On Wednesday, May 20, the Newtown VFW Post 308 inducted new officers for the 2015-16 term. Walter Dolan became the new post commander. Mr Dolan served in the US Army in the Military Police Corps, and was overseas during Desert Storm. At the Newtown VFW, he served as post junior vice commander and adjutant.

Mr Dolan created and maintains a website and Facebook page for the VFW Post 308. He co-chaired the Post and District 1 Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy Essay Competitions. He was also District 1 junior vice commander, and continues to serve as VFW state webmaster.

Mr Dolan takes over from James Rebman, who served for the past three years as Newtown post commander. During his tenure, Mr Rebman worked to created a new team of members to make the Newtown Post one of the best in the state. He promoted Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy competitions within the local school district, and supported Moore Oklahoma Disaster and Sandy Hook Relief efforts. He set in place needed improvements and repairs for the Post facilities and grounds. The Newtown Post invites other organizations in town with similar missions to join in community events.

In addition to post commander, Mr Rebman served as the Department of Connecticut VFW, state surgeon. He is moving up to become the District 1 commander. Mr Rebman served in the US Navy onboard submarines, and later retired from the US Air Force. He had combat deployments to Qatar, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Other officers inducted at the VFW this year are Ray Wisniewski, senior vice commander; Jay Gill, junior vice commander and service officer; Jim Lewis, quarter master; Donna Monteleone Randle, chaplain and adjutant; Ray Hoeston, judge advocate; and Dan Kearns as surgeon.