What does the Copper VFW have to offer you?

On June 13, 2012 that was just what VFW Post 12118 Commander Al Gilbert was telling folks about, just what the VFW can do for them.

Commander Gilbert was at the Copperopolis Umpqua Bank handing out literature and answering questions, both about the VFW and about veterans interests. The VFW benefits are far reaching beginning locally with a solid group of veterans that have served during combat, allowing them the opportunity to be among others who have an idea of what they themselves have experienced. This group is involved in community events and functions and strives to be a strong community presence.

The benefits then reach beyond the community to include discounts from service providers and a representative to the district to help deal with VA red-tape.

For more information on VFW Post 12118 contact Commander Al Gilber at 209-785-4218 or coppervfw@gmail.com.

For online VFW information visit http://www.vfw.org/home/

Umpqua Bank invites you to meet members of the Copperopolis VFW Post 12118

Umpqua Bank invites you to learn more about the newly formed Copperopolis VFW Post 12118.

On June 13, 2012 from 10 am to 2 pm VFW Post 12118 Commander Al Gilbert along with members will be available to talk with you regarding the VFW and what it can offer you as a combat veteran.

The Copperopolis VFW has been active in parades, Memorial Day Flag ceremonies, spaghetti feeds, community picnics, oral history project at Bret Harte, raising money for the food pantry, and other community events.

If you would like information about the VFW stop on by Umpqua Bank 6-13-12 from 10-2. For more information call Umpqua Bank at 785-7008.

VFW Post 12118 at Umpqua Bank

VFW Post 12118 representatives will be at Umpqua Bank on June 13, 2012 from 10:00-2:00PM.
If you or anyone you know is interested in finding out more about the VFW and what they have to offer, please stop by and talk with representatives.
Refreshments will be served.

VFW Post 12118 invites the Community of Copper to a Memorial Day flag ceremony

At 8 am on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, VFW Post 12118 will be holding a flag ceremony at the Copperopolis Cemetery.

Following the short ceremony the veterans of the VFW will escort Copper Hills 4-H children and any community memebr wanting to participate to veterans graves within the cemetery to place an American flag at each veterans grave, honoring them on Memorial Day.

For more information contact Commander Al Gilbert at copperffw@gmail.com

VFW Post 12118 invites the community to a Memorial Day Flag Ceremony

At 8 am on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, VFW Post 12118 will be holding a flag ceremony at the Copperopolis Cemetery.

Following the short ceremony the veterans of the VFW will escort Copper Hills 4-H children and any community memebr wanting to participate to veterans graves within the cemetery to place an American flag at each veterans grave, honoring them on Memorial Day.


For more information contact Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com

Vfw Post 12118 and Ladies Auxiliary pitch in at 8A

The Veterans of VFW Post 12118 and their spouses - members of the Ladies Auxiliary-  came out in full force on May 12, 2012 to pay back 8A for use of their facilities by having a grounds clean-up day.

The grounds used extensively by families over the summer needed to have hedges trimmed up so that snakes couldn't lay in wait for little feet and the poison oak that hid beneath could be removed. Lawns were mowed, hedges were trimmed, windows washed, floors swept and edging was done all around.

A spokesperson for 8A said that this clean-up day saved the 8A membership quite a bit of money.
Anthony Alexander and Shirley Burk, Al and Sandi Gilbert, Jay Hennell, Ralph and Eva Murphy, Ken Osteen, Larry and Micki Phillips, Al Putney, Gary Taylor, and Danny Thomas all participated in the clean-up.

A Thank you from Copperopolis VFW Post 12118

2-29-12
To all the family and friends of the Veterans and Members of the James D. Piper VFW Post 12118, and to the Copperopolis Community, we thank you for attending the Instituting and Swearing in Ceremony on Sunday, February 19, 2012. This was an historic event for the entire community. After much hard work from the Veterans and support from the Copperopolis Community, and the unending support and drive by Charity Maness,  Copperopolis is the home of the Veterans of Foriegn Wars of the United States newest Post.

Post 12118 would like to thank Payless IGA Market  for their continued support and generosity, we appreciate all they have done for us and the community.

 To the Copperopolis Community Center we thank you for allowing us to use the Historic Copperopolis Armory for our  ceremony. What better place to hold our ceremony than the Copperopolis Armory, steeped in local history,  adding another chapter to it.

Copperopolis VFW Officer Installation Ceremony - Copperopolis History in the making

At the James D. Piper VFW Post 12118 Copperopolis institution and installation of officers ceremony officiated by the State Jr Vice Commander Ed Ford from Sacramento, the group of Veterans of Foreign Wars stood tall and proud as their names were called from the roster answering "Sir, here, sir."

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

VFW Post 12118 Institution Ceremony

Residents of Copperopolis, you are invited to attend the official ceremony for the Copperopolis James D. Piper VFW Post 12118 Institution and Swearing in of Officers to be held Sunday February 19, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the historic Armory.

This is a historic occasion for Copperopolis and her combat veterans.

Military protocol will be followed throughout the ceremony.

If you have questions or would like to join the VFW please contact Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com.

Calling all veterans of foreign wars

The Copperopolis VFW Post 12118 will be having an installation ceremony 2-19-12 recognizing the formation of the post. This ceremony will be attended by officials from the State VFW, local officials and leaders from the community.
Its not too late to become one of the founding members of the VFW Post 12118.
For information on how you can join contact Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com
or attend this weekends meeting Sunday, 2-12-12, at 2:00 pm at the 8A meeting room on Feather Drive.

VFW Post 12118 Meeting

The Copperopolis VFW Post 12118 will be holding a special "called meeting" on February 12th at 2 pm Building 8A. This meeting is being held to review and to finalize the Post's plans for the February 19th Instituting/Swearing of Officers Ceremony.
If you would like more information about Copperopolis VFW Post 12118 or would like to help please contact interim Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com.