Manuel C. "Manny” Salas

MS2 (Mess Management Specialist) Manuel Salas was in the United States Navy for 5 years on active duty and 8 years in the US Naval Reserves. He joined in December 1980 on the delayed entry program and went to RTC Great Lakes on July 6, 1981, as part of Company 221 who were all from the great state of Wisconsin. The Company was sponsored by the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent his 18th birthday in boot camp where he was given 50 push-ups as a birthday present.
            His first duty station was at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, assigned to the tugs. He became a Tugboat Captain in 6 months and pulled all subs out of dry dock for the next year. In 1983 he reported to the USS Trenton LPD 14, and for the next 3 years he deployed to Grenada and Beirut where he was awarded Armed Forces Expeditionary, Navy Expeditionary, Humanitarian and Navy Unit Commendation Medals, earning his eligibility for the VFW.
            A lifelong resident of Racine, Manny is presently employed as a maintenance lead for 2 Senior Living facilities, responsible for a total of 115 apartments.  He is a Harley enthusiast and has been riding Harleys for 45 years.
            Manny is serving his second consecutive year as District 1 Commander and continues as President of the Department VFW Riders Group.  His previous VFW positions include Post 1865 Commander (2019-2020); National Aide-de-Camp (2020-2021); Chairman of the Advisory Committee to the State Commander for the Department Riders Group (for PSC Johns); and Big 10 Conference Committee member.  A Gold Legacy Life Member of Post 1391, Manny is also a Life Member of the American Legion and an active member of the MOC (Pup Tent 6), currently serving as MOC District Jr. Vice and a member of the Budget Committee.