I V Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Pacific Areas Commander Barry Hirshbein II III IV VI VII Volume VII Number 4 A non-profit publication 20 January 2012 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 and activities. District I Okinawa - Japan Post 9723 Veterans Day Ceremony Veterans Day ceremony held on Kadena Air Base at the 18th Wing Headquarters the flag pole. Department of Pacific Areas Page 1
Air Force and Navy personnel participating in ceremony ***************************************************************************************** VFW Buddy Poppy Activities on Okinawa Post 9723 Buddy Poppy Drive at the BX and Commissary were assisted by the Air Force Jr. ROTC as part of one of their school programs on our Poppy Drive Commander Stewart leading the Buddy Poppy Drive Smiling volunteers working with VFW Post 9723 on the Buddy Poppy Drive Department of Pacific Areas Page 2
CDR Stewart and Dennis Provencher present a $499.00 check to the AFJROTC at Kadena High School to assist with their programs. MSGT Shepard USAF Retired Instructor, a Life Member of Post 9723, Quartermaster Dennis Provencher, ROTC Commander Major Hoksch, USAF Retired, and Commander Stewart Presentation of a Buddy Poppy Certificate for their support and assistance in helping with our Veterans Days Buddy Poppy drive at Kadena Air Base. Comrades Bowers and Provencher doing a Buddy Poppy Drive at the Camp Foster Commissary on the 14th of Jan. 2012. Post QM Dennis Provencher at the Buddy Poppy Drive Commander Stan Stewart with Comrades Quartermaster Dennis Provencher and Comrade Al Pearson holding a Buddy Poppy Drive at the Foster Commissary on the 15th of Jan 2012. Department of Pacific Areas Page 3
Post 9723 Cambodia School Support Program New Clark Cemetery Life Member Commander Stewart presenting Comrade Al Pearson his Clark Cemetery Grave Diggers new life membership. Commander Stewart donating school supplies and books to Debbie Talleri, wife of Major General Talleri, for Cambodia schools. ************************************************* Post 9723 New VFW Life Member Quartermaster Dennis Provencher giving school supplies to Debbie Talleri for Cambodia schools. Commander Stewart pinning a new life member of Post 9723 with the VFW Cross Of Malta Department of Pacific Areas Page 4
District II Mainland Japan REMEMBERANCE DAY CEREMONY AT BRITISH COMMONWEALTH WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY Photos by Nathan Payne, Crew Advisor, Crew 22 and Joe Mortimer, VFW Post 9612 VFW Comrades from Camp Zama and Yokosuka and members of the Boy Scouts of America (left) and Comrade Mortimer with members of Venturing Crew 22 at the entrance to the British Commonwealth War Memorial Cemetery. HODOGAYA, YOKOHAMA, JAPAN Department Adjutant Dick Keeley, Department Surgeon Joe Mortimer, Department Historian John Johnson, Post JVC Steven Triggs, Post Quartermaster Casey Roberts, and Post Trustee Scott Newhart of VFW Post 9612 joined with Comrades of District 2 Mainland Japan during the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Hodogaya British Commonwealth War Memorial Cemetery, Hodogaya, Yokohama, Japan in November 2011. After the President Sibei He, Crew Secretary Darianne and Venturer Brennan Astorga and other members of the Boy Scouts of America took part. The Yokohama War Cemetery is a little known cemetery located in Yokohama City, Japan. Prior to becoming a cemetery, the land was part of the Yokohama Children's Amusement Park. But following Japan's surrender in 1945, the 38th Australian War Graves Unit began to bury servicemen and women here. It eventually became the only Commonwealth War Cemetery in Japan. As such, the remains of service men and women were moved from temporary burial spots around Japan and brought to Yokohama. ceremony, there was food and refreshments. It is a very beautiful cemetery. Comrades of VFW Post 9612 and members of Venturing Crew 22 NAF Atsugi, Japan District, Far East Council, Boy Scouts of America, paid their respects at the cemetery and also visited the Yokohama Cremation Memorial. Department Surgeon Joe Mortimer (also Crew Committee Member) along with Crew Advisor Nathan Payne, Crew A final section can be found above and