On May 23, a brand new statue was unveiled just a few steps away from the front doors of VFW Post 9186 in San Antonio, Texas.

“The Price of Freedom” is a bronze statue depicting three soldiers – two men, who are embraced shoulder-to-shoulder, carrying one another, and a woman, who is providing close support from behind. It stands adjacent to the Post’s flagpole, atop a marble pedestal on the corner of Padre Drive and VFW Boulevard.

Each soldier symbolizes a different armed conflict that the U.S. has been involved with. The soldier in the center represents the Vietnam and Korean Wars, the soldier to his left represents WWII and the soldier standing behind the pair represents the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

“We’re all brothers and sisters, regardless of the conflict or war we served in,” said Antonio “Tony” Ramon, commander of Chapter 1836 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart when asked about the significance of the statue representing different eras.

The original idea for a statue came from Vietnam veteran and local artist Michael Boyett, who served as an infantryman in Vietnam. Boyett created the original design for the statue, however after Boyett’s death in April 2015, the project was put on hiatus.

Ramon, along with the rest of Chapter 1836, eventually picked up the project. They wanted a memorial that emphasized different eras of U.S. military conflicts. However, the project was put on hiatus once again when they began to have trouble establishing a location for the statue.

After connecting with Post 9186, they were able to coordinate the statue to be placed in the Veterans Memorial Garden, just outside the doors to the Post.

To help pay for the statue, the Post began to hold fundraisers. However, once news of the statue reached the ears of Michael Lynd, who served as a first lieutenant during the Vietnam War and founded Lynd Management Group, he offered to pay for the whole statue – so long as “he could get one of his own.” Lynd’s statue, “Vet Fully Loaded,” can be found outside the Lynd corporate office in San Antonio.

The unveiling ceremony of “The Price of Freedom” at Post 9186 was a success. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, along with retired Army major general and Medal of Honor recipient Pat Brady, were guest speakers at the event, which included Harlandale High School JROTC members presenting colors and mariachi performers from Southwest High School.

Post members took an immediate liking to the statue.

“Words cannot describe how beautiful this statue is,” said past-VFW Post 9186 Commander Ralph Alvarado. “All of us at VFW Post 9186 are proud to have erected this statue on the grounds of our Memorial Garden.”

Ramon praised the cooperation between the Military Order of the Purple Heart and VFW.

“It was an awesome ceremony,” said Ramon said. “The Purple Heart and VFW worked together as a team. Different organizations can get together to accomplish something for these veterans.”

This article is featured in the 2026 January/February issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Danny Cook, senior writer for VFW magazine.

On April 24, 1966, VFW Post 6069 in Lebanon, Ohio, hosted a meeting with 12 members from four other Posts to discuss the formation of a burial detail. After several names were suggested, all members present voted unanimously to adopt the name “VFW Memorial Team.”

For the last 60 years, the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team has worked closely with numerous area funeral homes, veteran service officers, active-duty military funeral details, and cemeteries to provide military honors for thousands of local deceased veterans.

Working with more than 20 partners in and around their communities, the VFW Memorial Team currently serves Clermont, Hamilton, Warren, Butler and Brown Counties in Ohio, as well as Kenton County in Northern Kentucky.

In 2025, the VFW Memorial Team conducted a record 206 services with honors, including 11 veterans of World War II, 20 from the Korean War, 41 from Vietnam, as well as three from both the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism.

Families usually receive these services either through a referral from their funeral directors when making burial arrangements, or by contacting the Team directly, most often through their county Veteran Service Office or by word of mouth. Proof of military service, such as a DD-214, is required.

The team does not charge deceased veterans’ families, and no team member receives any compensation for their services. While the services are free, the team does accept donations to help cover expenses.

In addition to a folded U.S. Flag, the VFW Memorial Team also gives families a parchment-style certificate of remembrance, a bronze burial medallion, and some of the spent shell casings from the rounds that our rifle team fired that day in honor of their loved one’s service to our nation.

