Amador County – The highest-ranking officers of the state’s Veterans of Foreign Wars department will visit Winton in Merced County this weekend to meet with member from local posts and discuss issues facing District 13.
District 13 is home to one of the highest concentrations of veterans in California. It encompasses Amador, Calaveras, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties.
The annual visit will feature local representatives like Barbara Wieland, President of the Amador County VFW Ladies Auxiliary, who said she will go if weather permits. Wieland said top issues for her group include increasing membership, funding and putting together packages to send to troops oversees.
In attendance will be Denis Wells, VFW State Commander and Judy Jones, Ladies Auxiliary State President. Both are expected to discuss the state of veteran’s affairs on a state level, as well as specific plans to better serve veterans in local communities.
Wells joined the VFW after serving in the U.S. Air Force for more than 20 years, retiring as a master sergeant. He served two tours of duty at Tuy Hoa Airbase in the Republic of Vietnam, assigned as an airborne firefighter/rescue man on the H43 helicopter. He joined the VFW in 1985 at Post 7792 in Winton. He became a lifetime member in 1986. He served as one of only five All State District Commanders from 1997-1998. He also currently serves as the District 13 Assistant Quartermaster and the Post Service Officer.
Jones has been an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary since February 1990. She is considered a leading activist for the continuance and adoption of veteran entitlements. She is also a member of the Auxiliary of Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Unit 106.
The visit takes place November 19-21 at the VFW Post 7792 at 7093 Walnut Avenue in Winton. The proceedings start Friday at 6 p.m. with a dinner and awards ceremony.
Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
