"Post 10223 History"
Chartered: January 20 1996
Original Location: Anjung-Ri, Korea
New Location:
Commander-in-Chief: Paul A. Spera
Post Officers
2006 - 2007
| COMMANDER | DRURY "MICKEY" PUCKETT |
| SENIOR VICE | SAMMI SLOAN |
| JUNIOR VICE | MARK LAWRENCE |
| QUARTERMASTER | GEORGE BECK |
| JUDGE ADVOCATE | TONY SAMORA |
| CHAPLAIN | JOSEPH MURPHY |
| SURGEON | MIKE BRYSON |
| ADJUTANT | BILLY T. HANEY |
| JR. PAST COMMANDER | BILLY T. HANEY |
| TRUSTEE 1 YEAR | DAN MEUSE |
| TRUSTEE 2 YEAR | DAVID WIGGINS |
| TRUSTEE 3 YEAR | JASON GREMOUR |
| SERVICE OFFICER | LEEWOOD MATHEWS |
| YOUTH ACTIVITY CHAIRMAN | MARK LAWRENCE |
| BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN | SAMMI SLOAN |
| SAFETY CHAIRMAN | MARK LAWRENCE |
| GUARD | DOUG WILSON |
| OFFICER OF THE DAY | DOUG WILSON |
| PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER | ROBERT MATHENY |
"Pictures of the Past"
Click on Thumbnail to Enlarge
(1995 - 1997)
Our Post actually began with James Malott and Don Maas, members of Hill 180 Memorial Post 10216 in Songtan Korea outside of Osan, AB. Those two members held a Membership Drive during December 1995 at Freedoms Inn Club on Camp Humphreys. They are the ones that recruited 25 + members in order for us to get our Charter. When it was time for us to send our charter information into National we had a total of 53 members signed up. We were own our way.
CWO Benjamin K. Humphreys Memorial Post 10223 was Mustered on 20 January 1996, installation of officers was held at the Freedoms Inn Club.
Commander-in-Chief at the time was Paul A. Spera, Adjutant General was Larry J. Rivers.
Our 1st
Post Commander was John P. Faass Sr. (1995 - 1997)
Our first meetings were held on Camp Humphreys at the Night Watch Club in the Game Room. Later on we started having our meetings at the "Lone Star Saloon" downtown Anjung-Ni, Korea about two blocks from the walk-thru gate.
Web Site created on 14 October 1997
(1997 - 1999)
Our 2nd
Post Commander was Billy T. Haney (1997 - 1999)
During his first year Commander Haney received his first "ALL STATE" Commander's Hat for 100% + Membership.
Several members of the Post attended their first Annual Department Convention in Angeles City, Philippines.
Several members of the Post attended their first Mid-Term Department Convention in Olangapo, Philippines.
During his second year he prepared a Questionnaire in April 1998 asking Post members if they would like to have a place to call their own. Well that resulted in donations from members to the sum of $9500.00 and on May 28, 1998, yes one month later, we opened up our own Post Home / Canteen.
During his second year Commander Haney received his second "ALL STATE" Commander's Hat for 100% + Membership.
May 23 1998 we had the honor of having "Ronald G. Browning", Assistant Adjutant General of Marketing present at our Grand Opening of our canteen.
July 26 1998 we had the honor of having "John E. Moon", Commander-in-Chief and "Joe Ridgley", Quartermaster General visit our canteen, a reception was held for both of them and their wives, Susan Moon and Judy Ridgley . Also present was Installation Commander "COL John M. House" and wife Marylin House. Commander-in-Chief Moon signed up John Burns as a Life Member. Commander Billy T. Haney presented Post Hats, Post Shirts, Post Mugs and Coins.
Friday, November 6th, 1998, will be a day that seven members of "CWO Benjamin K. Humphreys Memorial Post 10223" will never forget as long as they live. Those seven members, (Walter Cannon, Billy Haney, Tony Samora, Larry Jackson, Calvin Buckner, John Burns, Dan Meuse) were involved in a Repatriation Ceremony at Panmumjom, South Korea that consisted of Nine Korean War Veterans being returned home.
Standing: Walter Cannon, Billy Haney, Tony Samora, Larry Jackson, Calvin Buckner
Sitting: John Burns, Dan Meuse
The events of that day
Approximately 47 VFW members representing VFW Posts 8180, 9985, 10215, 10216, 10223 and 10317 had the honor of participating in this most meaningful ceremony.
The LNOs (Liaison Officers) followed by 10 Veterans marched into position on the West Side of building T-2. The Veterans were lined up behind the LNOs, mixed by nation. The UNCMAC Team marched into position on the East Side of building T-1. COL Kropp, UNCMAC Secretary and his party met briefly with the KPA representatives and then placed themselves in front of the UNCMAC Team.
A five man team from the UNC Honor Guard, American, Thai and Korean Servicemen, led by a Sergeant moved into position and the North Koreans then moved in with the first transfer case. When the case was in the arms of the UNC Honor Guard a hand salute was rendered until the remains were out from between the buildings, they were taken to the street and placed on pre-placed casket stands. Eight times this was repeated. When the nine cases had been received, COL Kropp exchanged a few words with the KPA team and the party moved out to the street, the LNOs and Veterans on the east side of the cases, and the UNCMAC Team centered on the cases.
