My first and best memory of Clyde Torgerson is my son begging me to get a Buddy Poppy from him at some long ago Cordova event.
That first red poppy that we got so many years ago is still hanging from my mirror in my car today.
Torgerson has been the voice and vision of the Local VFW Post since 2009. He took over as post commander in 2009 and has run the programs with a handful of his 30-plus members ever since. He has passionately put out flags at the local cemeteries and along the road at the bridges, handed out the bright red Buddy Poppies at celebrations and community functions, and pushed both schools to get students to enter scholarship programs for all grade levels.
Since taking over the Post in 2009 he has run it with 100 percent retention (that means keeping all of its members current on the books) with the exception of one year. Last year he was the number one post in the state with 113 percent retention. Simply put that means that he not only held his membership, but he recruited 13 more members. That accomplishment was one of 13 different criteria that must be completed to be named “All State” as a VFW Post. Torgerson not only completed that one, but also the other 12 and last year was named 15-16 All State, a huge accomplishment for a post that does not have a building of its own.
In 2011, VFW Post #10032 voted to try to get an auxiliary started. Once the vote was complete Clydde started to immediately recruit members. He held membership potlucks, talked to folks while handing out poppies, tried to get the word out through scout programs and the schools, invited community members to help place flags at cemeteries and put everything that he had into the dream of instituting an auxiliary to his post.
2016 has turned out to be Torgerson’s year. Last weekend the local VFW Post#10032 participated in placing flags at the local cemeteries and at the highway bridges with a record turnout including a contingent from the U.S. Coast Guard personnel stationed here. Then, with the USCG, a large number of Boy Scouts, and Maston Johnson, a local high school student playing Taps, they helped to officially dedicate the first Veterans Memorial in the Prince William Sound area. The next day, during the 23rd Annual Sobriety Celebration, with Governor and Mrs. Walker, Rep. Louise Stutes, the State VFW Commander Marty Harris, the state auxiliary president, Misty Hammond, state VFW auxiliary treasurer, Debbie Dishon, and past VFW Auxiliary National President Francisca Guilford looking on, Torgerson led a veteran’s celebration. After Commander Harris addressed the crowd, state VFW Auxiliary President Hammond announced that for the first time ever, they would be officially initiating VFW Auxiliary Post #10032 in Cordova.
At 3 p.m. on Nov. 12, history was made in Cordova. VFW Auxiliary Post #10032, was initiated and the following charter officers were inducted: Auxiliary President Wendy A. Ranney; Senior Vice President Kathleen Klein; Treasurer Martin Faulkner; Secretary Laura Torgerson; Trustees Ann Schultz, Derrick Torgerson, Elaine Zeine; Guard Karrin Marchant and Chaplin Patience Andersen Faulkner. These officers promise to support Cordova’s VFW post, veterans, youth, and the community to the best of our ability. Congratulations Cordova.
