Elections were held on May 7th & the following are the post officers for 2018-19

• Commander: Max Riekse; Vietnam & Iraq Veteran.
• Senior Vice Commander: Floyd Peplinski; Panama & Iraq Veteran
• Junior Vice Commander: Edward Vokal; Korean Veteran.
• Quartermaster: George Kotkowicz; Iraq Veteran.
• Trustee: Wesley Owen; Korean era veteran
• Trustee & Assistant Chaplain; Larry Davis; Korean era veteran
• Trustee & Assistant Chaplain: Andy Peck; Persian Gulf veteran.
• Surgeon: Darrell Huddlestun; Vietnam Veteran
• Adjutant: Floyd Peplinski
• Guard: Larry Davis
• Judge Advocate: George Kotkowicz.
• Legislative & POW/MIA Officer: Max Riekse
• Offices of Chaplain & Community Services remain open.

The Fruitport VFW normally meets on the first Monday of the Month at 7:30pm; call Max Riekse for more details; If you’re a veteran of Iraq & or Afghanistan, think about joining your local VFW Post – especially if you live in Spring Lake & Fruitport; This is a non-drinking post as we have no Bar; George Kotkowicz is the Fruitport Cub Scout Master; and Andy Peck is both a Cub Scout & Boy Scout leader; Floyd Peplinski is the post Edward Jones financial adviser; Our post, along with the local Fruitport Cub Scouts & Fruitport Boy Scouts, place American flags on the graves of local veterans at the Fruitport – Pine Hill cemetery on the Friday before Memorial day at 5pm; and on Monday, hold a Memorial Day event at 11:00am at the Fruitport – Pine Hill cemetery; along with leading the parade with our Fruitport color guard which we have done for over 40 years. Our post also helps the children of local veterans go to Cub Scout camp; Boy Scout camp; VFW summer camp; etc; If you’re a veteran who has been awarded a military service medal, give Max Riekse a call and ask about joining your local VFW post; (231) 865-3238.

Post activities coming up are: Meet the Candidate/legislative event on Wednesday July 11th 5:30pm – 7pm for the upcoming August primary; & on Wednesday, October 17th 5:30pm – 7pm for the November election; On Friday July 20th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, a special meet & greet of our new 2018-19 VFW Post officers will be held for members, their families; and prospective members; especially those from Iraq & Afghanistan. Food and refreshments will be served. Bring your own band/music. Spouses of veterans can join the Fruitport AUX; Female Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans are especially welcome to become active in our/your local Fruitport VFW – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

Max Riekse
May 11, 2018