VFW Post 1002 celebrates its centennial

Both Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford and the former national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars touted Nov. 19 the importance of the local VFW Post 1002 which celebrated its centennial with speeches and proclamations.

When the post was first chartered in 1922, Fallon was a small community with a population under 2,000. Many members who were part of the ceremony 100 years ago had fought during World War I.

Post 1002 Cmdr. John Henry Schoemeier welcomed the guests to the celebration including Tedford and John Stroud, the first national VFW commander who hailed from Nevada.

“In recognition of 100 years of service to our nation, our community and our veterans, we are gathered here to pay special tribute to our post home,” he said. “This is a day of great significance as we look back over the last 100 years and recall a richly rewarding service to Fallon veterans as well as to our entire community.”

Schoemeier said members who belong to Post 1002 have served their country in foreign wars around the world. He then elaborated on the camaraderie of veterans and their relationships with the communities they serve.

Tedford congratulated the post on its centennial and also introduced Councilwoman Karla Kent, whose grandfather was a charter member of the Fallon post. The mayor said his father served during World War II in the Pacific Theater and Philippines, achieving a rank of major, and he said his father strongly encouraged respect for the military. He also said the main section of the VFW post was once the Fallon City Hall before a new building for city services was constructed in the 1930s.

“We were always taught as young kids to support the military, support our servicemen and women who served our country, and I try to do that throughout my life,” Tedford said, adding his administration has adopted the mantra of supporting seniors, youth and veterans.

In his proclamation, Tedford said the post has continually served the local veterans' community through its programs such as Veterans Affairs assistance, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppies, community service activities, medical equipment issued to those in need and support of local community events.

Tedford also described the backgrounds on the two soldiers for whom Post 1002 is named: Pvt. Alexander Silva and Maj. Gen. Henry W. Lawton.

Silva, who entered the Army in Fallon in 1917, was killed in a battle in France on July 18, 1918. Born in Portugal, Silva came to the United States as a boy with his parents. The Army assigned Silva to two infantry companies after he arrived in Europe on July 18, 1918, the first day of the Aisne-Marne offensive.

Lawton rose through the ranks after the Civil War, beginning as a second lieutenant with the 41st infantry to general at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Lawton died on Dec. 15, 1899, in the Philippines when a bullet struck him in the chest. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Tedford said VFW Post 1002 has built a proud past for both the nation and city.

Stroud, who served as national VFW commander in 2014-15, lives in Hawthorne. The U.S. Air Force veteran, who has served the VFW as Nevada Department Commander and chairman of the National Veterans Service Committee. Stroud served in military from 1976-93, including a tour in the Republic of Korea in 1992-93.

“This truly is an historic occasion,” Stroud said of the centennial celebration.

Stroud offered a brief history of the VFW in Nevada and said Fallon chartered the second post in Nevada. In 1937 after chartering the 10th post, Nevada received its state charter.

Throughout VFW District 4 in Nevada, Stroud said many charted posts are still open including those in Tonopah, Hawthorne and Mina.

Stroud, in speaking for the national VFW, presented the Century Award to Post 1002 for exceptional service since 1922.

C.J. Schulz, District 4 commander, also attended the ceremony.

“It means a lot to the state and district as Fallon’s one of the oldest posts in Nevada,” Schulz said.

Schulz noted the posts in District 4 have organized many programs for the youth such as essay and speech contests and recognition for educators who teach American ideals in their curriculum.

“This post and the one in Hawthorne organize many events for our local communities,” he added.