Terms run from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
President: Dave Patterson
David Patterson joined VFP in 2004 after the invasion of Iraq kicked him off the couch. He has held all the officer positions at SDVFP chapter 91 previously. Since then, he has been a strident anti-war advocate, locally and across the Western US. Partnering with the Peace Resource Center, Golden Rule anti-nuclear project, Nevada Desert Experience, Ground Zero Center for Non-Violent Action, JVP and doing various peace walks against Drones and nuclear weapons. He has done numerous non-violence trainings over the years. David comes from the dark side, with 6 years’ experience in the USAF and USAFR and 20 years as a Field Engineer in the Military Industrial Complex.
Vice President: Gil Field
Gil Field served in the US Coast Guard between 1970 and 1974, stationed on Governors Island in New York Harbor. He returned to his home of record (Washington, DC) and accepted a civil service position in late 1974 with the Navy as a civilian Contracting Officer in Arlington, VA. In 1997, his Navy position was relocated to San Diego as part of the BRAC95, and he and his family took the move and never looked back, retiring in San Diego in 2006. Gil joined SDVFP in 2005 and has served as president of SDVFP in 2007 and 2008 and again briefly in 2010. He was appointed as Communications Director for the chapter in 2010 and stepped into the administrator position for The Compassion Campaign (Sleeping Bags) in 2012. Gil lives in Carmel Valley and has a wonderful supporting wife, Pat, two kids, and two grandkids.
Treasurer: Gary Butterfield
Gary was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War and then declared as a Conscientious Objector and opposed the war while in the military. He is resolute in acting on his commitment to Peace. He is President of the San Diego Chapter of Veterans For Peace and currently on the Steering Committee of the National Veterans For Peace Climate Crisis & Militarism Project. He is also a member of San Diego 350.org and is keenly interested in the effects of militarism on the climate crisis.
Secretary: Karisa May
Karisa joined the Marine Corps Reserves while in college in 1985. She served over four years attached to NMRTC, NAS Miramar, and earned an honorable discharge. Karisa completed her undergraduate degree at UCSD, and a masters at Point Loma. Currently, she is teaching middle school math/science and high school geometry, and in 2024 retired from the Church of the Nazarene as an ordained minister.
Karisa joined VFP in 2024 after seeing Chapter 91 represented at UCSD, and multiple Ceasefire for Gaza demonstrations. She is now serving the chapter as secretary and volunteer chaplain.
Member: Denise Sellers
Six years ago, I saw VFP on an overpass protesting the Miramar Air Show, parked, and have been an associate member ever since. I feel it a pleasure and honor to show up with my shirt and flag for the many VFP events in our area and out of state. A great part is the people I meet. Working with people who are committed and dedicated to peace and the planet gives me hope.
In my past life I enjoyed organizing happenings and events for historic preservation groups, environmental causes, film and art festivals. I created an art guild in Colorado and brought events from Denver into rural communities. I produced a monthly newsletter for my community, down valley from Telluride, containing stories from interviews with the longtime locals, celebrities in their work boots, (Ralph Lauren irrigates) and the rich history of our valley.
I am looking forward to working on a plan for a VFP Birthday-celebration-gathering for July or August 2024.
Member: John Falchi
Member: Bob Indseth
USMC 1967 – 1970 Changed my goals based on a change of heart
UCSD 1971 – 1974 Finally college material
Employment: Survey technician for CalTrans
Mesa College surveying instructor
General Contractor, then
Real Estate Broker . . .always looking for an easier way to make a living,
never found it, but enjoyed learning and the process
Landlord for 38 years
Current: Grateful retiree; busy but not too busy to care or lend a hand
Married to Barbara for 52 years with one son, Eric, 38 and exactly half my age
