Earl Jackson, 48, reflected back on his work. The veterans he’s helped. The stories he’s heard. Plenty of clients came to mind for the VFW Accredited Service Officer. But one stood out.

“I was helping a transitioning member overseas who thought he’d waited too long to start his claim,” Jackson said. “Months after we submitted it, he reached out. He received a favorable rating and said it gave his family peace of mind during a difficult time. Moments like that remind me why this work matters.”

Once you get to know more about Jackson, who served in the Marine Corps for 21 years, it’s easy to understand why this experience stuck with him.

“My family – my partner, Sonia, and my five children – is one of the driving forces behind my service to others,” he explained.

The well-being of his fellow veterans and service members also drives Jackson. It always has.

“I began helping veterans shortly before retiring from active duty and became more involved over time as fellow service members reached out for guidance,” he said. “I saw too many people struggle with the complexity of the VA system.”

Jackson realized what was largely missing: someone willing to take the time to listen, explain and advocate for veterans. He wanted to “ensure they were treated fairly.”

Working in Okinawa, Japan, Jackson is honored to fill that role for veterans and military families throughout the Pacific region.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a veteran finally receive a favorable decision after years of frustration, helping a service member complete a benefits delivery at discharge claim before separation or knowing that families will have stability, access to health care and financial relief because of the work we do,” Jackson said.

“Those outcomes make the effort worthwhile.”

Every day is different, explained Jackson, because every client’s story and claim is unique. Despite the challenges, he cherishes the role.

“At the heart of it, the work comes down to personal connection, trust and advocacy,” Jackson said. “It gives me a continued sense of purpose. Even after retiring from the Marines, I’m still serving others.”

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

Members of VFW Post 6181 in Ashland City, Tennessee, celebrated America’s 250th birthday in July by launching its own golf tournament at nearby Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Held at the Cole Park Golf Course, an 18-hole championship facility in Fort Campbell, about 47 miles north of Ashland City, the tournament hosted more than 50 participants and raised $2,500 for programs for veterans at VFW Post 6181 and its American Legion counterpart.

“It was a great day for all that came out and enjoyed the tournament,” VFW Post 6181 Commander Michael Burke said. “We had great sponsors from the community as well as the Tennessee National Guard giving out goody bags to each player.”

At the end of the tournament, Post 6181 awarded prizes to members of the winning teams, which included a homemade knife for each player on the first-place team and gift bags from the Tennessee National Guard in Ashland City for the second-place team. The Post also hosted a raffle where participants could draw from a slew of $50 gift certificates from Home Depot, Golf Tech, Walmart and Hardee’s.

“We are planning on doing this tournament again next year, but it will be in late August or the first of September,” Burke added. “We will once again look to raise money and divide it between Post 6181 and Legion Post 40, as all the money we raise is always used to help a veteran in need.”

VFW Post 11999 in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, celebrated a successful Independence Day season, highlighted by the Post’s leadership role in the local July Fourth parade, continued support of visiting service members and the completion of its signature annual Mountain Assault retreat benefiting soldiers and their families from the Fort Bliss Soldier Recovery Unit.

While supporting Cloudcroft’s Christmas in July Jamboree, Post Commander Paul Benshoof recognized the many Post members, Scout Troop 958, community partners and volunteers who contributed to the success of the Independence Day parade.

“Events like this demonstrate what a small community can accomplish when people come together,” Benshoof said. “Our Post is proud to support Cloudcroft’s traditions and help create opportunities for residents, visitors, veterans and service members to celebrate together.”

This year’s parade also welcomed soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 172nd Mountain Infantry Regiment, who joined the parade formation while training at Fort Bliss in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

Upon learning that two members of the battalion had recently married, members of VFW Post 11999 helped make the soldiers’ honeymoon visit to Cloudcroft a memorable experience by providing them an opportunity to relax and enjoy the Sacramento Mountains before their upcoming deployments.

