Jim Heller, Adjutant: - July 1, 2013 - Present
I served in the United States Air Force for 27 years, as a Jet Engine Mechanic/Technician. Married to Anne from July 9, 1960 to present and have 3 now young adults with 8 Grandchildren. All in the US scattered from CA to NC. We are from Connecticut, and love to go back home during harvest time, something that is in-breaded in New Englanders. We have lived in Arizona for just about 37 years and we continue to work on our native status. We came to Arizona from Ramstien AFB Germany. Not the last base we were stationed at but a great place.
I entered the USAF on June 28, 1954, took boot training at Sampson AFB on Lake Geneva NY. Next duty station McConnell AFB Wichita KS. September 20, 1954. Chanute Field at Rantoul IL for Jet Engine School. Than it was to Chaumont Fr, for a 3 year tour, 1958 I was stationed at Loring AFB Me., due to reenlist in November 1962, but did not get my base of choice so opted-out. Four years later after securing my Barber License (Thru the GI Bill) I reenlisted and shipped to Otis AFB MA (On the Cape). In 1969 I was on my way to Hickam AFB Hi. It seemed Air Weather Service had a fleet of B47, with no one to keep them flying. We took home movies of Apollo 11 thru 13. I spent 4 year at Hickam AFB. Soon the B47 were replaced by WC 130 and 135. I had a spare 135 engine and used it on President Nixon’s fleet; on his way to China in 1970. We were due to get out of Hawaii in March 1972, but held over for another year to help stop the Gold drain so, left March, 1973. Went to Westover AFB MA, I was there just long enough to get my family settled, when I was shipped to Guam AFB on operation (Bullet Shot) May 1973. Six months later I picked my family up and headed for Littlerock AFB AR 1974/75 Left there for Karat AFB Thailand. Got family settled in CT. and I was on my way, 1976. After Karat it was back to Loring AFB ME. My daughter was born, and there was nothing easy about that. September 1977, I was on my way to Ramstien AFB GR. Command sponsored but no room at the inn. In 3 Mo’s had a place at Ramstien, the city, over a Guest House. Picked my family up at Rian Main AFB and got them settled. Shortly after that we moved to Vogel Way an, old German Army Base I was the building manager; a head ache. Nothing fit or worked with-out an adapter kit. 1980 and two moves later we were on our way to Luke AFB AZ. No 4 bed room so move into a small home 89th AVE and IS. Shortly, we moved to Luke, 1980, and settled down until we bought at Villa De Paz, 1982, 107th Ave and IS. In 1984 I was on my way to Eglin AFB; the 33rd fighter Wing, Nice Ville, FL. 1 ½ years later I was on to Nellis AFB NV. The 57th OT&E and retired on December 31, 1985 effective on January 1, 1986.
I continued to be active after retirement; I was on the pool committee at Villa de Paz for 10. Architectural chair and president of the HOA at Desert Harbor for 6 years, and was a Posse man, in the Sheriffs Posse for 14 years in Sun City West. I am currently a member of the Post Honor Guard.
Paul Van Rooy, Chaplain: July 1, 2020 - Present
I enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, 32nd Infantry Division in March of 1957. I started my career as a machine gunner in a rifle company. After 2 years the Division was reorganized into the 32nd Infantry Brigade and I was assigned to a Combat Support Company in the 127th Infantry Battalion. I served as a surveyor in the Headquarters Section of the company. I was in that unit from March 1957 until March of 1963 during which time the Brigade was activated for the Berlin Crisis by President Kennedy. We spent 10 months on active duty at Fort Lewis Washington from October 1961 to August 1962. Having met my military obligation. I was discharged in March 1963.
After completing my BS degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1966, I spent 33 years working for the State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce retiring in April 1999. During that time, I reenlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard In 1973 in the 132nd Support Battalion and served until 1990, retiring as the First Sergeant with 23 years of service.
I was a member of American Legion Post 360 in Waunakee Wisconsin for five years before retiring to Sun City West, Arizona in March 2016. I transferred to Post 94 shortly after and have been a member ever since that time. I am a member of the Post 94 Honor Guard, and I was recently appointed Post Chaplin. I also volunteer at the pancake breakfasts and am a member of the team that puts the flags up on R.H. Johnson Blvd.