The average age of the 21-member team is 69 years, with every branch of service represented, except the Space Force. Team members are affiliated with several different local VFW and American Legion Posts, with the team’s headquarters at VFW Post 9630 in Willowville, Ohio.

This April, the team will be hosting a “60 Years of Service Celebration Dinner” in Cincinnati.

For more information on the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team, visit www.swohiovfwmemorialteam.org

This article is featured in the 2025 December issue of Checkpoint. If you’re a VFW member and don’t currently receive the VFW Checkpoint, please contact VFW magazine at magazine@vfw.org. This article was submitted by Randy Fannin, Commander, SW Ohio VFW Memorial Team.

Veteran Richard “Rick” Barela, 72, lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with his wife Barbara. He is a Gold Legacy Life member of the VFW and serves as the adjutant of VFW Post 680.

Barela enlisted in the 1970s and spent more than two decades in the Army, achieving the rank of master sergeant. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2020.

Barela completed multiple overseas assignments, including his final one in Germany. It was during that tour that he joined the VFW. After retirement, Barela became involved in the organization. He has held several positions, including service officer at his local Post.

“I started that job in 2022, right after the COVID lockdown, at the request of the Post commander,” he said. “There have been many changes to the VA claims process over the last three years, some good, some not so good.”

In September 2025, Barela became a VFW Accredited Service Officer. He is pleased with the training he received to fulfill his new role, which allows him to better serve his clients, even as policies shift.

“The VFW is doing remarkable things for veterans and keeping us informed about changes,” he said.

On a typical day, Barela meets with four or five veterans or their family members. He feels a sense of accomplishment when he can help them get approval for a VA claim and believes that being a veteran himself often helps things run more smoothly.

“Some veterans who need assistance are afraid to start the process due to stigmas about putting their claim forward and seeking help,” he said. “As a fellow veteran, I feel like I can talk to them without them worrying about being stereotyped. It brings me joy when I get a call or email from one of those veterans thanking me for processing their claim.”

Barela is concerned about the current political climate and believes it is limiting veterans’ rights. He is grateful to be in a position where he can help protect his fellow service members, just as he always has.

“I served 24 years and nine months,” Barela said. “I did not do it for money or fame, but for the soldiers, especially, the rangers to my right and left that follow the Ranger Creed – a creed that we live by each and every day, even after we leave the service.”

Learn more about the VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS) program.

VFW Life member Yoselin Brice, 53, joined the Air Force in search of opportunity and life experiences.

“I wanted to get away from the hectic pace of New York City and my medical research job at Columbia University,” she said. “I was desperately looking for new adventures and to travel the world.”

Brice served for six years. After leaving the military in 2004, she spent more than 15 years working for the Department of Defense. Today, she lives in Bronxville, New York, and has two kids, Skyler and Connor. Brice’s late husband, Charles, also served and was a lieutenant commander in the Navy.

A self-described “military family advocate,” Brice became a VFW Accredited Service Officer in November 2024.

“This is an ideal job for me because I get to use my knowledge of the federal government, military experience and personal experience with the VA to help others navigate the complex web of applying for benefits,” Brice said. “Helping veterans is something I would gladly do for free. Getting paid to do so is a privilege and an honor.”

On a typical day, Brice meets with veterans or their family members who are seeking assistance with filing claims.

“My greatest accomplishment in this role is when I can call a veteran to tell them that a disability that has been afflicting them for years is indeed related to their military service and that the VA has approved their disability claim,” she said.

“My biggest challenge is not being able to secure dependent benefits or payments for military widows who are in financial distress. It’s heartbreaking.”

Brice explained that this is often because a late veteran did not understand they were entitled to dependent indemnity compensation, so they never filed a claim. She understands from experience how this can happen.

“Even as a veteran, for a long time, I didn’t know that service officers existed and that their assistance is free,” she said. “The first time I applied for health care and compensation was after I became one myself. Before then, I didn’t know I was eligible.