“It was an honor to welcome these soldiers to our community and show them the appreciation they deserve,” Benshoof said.

Since 2011, Mountain Assault has provided soldiers an opportunity for rest, recreation, fellowship and strengthening family connections. This year on July 17, approximately 40 soldiers and family members from the Fort Bliss Soldier Recovery Unit participated in the weekend retreat into the Sacramento Mountains.

Despite periods of inclement weather, participants enjoyed a variety of activities throughout the weekend, including horseback riding, ATV tours, weapons activities, and challenge courses while up in the mountains.

The event was also recognized by community and veteran leaders. VFW Department of New Mexico Commander Mack Dyer and New Mexico Representative John Henry from District 54 addressed participants and expressed their appreciation for the soldiers’ service.

Henry also presented VFW Post 11999 with a certificate of appreciation recognizing the Post’s dedication in organizing and hosting Mountain Assault.

“Our success is a direct reflection of the commitment and generosity of our members,” Benshoof said. “Every volunteer hour, every community event and every effort to support veterans and service members contributes to the impact our Post has on Cloudcroft and beyond.”

Edited for length and style, this article was written by Steve Blowsk. This article is featured in the 2026 August 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.

Sub-zero temperatures. Running up to 15 miles a day. Shouldering 100-pound rucksacks across unforgiving terrain. It was all part of the job for Stevie Wonder Houston, 52. But after six years, the job took its toll.

“Being in the Army, especially in Fairbanks, Alaska, is difficult on the body,” he explained.

Today, Houston grapples with several service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease, tinnitus and sleep apnea. Between the ringing in his ears, trouble sleeping and chronic pain, living the life he imagined can be difficult for Houston.

He made an appointment at his local VFW office to see about increasing his VA disability rating and was connected with VFW Accredited Service Officer Gabriel Leach.

“Unless one is trained on how to fill out the forms and how the claims process works, it can be daunting. Gabriel was professional and precise – his support meant a lot to me,” Houston said.

With Leach’s help, Houston secured a 100% disability rating. He hopes other veterans get the assistance they deserve, too.

“If you served in the military and the military broke something in you, physically or mentally, you earned benefits,” he said. “We signed a ‘blank check’ for our lives when we agreed to serve. The least our government can do is take care of us after our mission is complete.

“The VFW helped ensure I was taken care of, and it can help you, as well.”

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

While working as a non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the Army, VFW Post 467 member Jose Flores came to a powerful realization: “Every soldier has a story.”

According to Flores, an integral duty of an NCO is to wholly care for soldiers. Throughout his 30-year career in the Army, he had a chance to connect with and listen to the personal journeys of hundreds of troops, which inspired him to pursue work in amplifying veterans’ voices through broadcasting.

To keep close proximity to veterans so that he could support them, Flores wanted to join an organization that echoed his values. In 2003, he officially became a member of VFW Post 476 in Westminster, Maryland.

“Joining VFW gave me another avenue to stay connected with the veteran community,” Flores said. “It’s more than an organization. It’s a network of support, camaraderie and advocacy for all of those who served.”

Flores received VFW eligibility by serving with the 4th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Dexheim, Germany, the 3rd Squadron, 6th “Heavy Cav” Regiment in Camp Humphreys, South Korea, and the United States Army Central Command in Saudi Arabia.

HELPING VETERANS FIND PURPOSE
When Flores “took off the uniform” in 2010, he says his service didn’t end – it evolved.

“I’ve seen the struggles many veterans face firsthand,” Flores said. “Transitioning, trying to find identity, dealing with mental health challenges and feeling like they’ve lost their mission. I know that feeling. And I know what it takes to fight through it.”

In 2017, Flores started his podcast, “Motivated Mindset with Jose Flores,” where veterans are invited to come and speak about their own experiences.

“The truth is that all of us have a story worth sharing,” Flores said. “Where we come from, what shaped us. Creating this podcast gave me a platform to amplify those voices, especially veterans. It allows them to share their journeys, their transitions, their challenges and their successes in a way that connects them with others.”

