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David J Mason and the Monument to Major Thomas B. McGuire



Post 2485 member David J. Mason discovered the crash site of WWII P-38 pilot Major Thomas B. McGuire in January 2001 in northern Negros.

Major Thomas B. McGuire was America's second leading ace of WWII with 38 aerial victories. He was killed on Jan 7th, 1945 during a dogfight with a Japanese Ki-43 Oscar over Negros Island in the Philippines. He was posthumously awarded the nations highest award the Medal of Honor for his efforts over Clark Air Base on December 25 & 26, 1944 and for the mission in which he was killed. He was the Army Air Corps highest decorated aviator of WWII. McGuire AFB in New Jersey is named after him and he is enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame at Dayton, Ohio.

Mr. Mason spent the next 6 years planning to have the ground where Major McGuire shed his blood consecrated with a Memorial Marker. In August 2007 Mr. Mason decided on the final design layout and put his plan in motion. A local Angeles City granite works was contacted who then constructed the monument. After it was finished in January 2008 and it was transported to Manila where it was shipped to Bacolod, Negros. Mr. Mason hired some local workers to help him transport it to northern Negros. After a considerable amount of logistical difficulties the Monument was finally put in place on January 7, 2008 exactly 63 years to the day that he died. All of the costs were borne solely by Mr. Mason.

The Monument consists of a 900 kilogram limestone base rock which holds a black granite inscription plate. On the plate is displayed the Philippine and American Flags, a likeness of his Medal of Honor, a likeness of his pilot wings superimposed over a catholic cross, and two sets of inscription text. One in English and one in the local dialect. The Monument reflects the strength of the bond between Filipino's and American's, the gratitude of a grateful nation having bestowed on him it's highest award for valor, the wings of one of America's greatest pilots, his family's desire to display a symbol of his Catholic faith, and an inscription that will inspire future generations.

"A grateful Filipino nation solemnly marks this spot where American P-38 fighter pilot

MAJOR THOMAS B. MCGUIRE, Jr. was killed on January 7, 1945. It is eternally enshrined for wherever a man has shed his blood for liberty, justice, peace, and freedom there is sacred ground. The sun cannot bleach, the wind cannot blow, the rain cannot wash that sanctity away. From ground like this springs that which forever makes mankind great".

Post 2485 is very proud to have a member whose generosity and dedication brought this project to fruition in keeping with the core values of the constitution of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

If anyone is interested in reading about Mr. Mason’s quest to locate Major McGuire's crash site it can be found on http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-38/44-24845/



Fitting the plate to the stone

              Sliding the monument into position

         The whole gang

   “Mission Accomplished”


Post 2485 Commander Dale Barsy presented Community Activity awards at the February 2008 General Membership Meeting. Chaplain Ed Jernigan (L) received an award for 2,000 hours. SVC Larry Heilhecker (C) received an award for 1,000 hours, and Service Officer E. Ralph Milward (R) received an award for 1,000 hours.

INAUGURATION OF THE CAPT. COLIN P. KELLY JR.

MEMORIAL PEACE SHRINE

VFW Post 2485 was invited to participate in the inauguration of the Capt. Colin P. Kelly Memorial Peace Shrine on December 10, 2007 at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines. This was the 66th anniversary of the death of Capt. Kelly who was shot down by Japanese Zeros near Clark Field on December 8, 1941 as the Zeros returned from their bombing raid on Pearl Harbor and Capt. Kelly's plane was returning to Clark Field after sinking a Japanese cruiser off the northern coast of Luzon.

Capt. Kelly was the first American air casualty in the Pacific in WWII and has been called American's first hero of WWII for allowing the remaining survivors of his B-17 crew to bail out before he lost his life in an attempted belly landing near Clark Field.

Several hundred people attended the ceremony including VFW members, veterans and fraternal organizations in Angeles City, their guests, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S., and the local community.

Dale Barsy, Commander VFW Post 2485; Tom Treadwell, VFW Jr. Vice Commander-in-Chief; and Mariano P. Morales, Mayor of the Municipality of Mabalacat.

Jr. Vice Commander-in-Chief Treadwell and Commander Barsy at the Capt. Kelly Shrine on the grounds of the Kelly Theater named after Capt. Kelly.

