It may not quite be unique, but it’s still extraordinary to have three generations of a family involved with a local service organization.
Not only have three succeeding generations stayed active over nearly 80 years with the Arlington Optimist Club, but if things turn out right, down the road a fourth potentially could be added.
The club on Sept. 18 honored the involvement of retired Circuit Court judge (and former House of Delegates member) James Almand, who joined the club in May 1979, and his son Andrew, a member since July 2023.
Before them was James Almand’s father, Iverson, who was one of the club’s charter members in 1946 and remained active until his death in 1982.
“It’s another part of public service – the opportunity to help other people,” James Almand said in an interview preceding the luncheon at Washington Golf & Country Club.
“I wanted to continue the tradition of public service to Arlington,” added son Andrew.
Although it took Andrew Almand some years to join – “I wanted to start a family and build a career,” he said – he is now very active.
“I dove in head-first,” he said. “I’ve got big shoes to fill.”
Though he never sought to serve as club president (as did his father), James Almand made his mark on the club by chairing, for more than two decades, the local Optimist Respect for Law program, which lauds law-enforcement personnel from Arlington. His son recently was installed on the club’s board of directors.
Reminiscing about his father Iverson and his involvement when the club was founded shortly after the end of World War II, James Almand said it was encouragement of friends like Joel Broyhill that prompted him to take part.
And though he wouldn’t become a member until later, James Almand was perhaps destined to do it.
“My birth was announced in the Optimist Bulletin,” the club’s newsletter, he chuckled.
The celebration of the Almand family’s service came during a meeting that included the installation of 2024-25 officers and the approval of three new members.
“Look at this crowd,” outdoing club president Debbie Whitenton said in surveying the luncheon gathering. “I love it.”
Also attending the event were Andrew Almand’s four children – one in pre-kindergarten and the other three at Arlington Traditional School.
They’re all a little too young for membership now. But when the time comes, Andrew Almand said he has high hopes.
Sandy Bushue, an Optimist Club member who serves as president of the Inter-Service Club Council of Arlington (ISCC), put out a request of ISCC member organizations to see if any others have had a three-generation family membership. To date, she hasn’t heard of any, but will continue the search.