Flores also works closely with Military Broadcast Radio (MBR).

“Between my podcast and MBR, the mission remains the same: create space, build connections and tell real stories that matter,” Flores said.

The support for veterans does not end there. Flores also volunteers as an end-of-life doula, or hospice volunteer, at his local hospice to help support and be present for veterans and their families.

“We conduct ceremonies to recognize their service, where they’re presented with a certificate, a flag and a handmade quilt,” Flores added. “It’s not easy work and it can be emotionally heavy, but I truly feel that’s where I’m called to be.”

‘DON’T LOSE YOUR IDENTITY. REDEFINE IT’
Flores, like many veterans, struggled when transitioning back to civilian life and understands the inner conflict.

“I still remember what transition felt like,” he said. “It felt like I lost my identity and my sense of purpose. It was challenging. I missed my comrades and that sense of teamwork. That lifestyle becomes part of who you are.”

However, his advice for navigating transition is: “Don’t lose your identity – redefine it. You aren’t starting over; you’re evolving. Take the skills, discipline, leadership and resilience you gained in service and apply them to your next chapter, and remember this: Your service didn’t end, it just looks different now.”

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

Across the country, VFW Posts are discovering that the most effective path to membership sustainability is not a single campaign or recruitment push. Rather, it is the steady work of building authentic relationships within the communities.

By meeting veterans where they already gather, Posts can create meaningful connections that translate into long-term engagement, renewed purpose and stronger organizations.

One such example comes from VFW Post 7356 in Parkville, Missouri, where an enduring partnership with the Kansas City Warriors hockey team demonstrates how collaboration with community-based veterans groups can create measurable results.

A NATURAL ALIGNMENT OF MISSION
The Kansas City Warriors are more than a hockey team. As a disabled-veteran hockey organization, their mission focuses on camaraderie, rehabilitation and continuing the bonds of service through sport.

That focus mirrors the VFW’s long-standing commitment to ensuring veterans remain connected, supported and engaged after military service.

Recognizing this alignment, leaders at Post 7356 approached the relationship not as a recruitment effort, but as a community partnership. Post members attended games, supported team events and took the time to understand the culture and needs of the Warriors team. The emphasis was simple: Build trust first.

For VFW Post 7356 Commander Joseph L. Wolfgeher Jr., supporting organizations such as the Warriors is important.

“The team serves as a valuable resource that positively impacts veterans by providing an outlet to build relationships, foster camaraderie and develop a support system,” Wolfgeher said. “Our support as a local Post has been equally reciprocated by members of the Warriors through their commitment to VFW membership and continued community service.”

FROM ENGAGEMENT TO MEMBERSHIP
As the relationship deepened, members of the Warriors began to see the Post not just as a veterans organization, but as an extension of their own community. Informal conversations at games and
social events led to invitations to visit the Post, participate in activities and learn more about the VFW’s advocacy and programs.

The result was organic and impactful. Several Kansas City Warriors chose to join the VFW, becoming active members of Post 7356. Today, they are not only participants but contributors, supporting
Post initiatives, attending meetings and helping shape outreach efforts to other veterans.

“After a couple of years out of the military, I missed a lot of the camaraderie and connection that I had in the military,” said Jeff Schmidt, Post 7356 member and Warriors hockey player. “I found my new tribe with the VFW and the Kansas City Warriors.”

BENEFITS BEYOND NUMBERS
While the increase in membership is significant, the broader impact on Post vitality is equally important. The partnership has:

• Expanded the Post’s visibility within the local veteran community.
• Brought in younger and recently separated veterans, strengthening generational continuity.
• Created joint events and service opportunities that benefit both organizations.
• Reinforced the VFW’s relevance as a hub for camaraderie and mission-driven activity.

For the Warriors, the relationship provides access to the VFW’s advocacy network, resources and a welcoming home base that supports their mission off the ice.

