Hello Comrades,

First, I thank you all for affording me the honor of serving as your Department of Pacific Areas Commander. It is a trust that I do not take lightly and will endeavor to do my best to help DPA grow and ensure that its support of our Veteran’s is foremost in our goals for this term.

My definition of Veteran includes all our military Veterans, their families, widows, orphans as well as our active duty.

To achieve the goal of supporting our Veterans, as best as possible, we are guided by the major factor of membership. The larger our membership, the more powerful we are in gaining the needed tools to aid and assist.

For example, the VFW is the leading advocate in Congress for Veteran and Veteran’s affairs. We are a major force in gaining the support needed to provide the necessary legislation to support our Vets.

Our membership is what gains us the "ear" and support in Washington. So, a major goal for this term is to significantly increase our membership in DPA. I urge each Post to work diligently to gain and exceed 100% during this 2014-2015 term.

Also, am so proud to report the superb assistance provided to our victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines. So many of our Vets lost almost everything, as their homes were washed and blown away. Your DPA and VFW provided immediate financial aid along with supplies and other assistance. Thank you all, as our Vets helped so fervently our needy Vets.

We have an excellent new Department Service Officer (DSO,) Jonathan Portis who is dedicated to serving our Vets. Also, have a very active Assistant Department Service Officer (ADSO), Barry Moshinsky. Additionally, have another goal to gain attain at least one more ADSO to help support our Vets in yet another region of the Pacific.

Let’s have a great 2014-2015 and, again, am so proud to serve you!

“Fight for our Vets!”