Meet
OUR BOARD
Gerald Decker
VCAP Board
Gerald Decker is a 4-year Navy veteran who went on four tours to Vietnam between 1968 and 1971. Gerald earned a Master’s Degree from George Washington University. Gerald's career includes nine years as a U. S. Senate staffer, Senior Manager for the National Federation of Independent Business, and a teacher of American History at the middle school level and Political Science at the high school and college levels.
Since 2020, Gerald has co-written two books. The first was about his good friend and WWII veteran Alex Moskowitz. The second, “The Great Lockdown of 2020: An Anthology,” was published by Teen Scene, Inc. in October 2021. He is the founder and publisher of Cape Fear Voices/Teen Scene, an online publication that promotes communication skills among teens and provides a home for adult creative writers in the area.
Jim Koslosky
VCAP Board
VFW Post 12196 Leland NC Quartermaster - Former US Navy Electronics Technician, 1969-1975, has served at a variety of bases and ships, including a brief tour in Vietnam with the Naval Advisory Group. Now retired, dedicating my time to actively support the VCAP program as well as the VFW in Leland and surrounding areas in helping those "brothers and sisters" who are in need of our support in various ways.
Michael Francis Howe
VCAP Board
Michael Francis Howe is a proud United States Army combat infantry veteran
with service in Grenada, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served with distinction in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 3rd Infantry Division, building a foundation of discipline, leadership, and integrity.
With over 30 years of experience in management, armed protective force
operations, security, and emergency preparedness, Michael has led teams in
both military and civilian capacities. His post-service career includes roles as a
U.S. military contractor in Kuwait, Kosovo, and Iraq, where he served during
Operation Iraqi Freedom with Cochise MTS—a Department of Defense
contractor founded by highly decorated U.S. Army Colonel Jesse L. Johnson
(Ret.).
After his deployment to the Middle East, Michael and his family relocated to
Colorado, where he worked for 13 years as a Protection Force Officer for the
Department of Energy’s National Laboratory in Golden. His dedication to service continues through his membership in several veteran organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans (Lifetime Member), VFW Leland Post 12196, and the American Legion in Cresson, Pennsylvania.
Patty Kelley
VCAP Board
Patty Kelley served a combination of 41 years in the Air Force active duty, Air Force Reserves, and Air National Guard. She served one tour in Iraq as a Health Services Administrator and the Deputy Commander of an Expeditionary Medical Support System (EMEDS). She is a trustee in the VFW, Post 12196, and an active member of The American Legion, Post 68, both in Leland, NC. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She brings an extensive Management background to the VCAP board.