“I love the camaraderie I get from my VFW Post,” said Kevin Hutchison, Post 7356 member and Warriors team member. “We have a great mix of veterans from various wars, and I like how we come together to help in the community.”

A REPLICABLE MODEL FOR POSTS NATIONWIDE
The experience of Post 7356 offers a clear framework other Posts can follow:

1. Identify organizations with shared purposes such as veterans’ sports teams, service groups, nonprofits and community coalitions.
2. Invest time before asking for commitment; attend events, volunteer and listen.
3. Create joint opportunities that highlight mutual value.
4. Invite participation, not just membership, because engagement leads to membership sustainability.

This approach reflects a broader truth about today’s veteran landscape: Connection drives commitment. When Posts position themselves as collaborative partners rather than standalone institutions, they become more accessible, more relevant and more impactful.

STRENGTHENING THE FUTURE OF THE VFW
As the VFW continues to evolve, stories such as the partnership between Post 7356 and the Kansas City Warriors illustrate how tradition and innovation can work hand-in-hand. By honoring the organization’s legacy of camaraderie while embracing new pathways to engagement, Posts can ensure the VFW remains a vibrant force for generations of veterans to come.

In Parkville, that future is already taking shape – one relationship, one shared mission and, in this case, one game at a time.

This article is featured in the 2026 July/August issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Johnny Neal, assistant director for VFW membership.

RENO, Nev. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Humana today announced the most successful year in the history of their joint veteran support initiative, Uniting for Veterans, which provided more than 1.6 million meals and 359 nights of housing support for veterans and military families during the 2025-2026 campaign year. The results were shared during the 127th VFW National Convention and mark the first full year under the program’s expanded mission and new name.

Formerly known as Uniting to Combat Hunger & Homelessness, the initiative evolved in 2025 to become Uniting for Veterans, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing the diverse and evolving needs of veterans, service members and their families. The expanded mission enables local communities to respond more flexibly to the challenges veterans face while continuing the program’s longstanding work combating food insecurity and housing instability.

During its first full year as Uniting for Veterans, the initiative generated:

• 1,600,423 meals provided to veterans and military families
• 359 nights of housing support for homeless veterans

These results represent the strongest annual performance since the relationship was established in 2018 and reflect the collective efforts of VFW Posts, Auxiliaries, volunteers, Humana employees and community partners across the country.

“When we expanded this initiative to become Uniting for Veterans, our goal was to give VFW Posts and Humana representatives the flexibility to meet veterans exactly where they are,” said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore. “These record-breaking results prove just how powerful that localized approach is. Providing over 1.6 million meals and hundreds of nights of shelter in a single year is a testament to the unstoppable synergy between the VFW and Humana. We aren’t just addressing critical needs; we are restoring dignity, building stronger communities and showing our veterans that we will always have their backs.”

The record-setting year demonstrates the impact of broadening the initiative’s mission while remaining focused on issues that directly affect veterans and military families. While food insecurity and housing instability remain important priorities, Uniting for Veterans gives local communities the flexibility to respond to emerging needs and deliver support where it can make the biggest difference.

Since launching in 2018, the program has provided 8 million meals, 684 nights of housing support, and has positively impacted nearly 20 million lives, helping strengthen local communities and improve the well-being of veterans and military families nationwide.

“The success of our first full year as Uniting for Veterans demonstrates why this expanded mission was so important,” said Cara Brown, National Director of Key Relationships at Humana. “By working together with the VFW and local communities, we’re able to respond to veterans’ changing needs and connect them with meaningful resources and support their individual needs.”

The initiative is rooted in the belief that health and well-being are influenced by more than healthcare alone. Access to nutritious food, stable housing, community support and trusted local resources all play important roles in helping veterans and military families thrive. Through Uniting for Veterans, the VFW and Humana work alongside communities across the country to help reduce barriers and connect veterans with the support they need.

