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Volume VII – Number 5 AROUND THE PACIFIC 20 March 2012

Veterans of Foreign Wars

of the United States

Department of Pacific Areas

Commander

Barry Hirshbein

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.

Department, District III, Post 12109 Institution

March 18th

Commander Barry Hirshbein performed the institution of Pusan Perimeter Post 12109 in Waegwan, Republic of Korea. Department Sr. Vice Commander Darin Combs, District III Commander Pat Higgins and PDC Larry Lyons participated in the activities. Post Commander Ken Swierzewski was installed with Post officers in a ceremony performed by Department Commander Hirshbein.

Commander Hirshbein conducting the oath of office for Commander-Elect Swierzewski as DPA Sr. Vice Combs stands by.

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Post Officers Installed by Department Commander Barry Hirshbein


PDC Larry Lyons and Department Commander Barry Hirshbein look on at the members of the

Department’s newest Post listens attentively to Post Commander Ken Swierzewski with Post QM Darin Combs.

Department Commander Hirshbein addressing the membership.


Post Commander Ken Swierzewski performing the pinning ceremony for new VFW members of Post 12109 Active duty service members and veterans enthusiastically signed up for the new Post.


DDiissttrriicctt IIII MMaaiinnllaanndd JJaappaann

VVFFWW PPoosstt 99661122 CCaammpp ZZaammaa

COMRADE ATTENDS PACK 22 BLUE AND GOLD CEREMONY ON BOARD NAF ATSUGI

Photos by Joe Mortimer, VFW Post 9612 Chartered Organization Representative

NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – Comrade Department Surgeon Joe Mortimer and also Chartered Organization Representative of VFW Post 9612 for Pack 22, Troop 22 and Crew 22 NAF Atsugi, Japan, got together with members of Pack 22 for the Annual Blue and Gold Banquet held on Friday, 02 March 2012, U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. This was a gala evening to celebrate the boy’s accomplishments this year and their advancements to the next rank level. There was an evening of food and fun! Most Cub Scouts celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week in February with a "birthday party" called the blue and gold banquet. In nearly all Packs, the blue and gold banquet is the highlight of the year. It brings families together for an evening of fun and cheer. It's often the pack meeting for February. The purpose of the blue and gold banquet is to celebrate the Pack's anniversary, thank Pack leaders and other adults who have helped the Pack, and inspire the leaders, Scouts, and parents. Packs often like to invite former members and other Scouting or community leaders to take part in their blue and gold banquet.


Cub Scouts and families attend awards ceremony.

Cub Scouts get together with Cub Master Sean Bassett for a pow-wow (left). Of course, being on a Naval Air Facility, the Cub Scouts could not resist the opportunity to make paper airplanes and challenge each other to making aircraft carrier

landings on one of the long tables.


COMRADE ATTENDS SCOUTING ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN (SAJ) CUB FEST IKEGO 2012

Photos by Yuko Palmer, Parent, Pack 22 and Joe Mortimer, VFW Post 9612 Chartered Organization Representative

Joe Mortimer, VFW Post 9612 Chartered Organization Representative at the entrance (left). Leadership and Cubs Scouts of BSA FEC JD Pack 22 NAF Atsugi and SAJ Ayase Troop 1 (right).


VENTURING CREW 22 ASSISTS CHARTERED ORGANIZATION VFW POST 9612 DURING PRESIDENT’S DAY QUIZ ON NAF ATSUGI

Photos by Joe Mortimer, VFW Post 9612 Chartered Organization Representative

Chartered Organization Representative Joe Mortimer administers

President’s Day Quiz to two students of Zama High School.

Crew Vice Presdent Darianne Lafayette and Crew Advisor Nathan Payne administers President’s Day quiz to youth.

NAF ATSUGI, JAPAN – In the morning of 27 February 2012, Comrade Department Surgeon Joe Mortimer and also Chartered Organization Representative of VFW Post 9612 for Pack 22, Troop 22 and Crew 22 NAF Atsugi, Japan, got together with members of Crew 22 for the Annual VFW Post 9612 President’s Day Quiz held on board NAF Atsugi Japan.


COMRADE AND SCOUTS TAKE PART WITH TROOP 22 AND CREW 22 IN THE FAR EAST COUNCIL KLONDIKE DERBY IN

NAGANO JAPAN Photos provided by Sibei He, Crew President, BSA FEC JD Crew 22

From left to right, Scoutmaster Gary Waltrip, Japan District Commissioner Robert Wedderman, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Charles Kline (in black), Assistant Patrol Leader Stefan Wedderman, Crew President Sibei He, Patrol Leader

David Bryant (under sign), Scout Donathan Flores (in blue), Senior Patrol Leader Ellis Rodgers, Scout Michael Wilson, Scribe Alex Rivas, and Chartered Organization Representative Joe Mortimer post for a group photo at the Far East

