Newport News, VA, was recently completed at a cost
of $122,000.  The 25 acre tract on which it stands was donated
by Harry J. Aaron, Philanthropist and Prominent Legionnaire". 
Card by Edward J. Streeky. 		Saturday, January 29. 2005

Here is the "Now" view of the Braxton-Perkins American Legion building. It is relatively unchanged over the years.

01/21/05

 Image by Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/29/05
Thanks, Dave!

Hi Carol:

I was reading Fred Field's ('45 - of CA) memories of Drum Majors and he mentioned Edward Fleenor.  Eddie Fleenor
also was in the Post 25 American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps and it later became known as the Virginia Gentlemen Drum
and Bugle Corps. My dad was the Bass Drummer for the Virginia Gentlemen and he was the Drum Major for the American
Legion Post 25 Drum and Bugle Corps. I traveled to Performances  and Competitions with them since I was four years old. 
My dad is 88 years old and living in Richmond, Virginia. We talk about the old members of the band when we get together.
A greater bunch of men you could not find. They were great musicians and a fine group to be associated with. 
Eddie Fleenor was a great musician and a wonderful person. 
  
- Cathy Slusser Hudson ('64) of VA - 01/19/05
Thanks, Cathy!...

You could use: Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA"

In particular, these lyrics seem to be quite appropriate for the American Legion:

And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'll gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today

- Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/21/05
Thanks, Dave!  You're the best!


Carol,

    


The addition of the page highlighting the Braxton-Perkins Post 25 American Legion on Marshall Avenue reminded me of a story I had nearly forgotten. I lived on 72nd Street in Newmarket and traveled up and down Marshall Avenue to the shopping center, so I saw the Post often.  However, that is not part of my story.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was back in Newport News for the month of August 1966 on Summer Leave after completing my Plebe Year at the Naval Academy and my Summer Cruise in the Pacific.  I had found my old buddy, Jay Bluxome, NNHS ’64, and we goofed around a bit.  As you may recall, Jay had been a member of the NNHS Band and had somehow become connected with the Post 25 Drum & Bugle Corps.  I guess they needed musicians.  Anyway, he told me that the Corps was going to Washington DC to march in some parade, but I cannot recall the occasion. He said that they needed someone to lead the Corps during the parade who knew how to command men in close order drill and in the Manual of Arms.  Having just completed a rigorous Plebe Year, I knew I was fully qualified …. and then some. Even better, the Post would put us up in a DC hotel for two nights. 
 
So, there I was marching down Constitution Avenue at the point of the Post detachment with a fake rifle on my shoulder, barking commands and shouting cadence to Corps.  For a 20 year-old Midshipman, I was entirely full of myself and tried to put on the best show I could.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

 

USNA - 1966

 

 

 

   - Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/21/05

Ohhhh, David - what a marvelous story, and what a wonderfully exciting event that must surely have been for you! 
Of course, I wasn't there and don't know how full of yourself you were, but having seen your gloriously beautiful Plebe
portrait, I can certainly testify as to how incredibly gorgeous you were even then! 
WOWZERONI-RINI!!!

God Bless the U.S.A.

- Lee Greenwood
 

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife

Thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away

And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'll gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea

From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A.
There's pride in every American heart
And it's time we stand and say...

That I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'ld gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'ld gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

(This page created on 01/21/05 at the prompting of Cathy Slusser Hudson - '64 - of VA.)

Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" midi courtesy of http://libertyboy.free.fr/misc/midi/index.php,
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/21/05
Thanks, Dave!

Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" lyrics courtesy of http://the-jazzman.com/lyrics/american.html,
also at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/21/05
Thanks again, Dave!

American Legion Logo courtesy of http://www.delawarecitizencorps.org/partnerprograms - 11/17/08

Firing Cannon clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/KevsGifsGalore.html.

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