On September 17, Post 9835 member Geoff Lyster received his formal commission as VFW Virginia State Commander signed by the Commander-in-Chief of the VFW. State Adjutant/Quartermaster Ed Mann officiated at the ceremony which took place during the Council of Administration meeting at State HQ in Staunton.
On its first day, Adj/QM Jeff Dombroff, Cdr Tony Lunn & SVC Elden Ray manned the Post's set-up at the Fauquier County Fair. We distributed nearly 60 free bottles of cold water to thirsty fair-goers, collected a few donations and signed up four new members.
We took the opportunity to present our annual $500 donation to the Fauquier County Sheriff's Department Public Safety Cadet program, while staffing our booth at the Fauquier County Fair on Friday, 7/15. Post Commander Robert "Tony" Lunn presented the check to Sheriff (and Post member!) Jeremy Falls, with Deputy Michael Harper (L) and an unidentified Public Safety Cadet (R) also present.
Thanks to all who came out to support this event!
Big Thanks To Our Cooks!
Post Commander Tony Lunn & Adjutant/Quartermaster Jeff Dombroff visited the Fauquier Free Clinic on June 28th. They met with Executive Director Rob Marino and presented the Post's semi-annual donation of $400 to assist the clinic in serving community members and especially local veterans and their family members.
From L to R: Adj/QM Dombroff, Exec. Dir. Marino, and CDR Lunn.
On June 22, Trustee Brian Park and QM/Adj Jeff Dombroff visited the Fauquier Family Shelter Services to present the Post's semi-annual donation. They were updated by the Executive Director on the number of veterans or family members who received benefits from this organization since the first of the year (27).
Shown (l-r): Trustee Brian Park, Executive Director Gerry Vent, Case Manager Peaches Winston, Quartermaster/Adjutant Jeff Dombroff
Just finished participating in the Warrenton Memorial Day parade and ceremonies. More than 25 VFW Post 9835 members were present including Fauquier County Sheriff Falls and Warrenton Police Chief Kochis. Thanks to VFW Post 7728 for organizing it, to the high school bands and JROTC for their participation and the hundreds of citizens who came out to support us.
The table at Giant
Commander Jeff Dombroff & Eldon Ray
April 14 - Newly elected Post 9835 Commander "Tony" Lunn (r) accepts the Post flag from outgoing commander Jeff Dombroff (l) who will step down effective June 11 after four years in command. In the center is Post 9835 member and soon-to-be installed VFW Virginia State Commander Geoff Lyster who served as the installing officer for the ceremonies.
April 3 - Post members held a recruiting drive at Clark Brothers Gun Range in Opal. The Post gained two new members as a result and three Vietnam Veterans received their commemorative lapel pins. We will do this again on April 23rd. (Pictured - Bruce Campbell and Elden Ray)
On March 19, Post 9835 presented its 2021-2022 Scout of the Year Award to Ethan Polster of Warrenton VA. Ethan, a senior at Fauquier HS, is an Eagle Scout in Troop 360 in Fauquier County, Virginia. His Eagle project was to fix drainage problems at Rady Park. He was personally commended by Warrenton Mayor Carter Neville for the accomplishment.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9835 2021 Firefighter of the Year Award is presented to Firefighter Michael G. Chester of the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company. Joining the Department while still in high school, Mr. Chester completed the 140 hour certification course while earning his high school diploma and became a fully certified firefighter. Having completing his certification course, Firefighter Chester became a fully accredited member of the Department in August 2021, spending several days and nights each week at the Station working with the crews in place and helping out in other divisions in the organization. His service and dedication to his profession sets a standard for others to follow and reflects great credit upon himself, the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company and First Responders everywhere.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9835 2021 EMT of the Year Award is presented to Sergeant Nathan A. Wilkins of the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company. Since his hiring in 2018, Sgt Wilkins obtained his undergraduate degree at George Mason University, and completed the Paramedic Program as well. He mentors other providers and devotes much of his time to filling needed space on the numerous shifts to assist his fellows, all the while preparing himself to enter medical school. His service and dedication to his profession sets a standard for others to follow and reflects great credit upon himself, the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company and First Responders everywhere.