Back row (l-r): Carl Singer, Senior Vice President; Buddy Dekeris, Adjutant; Joel Meyers, Three-Year Trustee; Eusebro Soto, Jr., Member; Raymond Bush, Commander; Raul Jimenez Cintron, Junior Vice President; Tom Brauner, Chaplain; and Gary Ridente, Member, VFW Post #12144.
On May 30, the first-ever meeting of the new members of the Col. Francis S. Midura Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #12144 was held at its new location: Village of Islandia Commons at 1250 Old Nichols Road. Mayor Allan M. Dorman, Village of Islandia, and a Vietnam War veteran, attended the meeting as a member as the new officers were installed.
The following were installed as officers:
- Commander: Raymond Bush
- Senior Vice President: Carl Singer
- Junior Vice President: Raul Jimenez Cintron
- Quartermaster: Bill Fuchs
- Adjutant: Buddy Dekeris
- Chaplain: Tom Brauner
- Three-Year Trustee: Joel Meyers
The post was named in honor of the late Col. Midura, an Army Chaplain and Monsignor at St. Thomas More Church in Hauppauge who passed away in 2012. Col. Midura had previously presided over the village’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, including the special memorial ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Mayor Dorman, who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, established the post to give local veterans a place to meet and to thank the veterans for their bravery and service.
New members are always welcome.
