Officers
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Ed McNulty Captain Ed is a US Navy Veteran who served from November 1959 – November 1961 on the USS Gyatt DDG1, the US Navy’s first Guided Missile Destroyer. He is the 1st Vice Commander and Finance Officer for Post 8 as well as Past Post Commander. |
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Herman Glenn 1st Lieutenant Herman has been a member of the SAL for over 8 years. He gained eligibility through his father, Clifford Glenn, who served in the Army during WWII. Clifford went on to serve in the Marines and Coast Guard, receiving honorable discharges from both. Herman is semi-retired, which allows him to be more active with his immediate family as well as his Legion Family. He is the Commander for Sqadron 8 as well as Director of Post 8’s American Legion Riders Chapter. Herman also serves as the chairman for the 7th District American Legion Riders. |
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Dan Heier 2nd Lieutenant Dan has been a member of the Sons of the American Legion for over 10 years He gained eligibility though his father’s military service as a Private 1st Class in the US Army during WWII. He was introduced to the Legion through his neighbor that was a Past Commander at American Legion Post 4 in Lakeland, Florida. Dan was a member of Squadron 4 for two years before transferring to Squadron 8 in Winter Haven. He has been the Adjutant for 5 years and is past 1st Vice Commander. He has been a member of Post 8’s Honor Guard for four years and has served as the Director for the past 3 years. Dan is also the Commander for District 7’s SAL. |
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Rick Brown 1st Lieutenant Quartermaster |
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Ron Wlodarczak Chaplain Ron Wlodarczak, an Army Veteran, served as a medic in Viet Nam. He has been a member of Post 8’s Honor Guard for over 40 years. |
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Connie Wallace 1st Sergeant |
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John Paye, JR Warrant Officer Finance |
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Fred Knippenberg Director
Fred Knippenberg is a US Army Veteran and a US Navy Veteran, having spent 5 years in the Navy Reserves from 1955-1960 and Active Army for 3 years from 1960-1963. He played the trumpet for the 113th 2nd Army Band. Fred has been a member of the American Legion for over 33 years and is Paid Up For Life (PULF) . Fred is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for over 33 years. He has been a member and the bugler of Post 8’s Honor Guard for over 14 years as well as serving as 1st Lieutenant the past 4 years. Fred served as a police officer for the city of Fairview Park, Ohio, for 28 years, retiring as a Sergeant Detective. He has played the trumpet for over 75 years toured with several Road Big Bands. He currently plays with Polk State College’s Chain of Lakes Big Band as well as the Bartow Adult Community Band. |
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Larry Day Director |
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Frierson-Nichols American Legion Post 8 Honor Guard
In order to comply with a request from the Federal Government, Post 8 formed an Honor Guard to assist with the many funerals that had resulted at the request of families wanting their loved ones returned after the end of World War II. The then Post 8 Commander J.R. “Andy” Anderson appointed Captain R. Elmo Hood to be the Unit Commander from 1946; he remained at this post until he retired in 1965. He then became Captain Emeritus, a rank he held for many years. In the first funeral held was that of Sergeant John Olson of Dundee. Sergeant Olson’s father was head of the Dundee Citrus Growers Association for many years. To prepare for this event, the Honor Guard had received 12 uniforms through the Post (over the years, they have been mainly self-sustaining through raffles, etc.) The uniforms were legion blue with Eisenhower jackets and were used for many years. The Honor Guard is much requested now for events (funerals, special events, etc.) and stays busy for almost 80 years since it's formation.