Paul Riepe takes on duties of VFW Post 2271 Commander

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by Fairfield resident John Miller, who interviewed the new Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2271 Commander Paul Riepe. Riepe and all VFW officers serve as volunteers. The questions will appear in bold.

John Miller: First, congratulations Paul on your recent position of VFW Post 2271 Commander. What can you tell of the history of the Post here in Fairfield?

Paul Riepe: The VFW was founded in 1899. Here, it goes back to 1919. It was not officially incorporated until August 1943 and named Dimmitt-Vorhies Post after two local servicemen who were killed in action in WWI - Clifford Dimmitt and Clifford Vorhies. It used to be in what is now Morningstar Studio, second floor, on the east side of the square. Danielson Motors (a Dodge, Desoto, and Plymouth dealership) used to own the building that we're in now, on 121 East Broadway.

Among other services, we place over 500 flags on the city square each Memorial Day and Veterans Day. We also have been doing it on July 4th sometimes.

What is the main purpose of the Post?

To help anyone - whether a war veteran or not - to let them socialize, play pool, have meetings. We also provide funeral receptions for anyone (not only military), and a safe place for anyone who feels abused. We can get help for them. If they need to get out of the cold or heat, we're open as a temporary refuge site for them.

People also can purchase flags from us. We dispose of old flags for anyone who'd care to bring them in to us. We have a Wall of Heroes for anyone who'd care to bring in a photo of themselves or a military family member. It doesn't matter where they're from.

Do you come from a family of military veterans?

My brother-in-law was killed in action in Vietnam. He's honored on the rock in Brighton (Craig Emry).

Is this your first time to serve as commander?

Yes. I began serving in August of 2019. Dan Callahan had to quit for medical reasons.

How's it been going?

It's a challenge. We're trying to reach more veterans and let them know about services, especially disability for service-related problems. We help veterans file such claims.

Is it hard to get new members?

Yes. They just seem to feel ashamed to come in. We can help them, though, if they do.

What was your own military service?

At the end of my junior year in high school, I got pneumonia. When I then came back to Fairfield, they told me I couldn't play football. So I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1959-63, as a structural mechanic (aviation) for P-2V aircraft. We kept the Soviets out of the area of the last atomic tests in the South Pacific.

I returned to military duty in 1966 until 1982. When I re-enlisted at that time, it was as an aviation electronics technician. I then went to Vietnam, U-Tapao Thailand, and the Philippines. We covered big ships, doing surveillance of 'gun runners” that brought weapons from North to South Vietnam. We destroyed 400,000 metric tons of shipping over the span of seven months, 1967-68.

Then, 1968-82, we were stationed in Italy, Spain, Iceland, Puerto Rico, San Diego (making training aids for oceanography), Guam, Switzerland, Norway, England, Scotland, Germany, Diego Garcia, Vietnam again (1974) - you name it.

Near the end of my duty in the 1980's, I served as a recruiter in the U.S. A lot of what I did was classified service.

Was it rewarding?

Yes - I miss it. I miss flying more than anything.

Do you see any new directions for the Post?

We'd like to reach out to new younger members.

Miller: I'd like to see some veterans get on board with a few veteran service opportunities that we recently have offered locally. Retired Senior Volunteer Program/United Way is sponsoring them. Although they are for veteran volunteers over age 55, a veteran of any age may serve.

These are: 1) Veterans in the Classroom, 2) a pen pal correspondence (by old fashioned paper letters), and 3) an opportunity to be interviewed for the Library of Congress Veteran History Project.

Of course, there are other opportunities, as you know, Paul, such as volunteers helping place the flags on the Square twice each year, or serving as an officer for the Post. But we already have five veterans on board with this new project, so interest is growing. Veterans can make a strong impression on high school students by sharing their stories. (Any veteran reading this may contact Miller for information: (641) 919-4242 or email j.miller@wapellocouw.org.)

Riepe: That sounds good; sign me up. Besides sharing my own military experiences, for what they may be worth, I'd also like to work with a program that helps get a support group going in the high school to learn about finances - how to use a credit card, checking account, how to manage money in moderation - not making big purchases.

We also can help veterans, a lot of whom have PTSD. They need to talk about it. They try to forget about everything but it doesn't help to do that. It can help just to come to the Post and get it off your chest for a while. It helps to air things out. Sometimes spouses of servicemen need to talk about things as well. They don't understand what the PTSD issues are about.

VFW is one of several military support agencies; they all provide somewhat similar services-Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Amvets are examples. DAV really helped me, for example, by supporting me at the VA.

Miller: Thanks Paul. You've done so much traveling and service in the Navy as well as service with our local VFW post that your story should be inspiring for many others. The Post may be reached by phone at 641-472-9282 seven days a week, usually after 3 p.m.