Volume VIII – Number 2 AROUND THE PACIFIC 20 September 2012 VFW Department of Pacific Areas Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Pacific Areas Commander Darin Combs The Around the Pacific newsletter showcases local activities throughout the VFW Department of Pacific Areas through articles, photos, etc. The Department Editor may provide articles on the various programs that both support. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ VFW National Convention 2012 A Proud Fourteen Comrades Representing Department of Pacific Areas I II III IV V VI VII
Transcript
Volume VIII – Number 2 AROUND THE PACIFIC 20 September 2012
VFW Department of Pacific Areas
Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States
Department of Pacific Areas
Commander
Darin Combs
The Around the Pacific newsletter showcases local activities throughout the VFW Department of Pacific Areas through articles, photos, etc. The Department Editor may provide articles on the various programs that both support.
A Proud Fourteen Comrades Representing Department of Pacific Areas
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
Volume VIII – Number 2 AROUND THE PACIFIC 20 September 2012
VFW Department of Pacific Areas
Commander Barry Hirshbein anxiously awaiting the presentation of his All-American Department Commander’s cap.
The time has arrived as Commander Hirshbein receives his All-American cap from SV CINC Hamilton,
then across the stage to receive congratulations from CINC Richard DeNoyer
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District VI Commander Jerry Kraus receives All-American Certificate & Cap from
2011-12 Commander-in-Chief, Richard DeNoyer. Jerry also received his All-American "Triple Crown" Pin at the Convention.
National Councilman Pacific Areas-Elect Jerry Kraus receives National Council of
Administration Cap from 2012-13 Commander-in-Chief John Hamilton.
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All-American Commanders
Bill Bradford - Post 2917, Barry Hirshbein - Department of Pacific Areas and Homer Kemper – Post 1054
All-American Post Commander Bill Bradford receiving his cap.
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Commander Bradford receiving congratulations form VFW CINC DeNoyer
Commander Kemper taking in the excitement of the National Convention
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Pacific Area’s Comrades preparing for the Patriotic Rally Parade of Departments
DPA All-American Commanders at the Convention All-American Commander’s Breakfast.
Post 2917 CM Bradford, PDCs Kraus & Oden, Post 2485 CM Chesko, PDC Wichmann, Post 1054 CM Kemper & PDC Zaher.
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June 2012. Natl. Convention, Reno, Nevada. (Left Insert) Penny Babe – Reno V.A. Administrator, and District V Commander Al Serrato, share a
moment of moment of mutual appreciation after successfully retrieving Veteran status updates for 4 C & P cases. Picture 2 is Tonya Harding who
agreed to research veteran records that are lost. Great Convention!
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President Obama Addressed the Convention
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Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Addressing the Convention and mixing with VFW Members after his speech.
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DDiissttrriicctt II OOkkiinnaawwaa
VFW Post 9723 Buddy Poppy Drive
at the Camp Foster Commissary on the 1-3 Sept 2012
Commander Provencher giving the oath of VFW membership at Post meeting.
Pinning the Cross of Malta on two new members. Membership recruiting award presented to Comrade Robinson.
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VFW Department of Pacific Areas
Commander Provencher passing out some awards at the last Post 9723 meeting.
