Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 23, 2011 Area The Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States is probably the single-most bittersweet organization that exists in this country. The organization exists, though we wish it did not have to. Many have answered the call of duty, leading to sacrifices only those who have sacrificed can fully comprehend. VFW leadership comes from those who have served in combat overseas, and continue to serve selflessly in their national, state, and local communities to recognize and assist the men and women who continue to protect the very rights and freedoms we cherish. The organization’s members come from that very same body of men and women who feel that awe-inspiring urge of camaraderie that develops from serving in combat in unrelenting environments so friends, families, and compatriots do not have to endure such harsh realities. Our nation has been engaged across a simultaneous global front in the longest period of sustained combat since its own inception. The number of veterans of foreign wars has increased exponentially up to the last decade, and with this increase, the VFW finds itself navigating through a challenging time. It must achieve new heights in its ability to recruit the most recent proud young men and women who have fought hard and valiantly over the last decade. While technology has both enhanced and encumbered our progress in this endeavor, we must even further leverage the today’s Major wants VFW to connect with newest veterans linguistic reality. With the advent of the Internet, social network creation has never been easier or more complex. In a world that thrives on bottom-up, decentralized social networks, organizations must holistically adapt themselves to remain relevant and effective. Two major points stem from this phenomenon that can enable the VFW to successfully reach the newest generation of foreign war veterans. The first is communication, and the second is connection. In order to effectively communicate with our new generation of combat veterans, we must recognize that we all speak a different language. Current emergent language is hyper-computerized, handheld “I-everything”, Skype, Twitter, and YouTube virtual-reality at your fingertips. The language of books, telephones, television, and face-to-face interaction is quickly morphing as nanotechnology changes the way we live. This does not change how much we care about our servicemen and women; it merely changes how and where we can successfully engage each other. The National VFW has made tremendous efforts to bridge this communication gap, but while there are some states and local posts that have also attempted to embrace technology, it has not happened to the extent that the national, state, and local post structure lives, acts, and breathes as one system, but more like three disparate systems that struggle to bring each level into communication with the next. If we desire to successfully communicate with our newest veterans, it is critical to provide them the interactivity they require to feel connected. Our efforts must begin with connecting these young men and women, if not during their service, at the least through the Army Career Assistance Program, a link for which can be found at www.vfwdistrict2nj. com under ABOUT VFW>ASSISTANCE. It is critical to connect soldiers with the opportunities that exist in and through the VFW. More than ever before, this nation needs an organization such as the VFW because as comrades we understand, we care, and we will continue to be there when others will have long forgotten. This essay was submitted by Major Erik K. Kober of Ho-Ho-Kus. Major Kober is currently attending the School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, KS, where he is preparing to deploy to Central Asia as a planner for XVIII Airborne Corps. He has served in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq (two tours) as an AH-64 (Apache/ Longbow) helicopter pilot, and is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Washington Elm Post 192, Ho-Ho-Kus. of Fame will induct its sixth class of honorees at a March 27 banquet at The Brownstone in Paterson. The event will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will include a cocktail hour, appetizers, and sit down dinner. Tickets are $65. This year’s inductees include: Jack Kachadurian, Class of 1966, football, basketball, and track; John Salek, Class of 1969, football, basketball, and baseball; Rich Battaglia, Class of 1975, football, wrestling, and baseball; Dianne DeWinne, Class of 1980, basketball, volleyball, and track; Todd DiMartino, Class of 1982, soccer and baseball; Kelly Quku, Class of 1985, tennis; Sara Pieri, Class of 1988, track, winter track, Hall ofHigh School Athletic Hall and cross country; Rob Barrabee, Class of Fame inductees announced The Ramapo 1998, football, winter track, and baseball; Chris Scarpelli, Class of 2001, football and baseball; Ryan Watson, Class of 2001, football, basketball, and lacrosse; Lizzie Reed, Class of 2003, soccer and track; and Joe Del Buono (coach), 2004 football, basketball, and baseball. For the first time, an entire team is being inducted. The honorees are the members of the 1996 Ramapo Girl’s Soccer Team. Anyone who would like to attend may contact Kim Marchese at kmarchese@rih. org. For more information, contact Paul Heenehan at pheenehan@rih.org, Joe Spafford at jspafford@rih.org, or Mike Miello at mmiello@rih.org. Magic of Mahwah Changing jobs? Retiring? What’s the correct move with your 401K? Making the most of your investments isn’t a game of chance – it requires strategy and insight. Helping people make the right financial decisions is certainly not new to Mahwah resident Brad Bofford. Having been in the financial services industry for his entire career -- beginning with a college internship for Raymond James in 1992, Brad brings an independent approach to his planning. In 1998, he led in creating Financial Principles LLC, a Fairfield-based independent financial services firm. Brad specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, and asset management services. As a wealth advisor for successful business owners and the affluent in the Greater New York City metropolitan Brad Bofford area, Brad advises clients in addressing complex financial challenges in order to enjoy financial independence. Our approach in the planning is in a clear, concise, and simplified manner. Brad uses a consultative process consisting of wealth management, advanced planning, and client relationship management. Being an established leader in the financial services industry, Brad has been a media resource for such publications as Dow Jones, BusinessWeek, Investment News, Financial Planning Magazine, Research Magazine, The Wealth Channel, and New Jersey Business News. He has also been a featured speaker on “Your Financial Health Show” on WVNJ 1160 AM. Call Brad to schedule a discovery meeting and see how he can help with your overall financial planning needs. Financial Principles, LLC is located at 310 Passaic Avenue, Suite 203, Fairfield, NJ 07004. Phone (973) 582-1000. Toll-free 1-866401K-529. Visit online at www.FinancialPrinciples.com. “Bradley H Bofford, CLU, ChFC is a Registered Representative of and offers Securities through Securities America, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC and advisory services through Securities America Advisors, Inc. Financial Principles, LLC and the Securities America Companies are not affiliated.” Financial solutions for a better tomorrow: Brad Bofford urotech Motorsports, conveniently located at 164 Franklin Turnpike in Mahwah, is welcoming new customers seeking reliable service for their high-end European automobiles. Partners Ryan Wendt and Danek Laskowski grew up in Mahwah and chose to launch their business in the township in August 2010. Together, the two men have 16 years of experience servicing high-end European autoDanek Laskowski and Ryan Wendt mobiles, including Audis and Volkswagens. Ryan, a Master Guild Certified Audi Technician, and Danek, a Master Certified Audi Technician, specialize in maintenance, performance, and computerized tuning. Both are also R8 and A8 certified for all models. “We offer the highest quality service and customer satisfaction,” Ryan says. “We stand behind all of our work.” Ryan and Danek encourage the community to take advantage of their many years of expertise and the shop’s competitive prices. Eurotech Motorsports, an authorized APR dealer, is open 8:30 to 5:30 weekdays and from 8:30 to noon on Saturday. For additional information or to schedule a service appointment, please call (201) 529-1860 or visit online at eurotechms.com. Eurotech Motorsports is now open in Mahwah E