Department Commander s Trip to Taiwan

Transcription

1 I V Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States II Department of Pacific Areas Commander Darin Combs III IV VI 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. District IV Department Commander s Trip to Taiwan Each year the Commander of the Department of Pacific Areas is invited to Taiwan in October for National Day in the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC) that falls on the tenth day of the tenth month, and is referred to as Double-Ten Day. This year the Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) Minister Tung, Hsiang Lung, Retired Navy Admiral, invited and hosted Commander Shawn Watson on his visit to the ROC. The VAC this year provided the Commander Shawn Watson with a schedule of events over a six day visit that included trips to various locations in the Taipei areas. Some of the big events were the Medal of Honor awarding and the Double-Ten Day Parade that commenced during the day and then followed by a special evening reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where dignitaries from around the world gather to celebrate 102nd anniversary of the ROC. VAC HEADQUARTERS MEDAL AWARD AND DINNER (PM) In Taipei a few blocks from one of the world s tallest building titled Taipei 101 and near the World Trade Center the VAC has its own Headquarters located in a building constructed by the Retired Service Engineering Agency that has been part of the VAC for fifty years. It was here in the late afternoon that Minister Tung presented the Medal of Honor with Cravat of Veterans Affairs Commission to Commander Watson. This is considered a great honor bestowed on Commander Shawn Watson and is something that all Department Commanders that annually visit Taiwan will keep in their memories. The visit with the VAC expresses friendship and comradeship of this veterans organization and the VFW and lets you know it with honor.

2 MEDAL OF HONOR AWARDED VAC Minster Tung congratulates Commander Shawn Watson on receiving the Medal of Honor with cravat. Minister Tung presents the Certificate of Award to Commander Shawn Watson. Commander Shawn Watson congratulates Minister Tung for all the great work that the VAC does for its veterans presenting a gift in kind. Department of Pacific Areas Page 2

3 VAC AND VFW DISTRICT IV MEMBERS CONGRATULATE DEPARTMENT COMMANDER Seen in the photo above right to left are VAC Senior Counselor Hans Song, Deputy Minister Chin, Quartermaster Tony Hu (Post 9957), Deputy Minister Liu, Department Commander Shawn Watson, Minister Tung, District IV Commander Jim Ascencio (Post 9957), Department JA Bill Wichmann (Post 727), District IV SVC Bob Malinoski (Post 727), Secretary-General Lu and Senior Counselor Shih.

4 AWARDS DINNER SERVED DIN TAI FUNG RESTAURANT After the awards ceremony VAC Senior Counselor Hans Song invited Department Commander Shawn Watson and VFW District IV members and their guests to dinner at the Din Tai Fung Restaurant located in the Taipei 101 building. This restaurant, which is rated as one of the top 10 gourmet restaurants in the world by the New York Times has the best of the best when it comes to Chinese foods. The picture below shows the smiles of enjoyment of the night out for a fine dinner. In the above on the left side is Ms. Jackie "O"(guest), Tony Hu (9957), Commander Shawn Watson, Jim Ascencio (9957) and on right side front are Orville Humfleet (727), Bill Wichmann (727), Han Song (VAC) and Bob Malinoski (727). Bill Wichmann District IV Department of Pacific Areas Page 4

5 Post 9555 Community Activities VFW Post 9555 partnered with Cub Scout Pack 49 to perform our annual Veteran s Day ceremony VFW Post 9555 Robert Moses seems to be in deep contemplation on the significance of Veteran s Day ceremony in honor of those who served; past and present. Department of Pacific Areas Page 5

6 With the Cub Scout Pack 49 color guard in the background, Post 9555 members showed their respect to our nation s heroes; past and present Department of Pacific Areas Page 6

7 Post 9555 Buddy Poppy Drive Post Commander Robert Moses led a successful Buddy Poppy drive after the Veteran s Day ceremony Fire Fighter of the Year Award Presentation VFW Post 9555 Commander Robert Moses presents MSgt Jon Ammon with the VFW Department of the Pacific s Firefighter of the year award during the Civil Engineer Squadron Commander s Call meeting in the Yokota Air Base Theater. MSgt Ammon received this prestigious award in front of 300 of his colleagues and superiors. Department of Pacific Areas Page 7

8 Post 9723, District I POW/MIA Day Ceremony POW/MIA DAY at Kadena Air base on the 20,Sept 2013 District 1/Post 9723 participated in the Ceremony held out side at the Generals Headquarters at Flag Pole,and the breakfast held after the Flag Pole ceremony and this was held at the Kadena NCO Club.