There were several dignitaries shown above who spoke at the inauguration. Top row (L-R), Honorable Mariano P. Morales, Mayor of the Municipality of Mabalacat; Lt. Col. Clay Crawford, USAF, Chief U.S. Air Force Program, JUSMAG, U.S. Embassy, Manila; Mr. Tom Treadwell, Jr. Vice Commander-in-Chief, VFW; Mr. Dale Barsy, Commander VFW Post 2485. Bottom row (L-R), Mr. Liberato P. Laus, President/CEO, Clark Development Corp; Col. Alejandro T. Camagay Jr., Wing Commander, 600^th Air Base Wing, Philippine Air Force; MGen Gilbert S. Llanto, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5, Philippine Air Force; Mr. Guy Hilbero, Mabalacat Tourism Office.

Dignitaries prepare for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The 600^th Air Base Wing Honor Guard played taps and rendered a 21 gun salute.

Capt. Colin P. Kelly Jr.


		September 2007: JVC Lockhart presents a pin to Chaplain Ed Jernigan for 1000 hours of Community Service. Chaplain Jernigan had over 1200 hours of Community Service at the time

VFW Post 2485 Lays Wreath at Capas National Shrine

TThe Capas National Shrine is located at Camp O'Donnell in Capas,Tarlac, Philippines and was the first prison camp for the surviving POWs of the “Bataan Death March” at the hands of the Japanese/span>.

On April 9, 2007, Post 2485, Angeles City, Philippines, conducted a wreath laying ceremony at the Camp O'Donnell Memorial Monument on the 65^th anniversary of the surrender of the combined US and Philippine forces to the Japanese on April 9, 1942.

Distinguished visitors for the ceremony included: Jim Litton from the Battling Bastards of Bataan (BBB); Richard McMahon of the Bataan, Corregidor Defenders (BCD); Col. Alejandro T. Camagay, Wing Commander, 600th AB Wing, Clark; Lt. Col. Frederick Riker, JUSMAGPHIL, U.S. Embassy, Manila; Maj. John B. Ganancial, PAF, Director of Civil Military Operations; Members of the Virgil E. Bunao Chapter, Order of the DeMolay, Jose Abad Santos Memorial Lodge #333; Department of Pacific Areas Commander Ken Schaefer, and Department SVC Rhett Webber. Other attendees included VFW members from all Posts in District VII, veterans and fraternal organizations in Angeles City, and other guests.


	Dale Barsy, Commander, VFW Post conducted the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Capas National Shrine.		Guest speaker was the Honorable Lorenzo Manaay Jr., municipal trial judge, Cauayan Negros Occidental. His father died during the Bataan Death March.

	PFC Eufracio Bugarin, U.S. Army, 86, was a defender of Corregidor and a POW at the death camp at Camp O'Donnell. He gave an emotional account of his interment at Camp O'Donnell and the death of his father defending Corregidor.		Commander Barsy and PFC Bugarin observe the wreath laid by Commander Barsy at the Camp O' Donnell Memorial Monument built by the organization known as "The Battling Bastards of Bataan" to honor those American men who died at Camp O'Donnell, while prisoners of the Japanese.

	Members of the Virgil E. Bunao Chapter, Order of the DeMolay, Jose Abad Santos Memorial Lodge #333 laid a wreath on the Memorial for the Philippine Army.

	Comrade Steve Massie, Post 2485 and Pup Tent 15 Seam Squirrel plays taps backed by the 600th ABW Honor Guard from Clark Field.

Patriot's Pen/Voice of Democracy 2006-2007


	Patriot's Pen Winner 2006-2007 Post 2485 and District 7 Winner Lorelie Bollenback, L'Altra Montessori School, Angeles City Receiving Post 2485 Award from Post Vice Commander John Flaherty, Chairman for the Youth Essay and Voice of Democracy program. Comrade Donaldson is looking on.


	Voice of Democracy 2006-2007 Post 2485, District 7, and Department Winner Steve Albright, Faith Acedemy, Manila Receiving Post 2485 Award from Dale Barsy, Post Commander (L) Looking on are Ken Schaefer, Department Commander and Post Vice Commander John Flaherty, Chairman for the Youth Essay and Voice of Democracy program. Receiving congratulation for the Department of Pacific Areas award from Department Commander Ken Schaefer (R) Mr. Albright will receive an all expense trip to Washington D.C. to compete in the National Voice of Democracy scholarship program competition.


