VFW Post 4090 “Veteran of the Year”

Portland VFW Post 4090 honored Mr. John Dorsky as their “Veteran of the Year” Tuesday night with a banquet at the Post. John, his family, and many friends enjoyed a dinner at 6 pm with the award presentation afterwards.

Before the award was presented, Commander Bill Almy shared a long list of John’s accomplishments and achievements in his forty-plus years of dedication to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

As a young man, John Joined the Air Force after graduating from high school in Baraga, Michigan in 1951. He served in the Korean War from 1952 through part of 1953. He completed his military duty November 14, 1953 while stateside.

He joined VFW Post 4090 February 10, 1972 and became a life member December 19, 1977. John first served as post quartermaster and then post commander in 1982 – 1983. During his many years with Post 4090, he served as Service Officer, Trustee, Voice of Democracy chair, and elected County Council Commander for the 1985 – 1986 year.

At District 9 level, he marched through the chairs on his way to elected District 9 commander for the 1988 and 1989 term. While at the district level, his dedication continued with many appointments. John worked closely with Wes Longinbaugh setting up the Patriot Pen Essay Program for the Posts of District 9. The program became so popular that it expanded to state and national level. In addition, at the District 9 he served as Cancer Director, State Inspector, All State Director and was one of the architects of the first Activities Evaluation Committee, a program that is in use to this day.

In the year of 2002 – 2003 John received the Raymond G. O’Neal Award for State Service Officer of the year. John states; “of all my duties and responsibilities, being service officer was the one thing I cherished the most”.

John has served as Post 4090’s Funeral Honor Guard chairperson, a position he has held for over 25 years.

Long time funeral director Keith Neller stated – “I have worked with John for at least 25 years, and one thing I remember about his funeral detail is, they were always on time, always signed the register and the men always followed protocol and procedure with dignity and honor.”

His loyalty and dedication to his family, his Post and the Veterans of Foreign Wars are an example that all of us can appreciate.