Category Archives: Sports & Recreation

Soldiers Home July 4th Draws Thousands For Music, Fun and Fireworks

28 Saturday Jul 2018

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More than 2,600 people came to the green open space of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington for a gala July 4th celebration. The seventh annual gathering hosted by Friends of the Soldiers Home featured entertainment by the Hortonville, Wisconsin marching band and two Soldiers Home residents, DJ Billy White and singer/guitarist Waymon Lucas Jr. There was facepainting, a bounce house and pond fishing for kids, who mostly enjoyed running amok on the green expanse of the Home’s grounds. There were many food and drink choices, and of course the highlight was viewing fireworks from the National Mall and the neighborhoods surrounding the Soldiers Home. We can’t wait for July 4, 2019!

Photos courtesy of Betsy Eves, Lauren Kessler, Mike Madden and Drew Schneider.

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FOSH’s June 19 Bowling Night Has Veteran Friendship to Spare

22 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Sports & Recreation, Volunteering

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Thank you volunteers who came out to FOSH Bowling Night at Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC on Tuesday! Volunteers maybe had more fun than residents did … or at least as much. We aren’t keeping score, but remember that bowling night happens the third Tuesday of each month. To become part of FOSH Bowling Night — and have fun while giving back to veterans — contact Volunteer Coordinator Lori Lincoln at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

Photos courtesy of Rocelia Johnson. 

May’s Jingo Night Connects Veterans, FOSH Volunteers in Fun Service

16 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by in Sports & Recreation, Volunteering

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Thank you to the Friends of the Soldiers Home volunteers who came out for this month’s Jingo Night. This event is our flagship volunteer activity. It is near and dear to our hearts because several residents would be unable to partake if not for volunteers who transport them and help them play. The next Jingo will be June 14, mark your calenders! If you can come and help, contact Lori Lincoln, at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

We thank Lori for sharing these great photos!

Friends of the Soldiers Home Builds Community at 2018 Spring Fling

15 Tuesday May 2018

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The sixth annual Spring Fling brought 500 people to the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington campus on Saturday, May 5, for food, games, music and fun. A large number of Soldiers Home residents mingled with numerous families from the community in this annual ritual that kicks off the warm-weather season at the Home. Rainy weather didn’t dampen spirits, as attendees moved beneath the big tent when the weather worsened and listened to the rocking blues of Nobody’s Business. We are grateful to all the volunteers who helped with this event, and we thank the residents and staff of the Soldiers Home for once again opening the gates to the community. We can’t wait until next time!

Photos courtesy of Lauri Hafvenstein.

FOSH Bowls Strike in Helping Veterans at April Event

23 Monday Apr 2018

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Friends of the Soldiers Home volunteers had a great time bowling this week with residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home! We help residents to and from the lanes and bowl with those who need assistance. We do this the third Tuesday evening of each month. The Home has nice lanes and volunteers get an opportunity to roll a few balls as well! To join us on May 15, drop a line to the FOSH volunteer coordinator, Lori Lincoln, at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

FOSH Volunteers, Veterans Meet at Bowling Lanes for Friendship

21 Sunday Jan 2018

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During our first bowling event of 2018, eleven volunteers – some new, and some returning from long hiatuses – had a lot of fun helping residents enjoy themselves and win prizes! The Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC bowling lanes once again proved to be a great place for residents and community volunteers to form friendships. Volunteers loved helping residents bowl, and veterans on the winning team (where 120 was the lowest score!) chose beautiful hand-knit blankets as prizes. Do you want to join Friends of the Soldiers Home for a great time on bowling night? We always gather the third Tuesday evening of the month. Write FOSH Volunteer Coordinator write Lori Lincoln at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

Story and photos by Lori Lincoln.

First FOSH 2018 Volunteer Event Won by ‘The Bartenders’

04 Thursday Jan 2018

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The first FOSH event of 2018, Saloon Night at Soldiers Home DC, was a great time on Tuesday evening, Jan. 2! Defender’s Inn looked beautiful for the event. Zach Hartman, a Friends of the Soldiers Home board member, was emcee of a competitive match of team trivia. FOSH volunteers teamed with residents to try to come up with the most correct answers. Every answer was a year for the New Year-themed game. When was the Wright Brothers’ first flight? When was the first loaf of sliced bread offered for sale? What year did Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” come out? What year did President Nixon resign? And so on. Beer and pizza were courtesy of FOSH. And the winner of team trivia night was … drumroll … the team called “The Bartenders!” This team’s members actually were the bartenders for the evening’s fun, and we think they cheated by serving all the others drinks and knocking them off their game! The next Saloon Night will be Feb. 6. Join us!

Photos and story by John Hughes.

FOSH Bowling Nights Pair Community Volunteers With Elderly Veterans

26 Thursday Oct 2017

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Friends of the Soldiers Home volunteers for bowling once each month — and we sure had fun at the September and October sessions! On Sept. 19, Geico sponsored the bowling event and there was a huge turnout of helpers from nearby Catholic University. On Oct. 17, we had another great group of young people that made the evening special. We want to thank everyone for helping out on bowling night! Our next bowling event will be Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 6pm at Soldiers Home DC. If you can join us, drop a line to FOSH Volunteer Coordinator Lori Lincoln at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com and she will tell you how it is done. Thanks to Lori for these great photos of our last two bowling sessions!

More Than 1,000 People Attend Fall Fun Fest 2017 at Soldiers Home

04 Wednesday Oct 2017

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On a perfect, sunny day at the Armed Forces Retirement Home golf course driving range, more than 1,000 people joined Friends of the Soldiers Home in a gala celebration of music, games and camaraderie at Fall Fun Fest on Oct. 1.

The bluegrass band Fretnauts and classic rock group The Loose Ends entertained visitors and Soldiers Home residents under the big tent, while scores of children roamed the green grass of the driving range and played games. An obstacle course moon bounce proved particularly possible with young ones, as many climbed through the attraction multiple times.

In the early part of the day, on the upper part of the Home’s campus, visitors and residents enjoyed an antique car show, military medical displays and military drill team demonstrations.

Friends of the Soldiers Home would like to thank the staff and residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for making Fall Fun Fest 2017 possible. In addition, FOSH thanks all the volunteers and is grateful for the financial support from the following: Anheuser-Busch, ANC1A, Annie’s Hardware and CollEDGEucation.

Photos by Lauren Kessler