Where did you serve and what did you do?

– Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) NJ District 3 (Hudson County), 2022-Present – Quartermaster, Samuel R. Shelton VFW Post 2294 – OSC (SW), U. S. Navy (Retired)

How are you Still Serving?

Jersey City Veteran Recognized for Service to Nation https://www.tapinto.net/towns/jersey-city/sections/community-announcements/articles/jersey-city-veteran-recognized-for-service-to-nation City of Jersey City: The Hudson County Veteran of the Year https://x.com/JerseyCity/status/1854977300275536369 This is the Mayoral Proclamation designating me as the Veteran of the Year OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CITY OF JERSEY CITY NEW JERSEY STEVEN M. FULOP MAYOR Proclamation Derek L. Farthing 2024 Hudson County Veteran of the Year WHEREAS, the City of Jersey City is proud to recognize and honor Derek L. Farthing as the 2024 Hudson County Veteran of the Year during the celebration on November 7, 2024; and, WHEREAS, Derek L. Farthing was born in Jersey City NJ, on March 16, 1955.He attended the Jersey City Public schools system, and in 1974 graduated from Henry Snyder High School. He attended National University, San Diego CA, as an undergraduate. Derek grew up an industrious individual who believes in work. As young as eight years old, he worked in his great-aunt and uncle’s “Bessie’s Flower Shop”. At age 11, Derek delivered the Jersey Journal and the Sunday Star-Ledger newspapers and earned additional money with his trusty shoe-shine kit. While in high school, after classes and on Saturdays, he worked at the prestigious “Manhattan Shop”, the City’s finest men’s haberdashery; and WHEREAS, In October 1974, Derek joined the U.S. Navy. He traveled the world to ports such as Israel, Spain, Italy, Yugoslavia, Kenya, Tunisia, Singapore, Philippines, Guam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Hawaii, South Korea, Gibraltar, Portugal, St. Thomas USVI, Nova Scotia, Greece, Sicily, Puerto Rico, Japan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, British Columbia, and The Vatican. Derek served on six different ships homeported in Norfolk VA, Portland ME, Concord CA, San Diego CA, and Staten Island NY. He served on shore duty as an Instructor in Surface Warfare Operations and was the Curriculum Manager for the Electronic Countermeasure/Electronic Counter – Countermeasures ECM/ECCM course, where he earned the coveted designation as a Master Training Specialist (MTS). He retired from the service in 1994, with many awards and decorations, as an Operations Specialist Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare); and WHEREAS, In 1994, now a civilian, Derek became a Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Customs Service Office of Public Affairs, at Six World Trade Center, New York City. While working at U.S. Customs Service, Derek performed an additional or collateral duty, as an Equal Employment Counselor. That experience led to his selection, in 1999, as a Federal Investigator with the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). At EEOC, he investigated charges of discrimination against civilian employers, and aptly interviewed charging parties, witnesses and employers; and WHEREAS, the retired Navy Chief now continues his Hugh tempo duties with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). as the Commander, District 3. Now in his third term in the position, he manages the administrative and compliance requirements of seven VFW posts within the district which correlates to all within Hudson County NJ; and WHEREAS, The Snyder Tiger is married to his Tigress, Marie, and have daughters, Monique M. Hazel, of Mebane NC and Shaunte M. Farthing, of Jersey City NJ. In addition, he has grandson, Delano L. Farthing, who shares his initials; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, STEVEN M. FULOP, MAYOR of the CITY OF JERSEY CITY, recognize and honor Derek L. Farthing and thank him for his service to our Country and his many contributions to the Jersey City and Hudson County Community. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and the Seal of the Office of the Mayor on this 7″ day of November in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand-Twenty Four STEVEN M. FULOP MAYOR

Why do you do it?

I stay involved with the VFW to show that I still care, that I’m Still Serving, and there’s still a need for assistance, even if its helping someone to understand a letter, or gearing them to a destination. My present duties as District Commander enable me to distribute information to a larger, receptive audience of Veterans, old and new. The respect generated and returned is immense and immediately shows upon the faces of “My Comrades”!