A large picture plaque given to Post 9723 on the 12th of July 2012 for sponsoring and support
of Boy Scout Troop 102 and Cub Scout Troop i02 here on Okinawa from the Far East Scouting Council
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DDiissttrriicctt IIII JJaappaann
VVFFWW PPoosstt 99661122 CCaammpp ZZaammaa
COMRADE LEADS MEMORIAL PROCESSION FOR FALLEN SHIPMATE ON BOARD NAF ATSUGI
NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – On the evening of 29 July 2012, Joe Mortimer, Chaplain, Department of Pacific Areas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, had the honor to have been asked to lead the memorial procession this evening for our departed shipmate, Airman Apprentice Rafael Antonio Martinez, U.S. Navy, taking him in spirit, from his duty station at the VFA-102 Hangar back to his resting place at his barracks on NAF Atsugi. It was a great way to help give everyone closure. Please keep Rafael, his family, friends, and shipmates in your thoughts and prayers as he is now serving with the Supreme Commander. Airman Apprentice Rafael A. Martinez, U.S. Navy, 20, of Parkton, N.C., assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-102, embarked aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), died after falling overboard onto an adjacent services barge at 18:43, 14 July 2012, while the ship was at anchor in Hong Kong Harbor. A memorial service was held on board USS GEORGE WASHINGTON at sea 17 July 2012. The U.S. Navy has initiated an investigation into the incident. The ship is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMRADE SUPPORTS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2012 ON NAF ATSUGI
NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, held its Annual National Night Out event at the base commissary on 07 August 2012 to foster neighborhood crime prevention and build camaraderie among base residents. The National Association of Town Watch introduced NNO in 1984. Today it is a nationwide event for communities all over the world who gather together to fight against
neighborhood crime. Joe Mortimer, Chaplain, Department of Pacific Areas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and Fleet and Family Support Center NAF Atsugi and Retired U.S. Navy Chief Master-at-Arms (Surface Warfare) and Comrade Ashley Frey (event coordinator) and her husband Comrade Jason Frey, both of VFW Post 9612, demonstrated proper flag folding, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and talked about the U.S. Constitution with over 200 children in attendance. More than 700 base residents attended and learned more about base safety services, crime prevention and got the opportunity to meet their neighbors. Highlights of Atsugi's crime prevention event included a demonstration by the Security Detachment's K-9 Unit, a watermelon eating contest, an earthquake simulation machine, static displays, free food and giveaways. The event is designed to accomplish a variety of things ranging from raising crime and drug prevention awareness to generating support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs. The program also sends a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods that participate are organized and ready to fight back. According to the NNO Web site, last year's campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, more than 37 million people participated in 2008.
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COMRADE TAKES PART IN PATRIOT DAY MEMORIAL TOWER STAIR CLIMB ON NAF ATSUGI
NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – On 11 September 2012, John McBroom, (left photo in white t-shirt) Life Member, POW-MIA Chairman, VFW Post 9612, District 2 Mainland Japan, Department of Pacific Areas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, joined with members of the Branch Health Clinic, Regional Fire Department, and Naval Security Force members to climb Towers 3042 and 3043 during the memorial ceremony on board NAF Atsugi Japan.
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DONATION SUPPORTING THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM AT NAF ATSUGI
NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – On 11 September 2012, Joe Mortimer, Chaplain, Department of Pacific Areas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, provided a check for $100.00 from VFW Post 9612 to Quennie Babineau, President of Friends of Fleet and Family Support Center for use in the Navy Family Ombudsman Program on board NAF Atsugi Japan. From left to right, John McBroom, POW-MIA Chairman, VFW Post 9612, Jerry Havens, FFSC WFL Supervisor, Brenda Jolly, Ombudsman Program Manager, Quennie Babineau, Joe Mortimer, and Freddie London, VFW Post 9612.
Ombudsmen are volunteers appointed by the commanding officer to serve as an information link between the command leadership and command families. Ombudsmen are trained to disseminate information – official Department of the Navy and command information, command climate issues, local quality of life improvement
opportunities, and “good deals” around the community. They also provide resource referrals when needed and are instrumental in resolving family issues before they require extensive command attention. On September 14, 1970, the U.S. Navy adopted the Navy Family Ombudsman Program, which originated out of a need for better communication between families and Navy commands. In 1970, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, the 19th Chief of Naval Operations, established the Navy Family Ombudsman Program. He issued one of his famous messages, affectionately known as a “Z Gram,” in which he outlined the importance of the Navy wife as a member of the Navy command team. Therefore, representation was needed for her on that team; this was to come in the form of the command ombudsman. The Navy Family Ombudsman Program has grown in size and importance over the years. The day-to-day service to Navy families, in addition to the services of ombudsmen during crises like the USS COLE disaster, 9-11, and Hurricane Katrina, have been invaluable. In 2004, Commander Naval Installations Command (CNIC) conducted a comprehensive field study of the Navy Family Ombudsman Program. As a result of the findings, they assembled a working group in San Diego, CA in 2005 to review and update the Navy Family Ombudsman Program Manual and Ombudsman Basic Training.