behind the India-Pakistan section. It contains some of the newest graves in the cemetery. Veterans from several commonwealth countries who died during the occupation of Japan or during the Korean War are buried here. In the Yokohama Memorial Building there is an urn containing the remains of 335 Prisoners of War of which there are 49 American names and 10 unknown Americans who died during their captivity. The Yokohama War Cemetery now houses 1,555 graves and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The cemetery grave markers and grounds are kept in a neat and pristine condition. It reflects the honor which is paid to those who sacrificed their lives for their countries. Although a major highway runs next to the Yokohama War Cemetery, it is a remarkably quiet and tranquil location. Trees abound and birds can easily be seen and heard. The cemetery is laid out in several large sections and is broken down, for the most part, by country. The largest section is closest to the cemetery entrance and contains hundreds of graves of people from the United Kingdom. A second section located to the north contains Australian graves. Past the Australian section are the graves of New Zealand and Canadian veterans. Two Americans, Rowland and Harding, are also buried in the section because he was serving with the Canadian Army. Up the hill from the United Kingdom section is an area dedicated to Indians and Pakistani troops and merchant marines who died in the service of the Commonwealth. Comrade Mortimer and members of Venturing Crew 22 visiting the Yokohama Cremation Memorial Department of Pacific Areas Page 5
Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 trains Venturers of Crew 22 how to properly render honors when planting the national flag at a gravesite in the Canadian Burial Plot for the two Americans. Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612 and Venturers of Crew 22 during the ceremony (left) and Frank Hunter of VFW Post 1054 playing the bagpipes (right). Department of Pacific Areas Page 6
FALL PATROL-O-REE TAMA HILLS NOVEMBER 2011 Photos by Joe Mortimer, VFW Post 9612 Patrol-o-ree Color Guard Detail (left to right) Joe Mortimer, Brennan Astorga, and Sibei He of BSA FEC JD Crew 22 and and Saito Yoji Scouting Association of Japan. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCOUTING ASSOCIATION JAPAN (SAJ) MOCHI POUNDING EVENT IN YOKOHAMA JANUARY 2012 Photos by Yuko Palmer, Pack 22, and Joe Mortimer, VFW Post 9612 Members of Pack 22 and Crew 22 with SAJ Troop 83. MIDORI WARD, YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - One of the traditional New Year's activities in Japan is making and eating mochi. Most people in the city no longer make mochi themselves, however do not tell that to the members of Scouting Association Japan (SAJ) Troop 83 in Yokohama. Comrade Department Surgeon Joe Mortimer and also now Chartered Organization Representative of VFW Post 9612 for Pack 22, Troop 22 and Crew 22 NAF Atsugi got together with members of SAJ Troop 83 Yokohama for a traditional Mochi Pounding event. The event started with introductions of the senior staff of SAJ and BSA. Then SAJ recognized new members of SAJ and their parents. There was kite making and other traditional Japanese games for all Scouts to enjoy. Department of Pacific Areas Page 7
Arrival and opening ceremony. Introductions of BSA Adult Leaders Crew President Sibei He and Chartered Organization Representative Joe Mortimer of VFW Post 9612. Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice (not to be confused with gluten) pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki. While also eaten year-round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time. They use a special kind of mochi rice and steam it in a wood fired steamer until it's soft. After the rice is ready it's transferred to a large stone bowl for pounding. At this point it's just rice, so you can't really pound it. The first step is to mush it up using a giant wooden hammer. Then you can pound it slowly until it turns into a paste, taking care not to hit it too hard and spray rice everywhere. Pounding mochi is a two-person operation. One person pounds the mochi with a giant wooden hammer and the