I hope everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit by now. This past weekend we had Windham Rotary holding breakfast on Sunday and if you could not attend it, you missed Santa. Yes, he was there to cheer up the little ones and even some big ones.
We are preparing to go to Stratton VA Hospital to present the volunteer group with $ 500 worth of $25 gift certificates that can be used by veterans in need of dairy products etc. that are not available at the center at the hospital.
The Volunteer group has dry goods and other supplies that are handed out but do not have refrigeration and this allows them to be able to go to Hannaford’s pick up those items. The volunteer group does a wonderful job.
I want to pass on to everyone a message from the USMC. Since 1947, Marine Toys for Tots has been bringing the joy of Christmas to America’s less-fortunate children and fostering community engagement.
Every holiday season, new unwrapped toys are distributed to children in need. To donate, contact Commandant Joe Huber of the Greene County chapter of the Marine Corp League at 518-253-5938 or download the Toys For Tots Campaign App.
Last week, reported by Michael Ryan, we held our awards assembly, and it was well attended by family and friends. I really enjoyed meeting everyone and getting to know everyone.
I would like to invite any returning veteran to consider becoming a member of our post. To qualify for membership, you would have a service ribbon from a war, been given hazardous duty pay or served in Korea for 90 consecutive days.
We meet once a month on the second Wednesday of the month. The meetings last about an hour or so. As a member you receive information regarding benefits that you may or may not know about and mostly just give back and helping veterans along with the community.
Veterans need to help veterans. You can contact us at vfwpost1545@gmail.com for more information.
One thing I would like to explain a bit more about is the reporting of the MIA soldiers. The Department of Defense works on returning the remains of the MIA from all wars so that the families have the opportunity to honor them properly.
So many of these heroes have been missing for many years depending on the war they fought in. The following information is meant to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our county. Let us never forget.
This month’s MIAs are as follows:
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Private Jacob Gutterman, 24, of New York City, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during WWII, was accounted for March 26, 2024. In summer 1942, Gutterman was a member of the 803rd Engineer Battalion, Aviation, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula on April 9, 1942, and of Corregidor Island on May 6,1942.
Thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members were captured and interned at POW camps. Gutterman was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW Camp #1. More than 2,500 POWs perished in this camp during the war. According to prison camp and other historical records, Gutterman died July 16, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 316.
To identify Gutterman’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Although interred as an Unknown in MACM, Gutterman’s grave was meticulously cared for over the past 70 years by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). Today, Pvt. Gutterman is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Pvt. Gutterman will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on a date to be determined.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving their country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa, https://www.linkedin.com/company/dodpaa,
https://www.instagram.com/dodpaa/, or https://x.com/dodpaa.ss
Please keep our soldiers in your prayers to keep them safe while serving our Country. God Bless America.
Marc Farmilette, Past Commander VFW Post 1545
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