On behalf of the entire Richland American Legion Post 548 membership,
CONGRATULATIONS to Post Chaplain Harry VanRiper on being selected
for the Dr. Martoni “VETERANS SERVICE AWARD” 2023. (Pittsburgh, PA.)

“The Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans Service Award was created in 2021 to recognize
those individuals who continue their service to our country following their discharge.
Nominees are individuals who have ended their military service but continue to serve
the community in some way. Considerations for the award will include the nominee’s
military service, outstanding leadership, and contributions to the veteran community
as well as the community at-large.”

https://www.alleghenycounty.us/veterans/veterans-service-award.aspx

Harry VanRiper has been a member of Richland American Legion Post 548
for over a decade and has been the Post Chaplain for 10 consecutive years.
He has distinguished himself by being selected as The Pennsylvania American
Legion “Chaplain of the Year in 2018”. Additionally, Harry is a member of the
Post 548 Honor Guard, a member of the Post 548 Memorial Day Committee,
the Post 548 representative to the VA Hospital, a Post 548 representative
for the “Christmas Care Packages” program, and a graduate of “Legion College”.
In short, Harry has been the moral compass of Richland American Legion
Post 548. Harry has been married to his wife Susan, also a huge contributor
to Richland American Legion Post 548, for over 37 years.

Harry’s entire story is attached above, but also available in the link below:

https://www.post-gazette.com/life/goodness/2023/11/17/army-veteran-vietnam-war-charles-martoni-veterans-service-award/stories/202311170001

Thank you, Harry, for continuing to serve our fellow veterans, for your
“Servants Heart”, and for your patriotic example in our community.

For God and Country,

Bob Schleiden, Commander
Richland American Legion Post 548 Inc.