Stanley Y. Fernandez was elected Chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Hawai'i on June 14, 2025 at the 87th VFW Department of Hawai'i Convention on Kilauea Military Camp on the Big Island of Hawai'i.

 Stan served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1984. He last served with Headquarters 326^thAir Division, Pacific Air Forces as the Command Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Air Division Commander.

Stan earned his VFW eligibility serving two tours in Vietnam, one year in South Korea, and participated in the Cuban Crisis. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding United Award with "V” device, five additional Air Force Outstanding Unit awards, Outstanding Airman of the Year, National Defense Medal with bronze star, Korea Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

As a member of Post 10276, Fort Shafter, Hawai'i, Stan has served in numerous elected and appointed positions at the Post, Department, and National levels, achieving "All American Status” at each level.  He also served honorably as a Board Member for the VFW National Council from 2016-2020.

 He earned an Associate of Art degree in Work Center Management from the Community College of the Air Force and an Associate degree in Business Management from the Hawai'i Pacific University. Stan is a graduate of both the U.S. Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer’s Academy and a Graduate of the Officer Candidate School (OCS).

 Stan retired as an Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructor and also retired as a customer service representative for United Airlines.

 He is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans Association, a Life Member of the Air Force Sergeants Association, a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus and a Gold Legacy Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

 Stan and his wife Miriam, reside in Pearl City, Hawai'i.