VFW Post Commander dedicated to veterans

Richard “Rick” Arvonio traces veterans in his family to the Civil War when his great great grandfather, Georg Pantle, an immigrant from Germany, served in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in 1861. Great Uncle Robert Strzempek joined the Army at 16, having lied about his age, and died in France Oct. 19, 1918 during World War I, just weeks before the Armistice. Arvonio’s father and four uncles and a cousin served in World War II while two uncles were in Korea. Arvonio spent time in Vietnam.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to serve,” he says at VFW Post 7288 in Calabash, N.C. where he is Commander. ”This Post is here because of veterans.”

He will preside over the Post’s Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 and remind members and guests that the millions of men and women who served in the military, and continue to serve, preserved the freedom that we enjoy.

Arvonio, who grew up in Endicott, N.Y., joined the Navy through its 120-Day Cache program that allowed him to sign up in May 1969 as a 17-year old high school student. He then graduated in June, turned 18 in July and went to boot camp in September.

“Boot camp is an eye-opener,” he says, and explains that the training develops men and women into responsible individuals. He had hoped to serve on an aircraft carrier, but he knew Morse code from his Boy Scout days, so the Navy assigned him to be a communications technician.

One of his most memorable experiences during his four years active service was time on the destroyer USS Mullinnix. “The comforts of home don’t exist [on a ship],” he says, remembering the small, tight spaces the 290 on board shared. At the same time, he says if the Navy allowed him and others to go back again on a cruise, “We all say, we’d do it in a heartbeat.”

His proudest moment during his military days was when the Mullinnix pulled into port at Norfolk, Va. after leaving Vietnam. Although his family members weren’t able to be there to greet him, he felt the exhilaration the welcoming crowd expressed. “We came back to the U.S.,” he says.

Once home he spent six years on active reserve duty and worked for IBM for six months and began as a part-time clerk at the U.S. Postal Service in Binghamton, N.Y. He worked up the ranks at USPS to become director of product management at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. His career spanned 34 years before he retired in 2007.

Arvonio and his wife, Faye, moved from Alexandria, Va. to Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. in 2009, and membership in the VFW was important to them.

Faye, a life member of the auxiliary, joined the Calabash Post group, and Rick, also a VFW life member, joined the Post, which has more than 1,000 members, including the auxiliary and the men’s auxiliary.

“This is not just a canteen,” Arvonio says. “Our job is to help veterans and their families.” He says the Post has redirected its funds so donations only support organizations that dedicate 85 percent or more to veterans’ needs. “I would remind people to never forget the sacrifices so many men and women have made since the inception of this country, especially those who gave their lives,” he says. “Veterans made sacrifices to protect our freedom.”

He emphasizes that Post 7288 is an all-volunteer organization, and he has embraced the duties of Commander with gusto.

“He gives energy to us,” says Post member Bob Stocklin of Ocean Isle Beach. “He has done great things for this organization, and we’re thankful for it.”

In response Arvonio explains he created new ways of raising funds to improve the post, which made changes possible.

Jack Goin of Calabash, past Commander of the Post and past North Carolina VFW state Commander, says Arvonio asked a lot of questions and learned how the Post operates. “He’s a big asset to our Post and wants to help veterans in the community,” he says.

“This is a rewarding position,” Arvonio says.

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 9:47 AM with the headline "VFW Post Commander dedicated to veterans."