other one wets and repositions the mochi between each stroke. Obviously this requires some careful timing and lots of semi-meaningful grunts are employed for communication. Both jobs are fairly difficult to get right. Without the exact right amount of water, the mochi gets too wet or too dry to pound correctly, and, needless to say, without the right timing things could get rather ugly rather quickly. Since the head of the hammer is very long (approximately a foot and a half) it's very easy to twist the head of the hammer, producing a weak hit. The technique used is somewhat different from what you might expect from using a sledgehammer or similar sized smashing tool. In order to get a good stroke, you raise the hammer overhead and then pull with the lower hand, rather than pushing with the top hand. Once you get the hang of it, it works very well, although it's still a lot of work. Department of Pacific Areas Page 8
Crew 22 President Sibei He gives it a wack! The value of hard work is the rewards of tasting the fruits of your labor. A Cub Scout of Pack 22 gives it a wack! The best part was eating it! Scouts had a chance to make cups out of bamboo. Traditional Japanese dance show. Making the mochi into bite-sized pieces. New Year s Dragon to ward off evil spirits. Department of Pacific Areas Page 9
Post 1054 Pearl Harbor Day 2 Bell Ceremony Department of Pacific Areas Page 10
Pearl Harbor Day on board CVN-73 USS GEORGE WASHINGTON. Mr. Jon Oliver FRA Branch 103 and VFW POST 1054 Chaplain with VFW POST 1054 Senior Vice Commander Rick Farris conducted a Honor 2 Bell Ceremony in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day. John C. Parker Memorial VFW Post 1054, Yokosuka, Japan held a "100 Man" 9 o'clock toast on 11/11/11 honoring Our Departed Comrades, Those Missing In Action, Those Being Held Prisoner of War and those serving on the front lines. BIG thanks go out to all who attended, including members of FRA Branch 103 and especially the CO's, CMCs and their Sailors. Department of Pacific Areas Page 11
Relay For Life 2011 Yokosuka, Japan VFW Post 1054 in a team effort with FRA Branch 103 raised $1,185.00 of the $64,944.29 total to help defeat Cancer in the 2011 Yokosuka Relay for Life. Tip o' the hat to VFW Post 1054 Commander Kemper and FRA Branch 103 President Oliver for the leadership. Thanks to those who came out and walked in support of this effort. Department of Pacific Areas Page 12
VFW Post helps Flood Reliefs in Thailand District V - Thailand / Cambodia (Top Left)Willie F Worsham(Left), VFW Post member; Siamrad Maher(Center), VFW Post Surgeon; and Pat Clark(Right) VFW Junior Vice Commander. (Top Right) VFW Post 9876 members and American Veterans Wives Club Thailand(AVWCT)members pose with Thai Naval soldiers at a Flood Relief charity event. (Bottom Right) Pat Clark(Left), VFW Junior Vice Commander, Mrs. Morn Mack(Center), AVWCT member, and Siamrad Maher(Right),VFW Post Surgeon. Veterans help flood refugees Thursday, 01December 2011, From Pattaya Times, Issue Vol. IV No. 23 By Siamrad Maher, Post Surgeon, VFW Post 9876 American Veterans Wives Club Thailand(AVWCT)and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) donated food and supplies to Bangkok flood refugees at Sattahip Naval Base on16 Nov 2011. There were 10 volunteers who donated food and served lunch to approximately 200 flood refugees who were staying at the base, with the sailors at the base arranging and preparing the event. American veterans and wives provide lunch for flood victims Friday, 09 December 2011, From Pattaya Mail, Issue Vol. XIX No. 49 By John P. Clark, Junior Vice Commander, VFW Post 9876 American Veterans Wives Club Thailand, Pattaya Branch and Fred J. Estes VFW Post 9876 recently provided lunch for 200 flood victims at Sattahip Royal Thai Naval Base. 10 members of both organizations travelled to Sattahip Royal Thai Naval Base with food items totaling 10,000 baht and provided lunch for approximately 200 flood victims who are being provided and cared for by the Royal Thai Navy at Sattahip. To all who participated in this event it was a very moving and humbling experience. Many of the flood victims came up to us after and during the lunch and thanked all in the usual and graceful manner of Thai tradition. The American Veterans Wives Club Thailand is an organization of Thai wives who are presently married to former United States military veterans or may also be the widows of United States military veterans. We are planning another trip to Sattahip in the near future to provide a lunch for flood victims. Department of Pacific Areas Page 13
