Photo By Sgt. Salvatore Ottaviano | Mike Scotto, director of Information Management for the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th...... read more read more
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Note: This is the first in a series of features highlighting 99th Readiness Division personnel who volunteer with Veteran Service Organizations.
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – An extremely ordinary office, a Brooklyn-born confidence and a poised way of speaking are just a few first impressions of Mike Scotto, director of Information Management for the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division headquartered here.
Soon after, you also realize his volunteering carries meaningful impact.
After spending two careers working as a Soldier and an Army civilian, he developed a passion to volunteer in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Scotto pulls up in his minivan and walks through the door of VFW Post 6805 in Browns Mills on a steady basis to fill the important role of treasurer for the post.
When asked what the real sense of satisfaction is that he gets from the VFW, he looks right in your eyes and answers, “There is the gratification to see the veterans talk to each other. There are a lot of good reasons to be there, but the biggest one starts with camaraderie. I could sit down and talk to someone because they have also been through some of the same things that I’ve been through. We all take the same oath at the VFW.”
He explained that sharing camaraderie is an amazing benefit at the VFW because instead of gathering at a civilian venue, the veteran is going where people have a common frame of reference and a connecting bond. They can share stories with each other.
Scotto knows veterans are comfortable in the company of other veterans; he served more than 33 years as a Soldier, including nine-and-a-half years on active duty and four tours in Iraq, retiring as a colonel in the Army Reserve.
In his “off-hours” from the 99th RD, he’s off to the VFW.
“You will meet some fascinating people. One guy in our post was a Prisoner of War (POW),” said Scotto. “People are going to be different as to what they like politically, what kind of books they like to read…but there’s going to be that common bond there, that, ‘Hey, I served my country in a tough place at a tough time - and you and I are equals because of that.’”
The winding road of a veteran’s life could be fraught with unique challenges - financially, professionally, physically and spiritually. That’s why, above all, Scotto wants to make it very clear about his post: “No one stands alone…there’s always someone to reach out to. The idea is somebody cares and somebody shows up. No one should stand alone.”
Larry Spring, VFW Post 6805 commander, explained that Scotto is important to the post, but also to him on a personal level.
“Volunteer and auxiliary members are people we can’t live without,” Spring said. “Mike takes care of the money as treasurer for the post - and we’re friends.”
The VFW is a nationally chartered veteran’s service organization and acts as the veteran’s voice to Congress. A local post offers a veteran service officer who can assist with Veterans Administration applications and reports on news coming from the VA or information about any pending legislation effecting veterans.
“So many people at a VFW who have been through the VA process can offer advice on what to do when a person has roadblocks,” said Scotto, a resident of nearby Country Lakes.
Scotto explained that some members with local businesses give a discount to other members, while others do handyman work for the post.
“We have a guy who was an Army dining facility NCO. He volunteers to do the cooking for special events. He makes delicious prime rib and makes great corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day,” Scotto said.
The post also has a horseshoe league and a cards league, among other activities.
“Members love it, they’re having fun, enjoying themselves, enjoying being with the other guys and gals,” Scotto said. “Again, as you get involved, people know your name.”
The continued success of any nationwide veterans organization is going to depend on recruiting younger people. Any organization needs that new influx of people coming in, Scotto explained.
“It’s likely that you may even take it to that next step in getting a little more involved and the camaraderie continues to grow as you’ll make more friends,” he said.
At first, the thought of actually walking into a VFW post never even crossed Scotto’s mind.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2019 09:14 |
| Story ID: | 352506 |
| Location: | BROWNS MILLS, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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