9 VFW POST 9612, DISTRICT 2, MAINLAND JAPAN BLUE STAR MOTHER FUNDRAISER MIRAMAR, CALIFORNIA On 28 Sep 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, participated in Blue Star Mothers Fundraising Banquet at MCAS Miramar, California, and made personal donation of $ Developed contacts for local area Boy Scouts of America. U.S. NAVY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FALLBROOK, CALIFORNIA On 11 Oct 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, coordinated and conducted the 238th Birthday Celebration of the U.S. Navy at VFW Post 1924, Fallbrook, California. Department of Pacific Areas Page 9

10 COMRADE ASSISTS CUB SCOUTS IN VISTA VISTA, CALIFORNIA 02 Nov 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, participated in Rocket Launching event in Vista as safety observer with Boy Scouts of America Pack 750 Carlsbad, California. COMRADE BUILDING CALIFORNIA / PACIFIC BRIDGES KERNEY MESA, CALIFORNIA On 06 Nov 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, and American Legion Post 123, Angeles City, Philippines, attended a General Monthly Membership Meeting American Legion Post 460, Kearney Mesa, California, and discussed Scouting opportunities, flag retirement ceremonies, and exchanged American Legion License Plates. Department of Pacific Areas Page 10

11 COMRADE VOICE OF DEMOCRACY JUDGING ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA On 05 Nov 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, attended General Monthly Membership Meeting VFW Post 1513, Escondido, California, and participated in a Post Level Voice of Democracy judging. Joe also donated $25.00 to the Polansky Home for Abused Children for their Christmas Fund Drive and presented VFW Scouter pin to Comrade who is Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Merit Badge Counselor for over 40 BSA Units in California. Department of Pacific Areas Page 11

12 U.S. MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FALLBROOK, CALIFORNIA On 10 Nov 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, attended the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday at VFW Post 1924, Fallbrook, California. BUDDY POPPY DRIVE IN FALLBROOK FALLBROOK, CALIFORNIA On 11 Nov 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, volunteered to assist with VFW Post 1924, Fallbrook, California, Buddy Poppy Drive at Major Market Grocery Store. Entire effort by the Post raised $3, Department of Pacific Areas Page 12

13 VETERANS DAY PARADE IN FALLBROOK CALIFORNIA FALLBROOK, CALIFORNIA On 11 Nov 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, volunteered to assist with VFW Post 1924, Fallbrook, California, Color Guard leading the Veterans Day Parade for the City of Fallbrook, California. COMRADE BUILDING CALIFORNIA / PACIFIC BRIDGES LINDA VISTA, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA On 09 Nov 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, and American Legion Post 123, Angeles City, Philippines, assisted the American Legion Department of California, District 22 Membership Revitalization held at American Legion Post 731, Linda Vista, San Diego, California, by performing administrative duties. After the revitalization, Joe was invited to the home of the District Financial Officer s home for an evening social with the National Membership Chair, Department Membership Chair, District 22 Commander, and various other Post Commanders and staff. Photo depicts the flashing of the District TWO TWO sign. DISTRICT TWO TWO WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! Department of Pacific Areas Page 13

14 BUILDING MORE CALIFORNIA / PACIFIC BRIDGES LINDA VISTA, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA On 14 Nov 2013, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 Camp Zama, Japan, and American Legion Post 123, Angeles City, Philippines, attended a General Monthly Membership Meeting American Legion Post 731, Linda Vista, San Diego, California, and exchanged American Legion License Plate. During the meeting, Post Commander Chuck Camatro offered donation assistance to Legionnaires of the Department of the Philippines for the Typhoon Yolanda. Department of Pacific Areas Page 14

15 VFW Senior Vice CINC Visit to District V November 10, District V hosted a VIP luncheon for John Stroud Senior Vice Cdr In-Chief at Bangkok, Thailand. SVC Stroud responded positively to numerous questions posed by the members present. Top row, L-R: Bob Duffy Service Officer, Hal Hart - D5 Adjutant, Eric Larsen Post Cdr, Ricky Reece Post Cdr, Dave Neutzler QM, Ed Medlin QM, Allen "Gunner" Kent - Past Natl Adjutant, Tom Cowperwaite Front Row, L-R: Ken Miller - D5 Chaplain, Fred Berg Post Cdr, Barry Moshinsky - D5 Service Officer, Al Serrato - District V Cdr, John Stroud - SV Cdr In-Chief, Bob Owens - D5 SV Cdr. Department of Pacific Areas Page 15