York Memorial Post 634, VFW

This morning, Dec. 26th, a number of York VFW Post 634 members met at Frank Rose's Restaurant in Greigsville for breakfast with M/Sgt Tracy Semmel, who has recently returned from duty in Iraq. M/Sgt Semmel was one of the first Vets to receive Comfort Care packages from the York Post, and he wanted to thank them for starting and carrying on the program of sending packages to overseas Veterans from the area. He said that receiving the packages was awelcome relief from the day to day activities of his assignment as the Head of a Maintenance Unit.

M/Sgt Semmel then presented an Iraqi Freedom Flag to the Post, as a thank you for their sending the packages, and as a symbol of the Freedom which the Iraqi people are beginning to enjoy, through the efforts of the United States Government and the Soldiers, Marines, Air and Navy personnel serving in that area. The Flag was gratefully accepted by Commander Paul Klock and Chaplain Joe Vogel who is Chairman of the program for the Post.

M/Sgt Semmel is the son of Butch and Alice Semmel of North Street in Caledonia, and will be returning soon to his home in central Texas, for reassignment.

The Presentation of the Flag

(L to R) Steve Gates, M/Sgt Semmel, Carmen Gallo, Joe Vogel, Paul Klock, Tom Tiede, and Tracy's Dad Butch Semmel.

(L to R) Robert, M/Sgt Tracy, Butch and Tracy's son, Travis Semmel

Submitted by Chaplain Joe Vogel

2005 Christmas Tree Sales Images
Click the image below to enlarge


We are located between The Barn and Cooks	Just a few of the 100 trees that we have available.	Tom and Carman selling one of the trees.	The tree after Joe delivered it.

Night view of our sales office	Bob & Paul	Stan and Carmen	Carmen, Tom and our trusty heater.

YORK MEMORIAL POST 634
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
BOX 204, YORK, NEW YORK    14592

FORMATION OF CHAPTER 634, YORK VFW

In the fall of 1982, a number of Veterans in the York area, representing all wars from World War II up to the present, decided to attempt to form a Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.   The requirements for joining the VFW were that the Veteran had to have served in an overseas location, and during the time of an armed conflict. It has always been a disappointment for many Vets who have served in a location that made them eligible for membership, but who had not been there between actual dates, which were required for membership.   Many missed the actual date by on a few days, but the dates listed on the Veteran’s DD214 Form were the defining statistic.

With the assistance of Arthur Koch III of Wayland who was National Deputy Chief of Staff, (and who since has held almost every office up to and including State Commander) the men made the application for a Charter, and after their qualifications were approved. the Charter was granted on December 12th, 1982.    Meetings were held at the York Town Hall and in early January 1983 Art Koch again came down from Wayland, to preside at the first meeting. The first order of business was to elect Officers, who would conduct meetings from then on.   Based on records of our present Adjutant, Tom Tiede, the following officers were elected:

Commander - George Spezzano Senior Vice Comdr.. - Richard Gilg

Junior Vice Comdr.. - Arthur Moore Adjutant - Paul Weeks

Quartermaster - John Abplanalp Chaplain - Andrew Schwan

Surgeon - James Parks Trustee - Richard McDaniels

The full list of Charter Members is as follows:

Name

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The reason is not known, but George Spezzano never conducted a meeting and Richard Gilg moved up to Commander in September , with Arthur Moore moving to Senior Vice, and Richard McDaniels becoming Junior Vice.   Sadly, shortly after becoming Commander, Richard Gilg passed away, to be replaced by Senior Vice Arthur Moore. with Richard McDaniels becoming Senior Vice and was replaced by John Craft at Junior Vice. At the April 1983 meeting, it was voted to move the meetings to the Capa Lounge in Retsof.   Meetings were held there until October 1987, when they were moved to the present location, the York Sportsmen’s Club on Craig Road East in York.