MIKE VANRYN MASTER OF CEREMONY

Mike VanRyn has been chosen to be Master of Ceremonies for the Waynedale Memorial Day Parade. Mike was born on the east side of Fort Wayne on July 1, 1948. He attended North Side High School, graduating in 1966. He joined the Army in 1968 and did his basics at Fort Gamble, Kentucky. From Fort Gamble he traveled to Fort Gorden in Georgia, for MP training. Mike said, “After my MP training I was sent to a number of different places and I didn’t get back stateside until 1971.”

Mike began work at Tokiem Corporation after coming back to Fort Wayne and then joined the Fort Wayne city police force in April of 1972. He worked various jobs in the police department but he most enjoyed his time in traffic division riding a Harley Davidson. He said, “I played softball until I was in my 50’s and remember playing against teams like Saint Joe A/C, Lounge Optical and the Lantern.” He remembered back to the old days when the softball leagues were of a different structure and the great times he had playing in the Softball City Tournaments.

Mike retired in July of 2004 after 32 years of police work. He has two daughters and four grandchildren and has been married to his wife Karen, for 4 years.

Mike accepted the position of Commander of VFW Post 33 two years ago and has taken on the responsibility for another two years.