Change of command at Sonoma VFW

Dan Parker, right, the outgoing Commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, swears in successor Bryan Aubin in a ceremony at the Sonoma Veterans Building.

Bear Flag Post 1943 was in danger of being closed down when Parker heard the call in 2010. “As a kid, soldiers were my heroes,” said Parker. “I remember it was a big thing, how proud they were and the difference they made.”

Parker joined the Naval reserves at the age of 34. He was sent to Bahrain in September of 1990, and was stationed there for six months of active duty. Back in Sonoma, he dedicated himself to revitalizing the local VFW and making it part of the community.

At the June 1 ceremony, more than a dozen vets spoke in praise of Parker’s hard work over the years, from recruiting young members, bringing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall replica to Sonoma in 2012, staging events like the annual Bad Ass Car Show, and much more. Other 2016-2017 Post Officers include: Senior Vice Commander Mel Smith; Junior Vice Commander Drew Kettler; Quartermaster Victor Gonzalez; Adjutant Rollin Gehring; and Chaplain Tim Arensmeier.

Photos by Deborah De Martini