“The health care I’ve received has been life-changing. I can now get physical therapy that I could not afford previously and that has improved my quality of life. It’s gratifying to help other veterans manage their military-related disability claims using my knowledge and experience and to help improve their wellbeing by connecting them with the services they need and deserve.”

Learn more about the VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS) program.

Army veteran Prinisa Desir, 27, served three years at Fort Carson in Colorado.

“I joined because I was looking for a sense of purpose in my life after high school,” she said.

Desir expressed her gratitude for the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.” The aid took care of the remaining tuition expenses that were not covered by her VA benefits.

“I’m able to have a better educational experience knowing I have financial support,” she said. “I cannot say thank you enough.”

No matter how old you are, Desir said, it is never too late to start something new. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in international business, she now studies nursing.

“Every day, life is passing you by. Why not go after your dreams?” she said.

Desir wants to become a pediatric nurse because of her passions for health care and helping children. Being a consistent, reliable patient caregiver is important to her.

“I want to help children facing their illnesses, as well as the parents who have to show up with just as much strength,” she said. “I’m proud I can touch the lives of others through big and small impacts.”

Desir encourages other veterans to pursue an education confidently.

“The first step is to be brave enough to put yourself out there!” she said.

Learn more about the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.”

Army veteran Prinisa Desir, 27, served three years at Fort Carson in Colorado.

“I joined because I was looking for a sense of purpose in my life after high school,” she said.

Desir expressed her gratitude for the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.” The aid took care of the remaining tuition expenses that were not covered by her VA benefits.

“I’m able to have a better educational experience knowing I have financial support,” she said. “I cannot say thank you enough.”

No matter how old you are, Desir said, it is never too late to start something new. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in international business, she now studies nursing.

“Every day, life is passing you by. Why not go after your dreams?” she said.

Desir wants to become a pediatric nurse because of her passions for health care and helping children. Being a consistent, reliable patient caregiver is important to her.

“I want to help children facing their illnesses, as well as the parents who have to show up with just as much strength,” she said. “I’m proud I can touch the lives of others through big and small impacts.”

Desir encourages other veterans to pursue an education confidently.

“The first step is to be brave enough to put yourself out there!” she said.

Learn more about the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.”

VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler participated in the 15th annual Ron Davies Memorial VFW Air Lift in Centennial, Colorado, on Dec. 14, hosted by VFW Post 9644.

The event, which was born out of a love of aviation between Davies and his daughter, Brittany Davies, serves to give back to those in need, especially in rural communities, across the state of Colorado through the Rocky Mountain skies.

The Post collected a total of 13,500 pounds of food, clothing and Christmas toys. Planes flew into Centennial Airport, and Post members carried the donations on pallets to be loaded onto the planes.

Post members spent the day before weighing each individual donation and calculating the total weight for each pallet. Pallets were then designated to a particular aircraft to avoid overloading.

Planes then flew to various communities across Colorado, from Grand Junction to Fort Collins, where local VFW members in those locations met the pilot to help unload the donations.

“This is the entire message of the VFW,” Geisler said. “This shows that we can come together and that we don’t have to do things in a silo.”

According to Post 9644 Todd Van Sant, the Post voted unanimously to name the event the “Ron Davies Memorial VFW Air Lift” after Davies’ passing earlier this year.

Brittany is proud to continue the event, which is expected to grow next year, with more donations, more pilots and more locations.

“I know my father would be proud of how this event turned out,” Brittany said. “Aviation really can partner rural communities together.”

Veteran Dale Wysocki, 73, was born and raised in Las Vegas. He now lives in Pahrump, Nevada, with his wife of 20 years, Susan.

Wysocki was in the Army from 1969 to 1975, including a year in Vietnam when he served as a helicopter crew chief and door gunner.

“I enlisted at the age of 17 because I wanted to do my duty during the war,” he said.

Wysocki was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He experiences a series of health complications because of it.

“I suffer from severe apnea, cardiomyopathy, acid reflux, diabetes, diverticulitis, a deteriorating spine, tinnitus, middle ear damage, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and several other ailments,” he said. “This has affected my whole life.”

