The Holliston V.F.W. Leonard D. Chesmore Post 8507 held its 2018 Installation of Officers on Thursday, June 28, 2018.
The evening was opened with comments from outgoing Post Commander Vincent Trunfio, who thanked members of the Post for their support of his leadership and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Next, Keith Jackson, District 15 State Commander applauded Trunfio’s leadership as well as the Holliston Post. “You guys know what right looks like,” he told the group, that among 167 posts he oversees, he has no worries about Holliston. “You guys are an awesome team, do a great job” in fundraising and donating over $10,000 a year for various veterans’ charities and for giving back to the community for such causes as Thanks to Yanks, Homes for Troops, student scholarships, sponsorship of Eagle Scout projects, support of veterans waiting for claims to be processed, donations of Bibles for families of veterans who have passed on and even supporting members by providing the V.F.W. uniform.
Incoming Commander David DeGanne said, “I can’t express how humbled I am to be elected. This is the 70th anniversary year, and the fact that this post is still here and is as strong as it is is entirely due to the efforts of the men here. I’m humbled also by the idea that they think that I could do this.” DeGanne, who enlisted in the military at 35 after 9/11 said that although bringing in new members will be a challenge, as less than 1% of the U.S. population are serving in foreign wars, he hopes his experience will serve him well in understanding what younger veterans are going through. He added that he believes that although younger veterans are “really not interested in purely social functions,” younger veterans would come out to help the community in such efforts as building a wheelchair ramp for a community member or veteran in need.
DeGanne asked the group for a moment of silence for member George Snow, who was unable to make the ceremony.
Incoming officers then lined up to be installed. Incoming officers for 2018 include:
Commander David DeGanne
Sr. Vice Commander
Robert Hopkins
Jr. Vice Commander
Peter Guellnitz
Quartermaster Henry
Dellicker
Chaplain George Snow
Adjutant Ralph Stover
Service Keith Umlauf
Judge Advocate Robert Blair, and
Surgeon Stanley Feinberg.