The Honor Guard NCOIC then ordered the cases draped with the United Nations flag, these brave men fought under that flag and it is only right that they be honored with it now. A Chaplain rendered a prayer and then one by one the cases were moved to a Hospital Bus for transfer to Yongsan and onward transportation to Hawaii for identification. As each case was moved, once again a salute was rendered, nine salutes for nine servicemen who made the supreme sacrifice. About 60 minutes, on a very beautiful day in Panmunjom, the DMZ between North and South Korea. If you could have only been there, you could have experienced, 60 very moving and meaningful minutes.
We were transported back to Camp Bonifas and had lunch at the dining facility. You could see and feel something very special in the air that day, if you looked around the room you could see faces that just a few minutes before had tears in their eyes. On the buses back to Yongsan, there was total silence. We were there, proudly wearing our VFW hats to honor our fallen Comrades.
All who participated felt they had been part of something very special and were moved by this simple, but very important ceremony. Hopefully, it will allow closure to nine families, who will now finally know the fate of their loved ones.
June 1998 four members of the Post attended the Annual Department Convention in La Union, Philippines.
(1999 - 2001)
Our 3rd
Post Commander was Tony Samora (1999 - 2001)
During his first year Commander Samora received his first "ALL STATE" Commander's Hat for 100% + Membership.
Several members of the Post attended the Annual Department Convention in Angeles City, Philippines.
Several members of the Post attended the Mid-Term Department Convention in Alongapo (Subic), Philippines.
On January 6, 2000 Comrade Joe Moore passed away. This young Comrade signed up and went home on leave before he even received his membership card. A Draping of our Charter was held at our Post Home.
On March 20, 2000 Charter Member/Life Member, Comrade Sebastian Luizzi passed away. Memorial Services and Draping of our Charter was held at our Post Home.
On December 2, 2000 Comrade Garn Fullmer passed away. A Draping of our Charter was held at our Post Home.
During his second year Commander Samora received his second "ALL STATE" Commander's Hat for 100% + Membership.
During his second year Commander Samora came to the conclusion that our Canteen was getting a little small for us so decided to find a bigger place. On May 19, 2001 we moved to our current location which is a more spacious and a better location for all the soldiers at Camp Humphreys.
Our 4th
Post Commander was Dan Meuse (2001 - 2002)
This year was not a good year for our Post due to the events that occurred in the United States. On September 11, 2002 the terrorist attack on the Trade Centers and the Pentagon caused all the Military Troops in Korea to be put on High Alert and lock down for several months which made it very hard on our Canteen and membership. With all that happen we still survived and Commander Meuse made 100% + Membership.
(2002-2003)
Our 5th Post Commander James Bellware (2002 - 2003)
Commander Bellware and Quartermaster Billy T. Haney attended the Annual Department Convention in Pattaya, Thailand on 15 - 21 June 2002. It was our first trip to Thailand and we had a great time. It was motioned and carried that we have next years Annual Convention in Thailand and on December 6th - 8th the Mid-Term Convention will be in Alongapo, (Subic), Philippines.
Our 6th Post Commander Calvin Buckner (2003 - 2004)
Commander Bellware and Quartermaster Billy T. Haney attended the Annual Department Convention in Pattaya, Thailand on 15 - 21 June 2002. It was our first trip to Thailand and we had a great time. It was motioned and carried that we have next years Annual Convention in Thailand and on December 6th - 8th the Mid-Term Convention will be in Alongapo, (Subic), Philippines.
Our 7th Post Commander Tony Samora (2003 - 2004)
Commander Buckner resigned, Commander Samora took over.
Draping of our Charter on 15 May 04 for James T. Conley, Past District Commander three times.
Our 8th Post Commander James Bellware (2004 - 2005)
Our 9th Post Commander Billy T. Haney (2005 - 2006)
We had our 10th Anniversary Celebration which turned out to be very successful
We held our 1st Annual POW/MIA Ceremony at Becon Hill Memorial on Camp Humphreys
We held our 1st Annual 9-11 Ceremony at Becon Hill Memorial on Camp Humphreys, we sat up Memorial Tables at all the dining facilities
We had a Cinco De Mayo dinner
We Adopted 4 Units from Camp Humphreys
We Chartered the Cub Scouts on Camp Humphreys
We supported the "Spooky Hallow event by setting up a booth and giving out candy
We had a Pot Luck dinner for our Adopt-A-Unit Troops
We attended the Loyalty Day Parade and District III Convention
We held our Annual Super Bowl Party and served approximately 35 persons Breakfast
We supported the "Katrina Relief by donating $849.00
We supported the 2nd Annual "American Steel" Bikers Rally held in Anjung-Ri, Korea
We held our nominations and elections and was installed for the new year
We held a Draping of our Charter Ceremony for Bryn M. Everitt "Pappy"
We attended all of the District III Meetings
We attended the Department Convention in Bangkok, Thailand
Our Post finished the year at 351 Members, 140.96%
Our 10th Post Commander Drury "Mickey" Puckett (2006 - 2007)
If you have anything to add to the History of the Department of Pacific Areas, either to the Department, Districts or Posts, Please Email dpahist@vfwdeptpacific.org with the information in Document format.