HISTORY OF OUR POST
Leland VFW Post 12196 & Auxiliary
910-408-1934
https://www.facebook.com/profile
Mayor's Choice "Citizen of the Year 2020"
All-State 2022, 2023, 2024
All-American 2022, 2023, 2024
Top Ten Post 2023
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
CURRENT
OFFICES:
SUCCESSES
Commander: Gerald Decker-Navy
Sr. Vice Commander: Chris Mattiace-Army
Jr. Vice Commander-Chris Pilloton-Air Force
Quartermaster: Jim Koslosky-Navy
Chaplain- Lou Tranzillo-Army
Adjutant- Frank Steele-Marine
Service Officer- Mike Howe-Army
Surgeon- John Albertson-Army
Trustee-Patty Kelley-Air Force
Trustee-Kobe Kelley- Navy
Trustee-Don Spaulding- Navy
Supply Officer-John Marone-Air Force
2020-21 # 4 Nationally 200% Growth
2021-22 # 49 Nationally 118.75 Growth
2022-23 # 11 Nationally 126.31% Growth
OUR VCAP BOARD
Jim Koslosky - VFW Post 12196 Leland NC Quartmaster - Former US Navy Electronics Technician, 1969-1975, has served at a variety of bases and ships, including a brief tour in Vietnam with the Naval Advisory Group. Now retired, dedicating my time to actively support the VCAP program as well as the VFW in Leland and surrounding areas in helping those "brothers and sisters" who are in need of our support in various ways.
John Marone-VFW Post 12196 Surgeon, John was born and raised in New York and moved to Leland, North Carolina in 2014.
Before retiring, John was the Executive Vice President and Partner for one of the largest interior construction companies in the country and responsible for the NY operation. His responsibilities included overseeing the Estimating and Sales, Project Management and Field Operations, along with the Purchase and Logistics.
John retired after 38 years and moved to Leland, NC with his wife of 38 years and their daughter. John has three other children, one living in Virginia and two in New York. John is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Pine Valley Methodist Church.
Can Drive
Coat Drive
Vietnam War Era Veterans Commemoration
4th of July walk
Korean War Era Breakfast
National Day of Remembrance
National POW/MIA observance
Memorial Day Ceremony/ with the Town of Belville
Charter Ceremony
Tuesday Veterans Coffee
4th Tuesday Dinners
Quilt of Valor Presentation
Food/Fundraiser to help homeless and those in need
Veterans Day Parade
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Holiday food donations to LMS Thanksgiving and Christmas
Multiple Membership Drives
Belville Fall Festival
Belville Founder’s Day
Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Chamber Car Expo
All-State and All-American-3-peat