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VFW POST 9612 BUYS EIGHT NAVY BALL TICKETS TO BE GIVEN FREE TO E4 AND BELOW SAILORS FOR THE 237th NAVY BIRTHDAY BALL
NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – On 11 September 2012, Joe Mortimer, Chaplain, Department of Pacific Areas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, provided a check for $200.00 from VFW Post 9612 to Chief Petty Officer Teofisto B. Castrence, USN, Chairman, Navy Ball Committee, NAF Atsugi Japan to pay for eight Navy Ball tickets to be given free to eight E4 and Below Rank Sailors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMRADE HELPS GET PACK 22 OFF TO A GOOD
START FOR THE NEW SCOUTING YEAR
NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – On 13 September 2012, Joe Mortimer, National Scouting Team and VFW Post 9612 Chartered Organization Representative for Pack 22 NAF Atsugi Japan and La Eenya Stoneham of Pack 22 serve pizza to Cub Scouts and parents during the new scouting year kick-off!
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COMRADE ASSISTS WITH CHIEF PETTY OFFICER INDUCTION ON NAF ATSUGI
NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – Every year after the results of the Chief Petty Officer selection boards, Joe Mortimer, Chaplain, Department of Pacific Areas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, a retired U.S. Navy Chief Master-at-Arms, and Legacy Life Member of VFW Post 9612, Camp Zama Japan, volunteered his over 70 hours of his free time to assist the new Chief Petty Officer Selectees during their induction period. This year was no exception. From when the results came out in August until 14 September 2012, Joe Mortimer tested the new Chief Selectees with questions related to leadership, historical, battle watch, protocol, watch standing, etc., and for every question answered correctly, they would receive $1.00 donation. There were
other questions ranging from $1.00 to $20.00 and the new Chief Selectees did very well earning over $300.00 from Joe Mortimer. On the final night, just past 1:00am, 13 September 2012, the Chief Selectees were put through the paces for Code of Conduct training where Joe Mortimer acted as an Opposing Force Prisoner of War Interrogator trying to get them to sign confessions and divulge information from his personal experience as a Navy Chief Master-at-Arms. His knowledge of the Arabic and Japanese languages were very useful as there was a Japanese maritime Self Defense Force Chief Petty Officer going through the same training with his American counterparts.
YOKOSUKA, JAPAN (28 July 2012) – Front row L/R: Jon Way, Robert Moses, Joseph Mortimer, Al Sanders;
Back row L/R: Joseph Conde, Mike Castro, Homer Kemper, Frank Hunter, Rick Farris, Richard “Dick” Keeley, and Mike Lutman. Photos by Jon Way, VFW Post 1054
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Department of Pacific Areas Page 17
District II Commander Homer Kemper Mike Lutman, Post 1054 Adjutant providing the Al Sanders & Mike Lutman (Post 1054) & Post 1054 Commander Rick Farris. District with some “words of wisdom.” discussing upcoming events.
Rick Farris, Commander Post 1054, providing Robert Moses, Past District II Commander, providing
the quarterly Commands report. the District with updates on future events.
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August 2012. District V Meeting, Korat, Thailand. Post Commander Byron Petrides - VFW Post 10217, hosted the successful D5 Convention. Bob Owens, Acting District Commander, conducted the meeting in the absence of D5 Commander Serrato who was in the U.S. During the Meeting, Barry Moshinsky—newly appointed District Service Officer, was present. Additionally, Jim Oden provided a status update on the successful fundraising effort on behalf of the Thai Flood Victims who are members of the VFW. Approx. $24,000 was raised.
