Bob Dalpe, Chandler Military and Veterans Commission Chairman
Nancy Stutman
Sunday morning, Nov. 20, Robert (Bob) Dalpe, chair of the Chandler Military and Veterans Commission, will address the Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 at 10 a.m. in the poolside building of Oakwood Country Club, at 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., in Sun Lakes.
The Chandler Military and Veterans Commission was established after a multi-year campaign of several veterans’ leaders, including Bob. The commission was created to honor, represent, and support the military and veteran residents of the City of Chandler. Several events are planned, including a free Veterans Breakfast on Nov. 4, a Veterans Day event on Nov. 11 at the Veterans Oasis Park, a veterans Town Hall on Dec. 3, and an event to honor those willing to join the military, scheduled for May.
Complimentary bagels, lox, and coffee start at 9:30 a.m., followed by the speaker at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited, and there is no charge. But to partake in the food, a reservation is required by Friday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m. by contacting Joyce Spartonos, preferably by email to [email protected], or by phone at 480-802-4902.
Bob Dalpe is a familiar name to every veterans organization in Phoenix, as he is the person they call when they need help. The request may come from a congressional or senate office, any one of the many 501(c)(3) veterans organizations, or a veteran in need of help. Veterans organizations have their specialties and an informal network. Bob works with all of them and knows the right place to send someone for help.
Bob’s main contact is the Veterans Medical Leadership Council, focusing on the Native American Sustainability programs. He has helped them with housing issues, establishing a veterans nursing home in the Navajo Nation, and organizing a program to deliver solar systems and refrigerators to 11 members of the Navajo veterans community who were not connected to the electrical grid, thereby providing refrigeration to store insulin for their diabetes.
Bob assisted in organizing a donation of nearly $1 million worth of hand sanitizer to the veterans community of the Navajo Nation community.
He also helped coordinate 17 helicopter flights with MD Helicopter to bring COVID-19 supplies to members of the Navajo veterans, widows, and first responder community.
It’s impossible to imagine how Bob Dalpe, an AZ Veterans Hall of Fame member, accomplishes his veterans volunteer work and can still hold down a fulltime job. It’s because General Dynamics Mission System, where he’s an engineer technician, supports all that he does for veterans and allows him a flexible schedule.
JWV Post 619, which meets the third Sunday of the month from September through May, boasts members who represent a wide range of religious affiliations and participates in philanthropic activities to help Jewish and non-Jewish veterans. Fundraising activities enable the Post to accomplish their mission of supporting hospitalized, at-risk, and veterans experiencing homelessness.
To learn more about JWV activities and membership, contact Commander Chuck Wolin at 602-300-5913 or [email protected].