	Commander Barsy accepts a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Post 2485 presented by Comrade Donaldson from Chapter 46 of the Special Forces Association for the Post's contribution to the 2006 Med Cap program for underprivileged children in Angeles City.

Comrade John Welsh presents donations to Children's Operation Fund Chairman, Cliff Wilsey from the Disabled American Veterans (P8,500), the Special Forces Association (P2,500.00), and the Vietnam Veterans Association (P3,000.00) for the Children's Operation Fund in the name of the recently deceased Post member Bill Lyon.

Eduardo Rubio Jr., Clark Cemetery Supervisor, received an Award of Special Recognition from the American Legion, Philippine Department, Manila for his outstanding assistance arranging the Special Memorial Service for Maurice Keith Fortune held at Clark Cemetery, 27 October 2006.



	Jr. Past Commander, Al Mitchell (R) pins and congratulates incoming 2006-2007 Post Commander Dale Barsy.		Champions of the 2005 Thursday Pool League The VFW Post 2485 sponsored team won the championship of the Thursday Pool League on December 23, 2005 defeating My Bar 8-4. Members of the championship team are (L-R) Cliff Wilsey, Bob Zaher, Craig Higginbottom, Vern Isip, Tony Power, Steve Vinitski, and Dave Evessen.

Veterans Day 2005

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The invited speakers participated in the 2005 Veterans Day wreath laying at Clark Cemetery. They are (L-R), Col. Valdehueza, representing Gen. Llanto, 600 Air Base Wing, Philippine Air Force; LtCol Donald R. Van Dine, USAF, Joint United States Military Assistance Group Philippines, representing the U.S. Embassy; Mr. Philip Panlilio Vice President of Clark Development Corporation; Mayor Marino Morales of Mabalact; Albert Mitchell, Commander Post 2485; Mr. Tolentino, Angeles City Engineer, representing Mayor Tarzan Lazatin Angeles City.

Several hundred visitors attended the Veterans Day ceremonies at Clark Cemetery including VFW members, families, and friends representing District VII and the local community. The 600 Air Base Wing, Philippine Air Force provided the band and honor guard for the Veterans Day ceremonies.


Nearly 300 meals were served at the Veterans Day picnic at the Post 2485 Post Home as the participants enjoyed live music provided by the Rhythm Aces.	Raffle Chairman Cliff Wilsey draws the winning numbers for 50,000 pesos in cash prizes. The raffle raised more than $5,000 for the Post and its many projects.


	VFW Post Post librarian Monaliza Dagpin shows off the Paul F. Flaherty Memorial Library dedicated to the memory of the decorated combat veteran who made a substantial donation to the Post. The Library lends books, DVDs, VCDs, and VHS videos to members for nominal fees.

VFW Post 2485 donations provided funds for mosquito spraying to prevent Dengue fever at local elementary schools. Anunias Elementary School, Malibanias Elementary School, Sapangbato Elementary School, and Tacondo Elementary School were sprayed in August 2005.

Senior Vice Commander (SVC) Dale Barsy attends the groundbreaking dedication of the Capt. Colin P. Kelly Jr. Peace Memorial Shrine in Mabalacat, Pampanga on 15 June 2005 to honor a legendary American pilot for his heroism in fighting the Japanese soldiers and saving many locals during WWII. The location of the shrine is believed to be where Capt Kelly was shot down on 10 December 1941. Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales is seen conversing with SVC Barsy in the photo in the upper right and is shown 2nd to right in the photo in the lower right. Mabalacat chief of police Supt. Renato Soria is shown on the left side of the photos in the upper left and lower left. Mrs Barsy is shown next to SVC Barsy in the lower photos.


	Senior Vice Commander Dale Barsy poses in front of hole sponsored by Post 2485 for the 3rd annual Leonard Wood Masonic Lodge #105 charity Golf Tournament, 21 April 2005.

