WILDWOOD – The Disabled American Veterans Department of New Jersey recently held its 99th state convention in Wildwood.
According to a release, the newly installed officers took their oaths of office to serve the veterans of the state and their families.
The current State Commander Gordon Lee Payne, outlined the work that had been accomplished with homeless veterans, preservation of veterans’ rights/benefits and improved medical care available for thousands of veterans.
The newly elected Commander Fred Smith accepted the gavel and the challenge to continue the work of the department. Smith outlined several key issues, including improving support to chapter commanders, recruitment of new members, and making resources and training available to new and existing chapter commanders and their staffs to comply with the changing landscape in the state and nationally.
The new officers serving for 2019-20, are Fred Smith, commander, Senior Vice Commander Leonard Long, First Junior Vice Commander Walter Applegate, Second Junior Vice Commander George Schnep, Third Junior Vice Commander James Keyser, Jr., Chief Inspector James Kopley, Judge Advocate Walter Kaczmarek.
Appointed officers were Adjutant Johnnie Walker, Sergeant-of-Arms Kathy Kukel and Officer of the Day Lesly Johnson.
Disabled American Veterans Department of New Jersey, through its 32 chapters and it 19,000 members, serves the veteran community and is dedicated to a single purpose: veterans helping veterans.
