Past Chairman

2022-2024

RICH POSSERT JR., US NAVY – BOSNIA/KOSOVO/GWOT

Rich joined the VFW at Post 3767 in his hometown of Hubbard, Ohio in 2009 as a life member. After retiring from the US Navy after 23 years, he upgraded to Bronze Legacy VFW Life Membership and transferred to the Greater Beaches VFW Post 3270 in Jacksonville Beach, FL, where he served as Post Commander from 2019-21, earning All-American and All-State Post Recognition, and is currently serving as a Post Trustee. He served as the VFW Dept. of Florida, District 6 Commander in 2024-25, receiving All-State and All-American Recognition, and has also served District 6 as Surgeon, Junior Vice Commander, and Senior Vice Commander. Rich has been recognized as a VFW National Chief of Staff twice and as a VFW National Aide-de-Camp twice, and has served as the VFW Dept. of Florida Membership Director for the 2021-22 year. As VCDC Chairman, he oversaw the creation and growth of the Council’s Veteran in Need Program and the Council’s designation as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization.

He served in the US Navy (1994-2017) and retired as a Fire Controlman Chief Petty Officer. He earned his VFW eligibility by earning the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Kosovo Liberation Medal while deployed on USS RAMAGE (DDG 61), and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal while deployed on USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC 20) with Commander, Second Fleet Staff and USS FARRAGUT (DDG 99). He served on five Guided Missile Destroyers, a Fleet Commander Staff, and two Afloat Training Groups.

He lives with his wife Kristy (a VFW Auxiliary member) and their 2 daughters in Jacksonville, FL and is a Program Manager and Instructor for Operation New Uniform, providing career readniess training for transitioning military, veterans, and their spouses. He is also a realtor licensed to practice in Florida. He is a life member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Jacksonville Chapter 1 and represented the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) with their 2024 Calvary where he stood alongside the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other Veteran Service Organizations in front of the 118th Congress Senate Armed Services Joint Hearing in March 2024. He served as the 1st Vice Chairman of the Veterans Council of Duval County from 2020-22 before assuming the Chair of the Council in 2022. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum and is a member of the Jacksonville National Cemetery Support Committee and the VFW Military Order of the Cootie, Pup Tent 51. He has led multiple events and organizations throughout Northeast Florida as a Master of Ceremonies, Guest Speaker, or Committee Member, and is passionate about serving our nation’s military service men and women, veterans, and their families.

2020-2022

DAVID TROTTI, US MARINE CORPS – DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM

David P. Trotti has resided in Jacksonville since 1973 and graduated from Terry Parker High School in 1987. He went on to attend Jacksonville University from 1987 through 1990, and University of North Florida in the fall of 1990 before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. While serving our country, he served in our American Embassies in Vienna, Austria and Dar Es Salamm, Tanzania. He earned the rank of E-6, Staff Sergeant.

2015-2020

Deceased 2022

STEVE SPICKELMIER, US AIR FORCE – VIETNAM, COLD WAR

Inspired by stories shared by his father about the military and his involvement in the D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach, Steve enlisted in the US Navy in 1962. He trained as a torpedoman and became a Plank Owner of the submarine tender USS Holland AS-32 in Rota, Spain. After completing his Naval service, he returned to Indiana and attended Indiana University. He then joined the Air National Guard 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing in Ft. Wayne. He retired in 1987 as a MSgt from the 482nd Fighter Wing in Homestead, FL with 26 years of military service.

In addition to his military service, Steve retired from AT&T (Indiana Bell, Southern Bell, BellSouth) as a Network Operations Manager after 32 years.

Steve had a sensitive heart for the needs of all veterans and became very active in many local veterans organizations, even expanding those efforts to the surrounding four counties. He was past Chairman of the Veterans Council of Duval County, past Chairman of the Support Committee at Jacksonville National Cemetery, past president of Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Chapter 559, and past Field Operations Director for Missing in America Project (MIAP) for the State of Florida. He was also an integral part of Wreaths Across America, POW/MIA, Vets 4 Vets of Northeast Florida, Vietnam Veterans of America, and “Gathering in the Pines” at Cecil Field. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including The Legion of Honor Award at The Chapel of Four Chaplains at Cecil Field.

Steve cherished spending time with family and friends, serving his church, working for veterans’ causes, boating and was a past Commodore of the Navy Jax Yacht Club. He was an avid Notre Dame fan, to the point of persuading his son, Jon, to play football and earn a degree from there.

An active member of Mandarin United Methodist Church, he served as an usher for many years and church van driver for residents of Wesley Manor retirement home. He also served his community as Chairman of the Brierwood Neighborhood Association.

