Eric Parkhurst, Commander of AL Post 177, spoke at Lions dinner meeting on May 20th, about Memorial Day. Eric told us about Army Staff Sergeant Craig W. Cherry, and Army Sergeant Bobby E. Beasley, of the Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 29th Infantry Division (Light Infantry). Both were killed in service to their nation in Ghazikel, Afghanistan on August 7, 2004. Memorial Day is a time to remember our servicemen who gave their all to protect and defend our nation.

Eric also mentioned the AmericanLegion’s “Be the One” initiative, encouraging us to do what we can at an individual level, to help address a growing problem – veteran suicide.

The Inter-Service Club Council speaker on May 7th was Maya Mohindroo of the FX County Department of Family Services. Maya is a recruiter for foster parents, and explained the Fairfax County foster child program.  There are presently about 240 children in foster care; about 82 parents serve as foster parents; generally, a child is in the program for about 2 years. The goal is to return each child to his home, or place him with relatives.  Here is a link to a short video about foster care.  If you may have interest in foster care, complete this short form at:

The FX Lions were honored to have a civil war re-enactor speak at our May 6 dinner meeting. Robert Calhelha wore a Union Army soldier’s field uniform and told us about several of the rifles soldiers used in the war. Fairfax Lions meeting are always entertaining; plan to visit one!

Fairfax Lions conducted a vision screening community service on April 23, 2025 at the Fairfax United Methodist Church (FUMC) Preschool.  We used Club’s SPOT vision equipment to screen a total of 27 students aged 3, 4, and 5.  Three were referred to an optometrist for further evaluation. It is very important to assure children’s vision is checked early in their development.