Melvin Henry takes VFW helm

Melvin Henry considers himself the right man for the position — commander of the West Orange VFW Post 4305 in Winter Garden. Members elected him last month, and his term begins next week.

He has the military history, a willingness to work with others and the local connection, having grown up in Winter Garden and graduated from West Orange High School.

“I want the best for the folks at large and to have this facility, this venue to be here for veterans for years to come,” Henry said.

His first experience with the local VFW was 18 years ago when he attended a Winter Garden Memorial Day service and the West Orange post was participating. He decided he wanted to be part of this organization and joined immediately.

“Being a veteran of foreign wars, this is a unique group of veterans,” Henry said. “It’s the only group that you have to be in a hostile environment to join.”

He served in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the 1990-91 Gulf War, which qualified him for membership.

“I found it more comfortable being in the VFW rather than other places because of our experiences,” he said. “We communicated a little better.”

As commander, Henry’s goal is to continue the veterans services that the VFW offers and to continue participation in community programs such as ROTC at West Orange and Dr. Phillips high schools.

But he also sees a need to bring more activities such as the RAFMAN Club Foundation program to veterans living in West Orange County. This gives veterans access to Department of Veterans Affairs representatives in a town hall setting to discuss issues such as healthcare enrollment, claims assistance and benefits for family members.

Another goal is to boost membership at the post.

“We struggle with membership, and we ask that anyone who qualifies to consider joining VFW,” Henry said.

Veterans seeking more information can call Henry at (407) 431-6016 and inquire about an application form.

A MILITARY FAMILY

The Winter Garden native graduated from West Orange High School in June 1978 and joined the U.S. Army the following month. He wouldn’t turn 18 until August, so his father had to give written permission.

Henry seemed destined to join the military. His father was in the Army, as were four uncles.

“Most of the men went in the military, and most of the girls married into military,” he said. “My grandmother, at one time, had 11 grandchildren in the military.”

Henry served three overseas tours of duty, including the Gulf War. He earned a number of decorations and awards, including the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Army Achievement Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. He was offered early retirement in 1994 after 16 years in the military and returned to West Orange County to join the ranks of civilian life.

He has been a driver for the Orlando branch of Victory Packaging for 17 years. He and his wife, Patricia, live in Winter Garden, and they have three children. He is the son of the late Grover and Ernestine Henry of Winter Garden.

Melvin Henry originally shared this photo with the West Orange Times & Observer shortly after U.S. Army Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf’s death in 2012. When a cease fire was called in February 1991, Henry (at right on military vehicle) was on assignment to secure the area near the oil wells when Schwarzkopf and Iraq President Saddam Hussein (both standing in center) met for a news conference. Henry told the Times: ‘We were prepared for anything. We had our route in and our route out. Then we went through the what-if scenarios.’