 Earl “Scotty” Mackenzie
was re-appointed as National Cell Phone for Soldiers Coordinator, ensuring the support
of the Order to a program that has high impact on troop morale. He’s been with MOPH
since 1999 and is a member of Wyoming’s Chapter 0800, serving as its commander at
one time. Scotty joined the U.S. Army in 1943, trained at Fort Knox, Kentucky, became
proficient on 8-inch howitzers and machineguns, and went to the Philippines in 1944,
assigned to the 655th Field Artillery. He routinely volunteered to patrol around
the fire base and was wounded twice during one of the patrols in 1945, caught in
a Japanese cross-fire. He was evacuated to the US, recovering in a small hospital
in New York, and was discharged from the Army in 1946. His first post military jobs
were with the Winchester and Mossberg Firearms Companies, testing products and providing
technical advice until a weapon exploded in his face. He then went to work for Italian
Olivetti’s US branch, again in a technical role on computers and business machines,
and ended up working for the VA until final retirement, serving on its National
Safety Committee among other assignments. He remains a consultant for that Committee
today. While at the VA, he also served seven terms as president of its union. Scotty
has actively supported veterans ever since leaving the military service, either
in the workplace or as a volunteer, including one stint as a national officer in
the AMVETS organization.
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