Archives

Dec 01 2022

When Helyn Met Astro

Standing on the precipice of a life suffocated by an abusive marriage and post-traumatic stress, Helyn Stowe had a tennis ball dropped on her lap — once, twice, and three time’s a charm. With the weight of a loaded gun in her hand and body clinging to the couch of her New York home, Stowe kept receiving the unsolicited tennis ball from ...

Nov 30 2022

Fewer Veterans are Recommending Military Service

A report released in July says troops, veterans and their families in 2021 were less likely to recommend military service than in 2019. While most respondents still encouraged military service, the percentage dropped noticeably over the two-year interval. The Military Family Advisory Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing help to ...

Nov 29 2022

‘Proud Warrior Spirits’

After many years of planning, Native American veterans are set to be recognized fortheir military service to the nation. Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, is the future home of the American Indian Veterans Memorial, the first of its kind. Since 2005, plans for the memorial have been in development. On March 14, then-VFW Departme...

Nov 28 2022

VFW Celebrates National Native American Heritage Month

During this year’s National Native American Heritage Month, VFW commemorates veterans who have served in the military and recognizes veterans of the past who fought overseas. Today, a monument dedicated to Native American troops can be visited at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Also, VA is making an effort to bring health care s...

Nov 25 2022

'The Gear is No Longer Helmets, Rifles and Helicopters'

There’s something in the rolling white slopes lined with powdered pines along Vail Mountain’s ski lift that brought Pete Thompson an idea more than five years ago. For the VFW Post 10721 senior vice commander in Vail, Colorado, zooming down the mountain in his ski gear to thetune of a cool swoosh treading snow was therapeutic, but he wa...

Nov 23 2022

'Thanks for the Heroes Among Us'

WASHINGTON — As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I would like all of us to reflect with thankfulness in our hearts on the precious gifts of family, friends and comrades we have in our lives. Those of us who have seen conflicts around the world, know all too well just how fragile peace and security are, and can appreciate the sanctuary...

Nov 22 2022

'Our Commitment to Service Doesn't End'

David Vieira, Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 149 in Danbury, Connecticut, describes his Post as “very active,” with a long list of accomplishments to back that up. It has hosted BBQ fundraisers for youth sports, participated in flag-placing days at cemeteries, hosted blood drives, sponsored a little league baseball team, prepared mea...

Nov 22 2022

Afghanistan Evacuation Troops Earn Unit Awards

Troops who helped the evacuation during the Afghanistan War’s final days will be eligible to receive a Meritorious Unit Commendation or the equivalent. On Aug. 31, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III announced that all troops present at Hamid Karzai International Airport from Aug. 15-30, 2021, are eligible for a meritorious unit ribbon. Austin...

Nov 21 2022

Veteran Appreciates ‘Amazing People’

Alicia Johnson wanted to serve her country and so she enlisted. After serving as an Army specialist for 2 1/2 years, she now lives in Atlanta with her husband Jeramie and their children Jeramie, Charlie and Omega. Due to rising costs, Johnson was struggling to afford necessities. She learned about the VFW’s Unmet Needs program and applied. &l...

Nov 21 2022

'We Are Here for You'

Daniel Luby’s father served as a Security Forces specialist in the Air Force. But when he was just four years old, Luby’s father passed away unexpectedly. When he was old enough, Luby enlisted to feel closer to the father he lost years earlier. From November 1995 to September 2020, Luby relished the opportunity to serve in several medic...