Since launching in 2018, the relationship has continued to evolve alongside the needs of America’s veterans. The first full year of Uniting for Veterans represents an important milestone in that journey and reinforces both organizations’ commitment to ensuring veterans and military families have access to the resources and support they need to live healthier, more secure lives.

About Humana
Humana (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we strive to make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Humana Inc. and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), in collaboration with USAA, CenterWell and Volunteers of America (VOA), will bring together employees, veteran advocates and community partners on May 19 to support veterans experiencing homelessness.

As part of the VFW’s annual Day of Service, volunteers will unite in three different locations – Nashville, Tennessee; San Antonio, Texas; and Tampa, Florida – for hands-on service projects that deliver tangible support to veterans and seniors in need. Collectively, volunteers at the three locations will prepare 4,000 essential care kits to be distributed through trusted community partners.

“Veterans deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve action, partnership and sustained support,” said Cara Brown, Director of Key Relationships at Humana. “By joining forces in communities across the country, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for our employees and partners to serve with purpose while delivering real, measurable impact for veterans in need.”

Three Cities, One Mission
The Day of Service events, taking place at local CenterWell Senior Primary Care and Conviva Senior Primary Care centers, will include:

• Nashville, Tennessee: Volunteers will assemble 2,000 care kits in support of Volunteers of America’s street outreach efforts, helping individuals experiencing homelessness connect with person-centered case management, resource navigation and material support.
• San Antonio, Texas: Volunteers will pack 1,000 toiletry kits for seniors, supporting dignity and daily health needs in a community with one of the nation’s largest veteran populations.
• Tampa, Florida: Volunteers will prepare 1,000 toiletry kits for local veterans experiencing housing insecurity, in partnership with community organizations serving the region’s growing veteran population.

“Our Day of Service projects reflect the heart of the VFW’s mission – veterans helping veterans,” said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore. “Our relationship with Humana, USAA and CenterWell demonstrates what’s possible when organizations come together with shared values of honor, service and community to ensure no veteran is forgotten.”

Building Toward a National Impact Moment
This year’s collaboration marks a new partnership with Volunteers of America, ensuring service efforts are aligned with real-time community needs and reaching veterans and seniors most at risk. Together, the organizations aim to create momentum throughout the year – engaging local markets nationwide, strengthening relationships with local VFW Posts and its Auxiliaries, and inspiring continued involvement beyond a single day of service.

“Our goal is not just a day of volunteering, but a sustained commitment,” Brown added. “By working alongside VFW Posts, veteran advocates and organizations like Volunteers of America, we’re helping build healthier futures for those who have served – today and for years to come.”

The 2026 Day of Service builds on the VFW’s growing national movement of service. Since launching the Day of Service in 2022 as an extension of the VFW’s Still Serving campaign, participation has expanded dramatically. In 2025 alone, more than 2,300 service events were held across the United States and internationally, underscoring the power of community-driven action.

###

About Humana
Humana (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we strive to make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.

Like so many of the men he served alongside, Norm Brown enlisted in the U.S. military to give back and do something meaningful. But unlike most of them, he was not an American. Brown, 83, is from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

“When we got out of high school in 1961, me and my two friends were interested in joining the Marines,” he said. “Their parents intervened, so they didn’t end up doing it, but I went over to New York and enlisted.”

When asked if he was bothered by his friends backing out or whether he had reservations about serving and sacrificing for a country other than his own, Brown said: “No, the relationship between our two countries was fantastic. To me, it was the right thing to do.”

As it turned out, when Brown arrived at boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina, he met two other Canadian recruits. The three built a special bond before shipping out to their next destinations.

Brown went on to serve for three years, including a deployment to Vietnam. Afterward, he returned to Canada, where he married Linda, who is now his wife of 54 years.

Condition Takes a Turn for the Worse

Decades passed without issue, until 2011, when Brown was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a benign blood disorder that can lead to different cancers.

