April 2023 Newsletter

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Hello Jim,

John Wiley Brock Post 6683 VFW sends newsletters, other emails, and social media posts to our members, families, volunteers, and interested citizens in and around the Enterprise and New Brockton Alabama communities. Every event we sponsor, host, or participate in directly supports our IRC 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization. Our fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational organization helps Veterans and supports the greater Wiregrass community.

Note from the Commander

Greetings Comrades,

Spring is in the air and Summer is almost here. Which means it’s time to reflect on the past year for our VFW and plan for the next. To that end, as a post, we performed 2,651 hours of Community Service last year and donated $7,134.00. The VFW calculates the volunteer hours and converts that into dollars, as a result, we provided $86,531.00 to Community Service and Assistance this past year, this is a $50,000.00 increase over the previous year and in my mind, this reflects that our post continues to excel at what our mission truly is.

It has been an honor representing my fellow Comrades as the Commander and an even bigger honor to represent you for a second term. As I state regularly, I am just the Post figure head, and it is the Committee Chairs and post members that have made our post the great post it is. To that end, let me introduce the appointed Committee Chairs for this year, they are Post Board of Management – Randy Black, Buddy Poppy – Sam Baker, Youth Services – Jay Castro, Membership – Ken Donahue, and Fellowship – Chris Woods. Please get with them and join a committee, as the more participation we have, the better we are.

The other members elected at the April Post Meeting were Pamela Smith – Sr Vice Cdr, Will Clark – Jr Vice Cdr, Jim Steddum – Quartermaster, Malcolm Wise – 3 Yr. Trustee, Scotty Johnson – 1 Yr. Post Board of Mgt. The Appointed officers are Michael Sutterfield – Service Officer, Otis Smith – Chaplain, Bob Cooper – Surgeon, Brett Feinstein – Judge Advocate, J.T. Coleman – Officer of the Day/Sgt at Arms. I look forward to working with all of you.

As always, remember that this is your Post, I as well as the other elected leaders are simply your representatives. Make sure you come support your Post, express your ideas, participate in our community, and enjoy the comradery of your fellow members. Our Post is only as good as we make it together and we can always get better.

Post Commander

Robert Schmidbauer

robert.schmidbauer@yahoo.com

518-423-3390

Note from the Junior Vice Commander Elect

I was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming in July of 1982 and enlisted on the U.S. Army in April of 2001. The installations that I served at during my career includes Fort Campbell, KY, Fort Hood, TX, Fort Bliss, TX, K-2 AFB Daegu, ROK, Camp Humphreys, ROK, Soto Cano AB, Honduras, and Fort Novosel, AL. I served as a CH-47 medium helicopter mechanic, and as a Flight Engineer Instructor. I retired from active duty in July 2022, and now reside in Enterprise, AL with my wife of almost 20 years, and three children.

I would like to take the time to thank you for providing me you trust and support in being voting into the position of Junior Vice Commander. It is important to understand the value we bring to our veteran community as well as that of our host community Enterprise, Alabama. How we proceed from here will determine the level of support we are able to provide for our veteran community, and how we incorporate our organization into future projects that impact our population. From the construction of the new Veteran’s home, to upgrades in and around the city of Enterprise, we must be able to communicate and coordinate improvements and programs that will assist in benefiting this new residence, while improving the overall community of Enterprise. Through volunteer opportunities we will be able to foster camaraderie within our post as well as build community trust, so we may better serve the veteran community within our area.

I officially take over the position at the meeting in June. I would like to continue providing the monthly newsletter, but it will take support from all the members of John Wiley Brock post 6683 to provide content. I also want to encourage the support for the community dinners and functions we provide on a regular basis. Additionally, we have many projects that we will begin soon and need members assistance in completing. Again, thank you for your support and I look forward to working with you in the future.

William J. Clark

Jr Vice Commander-Elect

From the District 7 Commander

Wonderful District 7 Meeting today (April 15). Thank you all for coming. It has been an honor serving as District 7 Commander this past year, and it is even more of an honor to have been re-elected as District 7 Commander for 2023-2024. District 7 covers Posts in Dothan, Daleville, Enterprise, Red Level, Brundidge, and Eufaula. Congratulations to all the officers elected. v/r Commander Bagwell.

Brandon Bagwell - Commander (Dothan)

Tom Stephens - Sr. Vice Commander (Red Level)

Robert Schmidbauer - Jr. Vice Commander (Enterprise)

Jim Steddum - Quartermaster (Enterprise)

Kelly Baldwin - Chaplain. (Red Level)

CJ Watson - 3-year Trustee (Dothan)

John Boley - Judge Advocate (Eufaula)

David Medley - Surgeon (Dothan)

Amber Monske - Commander Pro-Tempore (Eufaula)

The District 7 website is VFWAL-Dist7.org.

Our next meeting is May 9, 2023, at 1800 hours.

Community Calendar

The Crawfish Fundraiser

COME ONE, COME ALL! April 22 is the JWB Crawfish Fundraiser at the Post. Enjoy New Orleans Fresh Crawfish, a Bouncy House, Cool Bus Ice Cream (at costs), and for the picky eaters--Hamburgers and Hot Dogs (for $8 donations)!!

Get your tickets here!

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

Retired Sherrif and VFW member Dave Sutton was recognized as the Post Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for his 28 years of faithful service to the citizens of Coffee County, Alabama! Accepting for Sherrif Sutton was Comrade Bob Cooper, a long-time friend of Comrade Sutton.

JROTC Recognition at the April 2023 Military and Veterans Affairs Committee breakfast.

April Military and Veteran Affairs Committee - JROTC Recognition

The Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee held its April Breakfast at JWB Post 6683. The breakfast meeting recognized the contribution of the Daleville, Enterprise, and Ozark JROTC programs and their top cadets.

You can see more on Facebook.