VFW Press Releases

1. VFW Calls on Nation to Remember the True Meaning of Memorial Day

   KANSAS CITY, Mo. -As the nation approaches Memorial Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is urging all Americans to pause and reflect on the profound significance of this solemn day.

   While acknowledging and appreciating the celebrations and gatherings that often accompany the holiday, the VFW emphasizes that Memorial Day is, at its core, a day of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

   "In the midst of barbecues and the start of summer festivities, many lose sight of the true meaning of Memorial Day," said VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt. "This is the time to reflect on the sacrifices of our service members... men like Pvt. Lewis Sloan, Cpl. Kenneth Adams, Cpl. Philip Adams, Robert Waddell and Rodney Loatman... men who served under my command during the Vietnam War where they paid the ultimate price and remain some of the bravest men I have ever known. This day is our time to remember their names, their stories, and the futures they forfeited so that we may freely live out ours."

   The VFW implores every American to take a moment - even a minute - to remember the men and women who laid down their lives in service. Their sacrifice is the true cost of the freedoms we enjoy, and it is a debt our nation can never repay. Read the White House 2025 Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day proclamation here.

   This Memorial Day, the more than 1.4 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary will be participating in ceremonies and events all over the world, ensuring that the memory of our fallen heroes is kept alive. We invite all Americans to join us in these observances, to visit a local cemetery or memorial, to fly the flag at half-staff, and to teach future generations the true meaning of this sacred day.

2. VFW National Commander Joins Day of Service Sponsors to Aid Homeless Vets

   NASHVILLE - VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt joined alongside leaders from Humana, CenterWell Senior Primary Care and USAA on May 20 to package personal hygiene kits for homeless veterans as part of this year's VFW Day of Service.

   More than 50 volunteers spent several hours at the Grand Ole Opry packaging the kits with toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and other basic hygiene necessities. Operation Stand Down Tennessee - the only comprehensive veteran-serving agency in middle Tennessee, connecting veterans with careers, community and crisis services - will distribute the kits to homeless veterans in the Nashville area.

   "On this 2025 VFW Day of Service, the VFW is honored to team up with Humana, CenterWell Senior Primary Care and USAA, and today's packing event reinforces our commitment to our nation's brave and selfless warriors," Lipphardt said. "Here in Nashville, as we assembled these hygiene kits, we're doing more than just providing essential items, we're extending a hand of dignity and a reminder that no veteran is ever alone. This is the heart of the VFW - veterans helping veterans, ensuring those who served our nation receive the support and care they deserve, right in their own communities."

   The organizations made the event a veteran-centered affair, kicking off the day with a morning "Veteran Coffee Time" and a facility tour at the CenterWell Senior Primary Care location in Madison, Tennessee. They spent the afternoon volunteering for the Day of Service event and ended the evening at the Grand Ole Opry's Salute the Troops concert event, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

   Before the concert, Humana's Senior Vice President of MarketPoint, Tracy Nolan, and USAA's Senior Vice President of GM Retirement and Insurance Solutions, Mary Stork, presented VFW National Commander Lipphardt with a Partners in Service Award in recognition of the VFW's dedication and commitment to finding innovative ways to support America's service members, veterans and their families.
   
   "We have proudly partnered with the VFW for more than a decade to help provide meaningful support for veterans in need," Nolan said. "Alongside USAA, we are honored to present the VFW with the Partners in Service award for being outstanding advocates for the veteran community, and we look forward to continuing our work together to address the health needs of those who have served our nation."

3. VFW Action Alert: Say NO to Putting Veterans in Debt

   Veterans should never go into debt to access their earned benefits!

   The VFW has repeatedly expressed concerns about charging veterans for initial claims assistance based on their future benefits, and thus, we strongly oppose H.R. 3132, CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025, as written. This would potentially put veterans into debt even before utilizing their benefits. The VFW is grateful that the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs staff sought our input on the legislation and included some safeguards in it, but the fee structure is a poison pill that should ultimately kill this bill.
   
   Maybe the committee advanced this bill to finally get the aggressive Claim Shark lobbyists out of their offices, but we urge our legislators in the House not to consider passing such a blatant cash grab for illegal companies who know they're breaking the law and lining their pockets with taxpayer dollars intended for disabled veterans.

   The VFW opposes this legislation and will continue to fight any effort to put veterans into debt to access their earned disability benefits.

