VFW Candidates

Billy G. Stancroff

Candidate for Department Junior Vice Commander

Billy enlisted in the Air Force in May of 1966 and worked as a Munitions Maintenance Technician until July 1973. He then entered the Michigan Army National Guard in 1976 and worked as a Heavy Equipment Repair Technician. Billy retired in 1994 with twenty-four years of service. Medals Billy has been awarded include the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star; the Vietnam Campaign Medal; the National Defense Medal; the Army and Air Force Commendation Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal just to name a few.

Billy joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1973 and became a Life Member of Lt. Clement F. Derezinski Post 7729 in 1990.

Billy has been elected Post Commander of Post 7729 for the last twelve years. This Post has been All-State Post for the last twelve years and an All-American Post in 2008-2009. Billy has been the District 12 Commander in 2003-2004 and 2008-2009. He was the Captain of the All- State District Commanders in 2008-2009 and was an All-American District Commander in 2008-2009.

Billy was the Military Assistance Program Director for the Department of Michigan from 2001 to 2009 and is currently the Assistant Director for 2009-2011. In addition he has been part of the National Steering Committee serving as the Big Ten Conference Alternate in 2008-2009 and the Delegate in 2009-2010

Billy has been on the following National Committees:
2000-2001 Aide-de-Camp
2001-2002 POW-MIA
2002-2003 By-Laws & Resolutions
2003-2004 POW-MIA
2004-2005 Veteran Employment & Training
2005-2008 Member of the Military Assistance Program Committee
2008-2011 Member National Military Service Committee

Harry "Les" Croyle

Candidate for Department Junior Vice Commander

Harry ”Les” Croyle joined the Naval Reserve while still in High School and served from 1963-1969, serving in the waters of Vietnam in 1965, earning the Vietnam Service Medal.

He has been married to his wife Pamela for 44 years they have 3 grown daughters and 4 beautiful grandchildren.

He has been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 38 years, joining Hiram Post #6 in 1972 he transferred to Cpl. Richard W. Menge Post 6756 in 1973 and becoming a life member in 1982.

Les retired from General Motors in 2007 as Capacity Assurance Coordinator, Planned Maintenance-Site Operations at the General Motors Technical Center.

Les has served as Post Commander twice 1988-89 and 1990-91, Macomb County Council Quartermaster in 1991-92 and Macomb County Council Commander in 1995-96 and as 5th District Commander in 1998-99.

Les has served on the Department level as Lieutenant of the Department of Michigan Color Guard in 1996-97, Membership Director in 1999-2000, Big Ten Steering Committee Alternate 1999-2000, Big Ten Steering Committee Delegate 2000-2001, Community Service Director in 2000-2001, Assistant VOD/Patriots Pen-Teacher of the Year Director 2009-2011, Assistant Convention Director 2009-present and VOD/Patriots Pen-Teacher of the Year Director 2010-2011.

National Appointments include:
1996-1997                  National Safety Committee
1999-2000                  National Youth Development & Scholarship
1999-2000                  James N. Goldsmith Homecoming Committee
2001-2002                  National Aide De-Camp - James N. Goldsmith
2001-2002                  National Manual of Ritual & Procedure Committee

Other honors include Committee Chairman City of Warren 2002-present responsible for construction of the City’s All Veteran Memorial, recognition by the City of Warren Historical Society In May of 2006 as “Veteran of The Year” and in 2010 he received an award from the Joint GM UAW Veterans Group and The GM Affinity Salaried Veterans Group for “Superior Support of Military Men, Women and Families.”

Andrew C. Conklin
Candidate for Department Judge Advocate 2012-13

Andy is a 35 year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars having served in many capacities. He enlisted in the United States Army after high school, volunteered for Vietnam and was assigned to HHC 3/39th 9th Infantry Division, (Old Reliable's) for 15 months as a cook, where he drove the ration truck, a deuce & 1/2 hauling people and supplies (c-rations!) for the Brigade.

Andy's wife of 42 years, LouAnn is Past Ladies Auxiliary President of Celery City VFW Post 6248 and District 7 VFW Ladies Auxiliary, his son, Kevin is currently District 7 Commander. Andy’s family totally supports his endeavor to continue on his position of Department Judge Advocate. Andy worked as a General Forman for the Consolidated Rail Corporation and had extensive training in Labor Relations, retiring after 24 years. He also retired from Conklin Construction Company where he rehabbed hundreds of homes for the State of Michigan and HUD. A former Councilman of the Village of Decatur, and has always been very active in his Community. Andy’s community activities included being active with the Mounted Sheriff's Division for Van Buren County and supporting his Church of St. Henry's with Knights of Columbus at local and State Leadership roles. He is active with the Patriots Guard, First Vice of American Legion Post 365 and a life member of the AMVETS and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Comrade Conklin has always been a very dedicated, honest and dependable member of this great Organization. It is the desire of Comrade Andy Conklin to continue to serve the membership as the Department of Michigan Judge Advocate for 2012-13.

Just a few of the positions and awards that Comrade Andy Conklin has earned are National Aid de Camp, National Veterans Employment & Training Committee. On the Department level he has held the Judge Advocate, Cancer Director, Membership Committee Member, VFW Camp Trotter Director. Comrade Conklin has served the Comrades of District 7 twice as their District Commander. Earning the distinguished honor of All State District Commander.

John E. DePierre II
Candidate for Department Judge Advocate 2012-13

John is a Gulf War veteran, where, he served on the Army Forces Central Command - Saudi Arabia (ARCENT-SA) General's Staff as the G4 Operations Noncommissioned Officer-In-Charge (NCOIC) in Dhahran. John entered the Army in July, 1980 serving tours in various locations around the globe to include: Germany (2 tours), Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Washington D.C. until his retirement in August, 2002. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3 Awards), Army Commendation Medal (4 Awards), Army Achievement Medal (4 Awards), Good Conduct Medal (7 Awards), National Defense (2 Awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, and the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kuwait). Upon retirement he was employed by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety as a Senior Systems Analyst providing Information Technology support as well as crime mapping and analysis to three local law enforcement agencies. While there he was awarded the Award of Merit, Professional Excellence Award (2 awards), and named City of Kalamazoo All Star Employee by the City Commission. In January 2011, John accepted a position with the United States Army where he currently serves as an Information Technology Management Specialist. He was recently awarded the Department of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal.

John holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland as well as degrees in Business Management and Computer Studies. He is also a graduate of the US Army NCO Education System, and the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) as well as various other management and staff courses.

John's wife Kelly is a paraprofessional working with special needs children. She is a charter member of Blue Star Mothers of America, Chapter 179 and of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 309. They have two children, Kristen and John. Kristen, a graduate of Western Michigan University, is a caseworker with the Louisville Metro Police Department, Louisville, Kentucky and John, an Iraq War Veteran, is a faculty member at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the ROTC Department.

A relative newcomer to the VFW, and active life member of Post 6248, John has served in the positions of Adjutant (2007-2011), Quartermaster Pro Tempore (2008), and Quartermaster (2009-2011) as well as delegate to both Department and National conventions. He has also chaired multiple committees, including the By-law and House, and serves as a member of the Post Color Guard. Notable achievements include a complete rewrite and update of the Post by-laws, the first in 25 years; established and implemented Canteen operating procedures and employee handbook, ensuring compliance with local and state law; assisted in the establishment of an annual community Veteran's Day dinner; instrumental in implementing member's night, a successful recurring event creating cohesion amongst Post members; and declined the Quartermaster's compensation in lieu of free uniform issue to Post members. An active VFW recruiter, he has also received multiple three-member recruiting awards. In addition to the VFW and other veteran's organizations, John is also a member of the 101st Airborne Division Association, Military Intelligence Corps Association, and Fraternal Order of Police.

John's positions within the Army, both past and present, provide him with experience in developing, implementing, and interpreting regulations and regulatory guidance. He has served on Army investigation boards, written Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) and contributed to the development of Major Army Command (MACOM) regulations; the most notably collaborating on Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) Regulation 220-1, Operational Readiness and Evaluation (ORE). As a steward of the VFW By-Laws, Manual of Procedure, and Parliamentary Law, John was successful in challenging the Department Commander's rulings against his Post on three (3) separate occasions, in which, the National Headquarters overturned the rulings. It is these, and the qualities cited above, that make John an excellent candidate for the position of Department Judge Advocate. John is fully supported by both his immediate and Post 6248 families.