Installation of 2005-2006 Officers
Conducted by Past Commander Jerry Prinz
Post Home
May 20, 2005

Patriot's Pen Winner 2004-2005 Post 2485 and District 7 Winner
U.S. Citizen Category
Emilie Ann Clark
Receiving Post 2485 Award from Post Commander Al Mitchell (L)
Receiving District 7 Award from District Surgeon Jim Correll (R)
Manila International Middle School
Paul Passamonte, Principal
Susan Aquilar, Patriot's Pen Coordinator

Patriot's Pen Winner 2004-2005
Post 2485 and District 7 Winner
Non-U.S. Citizen Category
Pendor Lhendrup
Receiving Post 2485 Award from Post Commander Al Mitchell (L)
Receiving District 7 Award from District Surgeon Jim Correll (R)
Manila International Middle School
Paul Passamonte, Principal
Susan Aquilar, Patriot's Pen Coordinator

Voice of Democracy 2004-2005
Post 2485 and District 7 Winner
John G. Garcia
L'Altra Montessori School, Angeles City
Presented by Dale Barsy, Chairman for Youth Essay and Voice of Democracy
Looking on are Al Mitchell, Post 2485 Commander,
Jerry Prinz, Past District 7 Commander, Mr. Garcia's family,
and school administration

VFW Post 2484 donated a 132 gallon water tank and a 2 HP motor to Malabanias Elementary School, Angeles City, Philippines, February 2005


David J Mason and the Monument to Major Thomas B. McGuire


Post 2485 member David J. Mason discovered the crash site of WWII P-38 pilot Major Thomas B. McGuire in January 2001 in northern Negros. Major Thomas B. McGuire was America's second leading ace of WWII with 38 aerial victories. He was killed on Jan 7th, 1945 during a dogfight with a Japanese Ki-43 Oscar over Negros Island in the Philippines. He was posthumously awarded the nations highest award the Medal of Honor for his efforts over Clark Air Base on December 25 & 26, 1944 and for the mission in which he was killed. He was the Army Air Corps highest decorated aviator of WWII. McGuire AFB in New Jersey is named after him and he is enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Mason spent the next 6 years planning to have the ground where Major McGuire shed his blood consecrated with a Memorial Marker. In August 2007 Mr. Mason decided on the final design layout and put his plan in motion. A local Angeles City granite works was contacted who then constructed the monument. After it was finished in January 2008 and it was transported to Manila where it was shipped to Bacolod, Negros. Mr. Mason hired some local workers to help him transport it to northern Negros. After a considerable amount of logistical difficulties the Monument was finally put in place on January 7, 2008 exactly 63 years to the day that he died. All of the costs were borne solely by Mr. Mason. The Monument consists of a 900 kilogram limestone base rock which holds a black granite inscription plate. On the plate is displayed the Philippine and American Flags, a likeness of his Medal of Honor, a likeness of his pilot wings superimposed over a catholic cross, and two sets of inscription text. One in English and one in the local dialect. The Monument reflects the strength of the bond between Filipino's and American's, the gratitude of a grateful nation having bestowed on him it's highest award for valor, the wings of one of America's greatest pilots, his family's desire to display a symbol of his Catholic faith, and an inscription that will inspire future generations. "A grateful Filipino nation solemnly marks this spot where American P-38 fighter pilot MAJOR THOMAS B. MCGUIRE, Jr. was killed on January 7, 1945. It is eternally enshrined for wherever a man has shed his blood for liberty, justice, peace, and freedom there is sacred ground. The sun cannot bleach, the wind cannot blow, the rain cannot wash that sanctity away. From ground like this springs that which forever makes mankind great". Post 2485 is very proud to have a member whose generosity and dedication brought this project to fruition in keeping with the core values of the constitution of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. If anyone is interested in reading about Mr. Mason’s quest to locate Major McGuire's crash site it can be found on http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-38/44-24845/

	Fitting the plate to the stone	Sliding the monument into position	The whole gang “Mission Accomplished”


	Post 2485 Commander Dale Barsy presented Community Activity awards at the February 2008 General Membership Meeting. Chaplain Ed Jernigan (L) received an award for 2,000 hours. SVC Larry Heilhecker (C) received an award for 1,000 hours, and Service Officer E. Ralph Milward (R) received an award for 1,000 hours.