HISTORY OF OUR POST

The Post was founded by Gerald Decker with the assistance of Don Spaulding. VFW Post 12196 was Chartered on January 19, 2020. We had one meeting before we had to close up shop due to Covid-19. We managed to hold it together after teaching everyone how to use Zoom. Our next in person meeting was January 2021. However, our hard work of starting VFW programs and
community service led to us receiving the Mayor’s Choice of Citizen of the Year for 2020. As a new VFW year started in July 2021,we were operational and began to implement programs that led to us receiving the first of three straight All-American and All-State Awards. We continue to rank among the top VFW posts our size in member gain and community service each
year.

In 2024, we implemented a Veterans Creative Arts Program to work with veterans and first responders who live with the effects of job related post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. The effort began as a recommendation from State Senator Bill Rabon. We accepted the challenge.

Post 12196 incorporated a separate entity, Veterans Creative Arts Program (VCAP), under the leadership of Post 12196. Cammeron Batanides was selected to be the Chief Operating Office of VCAP.

Our application for recognition as a non-profit 501(C)3 for VCAP is pending.

Past Commanders:
Gerald Decker 2020-2021
Jason Gaver 2021-2022
Gerald Decker 2022-2023
Nate Pringle 2023-2024