Raymond Weidner was born on November 23, 1940 and graduated from Frankford High School in 1958. Ray was working as a union machinist for approximately one year, then took a leave of absence to join the military. Ray enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country September 1960 through January 1965, during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Mr. Weidner was assigned to the USS Canberra for eighteen months (18) and then was transferred to the USS Mullinnix.  He worked as a boatswain mate and was deployed on two Mediterranean cruises and three to four Caribbean cruises. Ray was responsible for training mid-shipmen, that were in their senior year at Annapolis, for the boatswains mate position.  Before graduating as officers, these mid-shipmen, were required to complete training at sea, so they had an awareness of the duties of the positions they would oversee.

Ray’s tour of duty was nearing completion and he was considering reenlistment, his current position was already filled and he tried to get transferred to another fighting ship. Since that transfer did not come to fruition, he returned to Philadelphia and went back to his position as a machinist in January 1969. He married Karen in February 1969 and they resided in Philadelphia.  Mr. Weidner tried to join the local VFW, but was told that he was not eligible because, the Cuban Missile Crisis was not considered a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters.

In 1985, Ray and Karen moved to Croydon. Ray joined a dart team and met George Snyder, who was the Commander of the Cooties and the Adjutant at VFW Post 1597. Around this time, the VFW determined that the Cuban Missile Crisis did satisfy the qualifications for membership. George was instrumental in Ray becoming a member of VFW Post 1597 in the late 1980’s and also became a great mentor. Ray’s wife, Karen, knew he wanted to become a lifetime member, so she surprised him with it, as a birthday gift, the following year

Over the past 30 years Ray held several officer positions in the VFW, He served as Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Surgeon and filled in as Quartermaster.  He was also in many officer positions in the Home Association. Ray appreciates the camaraderie and support he feels at the VFW. He encourages other veterans” to join and come in and see how things are done at the Post and form your own opinion”.

2022-jeo