Disabled American Veterans chapter installs new officers

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 3/23/17

At approximately 12:30 Saturday afternoon, Mel Hill, who served as Commander of the Folcarelli DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 1 during the past year, said, “If there is no objection, we …

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Disabled American Veterans chapter installs new officers

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At approximately 12:30 Saturday afternoon, Mel Hill, who served as Commander of the Folcarelli DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 1 during the past year, said, “If there is no objection, we will dispense with all business except the Installation of Officers.”

Just a few seconds later, Hill announced, “Hearing none, it is so ordered” and Hill immediately passed the gavel to James Burrows, a Warwick resident, who is the DAV Department of Rhode Island Commander.

Burrows then led DAV Chapter 1 members as well as Unit 1’s Auxiliary and their many guests in the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the National Anthem that echoed through the jam-packed dining room inside the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812 on Plainfield Pike on the Cranston-Johnston line. He also delivered the customary welcome address before calling upon DAV Auxiliary National Commander Fran Costa who performed the Installation of Officers for the Unit 1 Auxiliary.

The DAV Auxiliary officers installed were led by Commander Linda Folcarelli, a native Johnstonian who has long been active in local politics and countless civic and charitable organizations.

Folcarelli’s slate includes Senior Vice Commander, Susan Denisewich; Junior Vice Commander, Deborah Burrows; Treasurer-Adjutant, Donna M. Folcarelli; Judge Advocate, Ann Schatz; Sergeant at Arms, Lee Ann Erickson; Chaplain, Lorraine Pariseau and Patriotic Instructor, Lorraine Boisvert.

After Costa’s impressive pomp and circumstance installation portion of the annual program, Burrows took the gavel back and performed a similar, military-like installation of the Folcarelli DAV Chapter 1’s 2017 slate of officers.

Heading that list was John “Jack” Hill Jr., who succeeded Mel Hill as commander.

Other Chapter 1 officers are Senior Vice Commander, Santo J. LoBuono; Junior Vice Commander, Thomas G. Rotella; Adjutant-Treasurer, Raymond Denisewich; Judge Advocate-Legislative Officer, John E. O’Hara; Chaplain, Gustino R. “Gus” Imondi; 1st Year Trustee, Charles R. “Chuck” Palumbo; 2nd Year Trustee-Sergeant-at-Arms, Alfred “Gus” Pagel; and 3rd Year Trustee, Philip A. Sheridan.

The day’s audience also included a host of DAV dignitaries like Richard Schatz, Deborah Burrows, and Sally Ann Campagnone who all have held prestigious Rhode Island and National DAV Chapter and Auxiliary positions.

Meanwhile, new Chapter 1 Commander Jack Hill, Unit 1 Auxiliary Commander Folcarelli and Burrows congratulated Denisewich, who also serves as Chapter 1 Treasurer, for organizing the day’s official program.

While the newly installed officers and guests were enjoying the customary dinner, which was prepared and served by the expert staff of Ralph’s Catering that’s based at the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812, Burrows noted that the Disabled American Veterans is a leading non-profit Veterans Service Organization with 1.3-million members located in 1300 chapters throughout the United States.

Denisewich then explained that the Folcarelli DAV Chapter 1 has 458 members and meeting are held the third Wednesday of every month, beginning at 3 p.m., at the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812. 

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