Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California

CAPTION: "(L-R) SSG John Carter, SGT Leonard Contreras, SGT Jeffrey Johanson, CPL David Derouen, SGT Michael Wareham display their membership applications with 1LT Robert Parry, who recruited them into the VFW. The Soldiers are members of the California National Guard's 40th Infantry Division Agribusiness Development Team, presently serving in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.  Carter, Contreras, Johanson and Derouen, along with SPC Andrew Coffman (not pictured), were awarded the Army Commendation Medal With Valor Device for their actions under fire during an ambush in January of this year.  Wareham was awarded the Purple Heart for combat wounds.  All six were recruited into their local posts by Parry, their platoon leader, who is also past Sr. Vice CDR of Post 2070 in Monrovia.