Fortuna Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2207 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
Press release from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2207:
On Monday May 10th, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2207 held a
change of command ceremony. After serving as its commander for the past seven years, Alvin Dunnegan (Hydesville) turned over command of the local VFW post to Ron Eldridge (Fortuna).
Dunnegan thanked the post members who were in attendance for their support and service over the past years that he has served as their leader. He said, “It has been a privilege and an honor to have been able to serve as commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sunset Post 2207.”
Incoming commander Eldridge presented Dunnegan with a statuette of an eagle on behalf of the Post members to honor his service as commander since 2013.
Ron Eldridge says, “I want us to be more involved, with other organizations … that help in our community. When people think of our VFW Post, I want them to be able to think of more than a building that they can rent. They should be able to see an organization that is involved in helping out our community.”
Eldridge began his service in the US Navy as an Airman Apprentice assigned to fire – rescue in Adak, Alaska. While there he cross trained as an Equipment Operator Apprentice hoping to be assigned to the Construction Battalions (Seabees).
But instead, the young Seaman was assigned to the Brown Water Navy, assigned to a Patrol Boat Riverine (PBR) unit patrolling the inland waters of Vietnam as a Gunners Mate, after training at Mare Island.
The Navy in its great wisdom then decided that he should have remained in his original rating and sent him orders to the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany CVA-34; and promptly returned him to Vietnam and the Western Pacific for three more tours.
His military decorations include: The Navy Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Meritorious Unit Ribbon with 1 bronze star, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal with Palm and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
After the Navy Ron spent 10 years in the auto parts industry and then served as Purchasing Manager at Pacific Lumber Company for 34 years.
The local VFW post offers camaraderie to US veterans who have served in a war zone during a conflict. It also provides medical equipment such as wheel chairs, walkers, crutches, etc. to veterans and community members, offers scholarships to middle school and high school students, raises funds for disabled veterans, presents honor guards for veterans’ funerals, and school athletic events, provides advice and referrals to disabled veterans about their benefits, and provides many other opportunities for community service.
VFW Post 2207 meets on the second Monday of every month at 7pm in the Fortuna Veterans Building.
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Thanks to Commander Dunnigan for serving seven years as Post 2207 Commander…The VFW is a great service organization for veterans to join…
Thank you
Ron Eldridge will do a great job in this position. I especially liked his comment about being more involved with other organizations.
Full steam ahead, Commander Eldridge.
Fortuna’s Veterans groups do much for the community and the camaraderie is very beneficial for veterans themselves.
Now, when are you going to start those pancake breakfasts back up at the Vets Hall?
Good question Mike! Still waiting on clearance from the county.
Thank you
“The Navy in its great wisdom”… Such great training for making the most of life’s vagaries. With a sense of humor.