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VFW At Work

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  1. Through the VFW's National Military Assistance Program (MAP), members of VFW Post 8273 in Frisco, Texas, helped feed more than 2,500 active-duty troops and their families on March 3.

    The Post co-sponsored a "Family Day" event in honor of the 301st Fighter Wing at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, supplying 11 pallets filled with a variety of drinks, snacks and desserts.

    "We were thrilled with the turnout," Post 8273 Commander Shenna Lawless said. "The opportunity to support the 301st Fighter Wing's Family Day was provided by 1st Sgt. Kenny McMillen, a life member of our Post, and we seized it enthusiastically. Thanks to MAP, we were able to contribute significantly."

    Through the use of national VFW programs like MAP, which has helped sponsor events supporting more than 2.3 million service members and their families since 2005, VFW Posts like 8273 have cultivated relationships with their local military communities.

    From "Family Day" events to deployment and welcome home ceremonies, festivals and holidays, the MAP program is a valuable asset for all VFW Departments and Posts to use in order to build on their presence among active-duty troops.

    "Participating in events like the Family Day for the 301st Fighter Wing is crucial for us," Lawless said. "It offers a unique chance to connect with service members and share the mission and benefits of the VFW, reinforcing our commitment to supporting them."

  2. Being heralded for years as the primary place for the retirement of U.S. flags in the county, members of VFW Post 2391 in St. Augustine, Florida, wanted to upgrade its site and ceremony.

    Under the direction of Post 2391 Quartermaster Bob Bewsee, who oversees the Post's Honor Guard and more than 1,000 flag-retirement events a month, design plans for a new beautification project began in June 2023 to revamp the old flag retirement site at the Post.

    "A pentagon was chosen for the shape, with each of the five corners representing one of the five service branches," Bewsee said. "We received a significant contribution from the local Lowe's, and the project was completed by Sept. 4."

    The majority of the work was undertaken by Post 2391 Life member Rick McAllister and fellow Honor Guardsman Dan Weir, who spent most of August working on the site.

    The pair laid gravel and decorative garden paver bricks, erected a flagpole, added fire extinguisher mounts and two concrete benches for public observation.

    "Weir also designed and constructed four smokeless burn barrels and donated a mounted eagle for the center," McAllister said. "Then other Post and Honor Guard members jumped onboard to help with the finishing touches."

    The new retirement site was unveiled on Labor Day last year during a ceremony led by Post 2391 Commander Daniel McDonough, who dedicated the project to the U.S. flag itself for all it means to veterans and Americans alike.

    "We are honored to render the proper respect to all American flags in our community once they have reached their retirement condition," McDonough said in his opening remarks. "The flag has served us with honor since the inception of our country and, as we do with fallen veterans, we are proud to offer respect and dignity at the end of their duty."

    Post Chaplain Paul Szarnicki proceeded McDonough by offering a prayer covering the historical significance and reverence of the flag. The Honor Guard then conducted the retirement ceremony for those gathered.

    "It was a nice ceremony with about 40 members and guests," McAllister said. "And it was immediately followed by the start of our annual Labor Day celebration and cookout. Well over 100 people attended this event, and we made a point to direct our guests to see our new flag retirement site."

    This article is featured in the 2024 March issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr., senior writer for VFW magazine.

  3. In anticipation of the 2024 VFW National Convention in July in Louisville, Kentucky, the VFW and Humana are continuing the Uniting to Combat Hunger program that has provided more than 4.5 million meals for food-insecure families since 2018.

    During the 124th VFW National Convention in Phoenix last year, dozens of VFW and Auxiliary members, as well as Humana employees, participated in a Uniting to Combat Hunger seed-packing event that provided about 30 tons of vegetables for families suffering from food insecurity.

    VFW Foundation Grants Manager Jason Couch said that VFW is once again working alongside the Society of Saint Andrews. The nonprofit organization is offering VFW Posts free seeds to create victory gardens.

    "Creating a victory garden is a great way to grow food in food deserts and other areas where fresh produce is scarce," Couch said. "It's also more sustainable - growing your own plants is better for the environment."

    Victory gardens have a rich history dating back to the first and second world wars. The U.S. encouraged citizens to plant various fruits and vegetables in private gardens to supplement rations.

    The Uniting to Combat Hunger program aims to alleviate food insecurity among veterans and their families, as well as in the broader community. The program recognizes that many veterans face challenges, including financial difficulties and limited access to resources, which can contribute to food insecurity.

    "The Uniting to Combat Hunger initiative exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and sustainability within communities across the country," he said. "By fostering the growth of victory gardens, we are strengthening the bonds among VFW Post and Auxiliary members."

    The Department of Agriculture in 2021 said more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, experience food insecurity in the U.S. during the year - that is about 1-in-10 households in the country.

