Jim Clements 

Commander, Saddleback Valley Post 862
Web Master
Rancho Santa Margarita Post Representative

ATC (AW) Retired (USN 1979-1999).

Jim's entire military career was as a technician on H-3 and H-60 helicopters at the organizational and intermediate repair level. As the Director of Education and Training at Extron Electronics in Anaheim, Jim is responsible for Extron's global training efforts in the Professional and Residential Audio/Video industry.

Jim is married to Kristen and has two lovely young children (boy and girl).

He enjoys competitive bicycle racing and holds the National Off Road Bicycle Association's 2003 California State Champion in the Men's "Super-D" race category among other awards.

Jim is community oriented and lives by the Navy Corp Values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment.


 

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Thom Spratt 

1st Vice Commander, Saddleback Valley Post 862
 

US Marines 1988 - 1991

Thom lives in Lake Forest with his wife Susan (Post Executive Committee) and three children, Andrew 15, Daniel 12, and Sara 9.  Thom was a United States Naval Reserve Midshipman in the ROTC program at USC from 1986 to 1987 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.  Thom served as a Reserve Aviation Ordnance Technician with VMFA-134 at El Toro MCAS from 1988 to 1991. 

In 1989, Thom began his career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff.  He is currently assigned as Motorcycle Traffic Officer with the city of San Juan Capistrano.

Thom is active in Scouting and is currently the Scoutmaster of Troop 623 of Portola Hills.  Thom and his wife Susan started Troop 623 in March of 2001 as a community based Troop.  Since its beginning with 8 Scouts, the Troop has grown to over 60 Scouts.  Thom also serves as the Director of Traffic and Security for the Saddleback District Cub Scout Day Camp and as the Youth Protection Training Team Member for the District.  Thom is currently the Chartered Organization Representative for Pack 623 and the Executive Officer for the Pack, Troop, and Crew.


 

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Carlton LeDrew

Adjutant/Finance Officer, Saddleback Valley Post 862
Lake Forest Post Representative

Vietnam veteran . . . MGySgt USMC Retired (1961-1981) . . . A Canadian who served 7 years in the Canadian Army prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps (from “Boy Soldier” to 2nd Bn. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (Airborne) to 3rd Bn. Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada).  Became an

American citizen in 1968, between tours to Vietnam.  Now semi-retired, living in Laguna Niguel, he has a son, daughter, and four grandchildren, all living in California.

Carlton is a member of the American Legion’s Gold Brigade and a member of Voiture 527 of La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux (40/8), the “Fun and Honor Society” of Legionnaires.  He is also a Life Member of the following associations:  the Noncommissioned Officers Association (NCOA); the British Parachute Regiment Association; the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH); the Marine Corps League (MCL); and a member of the Marine Corps Association (MCA); along with being a member of Promise Keepers, he is also an “SOB” (Special Olympics Booster).

For the Legion year 2005-2006, Carlton has been elected to serve as the Commander, 29th District, Department of California . . . consisting of 25 Posts within Orange County.

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Tom Tyree 

Chaplain, Saddleback Valley Post 862

Korean War Veteran...U.S.A.F....Served as a jet mechanic at March Air Force Base in Moreno Valley, California.

Studied for the Christian ministry at Biola College and Talbot Theological Seminary in La Mirada, California.  Has been in the ministry since 1964 and has pastored the Grace Bible Church of Newport Beach for over 30 years.

He is married and he and his wife, Caroly, have two married sons and two grand-daughters.

He is a member of The Daily Drivers (a classic car club), and is on the Board of Directors of the White Oak Community Association.  He loves good movies, jazz music and is full of trivia on these subjects.

 

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John Chizmar

Sergeant at Arms, Saddleback Valley Post 862

Marine Corps Veteran (1982-1990) as an infantry rifleman with 3rd Marines (1982-1986), Marine security guard NWS Seal Beach (1986-1988), and infantry rifleman with 1st Marines (1988-1990).

Currently employed as an oil refinery process operator with ConocoPhillips in Carson California since 1990 and has resided in Mission Viejo since 1988.

Member of:
* Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church
* American Legion Riders Chapter in District 22
* ConocoPhillips Fire Department
* California State Firefighters Association
* Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union
* National Rifle Association
* California Rifle and Pistol Association
* Harley Owners Group, Orange Coast
* American Motorcycle Association

 

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Maxson Smith

Executive Committee, Saddleback Valley Post 862

Vietnam Veteran - Helicopter Gunship Pilot.  Webmaster, Post 862.  Eagle Scout.  Past Officer of American Legion Yacht Club. Member of Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and 114th Aviation Company Association.

4 children.   Currently works with PETS (Personalized Equine Transportation Services)”. Licensed RE Broker, both Commercial and Residential (deep discounts for Legion members!)  Hobbies are walking and sailing.

 

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