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District V Memories of Department Convention in the Philippines
June 2012. Department of the Pacific Areas convention was held in the Philippines. District V CDR Al Serrato thanked DPA officers
for their contributions to the VFW District V Relief Project. DPA CDR Barry Hirshbein was presented with a commemorative award on
behalf of District V for his strong support in helping to raise funds for VFW flood victims.
Volume VII – Number 4 AROUND THE PACIFIC 20 January 2012
Saipan Post 3457 hosted a reception on Saipan for Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command
(JPAC) Commander, U. S. Army MG Stephen Tom on August 5, 2012. Gen Tom is also a Life
Member of Post 3457.
Mrs. Tudor, Post CM Tudor, DPA QM Callaghan, Past Post 3457 CM Fajardo, MG Tom,
Post SVC Woodruff, Mrs. Woodruff, Post member Kiner, District VI CM Kraus.
Post CM Joe Reyes, MG Tom, Post SVC Woodruff, Mrs. Woodruff.
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Saipan Congressman Ralph Demapan and MG Tom.
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DDiissttrriicctt VVIIII PPhhiilliippppiinneess
CLARK VETERANS CEMETERY
VFW POST 2485 John Gilbert, Chairman
BOY SCOUT WEEKEND AT CLARK VETERANS CEMETERY Boy Scout Troop 351 from the Manila International School conducted several activities on 8 & 9 September at the Clark Veterans Cemetery. The afternoon of 8 September was devoted to a Community Service Project involving the cleaning of some of the 8600 Headstones at CVC. On Sunday, 9 September, the Scout Troop leadership held their 9 / 11 Anniversary Observance. This is the second year Troop 351 has assisted at the Cemetery and their support is greatly appreciated.
Senior Scouts supervise the preparatory steps in headstone cleaning. Note the condition of these Headstones.
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Senior scouts removing mold during phase 2 of the Headstone cleaning process.
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Boy Scouts of Troop 351 from the International School of Manila conducting their 9/11 Anniversary Observance on Sunday, 9 September. Senior Scouts planned and conducted this very dignified remembrance in the vicinity of the Monument to the Unknowns at Clark Veterans Cemetery. Members of VFW Post 2485 participated in the event. (School schedule required change from actual date of September 11th).
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News from Senator Ayotte's Office SEPT 14
Senate Veterans Committee Approves Clark Veterans Cemetery Legislation
In June, Senator Ayotte testified before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee in support of the Clark Veterans Cemetery legislation.
During a legislative mark-up on Wednesday, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee approved bipartisan
legislation introduced by Senator Ayotte and Mark Begich (D-AK) aimed at restoring the Clark Veterans Cemetery, which is the final resting place in the Philippines for more than 8,300 U.S. service members and their dependents. Following a volcanic eruption in 1991, the U.S. abandoned Clark Air Force Base, leaving the cemetery covered in ash and overgrown by weeds.
"The U.S. government has a moral responsibility to care for veterans cemeteries that honor those who
have bravely served our country," said Senator Ayotte, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The American veterans buried in Clark Veterans Cemetery deserve a dignified and well-maintained final resting place, and it's time for the U.S. to fulfill its responsibility to care for this sacred ground."
Since 1994, volunteers in the Philippines have attempted to maintain the cemetery without assistance
from the U.S. government. The Remembering America's Forgotten Veterans Cemetery Act (S. 2320), which has 15 bipartisan cosponsors, would require the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to restore, operate, and maintain Clark Veterans Cemetery to honor the courageous Americans buried there. Warm Regards, Kelly Ayotte United States Senator Contributed by: Bob Henault, PDC All American QM 2011-12 Bonifas-Barrett Post 8180 District 3 Advocate/Protocol Officer