For years, Wysocki did his best to manage his conditions on his own. Eventually, he connected with VFW Accredited Claims Consultant Debra Johnson through VFW Post 10054, where Wysocki is a Life member.

“Her assistance changed my whole life,” he said.

When they met, Wysocki had a 10% disability rating for his hearing. Johnson helped him submit a claim for several ailments. Today, he has a 100% disability rating.

“Now, I receive excellent care from the VA, including treatment for my PTSD, which has caused a huge change in my personality,” Wysocki said.

“I strongly recommend that any veteran with a claim contact their VFW and let them go to bat for you.”

Learn more about the VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS) program.

Martin J. Barrett, 74, lives in Henderson, Nevada. He has six children: Brion, Jennifer, Melinda, Rebbeca, Jessica and Andrea.

Barrett was handpicked by his local draft board in June 1970 and began serving. He served in the Army for 19 months, including nine months in Vietnam.

Barrett began helping veterans with their disability claims in 2015 as the VFW Post 3848 service officer. Last year, he became a VFW Accredited Service Officer after he was encouraged to take the role by a colleague who sat on the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Barrett says that the most challenging part of the job is helping his fellow veterans receive the proper rating. But his own experience motivates him to do all he can on their behalf.

“It took me five years to receive a 100% disability rating,” he said. “It makes my day when I can help another veteran get their disability [rating].”

Learn more about the VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS) program.

Veteran Floyd B. Banks, 71, lives in Pahrump, Nevada, with his wife, Bobbi. The couple has a blended family that includes three sons, Carl, Tavis and Jerry and one daughter, Lina.

Banks enlisted in the Navy in 1972.

“I was raised with a sense of duty and respect for my country,” he said. “I was also taught to try to make the next person’s path a little easier because of the example I set. And I wanted to learn a skill and lessons that would help me be successful in life.”

Banks served in San Diego, California, and Bremerton, Washington. He was also deployed to the Western Pacific region aboard the USS Truxton.

“We have the distinction of being the last ship to leave the duty station off the coast of Vietnam in December 1973,” he said.

After five-and-a-half years in the Navy, Banks was discharged early because of a knee issue.

“Unfortunately for me,” he said, “at the time, no one advised me that I might be eligible for VA disability.”

Today, Banks also suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, degenerative joint disease, shoulder osteoarthritis, hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure and headaches.

“Most of my injuries have meant I live with various levels of pain, which affects my mood and quality of life,” Banks said. He explained that PTSD, especially, has taken its toll.

“Where do I start? I guess an oversimplified way to explain it is that I never considered myself to have PTSD, for untold reasons. One being that I was raised to believe that you don’t have time to be weak in this world. I thought to admit that I had PTSD would mean that,” he said.

Banks’ wife suspected her husband was experiencing PTSD, even if he did not realize it himself – or want to admit it. A visit to a VA medical center changed Banks’ mind.

“A nurse asked how I was doing with my PTSD, and I immediately responded, ‘I don’t have PTSD.’ Her look at that moment spoke volumes,” Banks said. “That’s when it hit me – I should talk to someone.”

That someone was VFW Accredited Claims Consultant Debra (Debby) Johnson.

“She steered me through the process of meeting with the various professionals I needed to see for my other disabilities for which I was trying to get approved,” Banks said. “Then, I finally addressed the elephant in the room.”

Banks said that Johson helped him face his “demon,” PTSD.

“I never would have done it without her assistance. But because of Debby’s professionalism, knowledge and gentle persuasion, not only am I dealing with my issues, but I also – after almost 50 years – have received a disability rating of 100%.”

Banks encourages other veterans to take advantage of the help that is available to them.

“If you need assistance with anything VA-related, get in touch with a local VFW service officer or claims consultant. It can only make your life better.

“Oh, and also,” he continued, “I am so glad that the day I contacted the VFW, Debby answered my call. My life would not have changed for the better if she hadn’t!”

Learn more about the VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS) program.