Mess Kit Team Introductions
The Mess Kit provides information to NALC Branch 6000 Veterans. There are two current administrators of the group and we would like to introduce you to them, to include their military background.
David VanderWerf enlisted in the Army Reserve at seventeen years old and went to Basic Training for Field Artillery in between his Junior and Senior year of High School with Advanced Individual Training following High School Graduation. He transferred to the National Guard while he attended Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont, and served a total of eight years. After a nine year break in service, David enlisted in the Regular Army as a M1 Abrams Tank Crewman and had the rare distinction of having to go to Basic Training a second time. He served almost three years in S. Korea near the DMZ. During his Regular Army service, he won multiple awards for winning Soldier of the Month competitions, graduated PLDC, completed a Spur Ride, was Company Master Driver, and was promotable to E-6 before he left the service. He is now an active member in the Seaford and Nassau County American Legion as an Adjutant and Vice Commander. Dave has 10 years employed as a Letter Carrier with the USPS and is currently working as a member of the Dispute Resolution Team at Step B of the grievance procedure and is Trustee #5 of NALC Br. 6000.
Gary DeGrijze enlisted in the NY Army National Guard in 2004 as a PFC (E-3) at the age of 33 as an 11B Infantryman at Ft. Benning, GA. Served with D Co of the 1-69th INF Reg, The Fighting 69th, as a SPC (E-4) and deployed with them in 2008 to Afghanistan (OEF). In 2011, was honorably discharged from the NY Army National Guard and enlisted in the Army Reserves as a 12V Concrete Asphalt Operator with the 455 EN DET and was promoted to SGT (E-5) and SSG (E-6). In 2016, transferred to become an OC/T (Observer Controller/Trainer) as part of the 75th and 84th Training Commands. In 2018, transferred to the 1174th DDSB as an 88N Transportation Management Coordinator as part of a DDST (Deployment and Distribution Support Team). In 2019, became the DET NCOIC for the 928 ACD. In 2022, mobilized as a Senior Movement NCO as part of a DDST to the Port of Beaumont, TX in support Operation Spartan Shield. In 2024, promoted to SFC (E-7) and was placed in the 354 HHD MCB as an S3 NCO. I currently am the 1SG of the 354 HHC MCB Rear DET. The awards I currently have are Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), 2 oak leaves, Army Achievement Medal (AAM), 2 oak leaves, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (ARCAM), 3 oak leaves, National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, with 1 Service Star (ACM-1S), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, with “M” and Bronze Hour Glass (AFRM-M), NCO Professional Development Ribbon, with “2” Device (NOPDR-2), Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR), NATO Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (ARCOTR). Gary has been employed with the USPS as a Letter Carrier for 30 years and is currently an Area Rep / OWCP Rep for NALC Br. 6000.