State Senior Vice Commander, Larry M. Gerlt

Enlisted United States Air Force, 11 Sep 1968 and retired after 24 years of service 1 Oct 1992 His Medals include: Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, and Korean Defense Service Medal.

He is the Honor Graduate of the United States Air Force First Sergeants Academy and the Distinguished Graduate Tactical Air Command Non-Commissioned Officers Academy.

He has been a Member of the American Legion since 1993, a Life Member of the AmVets. Since 2007, a Life Member DAV since 2013, and Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars since 1997, and a Gold Legacy Life Membership of the VFW since 2013.

He has served in many VFW post officer positions to include Adjutant, Chaplain, Senior Vice Commander, Commander, and is currently his post Quartermaster. He has also been the District 10 Senior Vice Commander, served 4 years as the District 10 Commander and has held numerous District Committee Chair positions. He has served as the State Surgeon, State Judge Advocate, State Junior-Vice Commander and is currently the State Senior-Vice Commander. Larry is also a Certified National Recruiter and has earned the Recruiter Century Award 5 years in a row for recruiting 100 or members or more.

Larry has been recognized for his effort earning National Aid-De-Camp 7 times and National Deputy Chief of Staff twice. He has earned All State Team Quartermaster for the past five consecutive years to include Captain of the All State Team twice and All American Quartermaster.

He has also been a registered Scout Leader since 1973 and has served as Scoutmaster 6 times. He graduated Valley High School 1968, earned associate degrees in Applied Computer Technology and Maintenance Management. He has been married to his wife, Bonnie for 46 years, has 2 children and 6 grand children.