On November 6, 2024, Derek L. Farthing was honored by the City of Jersey City NJ by being proclaimed by Mayor Steve Fulop, as the Veteran of the Year.
As a member of the Samuel R. Shelton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2294, Derek serves as the Quartermaster, or Financial Manager, and simultaneously, is in his third year as Commander, VFW District 3, which includes all of VFW posts within Hudson County. VFW Post 2294 is commanded by Tony A. Goodson.
As District Commander, Farthing has the administrative control of seven different VW post in Hudson County counting the two in Bayonne, one each in Secaucus, Harrison, Kearney, North Bergen , and of course in Jersey City. The position also include his standing in the VFW Department of New Jersey, in the Council of Administration.
Derek is a Navy veteran having served a total of twenty years, and retiring in 1994, as an Operations Chief Petty Officer. He served aboard several ships from both coast and has traveled to many ports throughout the world.
Commander Farthing humbly accepted this high honor from the Mayor, who is also a member of VFW Pot 2294. The VFW originated in 1899. It provides assistance to Veterans and active duty service personnel, and has been a strong force to advocate legislative measures for the improvement and caretaking of those who have served this grateful nation.
