Sgt. James F. Carty, DSC VFW Post 1545 - 27 February 2026

Above photo: Staff Sargent Stephen J. Fatur

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who supported our Veterans of Foreign Wars breakfast this past Sunday. 

Despite the uncertain weather, we had an excellent turnout. Thankfully, the snow held off until the afternoon, allowing the community’s hardy residents to come out and join us.

Our next Bingo Night will be held on Thursday, March 19, at 6 p.m. The Main Street Community Center, which operates the kitchen, has announced that they will be serving corned beef and cabbage that evening. 

Proceeds from the kitchen help support the center’s ongoing operations. They are located at 5494 State Route 23 in Windham. Be sure to visit their website at mainstreetcenter.org. They do outstanding work in our community, and we commend them for their continued dedication and service.

I also watched a good portion of the Olympics this year and wanted to share a few reflections. The level of talent and dedication displayed by the athletes is truly remarkable.

The figure skaters, in particular, were incredible to watch, performing breathtaking lifts and routines across the ice. Both the women’s and men’s hockey teams brought home gold medals, which was wonderful to see.

I was especially proud to see the women’s team singing the National Anthem and the men’s team showing such visible patriotism. Many of the competitors displayed great pride in representing our country, and one athlete even took the time to thank the military for making it possible to compete for the United States.

VFW Issues Statement Demanding VA Rescind Disability Rule Change: The VFW released a statement demanding the VA rescind its recent rule change on how disability ratings will now be determined.

Published in the Federal Register without public comment, the rule directs VA claims examiners to consider medication-induced improvements when they rate veterans’ disabilities for new claims, claims for increase and routine future exams received from Feb. 17, 2026, forward. 

“Disabled veterans should never be forced to choose between following their doctor’s orders and protecting their earned benefits. This interim rule puts that stability at risk, and it must be withdrawn,” said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore.

Additionally, the VFW called on VA to restore the prior evaluation standard pending full regulatory review; and engage Congress and stakeholders in a transparent process that respects judicial precedent and protects veterans earned benefits.

VFW District 3  NY, which our post is part of, will be holding a mandatory meeting of all posts in the district. At these meetings, information is passed on to each post in regard to the initiatives they are working on.

One of the causes this year is the VFW National Home. The VFW National Home assists military, veterans, and their families with children, by creating a foundation of services and resources to achieve their personal and family goals in order to move forward in a positive, safe and healthy environment. 

Born from the belief that America needs to care for the children and families of men and women who sacrificed for our country, the VFW National Home is a place of support, growth, and community for veteran and military families.

This week the Defense POW/MIA accounting agency announced that U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Fatur, 19, of Slickville, Pennsylvania, killed during World War II, was accounted for on July 9, 2025.

During World War II, Fatur was assigned to 429th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. 

Fatur served as the tailgunner aboard a B-17G “Flying Fortress” bomber. On March 22, 1945, during a bombing mission near the village of Glinica, Poland, Fatur’s aircraft crashed. Seven of the ten crewmembers, including Fatur, were killed. His remains were not accounted for after the war.

Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command searched for and disinterred the remains of U.S. servicemen in Europe as part of the global effort to identify and return fallen servicemen for honored burials. 

However, the AGRC investigations in the Soviet occupied zone of Europe, including Poland, were severely limited. To identify Fatur’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis as well as circumstantial evidence.

Fatur’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium, along with others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

These servicemen -  whose families never forgot -  will be able to bury Fatur in Delmont, Pennsylvania, on a date yet to be determined. Remember all who served our country and all who are still serving throughout the world. Let us never forget. 

God Bless America. Marc Farmilette, PDC – Commander VFW Post 1545