Council Japan District Klondike Derby Winter Camp 2012 in Nagano Japan. NAGANO, JAPAN – Comrade Department Surgeon Joe Mortimer and also Chartered Organization Representative of VFW Post 9612 for Pack 22, Troop 22 and Crew 22 NAF Atsugi, Japan, got together with members of Troop 22 and Crew 22 for the Klondike Derby, an annual event held by some Boy Scouts of America during the winter months and is based on the heritage of the Klondike Gold Rush. BSA units have been running Klondike Derbies since 1949. The event varies by BSA District, but the typical Klondike Derby consists of 10 stations where Patrols / Units must test their Scoutcraft skills and their leadership abilities, earning points towards a total score. The Unit must transport their gear on a homemade sled and pulled by the Scouts.


Troop 22 giving it all they got!

From left to right, “Arctic Owls” Crew President Sibei He, Venturer Brennen Astorga, Crew Advisor Nathan Payne, Crew

Vice President Darrianne Lafayette, Assistant Crew Advisor Sabrina Thomas, and Chartered Organization Representative Joe Mortimer post for a group photo at the Far East Council Japan District Klondike Winter Camp 2012 in Nagano Japan.


VFW Post 1054 Commander frocking his son to Senior Chief Petty Officer in the JROTC

Post Senior Vice Commander Farris and wife providing assistance to veteran’s widow.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOPS 13 & 35

CONDUCT FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY AT

IKEGO, JAPAN Photos by Jon Way, VFW Post 1054

Ikego, Japan - Master of Ceremonies Robert Gemperline of Troop 13 reads as VFW Comrades from Post 1054

Yokosuka, along with members of Boy Scout Troops 13 and 35, properly render honors as Scouts prepare too retire

the Flag. A total of 54 Flags were retired that evening. VFW Post 1054 sponsors Troop 13 and Venture Crew 13.

Scouting Association of Japan (SAJ)

Kanagawa District Cub Rally 2012 Photos by Jon Way, VFW Post 1054

American and Japanese Scouts assemble during the recent SAJ Cub Rally held at Ikego, Japan. Troop 13 of Ikego hosted the event with over 2500 participants in attendance, making this the largest one day Scouting event ever held at Ikego.

Boy Scouts of America, Far East Council

Klondike 2012 Nagano, Japan Photos by Jon Way, VFW 1054

Boy Scouts and Venture Crew members from all over the Japan District pose for a photo during the recent Klondike Derby held at Nagano, Japan. Local VFW Post 1054 & 9612 sponsors a number of Scout Troops and Venture crews throughout the Boy Scouts of America Japan

District.


Comrades Sanders and Luteman standing by at SAJ Ikego Cub Rally

Comrade Castro giving guitar lessons to the Cubs

Comrades Castro and Luteman taking a break during the rally


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Battle of Hill 180 Ceremony, Osan Air Base, Korea

The annual Hill 180 Ceremony was held on 3 February to commemorate the Korean War “Battle of Hill 180” that occurred on 7 February, 1951.

This event is co-hosted by the US Army Battlefield Coordination Detachment and VFW Post 10216.

It was a cold, crisp day as VFW Department of Pacific Areas Junior

Vice Commander Shawn Watson led the activity as Master of Ceremonies.

Army Capt. Lewis Millett leading the soldiers of the 27th

Infantry Regiment up Hill 180 Feb. 7, 1951. Capt. Millett

received the Medal of Honor for his courageous deeds on

that day. VFW Post 10216 commemorates this Korean War

battle with their Post name of “Colonel Lewis L. Millett

Hill 180 Memorial Post 10216”.


Over 300 military and civilians participated in the ceremony.

The guest speaker was Maj. Gen. John Macdonald, U.S. Forces Korea assistant Chief of Staff.

"We are all here today to honor the sacrifice of the men who are not honored for their words but for their courageous actions," MacDonald said. "By being here you have not forgotten about the sacrifice of these men."

District III Commander Patrick “Doc” Higgins laid the wreath for the VFW.


On Feb. 5, 1951, then Army Capt. Lewis Millett led Easy Company, from the 27th IR, toward Chinese and North Korean forces up a hill that later marks the location of Osan Air Base. Finding himself and his men in a

hail of enemy fire in close contact, Millett told his forces to "fix bayonets," and his two platoons charged the hill.

Participating organizations included the BCD, VFW, 51st

FW, Junior ROTC, ROKAF Band, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol and USO.


The ceremony was a great opportunity for the VFW to gain good publicity with the military leadership. Billy Quintero and Shawn Watson are shown with USFK ACofS J3 MG MacDonald and 7

th AF Commander

Lieutenant General Jan-Marc Jouas, while Ernie Lee and Doc Higgins pose with 51st

Fighter Wing Col. Patrick McKenzie and BCD Commander David Danikowski.

