Special KWVA "W in Your Dream Vacation Fund-Raiser" Information ...

Paul Spescia displays his Eddie
Ko Veteran of the Year Award
Chapter projects and his
untiring devotion to the
Chapter’s community activities.
As an extra gift, the
Department of Florida gave
to every banquet attendee an
11-ounce white mug with the
blue round peninsular patch
and a listing of all our current
Chapters imprinted. Each mug was filled with a packet of
Tootsie rolls and a scroll noting the importance of this favorite
treat to the Korean War vets.
Bob Balzer gave a warm-hearted farewell address in which he
thanked everyone for their support; especially Joan Arcand,
Secretary; Laurie McCraney, Assistant Secretary and Bob’s wife
Rose.
President Mac Swain gave the oath of office to the newly
elected Board, and new President Jim Bradford accepted the
gavel for the 2009-2010 period.
OREGON
The Department’s new slate of officers was installed on 30
April 2009. James “Jim” Willis, Director of the Oregon (State)
Department of Veterans Affairs, performed the installation.
The officers include:
• Commander – Neil McCain (CID 315 – Southern Oregon)
• Vice Commander – Gordon Jernstedt (CID 84, Iron Triangle)
• Treasurer – Charles Lusardi (Past Commander of Dept. of
Oregon and member of CID 72, Oregon Trail)
• Secretary – Loren Mitchell (CID 72 – Oregon Trail)
• Historian – Robert Gilliland (CID 315 – Southern Oregon)
• Judge Advocate – James Arling (CID 72 – Oregon Trail)
Neil M. McCain, Commander, Department of Oregon
(541) 660 6104, neilmccain@clearwire.net
Department of
Oregon members
at installation ceremony
(L-R)
Charles Lusardi,
Gordon Jernstedt,
Robert Gilliland,
James “Jim”
Willis, Neil
McCain, James
Arling, Loren
Mitchell
Max Thunder
UNSAN AIR BASE —
An F-4E Phantom
taxi’s the runway
before take off during
exercise Max Thunder
09-01 at Kunsan Air
Base, May 11. The
second annual Max
Thunder exercise is a
7th Air Forcedesigned,
bi-lateral
training opportunity
that aims to test aircrews’
war-fighting
skills in realistic combat
situations that
combine both
Republic of Korea Air
Force and U.S. Air
Force flying and maintenance
personnel.
(U.S. Air Force
Photo/Senior Airman
Gustavo Gonzalez)
48
May – June 2009
The Graybeards