Sonia Coley remembers him well. After 24 years of service, a veteran walked into her office looking unsure. Like he shouldn’t have been there. As a VFW Accredited Service Officer, it was Coley’s job to convince him otherwise. “He had that air about him,” Coley explained, “that so many service members do when they believe…
“One veteran I worked with was ready to give up.” After his VA claim was denied, VFW Accredited Service Officer Nancy Ortiz-Rodriguez explained, the man felt hopeless. The constant stress of living in pain, while also trying to provide for his family, was almost too much. Ortiz-Rodriguez took on the veteran’s appeal. Between securing documents…
These new sign-ups will get you fired up for May — Let’s go All-American! We’re in the homestretch. Some fantastic new events have been confirmed in the past weeks and we’re sharing some of them to inspire you if you haven’t already signed up. Sign up early to get your Post on the map! Don’t forget:…
Kate Youngs enlisted in 1998, hoping to gain professional experience and a sense of direction. “I wasn’t ready for college and not sure of my path,” she said. Youngs ended up serving five years in the Army. Today, she and her husband, Gary, have two children, Sawyer and Quinnley. As quartermaster and adjutant of VFW…
Last winter, Louisville, Kentucky, was hit by long stretches of extreme cold. Members of VFW Post 1181 were concerned that older veterans would not be able to keep warm in temperatures below freezing. The Post offered its hall as a place for them to stay overnight. Soon, others were invited, too. “I noticed local advocacy…
VFW Post 2947 officer Eli Semer stepped up to honor local veterans at his community’s annual Memorial Day parade. “Our Vietnam memorial float was on its last leg, so I decided to start building a new one,” he said. But Semer didn’t undertake the project alone. His mother helped with historical research, while Semer’s service dog,…
During a military career that spanned more than two decades, Marine Corps veteran Thomas J. Heaton earned a reputation as a leader and mentor. Despite his ability to inspire and strengthen others, Heaton struggled personally between deployments. “When I came home, I wanted to be overseas, and when I was overseas, I wanted to be…
It was important to Air Force veteran Jennifer Korecki to stay connected to the military community after transitioning back to civilian life. But it was not always easy, at least not on her own. “My service dog Ben plays a huge role in helping me stay engaged,” she said. “He gives me the confidence,…
After undergoing surgery and physical therapy to walk again, Susie Marshall’s recovery depended on the support of others. That included her service dog. As it turned out, Marshall wasn’t the only one to benefit from Zira’s healing effect. She set out, with Zira by her side, to help others. The duo volunteers at Pleasant Valley…
On Nov. 10, 2023, Navy veteran Joseph Radmacher received a phone call. “A woman from a rescue group asked if I would adopt a 4-year-old Pomeranian from a puppy mill,” he said. Still grieving the loss of his previous dog, which happened to be a Pomeranian as well, Radmacher explained that he was not sure…
Jason Khalaf, quartermaster of Post 10254 in Tucson, Arizona, has some advice for other VFW Posts when planning Day of Service activities: “Choose something that your members care about — it makes a huge difference.” When Post 10254 considered its 2025 VFW Day of Service event, it was a natural fit to partner with Southwestern Animal…
To establish their 2025 VFW Day of Service event, leadership from Post 9644 in Sheridan, Colorado, worked with the mayor and other officials to find out how they could make a positive difference in their city. They identified Bear Creek Trail, a high-traffic area that needed attention, as their objective for a trail cleanup. Frequently…
VFW Post 3219 in Hampton, Virginia, will hold its fourth annual blood drive for its 2025 VFW National Day of Service event. By participating in and leading the blood drive, veterans continue their service far beyond the military, demonstrating commitment to their community. Post Commander Joe Perkins said, “Veterans don’t stop serving when they take…
For several years, VFW Post 4272 in Columbus, Mississippi, has partnered with Golden Triangle Outdoors to host the Catfish Roundup. Post members decided it would be a great way to participate in the VFW National Day of Service. “The event allows mentally and physically disabled individuals to get outdoors and have fun together,” Post Commander…
As members of VFW Post 2113 in De Pere, Wisconsin, began thinking about what to do for this year’s VFW National Day of Service, discussions led to a previous member. “Our Post has a long and proud history of supporting the needs of the community,” Post Quartermaster/Adjutant Randy Hansen said. “One of our original members,…
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