    Feeding America says that about 125,000 active-duty military troops experience food insecurity - about 7 percent of troops in the active military. However, according to the Department of Agriculture, only about 2 percent of active-duty troops qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Feeding America also says 1-in-4 Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans are affected by food insecurity.
    For more information, visit https://endhunger.org/seed-project.

  4. VFW Posts around the country are amping up for the third annual VFW Day of Service on May 4. That date kicks off a month of veteran-led community service projects.

    The Day of Service is an outgrowth of the VFW's #StillServing initiative that launched in 2020 and has since brought recognition to how much U.S. military veterans continue to serve in their communities after they take off their uniform.

    By concentrating on veteran-led community service projects on this day, and throughout the month of May, the VFW intends to bring focus to the role veterans play in the well-being of their communities and surrounding areas.

    "We hope to harness the momentum of our last two events to make the third annual Day of Service the best yet in terms of participation and impact," VFW Director of Communications Randi Law said. "Through this event, not only have our members contributed in countless, meaningful ways to their communities, but they've had a lot of fun doing it. Our hope is the event continues to grow for years to come."

    VFW's second annual Day of Service in 2023 grew its total number of grassroots events by more than 20 percent from the first year. VFW Posts in all 50 states, as well as those in Europe, Guam, Asia and Puerto Rico, participated last year.

    Much as Veterans Day commemorations take place throughout the month of November, the VFW Day of Service kicks off on the first Saturday in May.

    The VFW asks that VFW members, all veterans and others visit VFWDayofService.org to register their events on the interactive Day of Service map and receive a special participation decal and/or find a local event to join and see what veterans around the country are doing to make a difference.

    VFW Day of Service events are community service focused, so it is up to you and your Post to identify what your community needs. Whatever Day of Service project you and your members decide upon will qualify. However, "Buddy"® Poppy, recruiting and events which raise monetary donations do not qualify as a Day of Service event.

    Below are some examples of community service events:

    • Drives - food, personal hygiene products, diapers
    • Home repair
    • Street / park / cemetery / vacant lot clean-up
    • Health fairs
    • Houseless to home support
    • Playground rehab / installation
    • Accessibility initiatives

    The photos you see here are some fine examples of work done during the 2023 VFW Day of Service. For more information about VFW Day of Service, contact info@todaysvfw.org.

    This article is featured in the 2024 March issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor for VFW magazine.

  5. Members of VFW Post 6755 in Liberty, Pennsylvania, hosted a Suicide Awareness Brunch on Feb. 18 to help raise donations and awareness for a local nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans.

    In a joint partnership with This is My Quest: Veterans in the Wild, a local nonprofit created in 2022 to provide veterans of all ages with outdoor exposure therapy, the event served brunch to 85 people and helped raise more than $1,700 among other donated items.

    "All the money raised was for This is My Quest: Veterans in the Wild to help with their efforts to get veterans out in nature and talking," Post 6755 Commander Scott Mclaughlin said. "Whether it is at a VFW Post or out in nature, we believe just a simple conversation or gesture might make all of the difference for a fellow veteran."

    The idea for a suicide awareness brunch was presented to Post 6755 by one of their own, trustee Travis McConnell, who serves as the nonprofit's veterans outreach director. It was through McConnell that Post members jumped at the opportunity to raise awareness about an issue as important as the suicide numbers among their own.

    "Mr. McConnell is a Post trustee, so naturally, when he asked, the Post gladly provided him with the space and support he needed to host such a meaningful event for our local veteran community," Post Quartermaster James Reed said.

    During the brunch, the Post also received donations in the form of 30 blankets, 40 knitted hats, 100 pairs of socks, a few packs of T-shirts and 15 pairs of gloves. The donations will go toward veterans in need of clothing items and blankets to stay warm.

    Through their joint partnership, Post 6755 and This is My Quest: Veterans in the Wild plan to continue to raise awareness on behalf of veterans committing suicide at an alarming rate.

    For Reed, the "heart-stopping" number of veterans' suicides each year is something he believes all veterans feel deeply personal about. Events like the Post's recent Suicide Awareness Brunch provide a means toward opening discourse among those close to the edge.

    "With each obituary skirting around the cause of death, instant messages, phone calls or texts from battle buddies, it never gets any easier," Reed said. "Those lost in the shadows know that it takes another who has been down that dark path to lead them back out. Without these events and networking amongst each other, we will lose others to the darkness."

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Cpl. Norbert F. Simon
1918– 1944
United States Army
4th Infantry Divison
Rolling Four
(4" Mobile Howitzers)
Omaha Beach  
  Michael Parise
1921– 1943
United States Army
Company A, 20th Infantry
Anti-tank Company, Sicily