Department Zone Commanders

I was raised along with my sister and brother by our Grandparents. They were very conservative and taught me to stand up for what I believed in. As a young teenager, I witnessed the Vietnam War on the television set. It had a profound effect on me. I was proud of our country and the sacrifices our soldiers made. I always knew there was a soldier inside.

I joined the United States Air Force and became a SAC troop. I was first a Security Police at K.I. Sawyer AFB. Long, hard hours and I was dealt the standard-issue divorce by my 1^st wife. I cross-trained in Graphics and re-enlisted. One day, a new female airman reported to my shop. I was her supervisor. We hit it off together. That didn’t sit too well back in the days of PDA. We had plans to marry, so I hung up my uniform and supported Yvonne as a military spouse until she retired after 22 years of service. She has been my ‘little airman’ for 45 years now.

She is a USAF brat, and I am a spouse, so we both have dual membership in the Legion and the Auxiliary. We are both PUFLs with 11 years in the Legion.

At the post level, I have served as an Adjutant at two posts. I am the Post Commander at my post. At the District level, I have held various positions, including Sergeant of Arms, Adjutant, 1st Vice Commander, and Commander. I have also been the 1^st Vice President of my Auxiliary unit twice.

My goal is to help posts develop and attract the young veterans. Our youngest son did four combat tours and is 100 percent disabled. We have seen firsthand what these soldiers live with mentally and physically. Too many are slipping through the cracks, no, ravines. We need to be here for everyone of them, their families and our families.