A full set of photographs and the program can be found at our website www.vfw10216.com.

http://www.vfw10216.com/


DDiissttrriicctt VVII GGuuaamm && SSaaiippaann--CCNNMMII

National Life Saving Certificate Presentation at Hafa Adai VFW Post 1509

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Commander Brian Merenda presents a National VFW Life Saving Certificate to A1C Cody E. Frediani for his life saving actions at the Andersen AFB Shopette on 31 Aug 2011. A1C Frediani administered CPR for 15 minutes which sustained the victim until Emergency Medical Technicians took over. A1C Fredianis' actions definitely saved the life of the victim.

36th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) Commander Lt Col Michael A. Staples, 36th CES A1C Ashleigh Romero, VFW Post 1509 Commander Brian Merenda, A1C

Cody E. Frediani & VFW Post 1509 SVC Bryan Strickner.


VFW Post 1509 Nursing Scholarship Presentation

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Commander Brian Merenda presents the Fall Semester Nursing Scholarship $500 check to Amy Feng, UOG Nursing Student on February 25, 2012. Amy has been in the nursing program for over three years.

Amy Feng and VFW Post Commander Brian Merenda.


On March 5, 2012, District VI Commander, Lt Col, USAF (RET), Jerry Kraus administers the Reenlistment Oath to USAF SSgt Kendall R. Allen, Andersen AFB Red Horse Squadron. SSgt Allen reenlisted for an additional five years. Red Horse Squadron is one of Post 1509s' Adopted Units. Ceremony was conducted at 1509s' Post Home.


SSgt Allen's coworkers, all members of Post 1509, attend his reenlistment ceremony at the Post home.

District VI Commander Jerry Kraus certifies SSgt Allen's Reenlistment papers.

Post 1509's Post Home was all decked out for SSgt Allen's Reenlistment ceremony. A reenlistment party was held at the Post Home immediately following the ceremony. A good time was had by all.


Post 1509 and District VI First Place Voice of Democracy Winner Presentation On January 21, 2012, VFW Post Commander Brian Merenda presented Cecelia Amos, Junior at Harvest Christian Academy, with a certificate and a check for $200 for placing first at the Post and District levels in Veterans of Foreign Wars annual Voice of Democracy program. Cecelia wrote an essay and recorded an audio presentation developing on the theme of “IS THERE PRIDE IN SERVING IN OUR MILITARY?

Cecelia Amos, VFW Post 1509 Commander Brian Merenda.


Hafa Adai Post 1509 Elementary Teacher of the Year Award

VFW Post 1509 Commander Brian Merenda presents Andersen AFB Elementary Teacher, Wendy Tougher, with awards as Elementary Teacher of the Year and a check for $250. Wendy won the competition at the Post, District & Department level and will now compete at the National level with 53 other elementary teachers." This is an annual competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Wendy Tougher receiving Post, District and Department Wards from Post Commander Brian Merenda.


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Clark Veterans Cemetery Update - February 2012 By John Gilbert, Clark Veterans Cemetery Chairman

Honoring a Commitment in the Philippines

The Clark Veterans Cemetery, administered by

VFW Post 2485, continues to operate over 110

years after the first United States soldiers arrived

in the Luzon plain. Twenty years after closure of

the last US bases in the Philippines, the former

Clark Air Base Cemetery remains active.

Interments continue, with 34 Veterans of all

services buried during 2011. Graveside Military

Honors are provided by VFW Post 2485 and other

Veterans organizations, including VFW Post 11447.

CLARK VETERANS CEMETERY PROJECT UPDATE

VFW Post 2485 Bugler performing at a Graveside Service.

The completion and dedication of the Clark Veterans Cemetery Memorial Plaza in November 2011 served as the start point for three follow-on projects in the continuing effort to upgrade the Cemetery to a level befitting the service and sacrifice of those interred here.

• Electric power service is being established and will permit night lighting of the U.S. and Philippine Flags, as well as the Monument to the Unknowns near the center of the Cemetery.

• Stainless steel chains and stanchions are being fabricated to surround the Memorial Plaza centerpiece Medallion, serving to highlight as well as protect this visible symbol.

• The landscaping of the Main Gate and Memorial Plaza area is to be upgraded to improve the overall appearance and enhance Clark Veterans Cemetery visibility from the main entryway into the Clark Freeport Zone.

Additionally, major Ceremonies are conducted on Memorial and Veterans Days, and other services and

observances are supported for families and Veterans groups. Angeles City Post 2485 continues to Honor our

deceased comrades who were abandoned and forgotten by the United States Government.

HONORING AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN VETERANS!


RREECCRRUUIITT TTOODDAAYY!!

IIFF YYOOUU DDOONN’’TT AASSKK,,

TTHHEEYY CCAANNNNOOTT SSAAYY YYEESS!!

See you in the next edition, May 2012!

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