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9835 2021 Police Officer of the Year Award is presented to Officer Christopher J. Melmer of the Warrenton Police Department. Following his initial training after joining the Department in April 2020, Officer Melmer took an immediate interest in the Department’s efforts to rejuvenate the long dormant bicycle patrol program and was among the first group to complete the International Police Mountain Bike Association Police Cyclist course. He volunteered to evaluate the current fleet of police mountain bikes and recommended immediate retention or appropriate repair, maintenance or disposal of those on hand. By doing so and coming in on his days off to accomplish the task, he saved the Department a considerable amount of money. He was also one of the first officers to transition to new electric bikes and use them for regular patrols throughout the Town. In April 2021, he was selected as the Department’s Property and Evidence Officer. In this capacity, he reorganized the property and evidence storage facilities, revised related policies and procedures and created a new system to reduce the backlog of property and evidence eligible for destruction or disposal. In less than two years, Officer Melmer become an important contributor to the Warrenton Police Department. His service and dedication to his profession sets a standard for others to follow and reflects great credit upon himself and the Warrenton Police Department.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9835 20201 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award is presented to Domestic Violence Specialist Michele C. Arft of the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office for exceptional service to victims of domestic violence in Fauquier County and elsewhere. She assists victims with the necessary paperwork they need for obtaining protective orders, completing criminal complaints as well as accompanying them to the Magistrate and Court. In addition to her work schedule, Specialist Arft has served as a committee member of local mental health organizations, has been a team member of the Fauquier Coordinating Council on Domestic Violence and has worked tirelessly for Fauquier Cops for Children, an organization of law enforcement professionals that provides assistance and support to the youth of Fauquier County. The Honorable Melissa Cupp, Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for Fauquier County has praised her outstanding work in helping victims navigate a complicated system and empowered them to seek and receive help. She believes that our community is a much safer place to live because of Specialist Arft’s presence and persistent advocacy. Her service and genuine care and concern for all victims is a beacon that highlights all that is good in a law enforcement professional and reflects great credit upon herself, her profession and the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office.
L - R: Carolyn Martin - Auburn MS 2nd place - PP; Connor Forbes - W. C. Taylor MS 3rd place - PP; Jonathan Farr - Taylor MS - 1st Place - PP;
Cdr Dombroff;
Lilly Verrill - SE Alternative School - 1st Place VOD;
Bethany Smuts - Liberty HS, 2nd Place VOD. Unable to attend was Justin Kim from Liberty HS who had the 3rd place VOD entry. He received his awards during the school visits.
Cdr Dombroff and JVC Lunn present the First Honorable Mention award to Wakefield's Ava Price for her essay in the Voice of Democracy (VOD) competition.
Students from Wakefield School who participated in the Patriot Pen competition
L-R: Trina Mikelonis - W.C. Taylor MS, Joyce Hulse - W. G. Coleman ES, Carrie Linebaugh - Liberty HS, Commander Dombroff
Additionally, Carrie Linebaugh's father - retired LTCol Jim Henderson - a Vietnam Veteran, who was attending as Carrie's guest, was surprised by being presented with his Vietnam Veteran Lapel pin by
Cdr Dombroff who is also Chairman of the VFW Department of Virginia's Vietnam War Remembrance Committee.
Well done comrades!!!!!
It's official; we are an All-State AND All-American Post again! The Commander-in-Chief has authorized a “Post Member” cap for members in a Post that achieves All-American. Post members may purchase a cap from the VFW store, https://www.vfwstore.org/, that looks like the picture (different years; you can ask for 2020-2022 if you qualify) with our Post number and state. Congratulations!