Gamalier Rosa
Commander - Army
In February 2009, Commander Rosa enlisted in the United States Army, as an Active Duty Food Service Specialist (92G) and served in the 4th Brigade, 3-15 Infantry Battalion, E. Company out of the 3rd ID (Infantry Division) in Fort Stewart, GA. He was deployed to Iraq in the summer 2010, serving under Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Shortly after deployment, he returned stateside due to previous training injuries and was Honorably Discharged from service in 2011.
Two months after being discharged, he moved to Western Massachusetts to continue his education in Journalism at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Shortly after, he found his way into our VFW Post 754, and even though it took several years, he finally became a Post member in August 2015, fulfilling a promise made to Past Post 754 Commander Nathaniel Redetzke, "A great friend who pushed me multiple times to join as a member"- as Gam states.
To this day, Commander Rosa has served as an extremely active member within our Post and the Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars, exceeding his own expectations at every step.
Commander Rosa says: "Joining the VFW gave me a new sense of purpose, which was one I had been searching for a while, even though it was right in front of me from the moment I stepped into VFW Post 754."
He further states: "Even after moving away for two years, I kept thinking about Post 754 and the relationships I established there, it was like family. I returned to Amherst on a Sunday and my first action was to visit the Post the following day, submitted my application and was then voted-in as a member at the next meeting. Now look at me and how far I've gone with my involvement in the organization as a whole."
Furthermore, he has held multiple positions at various levels within the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States with pride and honor during his five years as a Life Member.
Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars Positions
- Assistance Department Service Officer (West) 2020-2021
- Post 754 Commander 2020-2021
- Post 754 Service Officer 2020-2021
- Post 754 Surgeon 2020-2021
- Post 754 Service Officer 2019-2020
- Post 754 Assistant Quartermaster 2019-2020
- Post 754 Adjutant 2019-2020
- Post 754 Senior Vice Commander 2019-2020
- Assistance Department Service Officer (West) 2019-2020
- District 7 Chief of Staff 2019-2020
- District 7 Adjutant 2019-2019
- District 7 Service Officer 2019-2020
- Department VAVS Chairman 2018-2019
- District 7 VAVS Chairman 2018-2019
- District 7 Service Officer 2018-2019
- District 7 Commander 2018-2019
- Assistance Department Service Officer (West) 2018-2019
- Post 754 Service Officer 2018-2019
- Post 754 Commander 2018-2019
- Member of the Committee on Veterans Service Resolution for 119th National VFW Convention: Recommend by 2017-2018 Massachusetts VFW State Commander Eric Segundo Sr. and appointed by National VFW Commander-in-Chief Keith E. Harman.
- Department Loyalty Day Chairman 2018-2019: Appointed by 2018-2019 Massachusetts VFW State Commander Keith Jackson
- District 7 Banquet Chairman 2017-2018
- National Deputy Chief of Staff 2017-2018: Recommended by 2017-2018 Massachusetts VFW State Commander Eric Segundo Sr. and appointed by National VFW Commander-in-Chief Keith E. Harman for his relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
- Department Chairman for VDAC (Veterans Disaster Assistance Committee): Established by 2017-2018 Massachusetts VFW State Commander Eric Segundo Sr. to make Commander Rosa the official Massachusetts VFW Representative, during his deployment to Puerto Rico to provide disaster assistance to Veterans and community members in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
- District 7 Senior Vice Commander 2017-2018
- Post 754 Commander 2017-2018
- District 7 Junior Vice Commander 2016-2017
- Post 754 Senior Vice Commander 2016-2017
- Post 754 Trustee 2015-2016
- Post 754 Surgeon 2015-2016
Other positions served within our VFW Post 754
- Kitchen Manager (2015-2018)
- Bartender (2015-2017)
- Canteen Manager (2016-2017)
