A new VFW Post located in Puerto Princesa City in the Philippines province of Palawan bears the name of Glenn Weddell McDole, a WWII veteran, now deceased, who experienced what some would consider a living hell as a prisoner of war after the fall of Corregidor in 1942.
The Glenn W. McDole VFW Post 12224 was instituted on Oct. 22, with VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento in attendance. According to VFW Post 12224 Commander Roscoe McGlynn, this is the first VFW Post in Palawan. It is part of VFW District 7.
The Post had 27 charter members at its formation and has since added a few more to its roster.
VFW Post 12224 Commander Roscoe McGlynn, left, and VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmientio celebrate the opening of VFW’s newest Post on Oct. 22 in Puerto Princesca City, Palawan, Philippines. Located about 360 miles south of Manila, it is the first VFW Post in the city or the province.McGlynn said he is excited for the new Post and is making plans for members to be involved in Puerto Princesca City.
“We are planning some community service projects with the city,” he said. “The first one is to restore the Plaza Cuartel where the World War II prisoners were held here.”
One of the American POWs to survive the slaughter at Palawan was McDole, who served with the 1st Separate Marine Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. (See sidebar.)
Interim-VFW Director of Membership Corey Hunt said he credits the folks on the ground there for getting this Post running successfully, including Department of Pacific Areas Commander Alexander Forez.
“This new Post is exciting for membership because any time we charter a new Post, it means we are involved in the community,” Hunt said. “It means we are doing what our mission is for veterans. Both of VFW’s overseas Departments do very well. It also is exciting for VFW to flourish especially in the Philippines, because we know there are so many veterans there we can serve.”
Hunt said that the Department of Pacific Areas is unique in that there are great numbers of retirees and U.S. nationals who live in the Philippines.
“They do well because the members are active and most are Life members,” he added. “They don’t have to chase people around for membership renewals. These are diehard VFW members.”
Hunt reminded that chartering a new Post requires at least 25 members, 10 of whom must be new members to the organization. The other 15 can come from other VFW Posts or lapsed members who
come back into the organization.
Once the numbers are there, Hunt said, an application is filled out to petition for a new Post to be established.
“There is a strong membership team in the Philippines, and it is due to great leadership in the Department of Pacific Areas,” Hunt said.
This article is featured in the 2024 February issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor for VFW magazine.