John Reed, originally from the local area and having recently returned, is quartermaster of the VFW post in Nucla. He spoke with the Forum last week about his homecoming and some of the work the VFW does.
Reed’s great-grandfather on his mother’s side was an engineer on the CC Ditch. His family has been a part of the West End since it’s establishment. He was raised in Nucla. He joined the U.S. Army in the 10th grade and left to serve after graduating Nucla High School. His 10-year military service included being stationed in Germany and later serving in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Persian Gulf War.
Reed is a heavy equipment mechanic. In the army he served in companies where he worked on runways. In those cases, airports had been bombed and he helped repair those, so aircraft could get back in.
After being discharged, he settled in Denver and worked as a diesel mechanic for 30 years. He retired from what is now the Herc Corporation after his wife’s passing, and then decided to “go home” to Nucla.
“Here I am again full circle,” he told the Forum last week.
He’s got two daughters, one who lives in Nucla, and another, who lives in Palisade. He has four grandchildren.
He said he’s getting used to knowing everyone in the West End again. He’s still got some high school friends, including Paula Brown. He also joined the Tabeguache Trail Riders when he returned, too, and has served as vice president of the local horse group.
After landing again in Nucla, the late Terry Daniels got him to join the VFW. Daniels was quartermaster previously until he passed this last year. Those at the local post asked Reed to assume Daniels’ role thereafter, and Reed agreed. As quartermaster, he’s now watching the VFW’s finances and correspondence.
The VFW exists in the same building as the community center in Nucla, recently redone and set to celebrate a grand opening on Feb. 2. The Veterans of Foreign Wars have dinners there and also assist the local Cattlemen’s Association with theirs. The VFW has Memorial Day luncheons for the vets too.
They also provide honor guard for military funerals. Members are set to travel to Grand Junction for Jim Scheetz’s service next.
The VFW works with the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) and through that organization have also had food donations delivered to the West End for those who’ve served. Reed said members try and help out all vets, not just those who served in wartime.
Recently, the local VFW held the district scholarship contest on democracy. Keiran Bray, Cole Bray and Olivia Scott were winners. Teacher Stephanie Malcolm was also recognized, and all four people will be honored by the VFW in the near future.
Reed said other projects will happen too. In May, VFW members will help make improvements to the Paradox Cemetery, as part of a national effort the VFW is participating in.
Any Veteran of Foreign Wars who’d like to join the local post may contact Reed or Tom Loczy. While they don’t have a phone at the headquarters, people may email vfw9058@gmail.com.
Reed’s mother, who passed in 2019, was a part of the VFW Auxiliary. She used to tell Reed that if he lived in Nucla again, she’d have him in there. Reed agreed last week his mother would be pleased with his VFW work.