District V Commander Appointed to Head Flood Relief On 2 Dec 2011, at the District Pacific Areas (DPA) meeting, Al Serrato, Commander of District V, was appointed to head the Thailand VFW Relief Fund Committee. This committee will provide a team of volunteers to assist VFW members with financial assistance, along with manual labor, to help restore their homes and household goods from the recent flood crisis. (Above)Bobby Owens, VFW Post 9951, surveys his home after the recent flooding in Bangkok. The flood was the worst in the last 50 years of Thailand history. Department of Pacific Areas Page 14
District V Meeting held at Chiang Mai The District V Meeting was held at Chiang Mai on 18 & 19 November at the Lanna Palace Hotel. A cocktails and dinner gathering was held on 19 Nov, at Duke's restaurant, where VFW members and their families all enjoyed a good night. District V Officers conducting the meeting at Chiang Mai. (Bottom Left) Eric Larsen(Left), VFW Post 9876, Ken Falk(Right), VFW Post 10249, enjoying dinner at Duke's restaurant. (Bottom Right) VFW members and families enjoying dinner at Duke's restaurant. Department of Pacific Areas Page 15
News from District V Posts VFW Post 9876, Pattaya, Thailand On Veteran's Day, 11 Nov 2011, VFW Post 9876 had a ceremony to remember all veterans. Bobby Brooks, US Embassy Warden, was the guest speaker. A special ceremony to honor all United States branches of service by Junior Vice Commander Pat Clark was the highlight of the day. Department of Pacific Areas Page 16
Veterans Day was celebrated by Post 9876, and everyone enjoyed a touching ceremony to honor our veterans. Afterwards, a nice buffet was served, and all VFW members and their families had a great time. Department of Pacific Areas Page 17
(Top) US Embassy Warden Bobby Brooks deliver remarks during Veterans Day ceremony: (L-R) Post 9876 Surgeon Siamrad Maher; Warden Bobby Brooks; Post Commander Eric Larsen; Post 9876 member Willie F. Worsham. (Bottom Left) Post 9876 Chaplain Mike Warner delivers the Veterans Day prayer with Post Commander Eric Larsen. (Bottom right) Junior Vice Commander Pat Clark Department of Pacific Areas Page 18
U.S. Veterans Commemorate Nov. 11 Friday, 25 November 2011, From Pattaya Mail, Issue Vol. XIX No. 47 By Eric Larsen, Commander, VFW Post 9876 On Thursday, November 11th, 2011, Fred J. Estes Post 9876 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America held their annual Veteran s Day commemorative. The event was held in honor of the millions of veterans the world over and who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. Over 80 members and guests gathered at the Hogs Breath Saloon to thank those men and women that have sacrificed for us that we might enjoy the freedoms we have today. The Post Chaplain offered a prayer for the well being and safety of all of our veterans that are currently in harm s way and a prayer for their safe return to their homes and families. A moment of silence was held to acknowledge the millions of veterans, men and women, who have given their lives so that those of us fortunate enough to live in free societies can enjoy the privileges of freedom that their sacrifice has given us. The Post Officers acknowledged the veterans in attendance and their branch of service. A buffet luncheon was provided by Post 9876 and by the American Veteran s Wives Club who generously donate their time and energy to the success of our events. VFW Post 10217, Korat, Thailand VFW Post 10217 members attended the Thai Veterans Day ceremony. It was a memorable experience for all, as post members paid respect to our Thai counterparts. Department of Pacific Areas Page 19
VFW Post 10249, Udon Thani, Thailand On 24 Nov 2011, Thanksgiving was celebrated by VFW Post 10249 and their family members. It was a festive time for all as everyone enjoyed a great feast, featuring the turkeys, green beans, and pumpkin pies. Department of Pacific Areas Page 20