His doctors suggested the “watch and wait” approach. Brown completed bloodwork every six months to ensure his condition had not progressed. But in 2019, it did. A biopsy revealed Brown had a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM).

Brown underwent chemotherapy and is managing his cancer today. A couple of years ago, he remembered reading about the PACT Act and discovering that WM was now considered a presumptive condition.

Brown contacted the VA to see if he could receive compensation, but he struggled to verify his service records.

“I couldn’t get them to prove I had been in Vietnam,” he said. “I have the service medals that I could have earned only there, but it didn’t seem to matter.”

Eventually, someone suggested Brown reach out to the VFW for help.

“So,” he explained, “I contacted them. Fortunate for me, I got a call back from Norm Machelor. Once he got involved, everything moved quite smoothly.”

‘I’m Not Sure I Ever Would Have Been Able to Do It on My Own’

Machelor, a VFW Accredited Service Officer, worked with the VA to confirm Brown’s service in Vietnam. He then helped Brown arrange the necessary doctor’s appointments before completing his claim.

“It had been quite frustrating trying to get all the information myself. I’m not sure I ever would have been able to do it on my own,” Brown said. “But before long, I got the letter in the mail saying that my claim was accepted, and I was going to get compensation.”

Brown’s service history as a Canadian may be unique, but he knows his experience with the VA is not. He encourages other veterans to work with a VFW Accredited Service Officer like Machelor.

“When someone tells you that you have cancer, obviously, you think the worst right away. But with the support I’ve gotten from Norm and the VFW, I feel good,” he said.

“With Norm’s great assistance, it all worked out. I’m very, very fortunate. If you have any kind of issue like mine, contact the VFW for help.”

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

On March 27, VFW Post 1647 in Brainerd, Minnesota, hosted its fifth annual Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration. There was standing room only at dinner, as more than 100 Vietnam veterans and their significant others came for the camaraderie and free refreshments.

The local Daughters of the American Revolution served apple pie and ice cream, while the Post provided dinner.

Vietnam veterans are often distinguished from veterans due to the combination of societal hostility, isolation during their return, and the unprecedented psychological toll of an unconventional conflict.

Unlike the “Greatest Generation” of World War II, who returned to a unified nation celebrating victory, Vietnam veterans returned to a country deeply divided over the war’s morality and its conclusion. Many vets feel that the Vietnam War was a withdrawal of U.S. forces due entirely to political decisions based on citizen opposition and unrest, not to the failure of our military.

Due to the negative public perception, many veterans suppressed their experiences for decades, avoiding treatment and feeling like outsiders even within traditional veteran organizations.

One Vietnam vet in attendance was Buford Johnson. He was sent to Vietnam as an ROTC officer at his own request in 1964 and retired in 1986 as a Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserve.

Johnson served as an advisor to the Vietnamese combat unit in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and often came under enemy fire. He recounted how a severely wounded soldier survived after he and a helicopter pilot heroically made a landing to rescue the soldier and fly him to safety.

Johnson came back to the States, wounded, and spent some time in an Army hospital. He was then assigned to Fort Benning, Gorgia. When asked how he felt now about his wartime experience, he responded, “It gave me a better understanding of human nature.”

Another vet attending the celebration was Brainerd resident, Ron Schrimshaw, who was drafted and sent to Vietnam at age 20.

Scrimshaw repaired helicopter armament systems. He served in Pleiku as an E4 and returned home after serving there a year. When asked if his war experience made him a bitter or better man, he responded, “bitter.”

When he returned home, Scrimshaw’s family was very supportive, but he felt rejected by the community. His biggest rejection was from the WWII veterans at the local American Legion who did not want him as a member.

The VFW leadership collaborates with government officials in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in Washington, D.C., to advocate for legislation that supports veterans in their struggle to regain and maintain a healthy lifestyle as they transition back to civilian life.

This article is featured in the 2026 April 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.

Edited for length and style, this article was written by VFW Post 1647 Auxiliary member Sue Sterling.