WASHINGTON, March 24, 2010

 On Monday, the  AMVETS family lost one of its own  when Sons of  AMVETS Past National Commander  Richard S. Mooney, 56, died at his home in  Chambersburg, Pa.
 Mooney is the first Sons  national commander  known to have passed away since the group’s  inception in 1972.
 Mooney served as national  commander in 1989-1990 alongside AMVETS Past  National Commander Warren Eagles and AMVETS  Ladies Auxiliary Past National President Jean Baxter. Mooney, who remained active in his Sons of AMVETS Squadron at Pennsylvania AMVETS Post No. 224, was also very active in the state and national organization up until his death.
Last weekend, Mooney traveled to Washington, D.C., for the spring meeting of the AMVETS National Executive Committee and joined his fellow Sons of AMVETS for wreath-laying ceremonies at each of the war memorials on the National Mall. Mooney also served as Sons of AMVETS Department of Pennsylvania commander and commander of his Squadron No. 224.
Mooney is survived by daughters Amy Stopyra, Holly Mooney, and Gwen King, and five grandchildren. Memorial services were held on Friday, March 26, 2010 at AMVETS Post No. 224 in Chambersburg.