The Veterans of Foreign Wars Schmitt-Manecke-Donner Post 1638 electeda new Post Commander and Officers, recently at a Zoom and in-person meeting.
According to a press release issued by Post 1638 on Monday morning; “Arnold Viljevac, combat veteran and 29 years of honorable service in the United States Army, was elected as the new VFW Post 1638 Commander.”
Viljevac had been serving as the Senior Vice Commander and was placed in command of the post for the last month of the membership year for 2019-2020, by the State Commander. The membership elected Commander Viljevac as the 2020-2021 Post Commander to serve with the Merrill Community and veterans of all the Armed Forces. His dog ‘Creek’, is in training to be his service dog with Patriot K-9. Arnold served two tours in combat during his time in service as an Combat Engineer (12B) in Desert Storm 1990-1991 and Infantry (11B) in Operation Iraq Freedom (2005-2006). “Even though he retired from the U.S Army, he is “still serving”; the slogan of the National Veterans of Foregin Wars. They started the campaign in 2020 to help communities understand when holding a position in the VFW, you are “still serving” your fellow comrades and families. Goals for the Commander is to bring the cohesiveness and comaraderie for the post and members. Viljevac is currently employed by InterFlex Group. Arnold also served VFW Post 1638 Trustee for three years and Junior Vice Commander for two years. He has one daughter Rachael and two grandchildren
Corey Dornbrack was elected as the new Senior Vice Commander. He also served as a combat veteran and honorably served for 30 years in the United States Army and Wisconsin National Guard. Corey deployed during Desert Storm in 1990-1991, he also served two tours during Operation Iraq Freedom (2005-2006) and Enduring Freedom (2009-10) as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (91B). Corey has served as a VFW Post 1638 Trustee for three years and currently the Boy Scout Charter Organization Representative. Senior Vice-Commander Dornbrack goals for the post are to “make the Post a strong and welcoming organization,which is open and helpful.” Corey is married to his wife Cathy who is a member of the Auxiliary and their son, Carl, Eagle Scout recipient and Auxiliary member and his daughter Rose has helped in many ways. Dornbrack is employed by Lightning Express Towing.
Robert (Bob)Wegner was elected as the new Junior Vice Commander. Bob served honorably in the United States Navy for eight years. He served on the USS Fox (CG33) and USS Essex LHD 2 as Boiler Technician 3rd Class (BT3) during the Gulf War with two Westpacks and one Southpack, making him eligible to be a member of Veteran of Foreign Wars. Bob is married to his wife Mary and they have seven children, Stacy,Tricia, Stephanie, Joe, Michelle, Sarah, and Ruth. Along with 10 grandchildren. Wegner is employed at Kolbe Millwork. He has been a lifelong member since 1997. Commander Viljevac has made contact with his Senior and Junior Vice Commanders for the ensuing year. He feels the new leadership will make an awesome team to move into the new location at the Northwoods Veterans Post (NVP) on Johnson Street.
The Northwoods Veteran’s Post will be opening up in late September. Viljevac encourages any veteran to sign up for one of the veteran organizations if you have served in the Armed Forces, honorably. Along with supporting the Auxiliary organizations, we as veterans want to keep our benefits that the VFW and other Veteran Organizations have supported in cooperation with our legislative members. Veterans should support the veteran organization by becoming a member of the only Combat Veterans Organization–Veterans of Foreign Wars, if eligible.