Dave McLean enlisted in the Army on Sept 15, 1969.  He spent his training at Fort Leonard wood, Missouri. Dave shipped to Vietnam in December of the same year. When he returned home in December of 1970, he finished his term at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Dave was released from the Army in June 1972. He moved his family back to Illinois in August of 1977. In July 1980 he signed up for the Air National Guard in Springfield, Illinois and spent the next 25 years there till he retired.

Dave's involvement in the VFW started when Dave and several other Vietnam Veterans were turned away from other Posts. Dave and the other Veterans decided to start a new VFW on the north end of Springfield. This all started in 1987, and our chapter was mustered in 1988. Northenders VFW Post10302. Dave has held several positions here at Post 10302. Including Trustee, Quartermaster, and Currently in the position of SR Vice Commander, just to name a few.