As each member was asked to hold up their right hand while placing their left hand on the shoulder of the veteran in front of them, thereby touching the American flag held with dignity and respect by Commander Gilbert, they swore the oath to the office they would hold, the VFW, and the Constitution of the United States. Though some were with walkers and others were with injuries, this did not stop them from standing at attention, shoulders squared, pride in their eyes as they spoke clearly and steeped in military pride.
VFW 12118 Post Commander Al Gilbert addressed the crowd of 200 attending the ceremony at the Historic Copperopolis Armory by saying, "From Bougainville and Iwo Jima, to the battlefields in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan" explaining the diversity of theaters represented in the Copperopolis Post. Al thanked visiting VFW Post Commanders- some that had traveled great distances- recognizing their support. He also thanked Sheriff Kuntz and District 4 Supervisor Tryon for attending the event and showing their support.
The officers were recognized by Assemblymember Kristen Olsen's office with certificates of recognition for the office they now hold with Post 12118. The officers are as follows:
Commander Allen Gilbert
Sr. Vice Commander Bill Skellenger
Jr. Vice Commander Donald Shand
Quartermaster and Adjutant Ralph Murphy
Advocate Richard Dost
Chaplin and Service Officer Richard Westberg
Surgeon Larry Phillips
Trustees Anthony Alexander, Jay Hennel, and Robert Bradway
Officer of the Day Danny Thomas
At the end of the ceremony, in a moving tribute, James D. Piper's younger brother Gary Piper sang a song he had written for his lost brother Jim, 'We all cry on your birthday'- there were few dry eyes in the house, as the song transcended not only the battles fought but also time. Many of James Piper's relatives were present, his brothers Dennis, Gary and Tom, with their spouses, children and grandchildren, all of whom Jim had not lived long enough to know. James Piper's widow Micki Phillips, owner of Micki & Larry's Sports Pub, addressed the veterans of foreign war thanking them for the honor of naming the Post after the young husband she lost April 11, 1967 in the jungles of South Vietnam.
Trustee Jay Hennel receiving his Certificate of Recognition from Assemblymember Olsen's office
Chaplain and Service Officer Richard Westberg receiving his Certificate of Recognition from Assmeblymember Olsen's office
Commander Allen Gilbert officially receiving Command of Post 12118
Swearing in of Officers
Swearing in of all Foreign War Veterans
Pledge of Allegiance
Ken, Charity, and Abel
Ken and Abel attended High School with Jim Piper and served in Vietnam; Ken in the Army Abel in the USAF.
Gary Piper sand to the crowd the song he wrote years after Jim's death as a way of dealing with the loss,
"We All Cry on Your Birthday"
For more pictures click HERE
The beginning of the VFW formation was a humble beginning with a few combat veterans wishing for a place to gather, to call their own, to be among others who had 'been there.' None expressed their desires to talk of their experiences, they all simply wanted a place where they could congregate with those who been where they had been, seen what they had seen and fought for our country. A place to be themselves, without worry of judgement. With many Vietnam veterans the memory is still fresh in their minds the shunning of society upon their return home, a VFW would be a place where they could be proud of their service and belong to a fellowship they had long awaited for.
On June 13, 2009 Charity Maness picked up the ball that had been left by previous veteran 'Uncle Dave' when he moved away and held the first meeting for the formation of a VFW in Copperopolis. Her desire was to have a place where her son, a USMC Iraq and Afghan vet, could come home to and receive the support and comradeship that is so important for those transitioning back into 'society' or as Vietnam Vets would call it 'the world.'
In what seemed like no time - approximately one year - the group was up to 25 veterans and Charity, not a veteran, was instructed by Sacramento that she should step down as the formation leader and hand the reins over to a combat veteran, Michael McDaniel picked up the ball and threw the VFW into the community spotlight by hosting a VFW spaghetti feed. This brought local veteran needs to light and the formation some more steam. Soon McDaniel stepped down and Al Gilbert willingly and with gusto stepped in. From there parades were included in the groups agenda, as were Community picnics, Veteran Medical vans visits, PTSD outreach connections and more formal guidelines, meeting dates and expectations. Al refuses to take credit for finalizing the formation saying, "I was just part of it, there's 36 other Veterans and their families, along with the Copper Community that made this a reality."
A local teen, Carson Ellington, wishing to help a local veteran group donated all the proceeds from his Senior Project, the Gavin Brummund Memorial Golf Tournament, giving the group the ability to move forward at a faster rate and supplying the funds necessary for meeting supplies, namely the American Flag and the California Flag. It also allowed the group to offset the membership fees of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans for one year.
By January 2012 the group had reached its needed goal of 35 members, 10 of which were required to be transfers from another VFW Post. The group spans the decades with the oldest being 89 and the youngest 23 years old, the battles fought oversees being the common thread that bound the veterans together.
If you would like information about joining Post 12118 or helping out financially please contact Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com.
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