Larry Fulcher, Sergeant-At-Arms: July 1, 2019 - Present
In 1967, after receiving my draft notice, I enlisted for three years with tours in Korea and U.S. Army Drill Sergeant at Fort Lewis, Washington. After discharge in 1970, returning back to college. I earned a commission at the University of California, Los Angeles Army Reserve Officer Candidate.
In 1975, I received a Master of Social Work degree from California State University, Fresno, and reported back to active duty as a Social Work officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After serving my active duty obligation in 1977, I served four years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
In 1981, I received a direct commission as a Medical Service Corp officer reporting to the Naval Regional Medical Center, Pensacola, Florida, as the first active duty social work officer. In November 1983, Head Social Work / Family Advocacy Department, Camp Pendleton, California. In 1987, Officer in Charge of Naval Medical Command, West Coast Equal Opportunity Detachment, Treasure Island, California.
Reported in 1992 as the Head of the Social Work Department, U.S. Naval Medical Center, San Diego. During that tour, I earned an MBA in Human Resource Management.
After retiring from the USN in 2001, I had several jobs in health and mental care services. In 2013, my second retirement, and moved to Sun City West. I am active with the Corte Bella Vet group and NWVVA.
Rodney Martinson, Trustee and Scout Chair: 2020 - Present
Ruth Kanaley, Trustee 2023 - Present
I took my oath as an Officer in the United States Air Force, Nurse Corps, on Halloween Day in 1989. I would spend the next twenty-one years dedicated to the service of my country. I was born and raised in the small town of Parsippany, New Jersey. I can remember as a child how I always wanted to be a nurse: to take care of people and make them better. A child’s dream, but that dream was attainable. Through hard work and dedication, I completed my nursing education in 1973, and so my career as a professional nurse began and lasted 45 years.
Continuing with my civilian nursing, as previously stated, in 1989, I was simultaneously committed to the military. In March of 1990, I completed the Military Indoctrination for Medical Service Officers at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas. In August of the same year, I attended the Flight Nurse Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. On August 3, 1990, I completed the Flight Nurse Course at the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, and was awarded the Basic Flight Nurse Badge. Once returning to my unit at McGuire AFB in New Jersey, I was “fast-tracked “ to upgrade to a fully qualified Flight Nurse due to the current state of affairs and preparation for Desert Shield. By January 1991, an International Coalition for Allied Forces led by the United States began Operation Desert Storm. Later that month, I was activated to Washington, D.C., for the duration of the Gulf War. In 1992, I was promoted to Major. Between 1992 and 1995, I participated in over 10 Humanitarian Missions during the Bosnian-Herzegovina Campaign while concurrently studying for Flight Nurse Instructor up-grade. For the next five years, I flew weekly missions to Europe and participated in worldwide missions in the strategic aeromedical evacuation system on the C-141 aircraft. At this time, I attained 1000 flight hours and became a member of the Lockheed C-141 Club. After seven years of service, I achieved my Senior Flight Nurse Wings. Approaching the ten-year mark, I knew a decision had to be made. “Do I stay or do I go “. …l stayed!! I got promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, then proceeded to engross myself in the upgrade process of Flight Examiner. These missions once again would take me to the European Continent and many long flight hours. The turn of the century brought many new challenges.
The unexpected events of September 11, 2001, activated me for Operation Noble Eagle. Reported to McGuire AFB and went to work without delay, working up to 15 hours daily. Before leaving the flying unit, I reached 1,998.1 total flight hours and flew 479 total sorties. In 2003, after becoming a member of the 514th Aeromedical Staging Facility, I was immediately mobilized and deployed to support the War on Terrorism, Enduring Freedom/ Iraqi Freedom Campaigns. I was deployed as Chief Nurse of a 100-bed Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. I was an officer in charge of 24 nurses and 68 medical technicians. During the nine months overseas, the unit administered medical attention and aid to over36,000 wounded troops, National Diplomats, and coalition forces. At the completion of the mission, I was awarded “The German Award of Excellence “ and the wearing of the Wings.
I moved to Sun City West in 2020, transferring my American Legion membership from Post 903 in Tobyhanna, Pa, to Post 94. I have been an American Legion member with 25 years of continuous years of service. Since joining the Post, I have become an active member, willing to dedicate myself and my time to those in need whenever and wherever possible.
Rudy Gome, Public Relations 2023 - Present