Navy Veteran Archives - VFW Post 8870 and Auxiliary

New Member Inducted

Author: Editor September 8, 2015

Rod Fritsch

At the August Post meeting, we welcomed yet another comrade to the fold.

Rod is retired Navy having served 1991-2011. He is originally from Jefferson, WI. Rod served two tours in Bahrain, 2009-10 and 2010-11, performing Mine Countermeasure duties for the 5^th Fleet.

He also served in Turkey in 1997 as part of Operation Northern Watch enforcing an Iraq no-fly zone.

Rod was an Avionics Technician and performed training, management and logistic engineer duties.

Sea duty included stints on the USS Tarawa, USS Iwo Jima and the RFA Lyme Bay. (RFA Lyme Bay is a Bay-Class auxiliary landing ship dock of the British Royal Navy.)

Awards include the Navy Achievement Medal (4), Navy Good Conduct Medal (6) and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2). Rod resides with his wife Maureen in Arlington, WA. They have 4 children. He is currently enrolled in college.

New Member, News, Newsletter Articles

Navy Veteran, Operation Northern Watch, Rod Fritsch, Tours in Bahrain, VFW 8870 New Member

New Members

Author: Editor September 8, 2014

James “Craig” Kunard Sr.

Craig is originally from Spokane, WA and served in the Navy 1968-1972. Vietnam service was aboard the USS Enterprise with CAG 13 and VA 196 from Aug 1970-Feb 1971. Duties included Plane Captain and organizational maintenance. Educated in Aviation Electronics, Business and Project Management, his civilian career was an Operations Manager. He has 3 sons and 6 grandchildren. He and Carolyn Louise live in Mukilteo.

Paul Russo

Paul is originally from Baltimore, MD. He spent 1970-80 in the Army Reserve, but enlisted in the Navy in 1980 where he served for 23 years before retiring. His specialty was photojournalism. Assignments included Beirut, Lebanon, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Other stations include Diego Garcia, Antarctica support, Italy and Sicily. He’s been a Public Affairs Supervisor on the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Carl Vinson. Awards include Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal and Operation Deep Freeze Medal. He has BA and BS degrees from the University of Maryland and a Masters Degree in Education from Old Dominion University. He is a part-time substitute teacher in Kitsap County and enjoys coin collecting. He and Laurie Ann reside in Lynnwood.