Message from our President

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From the President's Desk – Paul Ronan

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Paul Ronan. I have served on the Veteran E-Board of our club for the past eight years, the last four as your President. On September 14, 2026, I will step down as your President and hand the gavel to Mr. John Helbert.

When I was elected President of the Kingston Veterans Club, my emotions were filled with honor, pride, and some apprehension. To my fellow Veterans — we may have worn different uniforms, serving our country in different branches, but we certainly share a bond only a Veteran can share.

I would like to thank you all for your support, your counsel, and your honest advice. It is these things that have allowed me to serve to the best of my ability. I have made some mistakes, but your counsel has also allowed me to reflect and learn from those mistakes. My humble thanks to all of you. I am honored to have had the privilege to stand in your formation, share some laughs, and embrace your friendships.

Our forefathers were forward thinkers when they started this great organization. They had the foresight to allow an Auxiliary to be formed under the umbrella of the Kingston Veterans Club. As I have always stated, the KVC would be a different place if it were not for our very robust, dedicated, and hard-working Auxiliary members. I applaud their efforts, salute their commitment, and praise their involvement in our club. On behalf of every Veteran member, we see you, we hear you, and we THANK YOU!

After a thirty-year military career and another twelve-year career as an Army JROTC instructor, I must say that I needed the Kingston Veterans Club more than it needed me. I know that not all understood my leadership style — let's just say it's a Veteran thing. I know not all members agreed with some of the decisions that were made for our club, but they were made for the continued success and everlasting longevity of the Kingston Veterans Club. Members first and Club always were some of the ingredients used when making such decisions.

In closing, my sincerest thanks to most of you for trusting me with the leadership of this fine organization. It has been a great experience, one I will hold dear well into my unpredictable future. I now look forward to continued service as the Past President on the Veteran Executive Board.

Please join me in welcoming the new Veteran and Auxiliary E-Board members.

Veteran E-Board

President – John Helbert

Vice President – James (Jim) Molloy

Adjutant/Secretary – Paul Murphy

Treasurer – (Vacant)

Sgt at Arms – James (Jim) Duffy

Chaplain – Gaetan (Gator) Dostie

Past President – Paul Ronan

Auxiliary E-Board

President – Anthony (Tony) Beck

Vice President – Linda Murray

Secretary – Karyn McNamara

Treasurer – Ginny Corbett

Sgt at Arms – Greg Cloutier

Chaplain – Claudia Trembley

Past President – Deb Goodwin

"Surfing on the edge of sheer terror, and getting a tan"