   Contact your House representative and urge them to vote NO on H.R. 3132 and keep veterans' earned benefits in their own pockets.

4. Winners of VFW Publications Contest Announced

   KANSAS CITY, Mo. -The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has announced the winners of the 2024 National Publications Contest. More than seven years ago, the contest changed significantly to encourage more participation. This created two new categories: Best Magazine and Best Feature Article. This year's competition retained those changes.
   
   Two non-VFW-affiliated journalism professionals served as judges for the competition. This is designed to ensure impartiality and objectivity in the judging process. To reiterate, VFW staffers play no part in judging the entries.
   
   The winning publications in each category are:
   
   
   Best Magazine
   
   Grand Award:
   California Veteran
   Rodger Meier, Editor
   
   Silver Award:
   Department of South Carolina Sentinel
   Bill LaMonte, Editor
   
   Best Feature Article
   
   Grand Award:
   "Vietnam vet plays 'TAPS' every day with Boy Scout Bugle"
   Jarrod Schoenecker, Montgomery Messenger
   Department of Minnesota
   
   Silver Award:
   "Alachua VFW Post 2811 Auxiliary President honors son with service"
   Michael P. Mauer, Alachua County Today
   Department of Florida
   
   Bronze Award:
   "WWII POW's Remains Return to Illinois Following Identification"
   Barbara Wilson, Illinois VFW News
   Department of Illinois
   
   Department Publications
   
   Large Frequency (printed 5+ times per year)
   
   Grand Award:
   Wisconsin VFW News
   Marla J. Morgan, Editor
   
   Small Frequency (printed 1-4 times per year)
   
   Grand Award:
   Illinois VFW News
   Barb Wilson, Editor
   
   Silver Award:
   Michigan Overseas Veteran
   Alyssa McElfresh, Editor
   
   District/Post Publications
   
   Large Frequency (printed 5+ times per year)
   
   Grand Award:
   SSG Dozier VFW Post 2894 Newsletter
   Dan Eaker, Editor
   Department of Virginia
   
   Silver Award:
   Cannon News (VFW Post 7589)
   Rick Raskin, Editor
   Department of Virginia
   
   Bronze Award:
   The Chatter(VFW Post 7591)
   Cole Slominski, Editor
   Department of Wisconsin
   
   Small Frequency (printed 1-4 times per year)
   
   Grand Award:
   VFW News (Post 1318)
   Gundel Metz, Editor
   Department of Wisconsin
   
   Silver Award:
   VFW Post 2113 & Auxiliary Joint Newsletter
   Randy Hansen, Editor
   Department of Wisconsin
   
   Bronze Award:
   Waverley VFW Post 1272 Newsletter
   D. Bruce Pahlm, Editor
   Department of Massachusetts
   

5. VFW Applauds VA for Clearing Way to Timely Care

   WASHINGTON -The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs following its announcement of eliminating the requirement of secondary approval to access community care when a VA clinician determines it is in the "best medical interest" of the veterans, effective immediately.

   "Under the old way of doing things, veterans would pay the price for delayed or denied referrals for care in the community, even when VA's own doctors knew best," said VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt. "This is exactly the pressure-relief valve that veterans and their providers expect in a patient-centric care system. The VFW fought hard for this to stay in the Dole Act, and we commend Secretary Collins for his expedient implementation of the law, placing veterans first when their VA doctors know that community care is the right call."

   Before yesterday's announcement, veterans and their VA providers needed another physician to approve and finalize a community care referral, presenting an additional hurdle with an uncertain outcome. The VFW testified before Congress multiple times on this issue, sharing stories from veterans who were arbitrarily denied care that should have been granted by the 2019 MISSION Act.

   "The VFW has always advocated for delivering timely care to veterans through all means available to VA, including its community partners," said VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci. "We have gone to the mat for what is in the best medical interest of the veteran - allowing them to make those decisions with the doctor who is treating them, without having to get the 'OK' from an outsider."

   With the passing of the VFW-backed Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, secondary approval is no longer required, paving the way for veterans to receive the care they and their providers believe is in their best interest. It also reduces inequities between veterans in urban environments and rural areas where VA medical care is either overwhelmed, not readily available, or inconsistently granted.

   But it rarely happened. The VFW aggressively advocated to keep the best medical interest provision in the Dole Act when some in Congress sought to strip it from the bill. The members of the VFW would not stand for it and sent thousands of messages to lawmakers, ensuring its passage.