2005-2015

HALLIE WILLIAMS-BEY, US MARINE CORPS – VIETNAM

Hallie Williams-Bey, a Jacksonville native, relishes living a life of service. His older twin brothers, who were Army veterans and his best neighbor, Jessie Clayton, a Marine who died in combat, inspired Hallie to join the military. After graduating from New Stanton High School, he enlisted into the Marine Corps and fought in the Vietnam War from 1968-69 and was later stationed in Quantico, Virginia, rising to the rank of staff sergeant.
After his military service, Hallie worked for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. and later relocated to Jacksonville after the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offered him a job in accounting. He then decided to attend FSCJ, which was known as Florida Junior College at that time. In 1978, he earned his Associate in Science in General Business.
Hallie saw a lot of combat in Vietnam. For many veterans, it can have lasting effects, both mentally and physically. He says getting his degree and participating in the College’s veteran program kept him focused. What stood out most about his time at FSCJ was taking accounting and science courses and his professors.
“Some classes were taught by veterans,” shared Hallie. “They knew that I was a veteran, and we would talk to each other more.”
In 2002, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Truth Bible College. Hallie’s education further prepared him for employment with the Jacksonville Urban League, The Salvation Army, Clara White Mission and his current role, owner of a tax preparation and notary public business.
Hallie now plays an active role in helping fellow veterans and knows the importance of connecting veterans and individuals to community resources. He is a member of the American Legion Post 197 Jacksonville and has also been involved with the National Vietnam Veterans Coalition and the Northeast Florida Veterans Council, among others.
In 2009, he spoke at a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs about the need for building a new clinic in Jacksonville for veterans. Hallie’s efforts to help others have not gone unnoticed. Then governor of Florida Senator Rick Scott awarded Hallie and other veterans a Veterans Service Medal. In 2018, Jacksonville Urban League President and Vietnam Veteran Dr. Richard Danford Jr., presented Hallie with the Clanzel T. Brown Humanitarian Award.
Whether serving his country or the community, Hallie is focused on helping others, especially fellow veterans. He encourages alumni and students to do the same.
“Enjoy life,” he says. “Do something positive, help one another, and help a veteran.”

2004-2005

DAN GUTHRIE, US NAVY – VIETNAM

Bio Needed

2003-2004

Deceased 2007

SANDY SORKIN, US ARMY – WWII/CHINA-BURMA

Bio Needed

2002-2003

BOB ADELHELM, US MARINE CORPS – COLD WAR, DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM

Bio Needed

2002-2002

Deceased 2014

DAVID PIPPIN, US NAVY – KOREA/VIETNAM

Bio Needed

2001-2002

Deceased 2010

JOHN CLARK, US ARMY – VIETNAM

Bio Needed

2000-2001

Deceased 2023

GENE HALL, US NAVY – KOREA/VIETNAM

All American State Commander A.E. (Gene) Hall A. E. “GENE” Hall was elected to the office of State Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Florida in June of 2004 at the 74th annual convention in Orlando, Florida. Gene originally joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Jacksonville, Florida Post 7909 in 1979 and has maintained his membership there since his return from Australia in 1983. During his tenure, Gene has held the positions of Post Commander from 1993-1995, Post Quartermaster 1995-2003, District Commander 1997-1998 and was elected State Surgeon in 2001. Gene continued his rein through the chairs of the Department culminating as an all American State Commander. Gene has also held many State and National Appointments in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is served on the State and National legislative committee and on the State Budget and Finance Committee.
Born in Woodruff, South Carolina, he left high school and enlisted in the US Navy on valentines day 1958 where he later earned his high school diploma along with an AS degree in Management and a BS in Education during the 34 years and 3 months he served on active duty while rising through the ranks to SCPO, CWO, and Limited Duty Officer where he retired as a Commander on 1 May 1992. ( Gene is also a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Military Officer’s Association, American Legion, Orange Park Lodge #267 F&AM, Jacksonville Scottish Rite Bodies, Morocco Shrine and The Military Order of the Cooties.
Gene is a widower and has three grown children Teresa, Duane and Michael and nine grandchildren. Gene resides in Orange Park, Florida. He recently married Diane Hall in December of 2015.

1999-2000

CLARENCE HILL, US NAVY – DESERT STORM

Bio Needed

1993-1999

Deceased 2004

OSCAR SULLIVAN, US NAVY – VIETNAM

Bio Needed

1992-1993

Deceased 2012

ELBERT SAWLEY, US NAVY – WWII/KOREA/VIETNAM

Bio Needed

1991-1992

Deceased 2015

ROBERT FRENCH, US NAVY – KOREA/VIETNAM

Bio Needed