George W. Mullen

George W. Mullen, 83, of Parkesburg, passed away on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 at the Neighborhood Hospice Center of West Chester, with his beloved family members by his side.

George was one of America's finest patriots and veteran advocates, as both a World War II veteran and VFW state leader.

George was the beloved husband of Dawn E. (Bailey) Mullen, with whom he shared 29 years of marriage.  He is also survived by his two sisters, Jane Ann Mullen and Shirley Rigoroso, both of Parkesburg; fourteen beloved nieces and nephews, and many grandnieces and grand nephews.  He was predeceased by three siblings, Robert Mullen, Lillian Mowrey and Barbara Mullen.

Born in his Parkesburg family home on Thursday, July 29, 1926, he was the son of the late Samuel and Latisha Booth Mullen

As the age of 17, George enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and served aboard the merchant ship SS Ben Holt and the USS Cotten in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters.  His military duty included serving off of the Normandy coast helping to supply troops after D-Day, helping to rescue a downed American pilot and supporting the invasion of Okinawa.  His Destroyer was part of the Allied flotilla that entered Tokyo Bay in 1945 after the atomic bombs were dropped as part of the ceremonies to end the War against Japan.  His service days ended as a Seaman 1st Class in 1946.  After the war, he spent two years in a veterans' hospital recovering from tuberculosis.

Mullen joined the VFW in 1946 and served the organization at all levels.  He was Commander of the Parkesburg Post 4480 for three terms of office, Senior Vice Commander of the VFW Chester County during 1951 - 53, and Commander of the VFW's 9th District during 1969 - 70.  He earned the distinction of All-State District Commander and All American District Commander.

George served as State Adjutant of the Dept. of Pennsylvania, Veterans of Foreign Wars under 17 Department Commanders until he retired January 6, 1995, and during a second stint from 2000 - 2005.  As VFW State Adjutant, he served on the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council and Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission.  He was well known by state and national officials and politicians, who recognized him for fighting for what was in veterans' best interests.

Mullen helped lead the VFW's efforts to expand veterans healthcare programs to increase veterans benefits at the state and federal level.  He was recognized by the National VFW offices as one of the organization's best veterans' advocates and for his outstanding leadership in guiding the headquarters of the nation's largest state unit in the VFW.

Prior to his career as VFW State Adjutant, George worked for 35 years at the VA Medical Center, Coatesville, where he served as Chief of Recreation.

Mullen received numerous awards for service to veterans and community.  His hometown VFW Post awarded him two outstanding service medals in 1975 and again in 1979.  The VA presented him with performance awards in 1968, 69, and 76.  He was also recognized by the borough of Parkesburg with a George Mullen Day on Nov. 9 1975.

In other activities, he has been a member of the Chairman of Parkesburg Recreation Board, a member of the Parkesburg Civil Service Committee, and a member of the President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped.

He attended the Pierce Business School in Philadelphia, and was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.  He served as president of the advisory council of Southeastern Veterans Home in Spring City up until his death.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, 603 2nd Ave., Parkesburg.

Family and friends are also invited to attend the viewing on Friday evening from 6 until 9 p.m. at the Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main St., Parkesburg and again on Saturday morning from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Our Lady of Consolation Church.
Interment will be held on a separate day at the Indiantown Gap National Military Cemetery.

Annually, five local students who enter the military or nursing field receive the “George W. Mullen Scholarship” founded in his honor by the Parkesburg VFW Post 4480.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the “George W. Mullen Scholarship Fund”, VFW Post 4480, Parkesburg, PA 19365, or to the “Voice of Democracy” C/O John Getz, 4002 Fenton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109, or to the Neighborhood Hospice Services, 400 East Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380.

Online condolences can be respectfully posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com