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Post Commander: Charles Bearfighter Reddoor
District Commander: Sterling Moninghoff, District 10
Post Address:
2116 North 19th St., Arlington, VA 22201
Post Telephone: 703-525-0108 Post Email:
History of this Post:
...But it is down at the post de secor* themselves that you can see war itself pressing on men's minds. They never laugh down there. All is grim, and the poor wrecks who are trumbled in or straggle down the gutted roads have no story to tell. They sing no songs and bring no captured banners back: only memories of lives offered on fiery alters, and what satisfaction comes of having killed someone you never learned to hate. They have seen war, and they know what it is like, so they do not smile anymore.
John Lyon
15 August 1915
Westvletern, Belgium
* post de secor - aid station
Who was John Lyon, you ask. The 1 September 1919 special edition of The Monitor from Rosslyn, Virginia carried the following report under the headline "Only County Man Killed" (This was in error since four other county men also lost their lives.): "John Lyon was killed in action on October 16, 1918. He was a Second Lieutenant in the 29th Division in the Machine Gun Company of the 116th Infantry.
He was a graduate of the Western High School, attended the University of Virginia for two years, (was) editor of the Alexandria County Monitor for three years, at the same time attending Georgetown Law School at night, but did not graduate owing to the fact that he went to France in May, just before he had completed his examinations. He served one year with the American Ambulance Corps in France, and was assistant editor of Forest and Stream in New York. He served six months on the Mexican border. He entered the Army through the Alexandria Light Infantry, in which he volunteered as a common soldier, was promoted from corporal to sergeant and to second lieutenant, and reached France July 1918."
Citation for the Distinguished Service Cross
"Near Samogneux, France, October 15, 1918
Residence at entry into service: Ballston, VA
Place of Birth: Ballston, VA
General Order Number 3, War Department 1924
Second Lieutenant, 116th Infantry, 29th Division During the attack on Bois-de-la-Grande-Montagne, Lieutenant Lyon left a place of comparative safety to cross an open space, exposed to direct observation and fire from the enemy, to attempt a rescue of a wounded officer. He and two men who accompanied him were killed in the attempt. Posthumously awarded. Medal presented to father, Frank Lyon."
Medals as Shown Above, Displayed Left to Right:
Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, Mexican
Service Medal, Victory World War One.
John Lyon Gravesite
The Lyon family plot
Historic Blandford Church
Petersburg, VA
(Photo by Andy Hyson)
John Lyon Family Connects with John Lyon Post
Steve Jones, whose grandmother was Lt. John Lyon's sister, called the Post after seeing the 3150 website. During an exchange of information, he confirmed that the gravesite is on the picture above. The Lyon family has a long history in southern Virginia and, thus, the burial in Petersburg. We are happy to be in contact with John Lyon's family and hope a long relationship may come from this.
Meeting Dates: 2nd Thursday of the Month, 7:30pm
Canteen Hours: Sunday (First, Third, and Fifth Sunday of the Month)
Noon - 9pm
Monday - Thursday 3pm - 9pm
Friday 3pm - 10pm
Saturday Noon - 10pm
Kitchen Hours: Sunday Brunch (2nd and 4th Sunday of the Month, 9am - Noon
Cook to order breakfast, $7.00
Community welcome
Other Information:
