VFW post’s first female leader takes command
By FRED SWEGLES | fswegles@scng.com | Orange County Register June 8, 2012 at 6:00 a.m.
In San Clemente’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7142, there’s a new personality in command to put the men at ease.
The post this week installed Dolores “Dee” Padgett as the first female commander in its 64-year history and one of the first female post commanders in Orange County. She is one of only two women among 69 post members, but she aims to change that.
Padgett, a former Army nurse who served in Vietnam, said she wants to welcome more Vietnam vets to the VFW, and more vets from all foreign wars, both male and female.
The post declared its officer installation day Wednesday as “Dee Day,” coinciding with the 68th anniversary of the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France during World War II.
Lou Jordan, 2011-12 commander of VFW District 2, which includes all of Orange County, traveled from Anaheim to officiate the ceremony at Irons in the Fire restaurant at San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.
Joining Padgett as officers are Francis Reyes, senior vice commander; Donald Young, junior vice commander, Alex Neil, quartermaster; Jerald Quinlan, chaplain; James Ferguson, surgeon; James Carson, judge advocate; and trustees Barry Trauger, Charles Gullett and Clarence Kaleta.
The post meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the San Clemente Elks Lodge, 1505 N. El Camino Real. For details, call Neil at 949-366-8477.
NOTE: In 2001, Post 7142 merged with Post 9934.
Newly installed officers in Post 7142 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars take the oath of office Wednesday, with new commander Dolores “Dee” Padgett, in the lead. 
Having just been installed as San Clemente’s new VFW post commander, Dolores “Dee” Padgett is escorted from the podium by Dan Schmaltz, a Huntington Beach resident who is with the Brea VFW post and is senior vice commander of VFW District 2 
Lou Jordan, 2011-12 District 2 VFW commander, issues a salute in honor of newly installed leaders of San Clemente Post 7142 of the VFW. 
Lou Jordan, 2011-12 commander of District 2 o the VFW in Orange County, congratulates Dolores “Dee” Padgett after installing her as commander of VFW Post 7142 in San Clemente. 
Members of Post 7142 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars applaud their new post commander, Dolores “Dee” Padgett, Wednesday as Dan Schmaltz representing VFW District 2 escorts her around the room. 
Dolores “Dee” Padgett addresses Wednesday’s installation dinner after taking over as new post commander for Post 7142, San Clemente, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Flanking him at the podium is Donald Young, junior vice commander. 
Draped in red, white and blue, San Clemente’s new Veterans of Foreign Wars commander, Dolores “Dee” Padgett, thanks the post for its support.
