Sgt. James F. Carty, DSC VFW Post 1545

As the commander of Sgt. James F. Carty, DSC, VFW Post 1545, there are certain tasks I find particularly challenging.

One of the hardest is supporting our members who are facing health issues. I make an effort to stay connected by visiting and calling them, hoping to lift their spirits.

Even though I may not have served alongside some of them in combat, they are still my heroes and valued comrades, integral to my life in this organization.

Any veteran who is looking for a job that requires a CDL license, I have some info. President Biden has signed VFW-supported S.656, Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023, into law.

VFW National Legislative Deputy Director Kristina Keenan provided testimony on this legislation to both the House and Senate.

To address the nationwide shortage of commercial truck drivers, this law will reduce unnecessary red tape and allow veterans to use their GI Bill benefits at more commercial driver license (CDL) schools.

Prior to now, certain for-profit CDL schools with programs already approved by VA were restricted from accepting the GI Bill at newly established branches for a period of up to two years.

Allowing new branches of VA-approved schools to receive education benefits will ensure veterans can attend these programs as soon as they are offered.

Today, I will be picking up the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy essays from WAJCS. The challenging part of this contest comes next: judging the essays.

They’re all so impressive that we invest a considerable amount of time selecting the top entries. Every participant will receive a certificate and a cash prize for their efforts. I’ll announce the winners in the coming weeks.

A reminder that this Veterans Day weekend, Briars & Brambles Bookstore in Windham on Route 296 will be donating a portion of their receipts to our post.

Jennifer has generously supported us in this way for several years. So, be sure to stop by and pick up a good book to enjoy by the fireplace.

I’m currently reading “Nuts” by Vincent Speranza, a WWII veteran of the 101st Airborne Division who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Vince is quite the character, to say the least.

When I met Vince, he “attacked” me with his boisterous New York Italian voice, catching me off guard! Once I got him to relax, he opened up about how deeply he felt about the treatment of Vietnam veterans when they returned home.

He expressed immense pride in walking in the victory parade in NYC and couldn’t understand why we were treated so poorly upon our return.

I had the honor of meeting him a few years ago at a reunion for WWII veterans, where Andrew Biggio interviewed many of them for his book, “The Rifle.”

Andy is a Marine who served in Afghanistan and was a Boston police officer. He came to Windham to interview our WWII veterans for his book.

My wife Lynn and I took a trip to Boston for the reunion and book signing, where over 90 WWII veterans were in attendance, including Tom Bristol, Lynn’s dad.

Tom served as a tailgunner on a B-25 Mitchell Bomber in the China-Burma-India theater of the Pacific. He’s definitely one of those unforgettable characters, just like many others there.

I have regularly provided information about missing soldiers whose remains have been brought home by the government. I do this because it holds significant meaning for the families of those who fought and were unable to bring their loved ones back home.

The 700th missing Korean veteran returned was on September 9, 2024. He was Army Corporal Billie Charles Driver, 18, from Dallas, Texas, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency marked the identification of the 700th missing personnel from the Korean War. Corporal Driver, member of the 1st Calvary Division, perished in the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, Sept. 5, 1950.

“This is an incredible milestone,” said Kelly McKeague, DPAA director, “It is reflective of the talent and dedication of the Department of Defense personnel who dutifully serve this sacred mission.”

Also, announced today that U.S. Army Warrant Officer Albert R. Trudeau, killed during the Vietnam War, was accounted for Sept. 11, 2024.

In October 1971, Trudeau was assigned to the 68th Aviation Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group. On Oct. 26, Trudeau was serving as the pilot of a CH-47B “Chinook” helicopter when it went down over water in bad weather while flying from Tuy Hoa to Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. Remains of four of the 10 Soldiers on board were recovered during search and rescue operations following the crash, but Trudeau was not accounted for.

A reminder that this coming weekend, November 3, is Daylight Savings time.

Keep all of our Missing in Action troops in your thoughts and prayers along with the troops still serving our country. God Bless America.

Marc Farmilette – Commander VFW Post 1545.