Description of Duties:  Responsible to assume duties of Post Commander duties if Post Commander is unable to execute their duties.  To be the post's focal point in the voice of democracy/Patriot Pen programs.  To assist the post commander with any other assigned duties.

 

Military Background & Service:  Larry served in the U.S. Air Force from February 1968 to August 1988.  Initially he served as a Vietnamese Linguist with the Air Force Security Squadrons in Da Nag Air Base, Vietnam from 1969 to 1975.  He was a radio interceptor/translator aboard a C-47 (Gooneybird) looking for troop movements along the Ho Chi Min trail and other parts of Laos, Cambodia, China and North Vietnam.  Later in his career he serviced as an air traffic controller at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas and Galena Air Base, Alaska, then went to Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colorado.  He also served at Lowry AFB, CO --- K.I Sawyer AFB, MI --- Bitburg Air Base in Germany.  Later in his time of service he served as a recruiter in St. Louis, MO and then as a Base Career Advisor (retention advisor) at Vandenberg AFB, CA and Comiso Air station, Sicily.  His final Air Force career finished up at Hanscom AFB, MA.  Larry has over 20 years of service.

 

VFW Connection:  Larry joined the VFW to continue to serve with his fellow vets.  During his service in the Air Force, he served on the various bases' Honor Guards, boards, and councils.  He felt a need to continue to serve others by any way possible.  The VFW affords him that option and need.

 

Leadership & Experience:  Larry has been a member of the VFW post for approximately 6 years.  Shortly after joining the VFW, he became the post's service officer and served in that position for approximately 1 1/2 years.  Next, he served as the Junior Vice Commander for two years and moved to Senior Vice Commander for the next 2 years.  Larry is a past Post Commander, but a personal medical issue required him to step down.  Once he was healthy enough, he subsequently became the post Senior Vice Commander once again and has served in that position since.  This will make his third continuous term as Senior Vice.

 

Larry's myriads of previous military experience on base advisory boards, enlisted advisory councils, recruiting public affair relations positions and as a Base Career Advisor (Retention NCO), make me a valuable asset to the command staff of VFW Post 280

 

Goals & Vision for the Post:  Larry's vision is to seek younger veterans who desire to continue to serve and are compelled to aid others in both the veteran and local community.  He also hopes to help ensure that the VFW post meets the needs of local combat veterans and other veterans.  This includes aiding those in receiving their earned benefits for their service through the VA and other agencies.  He also wants to aid in the growth of the VFW Post 280 to meet the future needs of veterans.

 

Interests:  Larry enjoys fishing, riding his motorcycle, cooking and traveling.  He supports the post's riding group.  He also enjoys talking to people and interacting with them.