Daniel Riveira commanding the West Orange VFW

Daniel “Dano” Riveira is starting his second one-year term as commander of the West Orange VFW Post 4305. He has the hang of it now, having served a term in the top position five years ago.

As commander, Riveira represents 4305 at various community and state functions. The post works with disabled veterans at the Orlando VA Medical Center, and it sponsors Boy Scouts of America, attending flag-raising ceremonies.

“We have worked in the community,” Riveira said. “We’re mostly Vietnam vets, and we only want two words, thank you. Those are two magic words that we'll bend over backwards for. You know we got that (poor treatment) when we came home.”

Riveira has been a member of the West Orange VFW for 12 years, joining the roughly 350 military veterans. There’s also an auxiliary for spouses and other direct relatives.

VFW strives to do good things for deserving people: veterans, their families and their communities. Camaraderie draws veterans to the white, block building at 1170 E. Plant St., in Winter Garden.

“If you’re in uniform, you’re a brother,” Riveira said. “It doesn’t matter which uniform you wore.”

The only criterion for membership is the person must have served in a war overseas. Riveira said soldiers stationed in Korea had to be stationed close to the 38th parallel and those in Germany had to be stationed near the Berlin Wall.

“Other than that, it’s just being in harm’s way,” he said. “If you're old enough to be in harm's way, you're old enough to be in the VFW.”

The sense of brotherhood felt in the organization is what brings Riveira there.

“Instead of sitting home alone growing old, I can go down and talk to my old buddies and the younger military people coming out of Afghanistan,” he said. “Tell them where to go to seek benefits and so forth; mentoring the younger ones.”

The best way people can join the West Orange VFW is to visit, taking with them take their DD Form 214, which was issued upon their retirement, separation or discharge from active duty.

“It’s about going to a nice quiet place,” Riveira said. “We have our beverages, and we don’t worry about being in the rowdy night club. It’s nice and mild.”

The commander, now 73 and living in Killarney, served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, from 1964-74. He was aboard combat ships and did receive injuries, but because he was in Special Forces, there are still aspects of his service that he cannot talk about, he said.

“If you're in uniform, you're a brother. It doesn't matter which uniform you wore.” — West Orange VFW Post 4305 Commander Dano Riveira

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].