PAST POST COMMANDERS:
Larry Leighton, Commander: July 1, 2018 - Jun 30, 2021
Enlisted in the US Army on December 9, 1968 and completed basic training at Fort Polk, LA. Received my Reserve Officer’s commission as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery from the Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, OK on February 20, 1970. After commissioning, I received my Parachute Jump Wings at Fort Benning, GA. I was sent to Viet Nam, arriving in October, 1970 and assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the 319th Field Artillery, 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) as a Forward Observer in the 3rd Battalion, 503 Inf. I received the Purple Heart for grenade wounds received on a night assault operation on December 12, 1970.
I met and married my wife, Kay in August 1972 while stationed at Fort Campbell, KY (1971-1976). In 1988, I took command of the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Support Squadron in Nuremberg, Germany. While serving in this position, we deployed our Regiment to Saudi Arabia and took part in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1994, I took command of the 20th Area Support Group with headquarters in Taegu, South Korea in 1994 and served as that capacity until I retired on June 30, 1996.
Upon retiring, I was a Project Manager for a Supply Chain Execution Systems software development company in Orange County, CA. We moved to Corte Bella, Sun City West in 2005.
Gerry Berger: July 1, 2013 - 2018
Gerry Berger joined the US Army in 1964; in 1973 she enlisted in the Air National Guard and served until her retirement in 1999. The most rewarding job was as a First Sergeant with the Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, Phoenix AZ. I was also with the Air Force Reserve while serving in my civilian position with the Air Force assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
I learned of The American Legion from a past active member of Post 94, Ray Rodes who invited me to a meeting. I attended and immediately volunteered to assist putting up and taking down flags along R H Johnson Blvd and also helping with Flag Retirement. After just a year and a half, I was approached by Harold Stern to consider becoming a part of the Executive Board. Long story short, there was an opportunity to be elected as Commander and I began as Commander on 1 July 2013 and have been Post Commander for 5 years. I have attended every Department Convention and every Fall Conference during these years. I also have attended meetings with the North West Valley Veterans Association and have participated in the Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies at Sunland Cemetery and also placed our Post wreath during the Pearl Harbor Ceremonies at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix.
I continue to be an active member by promoting Post 94’s Pancake Breakfast fundraisers and the Memorial Boulevard of Flags event seven times each year as well as participating in ‘honors’ at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona for 4 years. I have volunteered at the Maricopa County Stand Down, the annual West Valley Massing of the Colors and I’m a volunteer at a Domestic Abuse Center in the west valley. I’m also a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Air Force Association.
Dan Reilly: 2012 - 2013
American Legion (94) Judge Advocate (2017 to 2021)
North West Valley Judge Advocate (2014 to 2017) (2019 to Present)
VFW 10695 Commander (2014 to 2016) (2018 to Present)
Member of DAV Star (24)
Retired VA Fire Department Fire Fighter (1981 to 2002)
Born in New York City
Vietnam Vet
Gene Bogatko:
Harold Stern:
Served in the US Army 1952- 1954 as a Medic and being trained in Optical school. I served at Ft Sheridan, IL, Camp Pickett, VA, and Ft Leonard Wood, MO. After service, I was employed by a vending company in Morrison, IL for 21 years. We moved to Arizona in 1981.
I joined The American Legion Post 94 in 1990 and served as Commander for five years and Adjutant for eight years. I served as District 11 Sergeant-At-Arms for one year. I was the Chef De Garde and Commander of the Forty and Eight for two years and treasurer for nine years.
I am active in the Department of Korean War Veterans having served as Department Treasurer for three years, 2nd Vice Commander for two years, and Commander for two years. I am also on the West Valley Chapter Board of Directors (2008-2009 and 2015-2017.
I was the Commander of the Northwest Valley Veterans Association for two years and the Treasurer for two years. I served 17 years in the Sun City West Posse.
I was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2008.