Welcome to the VFW Department of California's website
Jack Turner was elected Commander at the 89th State Convention in Ontario, California. Jack is from West Point, Iowa.He enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon graduation from St. Mary’s High School and served 39 consecutive years of active naval service.He served 12 years as enlisted (E-1 to E-7) and 27 years as a commissioned officer, from W-1 to the rank of Captain, as a Limited Duty Officer (LDO 6410).He retired in September 1993.While on active duty, he held many leadership positions, including Commanding Officer, Personnel Support Activity, Puget Sound, Washington and Deputy Director, Military Postal Service Agency, Alexandria, Virginia.His military awards include:Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Navy Commendation Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Navy Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver and two Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Surface Warfare Insignia, and Command Ashore Insignia. Captain Jack joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1992 as a Life Member of O. K. Ingram Ship 1774 in La Mesa, California.From 1993 to 1998 he served as the Captain of O .K. Ingram Ship.He served again as Captain from 2000 through 2002 and also through the 1st District chairs in 2001 through 2003.As 1st District Commander in 2004-2005, 25 of the 36 Posts in 1st District earned All-State honors and 11 Posts earned All-American honors.Captain Jack personally earned honors as Captain of the All-State District Commanders and All-American District Commander.Jack has also served on various Committees at the Department and National level. In addition to being a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jack also belongs to the Military Order of the Cooties Pup Tent 40, the American Legion Post 1000, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks San Diego Lodge 168, USS KITTY HAWK Veterans Association, and the Navy Mustang Association. Jack married his wife Renate in 1957 and they reside in San Diego, California.They have one daughter, Ramona, four sons, Lance, Mark, Scott, and Eric, and fourteen grandchildren.
JULY 4TH - VFW & Operation Uplink will provide for 24 hours on July 4th, free call day....this means Soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan can call the states for free.
Attention Posts - Attached is a list of Posts that have not registerd any delegates for National Convention. Please double check to make sure your post has paid delegate fees. Attention Posts - Attached is a list of missing election reports. Please double check to make sure your Post has sent in an election report to National.
State Commander Homecoming
It is with sadness we report that the wife of Past State Commander Joe Romano - Lorene Romano - passed away on June 11, 2009. Cards of sympathy can be sent to Joe at 2930 Nancy Bell Ln., Missouri City, TX 77459. The Dept. of California offers sincere condolences to Joe and family. Dept. POW/MIA Program September 19, 2009 - Riverside Nat'l Cemetery
Beware of Con Artists ... A con artist has been preying on the generosity of sympathetic veterans and has managed to bilk numerous VFW Posts around the country out of as much as $400 each by posing as either a veteran who has ?filled out an application? to join a specific Post or as a current VFW member.The scammer has used a couple of different approaches when he calls a Post asking for a specific Post Officer by name for financial assistance, usually alleging to be experiencing some sort of car trouble and has even gone as far as to claim to be the parent of an Iraq veteran on his ?way to the funeral for his son killed in Iraq.? He has also used a bogus story about how he recently visited a Post while introducing his son, ?just back from Iraq? to various Post members. The swindler apparently goes on-line beforehand and obtains information about the Post in order to include details about the Post to help lend credibility to his story. According to information received by VFW national headquarters, VFW Posts in AL, OK, WV, TX, KS and MO have responded by wiring money to the man who promises to repay the cash as soon as he returns home. So far, the sum being requested is in the $200- $500 range. Western Union doesn?t require identification for sums under $1000.
VFW National Commander In Chief Visits Iraq ... click here
California Veteran Publication - The California Veteran is the Department's official publication it is available for viewing on our website click here or you can request a copy in the mail by sending in a written request to Department Headquarters. For more information click here
Interested in working for the VFW, Department of California? Click Here
This year the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) celebrates 109 years of tradition, community service and veterans’ service. Click here to read more about the VFW
