James McCloden is honored to serve as the Commander of Post 246. He grew up in Chicago, IL and joined the Army at 17 in 1983. While in the Army, he served at Fort Riley, Kansas as a Radio Technician in tanks. He left the military for 2 years before re-enlisting as a Propaganda Dissemination Specialist. In jump school, he was the Honor Grad for his class at Fort Benning. He also went to Korean Language School where he was also named Honor Grad. James is a born leader and led combat teams in Operation Just Cause (1988) and Desert Storm (1991), where he captured prisoners of war. Today, James is a Senior Outreach Coordinator at MACV. His passion is ending Veteran Homelessness in the state of Minnesota. Anyone that knows James also knows his better half, Renee who has served as the President of Post 246 Auxiliary. James enjoys Science Fiction, making fun of his feeble minded Veteran friends, and is the best karaoke singer at the Post 246.

Dakin entered the US Army in The Delayed Entry Program his Senior Year of 1990 at Seventeen. He Graduated from Hopkins HS in June of 1990 and on July 6, 1990 went to Basic and AIT training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Dakin became a Tracked Wheeled Vehicle Engineer (12Foxtrot) operating CEVs, AVLBs and M9 ACE equipment. Dakin’s orders changed from Germany to Ft. Riley, KS when Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi Army invaded Kuwait in September 1990. Dakin deployed with Cco 1st Engineer, 1st Infantry Division (Mech) fought, returned home, and joined the MN Army National Guard serving in Hutchinson, MN at the 682nd Engineers and reclassified as a Military Police in Monticello, MN at the 257th MPs. Along the way Dakin Married, had four Children, and Divorced. Dakin enjoys spending time with his Five Grandchildren, Reading, Learning, playing sports, games as well as Traveling.

Jeff Rustad served as a driver and gunner running convoy security in Iraq, March 2006 – July 2007. The longest single deployment in the war on terror. He honorably discharged as an E4. As Jr. Vice Commander my goal is to help grow our membership by informing veterans what the mission of the VFW is and how easy it is to make a difference after becoming a member. I also plan to broaden the kinds of community support our members provide in order to meet the evolving needs of both the community and our members. His hobbies include ice fishing, snowboarding, car shows, attending sporting events, and golfing. He is currently working as an HR Operations Manager at Travelers Insurance.

Brendan joined the VFW Auxiliary in honor of his family members, immediate and extended, who have served in the military over the years. Both of his parents served in the Army/WAC, his dad continuing with the National Guard until retiring as a Brigadier General in 2004. Brendan qualifies for VFW Auxiliary life membership under both his grandfather, who served in Burma during WWII, and his younger brother, who served as a flight medic in Helmand, Afghanistan. Inspired by his brother's deployment as well as his wife joining the VFW Auxiliary months earlier, Brendan became a member in 2019. He enjoys the boisterous, inclusive, and involved community at Post 246 and looks forward to many fun and rewarding events in the future. Brendan is an architect who spends his free time listening to music and hanging out with his wife and two cats.

Shortly after retiring, Jennifer’s father starting driving fellow disabled veterans to VA appointments for the DAV. Inspired by her father’s continued service, Jennifer searched out a local VFW that was not just inclusive of all, but held the honor, service and support of veterans that she came to expect out of veterans. While much of Jennifer’s extended family has and continues to serve, Jennifer chose her father to qualify for the VFW Auxiliary. A point man for the Marine Corps in Vietnam, David was one on the Magnificent 7th, a major source of pride for Jennifer. She loves the comradery of the members and creating a new family with them. Jennifer is a graphic designer who enjoys spending time her free with family and friends.