Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Pacific Areas Military Order of the Cootie Grand of Pacific Areas Volume X Number 2 A non-profit official publication 20 September 2014 The Around the Pacific newsletter showcases what our members of the VFW Department of Pacific Areas and the MOC Grand of the Pacific in their local areas through articles, photos, etc., and the Department Editor, may provide information from outside the Department, in the various programs that both support. Inputs are due no later than the 15 th of the month. District 1 Okinawa Japan VFW POST 9723 CONDUCTS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AT JOB FAIR IN OKINAWA JAPAN OKINAWA, JAPAN - Commander Stewart,Quartermaster Provencher and another member at a Job Fair 05 September 2014 on a membership drive for VFW Post 9723, Okinawa. Did you ask anyone to join today? VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 1
District 2 Mainland Japan VFW POST 1054 TAKE PART IN FRIENDSHIP DAY 2014 YOKOSUKA, JAPAN - On 14 August 2014, Comrades of VFW Post 1054 pause for a group picture during the 2014 Friendship day onboard Consolidated Fleet Activities, Yokosuka. The team sold "Kakigori" to raise funds and also conducted a membership and buddy poppy drive. From left to right, QM Rick Farris, Past Post Commander Mike Castro, Senior Vice Commander Gary Shearing, Adjutant Mike Lutman, Mrs. Sayuri Lutman and CDR Dave Robinson. VFW POST 1054 COMRADES VISIT CinC RENO NEVADA RENO, NEVADA - August 2014, VFW Post 1054 member Jon Way visits with new VFW National Commander-in-Chief John Stroud and wife Mary Stroud in Reno, Nevada. Comrade Way recently returned stateside and was commended by District 2, Mainland Japan Commander Rick Farris for his exceptional leadership as both a Comrade and as Post 1054 Senior Vice Commander and District 2 Junior Vice Commander. In addition, Comrade Way's long time involvement and leadership in Scouting, to include being the Post 1054 Charter Organization Representative, led to his receiving the Silver Beaver Award. It is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service and is given to those who do not actively seek it. VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 2
80TH BIRTHDAY OF VFW POST 1054 COMRADE YOKOSUKA, JAPAN - 25 July 2014: Adjutant Mike Lutman visits with 94 year old World War II Veteran Comrade Jack Bove at his Nursing Home in Yokosuka, Japan. Also making the visit were Comrades Tommy Schrader and Post Charter Member Jack Lott. Boatswains Mate First Class Jack Bove served in the United States Navy from June 1941 to June 1971, including a tour on the USS IRWIN (DD-794). His actions included helping to save the lives of many of the crewmembers of the USS PRINCETON that was sunk in the Battle of Subiyan Sea in Leyte Gulf. On March 19, 2000, Jack's 80th Birthday, the Active Duty Chief Petty Officer's of the Yokosuka Community honored Jack and pinned him as an Honorary Yokosuka Chief Petty Officer. When asked why he was never advanced to Chief Petty Officer during his active duty service, he explained it in a way only a true Boatswains Mate could. He said he never became a Chief Petty Officer because of some trivial misunderstandings like the time in Casablanca when the van he was driving ran over a French Police-man. Jack is doing well and continues to receive visits from many of the Comrades at Post 1054. FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS TO VFW POST 1054 COMRADE YOKOSUKA, JAPAN - On 22 July 2014, Comrades from District 2, Mainland Japan gathered at the Chief Petty Officers Club onboard Naval Station Yokosuka to wish Comrade Frank Hunter Fair Winds and Following Seas. Awards and Letters of Commendation were presented by District 2 Commander Rick Farris, Post 1054 Commander David Robinson and Post 1054 Senior Vice Commander Gary Shearing. Master of Ceremonies Adjutant Mike Lutman presided over the event which also included the presentation of the Honorary "Post 1054" Life ring. While the award itself was a bit lighthearted, the reason for it was not as Comrade Hunter was a major reason that Post 1054 has been able to remain active and continue to thrive in District 2. Both Frank and his Bagpipes shall be missed as we eagerly await his return to the Department of Pacific Areas in the future. They cannot say yes unless you ask. Did you ask anyone to join today? VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 3
VFW POST 1054 HONORS NATIONAL FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR YOKOSUKA, JAPAN - 17 July 2014, VFW Post 1054 presented the 2014 VFW National Fire Fighter of the Year award to Commander, Naval Forces Japan Fire Chief Peter Sorenson. VFW Post 1054 and District 2 Adjutant Mike Lutman read the certificate and congratulated Chief Sorenson on behalf of National Commander Bill Thien, Department of Pacific Commander Shawn Watson, District 2 Commander Rick Farris and Post 1054 Commander Mike Castro. Rear Admiral Terry B. Kraft, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan, Commander, Navy Region Japan, Naval Component, U.S. Forces Japan also offered congratulations and talked about the importance of service, dedication to the community and the importance of participating in VFW programs and supporting Veterans through the VFW. VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 4
VFW POST 9612 COMRADE LIVING HISTORY REENACTOR IN CALIFORNIA HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA - On 13-14 Sep 2014, Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612, Camp Zama, Japan, took part in a Civil War reenactment with the American Civil War Society in Huntington Beach, California, where he provided demonstrations and discussed historical aspects as a Trooper (Private) of Company E, 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, part of the Wolverine Brigade of General Custer. VFW POST 9612 COMRADE ENTERTAINS WOUNDED VETERANS SAN MARCOS, CALIFORNIA - Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612, Camp Zama, Japan got together with Comrades of VFW Post 1513 in Hooters of San Marcos on a patient outing. We all had a great time! VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 5
VFW POST 9612 COMRADE HOSPITAL VISITS CALIFORNIA - Comrade Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612, Camp Zama, Japan, took part in many hospital visits for wounded veterans in Southern California. VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 6
Newsletter Reminders: Typhoon Newsletter inputs are due on the 5th of each month except for July and December. Published on 10th of each month. Rim of Fire Newsletter inputs are due on the 10th of the month except for July, September, November, January, March, and May. Published on 15th of the month. Around the Pacific Newsletter inputs are due on the 15th of the month except for July, September, November, January, March, and May. Published on 20th of the month. As you can see, these are busy times for me. To help keep inputs from getting mixed up, please label and send as follows: Typhoon Newsletter: Send to: typhoon@vfwdeptpacific.org Label File as: Typhoon Nov 2014 Position Name.docx Sample Label File: Typhoon Nov 2014 JVC Moses.docx Rim of Fire Newsletter: Send to: grdrof@vfwdeptpacific.org Label File as: ROF Nov 2014 Position Name.docx Sample Label File: ROF Nov 2014 Historian Johnson.docx Around the Pacific Newsletter: Send to: typhoon@vfwdeptpacific.org Label File as: ATP Nov 2014 Position Name.docx Sample Label File: ATP Nov 2014 Post 1054 Kemper.docx Thanks for helping me to help you! See you in the next edition! VFW Department of Pacific Areas Page 7