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| COLONEL
THOMAS J. CUNNINGHAM JR. DIVISION
Loudoun County Division One was chartered in April 1998 at Saint Theresa’s Church in Ashburn. The division took the name of Colonel Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. to honor an American of Irish ancestry who was a good Catholic man with staunch family values and a credit to his faith, his country and his family. Tom didn’t win any wars, wasn’t an Irish patriot and isn’t nationally renowned. Tom spent 26 years in the US Army, entering as a Private in 1941 and retiring as a Colonel in 1967. The majority of his military career was spent in the communications field. He was a husband and father of four daughters, having Barbara Lynn predecease him in 1953. A daily communicant, an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and, when needed, an alter server. All who knew him describe him as a true Christian, always a source of joy, a calming influence in times of stress, always willing to pitch in and help – or take the lead if necessary. He was a most convivial spirit, good company, a friend to all. Tom entered into eternal life on June 26, 1995. The charter members of this division felt that it would give Tom no greater honor than to name this Division in his memory. He is greatly missed. The division is dedicated to the preservation of Irish history, culture and tradition along with a fervent application of the Catholic faith, as was our namesake.
Our main focus is community centered here in the local area. We work with local parishes and schools as well as civic organizations to make a better community for everyone. We average contributing over a thousand man-hours of community service per year and work with numerous parish affiliated and community based centers. We assist parishes with Lenten Soup Kitchens, holiday celebrations for the elderly and bedridden, and contribute to the summer work camp program. In conjunction with parish outreach programs we sponsor and work at several holiday celebrations for the elderly and infirmed throughout the year. In the local community we support various civic centers and organizations with financial contributions, needed materials and man-hours performing supporting tasks.
We sponsor Diocesan seminarians to ensure future generations of priests are available to nurture and spread the Catholic faith. Members contribute time and labor to support the Jeremiah House near Leesburg to offer young expectant mothers an alternative to abortion as well as packaging food supplies for the needy at the Inter-Faith Relief Organization in Leesburg. Division members are active in both the annual “March for Life” in Washington DC and the local Loudoun County based “Walk for Life” held at Broad Run High School.
We have contributed complete grade appropriate sets of books on Irish history, faith, tradition and culture to four Catholic schools in the local area. We contribute to several parishes’ summer work camp programs and sponsor a young man to the American Legion’s Boy’s State Program in the summer.
We host the annual commemoration ceremony at the Ball's Bluff Battlefield in Leesburg for the past four years were the only Irish organization in attendance at the Potomac Celtic Festival in Leesburg. The Division Color Guard and members participate in local parades, commemoration ceremonies and civic actions; several members are involved in early 20th century Irish reenactment.
This year we are proud to announce that our pilot scholastic achievement award began at St. Theresa's School where two graduating students each received checks for $250 based on their academic achievement, religious participation, community service, and extra-curricular activities. If you are interested in joining, the membership requirements are that you must be a male over the age of 16, a practical Catholic and be of Irish birth or descent and we ask that you be willing to live our motto, “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.” For additional information or if you have any questions, please contact any of the following: Steve Hanley 703 729-9126, Mike Hippchen 703 737-0099, Todd Morefield 703 858-5001 or Ned Woisard 703 724-0524. Email addresses are on the officer’s page or write us at: COL. THOMAS
J. CUNNINGHAM, JR. DIVISION |
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additional Information about this website E-mail to: Steve
Hanley, Mike Hippchen Last Revised on July 24, 2003. |