VFW Post 10249 Veterans Day Post 10249, Special Awards Ceremony Post members performed a ceremony at St. Mary's cemetery to honor veterans. (Left) John Pough receiving his 35 years of Continuous Membership Award. (Right)Bob Wilson accepting his 35 years of Continuous Membership Award. Department of Pacific Areas Page 21
Clark Veterans Cemetery Visit December 2011 By John Gilbert, Clark Veterans Cemetery Chairman District VII Philippines National Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Tours Clark Veterans Cemetery VFW National Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Bill Thien (fourth from left) received a briefing and tour of Clark Veterans Cemetery on 5 December, following his attendance at the Department of Pacific Areas Council of Administration meeting. THERE ARE 2,149 UNKNOWN DEAD IN THE CLARK VETERANS CEMETERY. 1,055 FROM THE PHILIPPINE- AMERICAN WAR, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AND PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION. THE BALANCE OF 1,094 SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME UNKNOWN AS A RESULT OF WWII DAMAGE TO PRE-WWII CEMETERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES AND THE FIGHT TO LIBERATE MANILA AND CLARK FIELD DURING WWII. LET NO VET BE FORGOTTEN www.cvcra.org Department of Pacific Areas Page 22
Post 124 Baguio Fund Raiser for Disabled Children 58,226 Brothers and Sisters who never returned from Vietnam. That figure is the amount in Pesos Post 124 raised during Past Post/District Commander Larry Senato's Birthday Party Oct 22, 2011. Commander Willie Totanes, Past Post Commander s Alex Fores and Larry Senato donating the money raised to the organization that manages and provides assistance to the Children with disabilities in Baguio and vicinity. Department of Pacific Areas Page 23
Department Announcements POST COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORTS All members please submit! Reminder to submit your Monthly Volunteer / Community Service Reports to your Post Junior Vice Commander as directed by your Posts. Reports are due on the Department Website on or before the last day of each month for that month. ---------------------------------------------------------- MOVNG, TRANSFERRING, OR LEAVING THE LOCAL AREA OF YOUR POST? If moving, be sure to let your Post Quartermaster / Adjutant know and provide your change of address, so you will not miss any of your VFW Magazine subscriptions and other VFW benefits. ---------------------------------------------------------- VFW BUDDY POPPY DONATIONS Clark Cemetery Maintenance Fund donations accepted to support the maintenance of this cemetery, which is completely dependent on individual and group donations. VFW Post 2485, located in Angeles City, Philippines, is the caretaker of Clark Cemetery for the VFW Department of Pacific Areas and is in need of your help. http://www.vfwpost2485.com/cemetery.htm If you make a donation, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Post Adjutant / Quartermaster. ---------------------------------------------------------- Hey! Ask someone to join today! ---------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC AREAS GRAVE DIGGERS Donations for Buddy Poppys are greatly appreciated and accepted. Please see your Post Buddy Poppy Chairman for details. DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC AREAS CLARK CEMETERY Become a member and support the Department of Pacific Areas Grave Diggers Program which is open to anyone who has a desire to support the Clark Cemetery. To use our PDF "fill-able" application form log: http://www.vfwpost2485.com/grave_diggers.pdf - Please mail your application and membership fee, as well as any future donations to: VFW Post 2485 Attn: Grave Diggers PSC 517, Box RC-V FPO AP 96517-1000 If you make a donation or become a member of the Grave Diggers, we thank you very much and ask you to please inform your Post Adjutant / Quartermaster. Department of Pacific Areas Page 24
RECRUIT TODAY! IF YOU DON T ASK, THEY CANNOT SAY YES! HELP MAKE YOUR PACIFIC AREAS # 1 See you in the next edition! Department of Pacific Areas Page 25