More than a year after the Bataan Death March’s last remaining World War II survivor passed away, the city he called home for more than 56 years renamed its municipal airport after him.

Led by VFW Post 6271 in Benson, Arizona, more than 300 attendees gathered outside of the newly named Benson Municipal Airport/Paul Kerchum Field to honor the memory of Benson’s own American hero on Jan. 27.

In a ceremony that included 14 members of the Kerchum family, as well as dignitaries from across the Grand Canyon State and the VFW Department of Arizona, many spoke of the larger-than-life Kerchum, who died just shy of his 103rd birthday on Dec. 17, 2022.

“Just over a year ago, we simultaneously mourned the loss of and celebrated the life of our own hometown hero,” Benson Mayor Joe Konrad said in the opening speech. “He shared his story with us every Memorial and Veterans Day, and in spite of the atrocities that he endured, Paul Kerchum rose above adversity, persevered and spent a lifetime making this world a better place.”

A life member of Post 6271, Kerchum’s intimate account as a POW and survivor of the infamous Bataan Death March was well-known among his fellow VFW members. Many of these veterans said they often walked away with a new perspective on their own service.

For Post 6271 Judge Advocate and District 7 Commander Dennis Bringham, who spearheaded the ceremony on Jan. 27, what most stood out about Kerchum was the kind of survivor he was.

“By human nature we are all survivors, but it is how we accomplish this that sets us all apart,” Bringham said. “His upbeat attitude and demeanor is one of the things that made him unique as a survivor. He had every reason and right to be a bitter and angry person, but he was not.”

Wishing to have known him longer, Bringham’s speech carried the themes that appeared throughout the rest of the speeches from several other keynote speakers that included Air Force Col. Scott Mills from Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, as well as Army Col. John Ives, a garrison commander at Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

When speaking of Kerchum, who retired after 29 years in the Air Force with the rank of chief master sergeant, Mills added perspective to the importance of the renamed Benson Municipal Airport/Paul Kerchum Field.

“In renaming this airport, we give it a profound sense of symbolism, symbolism that will echo far beyond this runway,” Mills said. “This name not only commemorates Chief Kerchum, but it commemorates all of the collective strength of those who have served, and those who are still serving today.”

Mills’ speech segued into Ives’ remembrance of Kerchum, whose speech at New Mexico State University in 1997 resonated with cadet Ives before he himself would embark on his own military journey.

“I was blessed to hear him speak at New Mexico State University when we called ourselves the Bataan Battalion,” Mills recalled. “He and two other veterans spoke on the terrors of those days and imparted lasting messages of hope, toughness and glorious victory.”

Mills then reflected on what that speech means today now that he is older and wiser, having experienced deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Korea and Nigeria.

“Now that I am older, his willingness to share his experiences served a deeper meaning, his presence served as an inspiration and now his departure serves as a cold reminder that the greatest among all of us must pass,”

Mills said. “And, so, we will consistently remind ourselves of this hero by naming this airport after this great man, Chief Master Sgt. Paul Kerchum.”

Following Mills, the event concluded with some recollections by members of the Kerchum family, who spoke of Kerchum, the family man. From talking about his early life during the Great Depression to his fooling his mother into signing a permission slip to join the Army in 1938, the stories of young Kerchum and later the father and grandfather flowed.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the monument bearing the biography and namesake of the Benson airport was unveiled, and the guests were encouraged to attend a reception with food and drinks at Post 6271, where the dining facility was first renamed the Paul Kerchum Hall on Memorial Day 2023.

This article is featured in the 2024 April issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr., senior writer for VFW magazine.

When VFW Post 3343 Commander Brian Moore sat down to calculate how much his Post and its Auxiliary had donated in 2023, the figure sent him back to the calculator.

Between January and December of last year, the Post in Clyde, Ohio, donated $158,799 out of its charitable checking account to several organizations, schools, local government and programs geared toward making its community a better place.

“I subtracted and added everything several times to make sure the numbers were right,” said Moore, an Air Force veteran who served in South Korea in 1988. “We are a very active Post always
looking for ways to help in the community, but I myself was astounded.”

The Post in Clyde, about 75 miles west of Cleveland, relies on its membership of more than 300 and an Auxiliary of 400 to raise money by keeping active in the community and participating in events
and fundraisers throughout the year.

Since Ohio legalized electronic instant bingo in June 2021, the majority of Post 3343’s donations to the community have since stemmed from the revenue of pulltab tickets and machines played by its
VFW and Auxiliary members.

“The licensing states that we have to maintain a separate checking account for our electronic proceeds to use for charity,” Moore said. “We always want to make sure we shine in the community,
and through our membership remaining very active, we have been able to raise large sums of money to donate locally.”

‘MAKING AN IMPACT’
In 2023, the Post donated to several scholarship funds, area schools, youth clubs and organizations, police and fire departments, VFW’s Unmet Needs program for military and veteran families, and many others. This included $10,000 to the Big Nut Scholarship fund for those who attend Ohio State University, $12,000 to the local chapters of the Boys and Cub Scouts, as well as $4,000 toward Toys for Tots and $5,000 among the three local winners of VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests.

For their charitable work around the community, Moore added that his Post has garnered positive feedback from many local residents in Clyde. According to Moore, the gratitude from members in the community of 6,321 residents is palpable.

“The mayor is a friend, and he has thanked me personally for what we have been able to do,” Moore said. “Together with my wonderful officers and Auxiliary, I know what we have been able to do
has had and continues to have a positive impact in our community.”

VFW Post 3343 also started 2024 by giving the Clyde fire and police departments $10,000 each during the first week of January, which will be used for much-needed equipment for the first responders, according to Moore.

“Annually, we give them something,” Moore said. “I talked with the chiefs and got a feel for any special needs they might have. The police department bought new cameras and safety equipment, and the fire department needed more security.”

The Post on April 19 also is sponsoring a two-day, 100-mile run by Moore’s son, Clifford. He is an Auxiliary member and veteran who on Veterans Day is known around Clyde for treating veterans
to free dental appointments at his practice. The run, dubbed “Hometown Run For Heroes,” is a cause to raise money for PTSD and suicide prevention and awareness.

“Like I said, we are a very active Post,” Moore said. “I believe we are one of the best Posts in Ohio and what a VFW Post should aspire to be.”

This article is featured in the 2024 April issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr., senior writer for the VFW magazine.

Around the world, more of VFW’s nearly 5,800 local Posts are offering yoga programs to help veterans and community members experience improvement in their physical and mental health.

The VA reports on its website that yoga is one of the “evidence-based complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches” offered as part of a veteran’s medical benefits package when deemed “clinically necessary” by his or her care team.

“Based on literature review, these approaches were found to be safe and have sufficient evidence of benefit to be recommended as appropriate components of care for the veteran population,” according to VA.

And it is not just beneficial for the veteran population. Community members also can take advantage of these yoga offerings at discounted rates, with money going to help local vets, and, at some Posts, the classes are offered for free.

“The low price of the yoga classes makes it very affordable and covers the cost of professional cleaning of the carpet in the hall where the classes are conducted,” said Kevin Calnan, commander of VFW Post 7272 in Bellingham, Mass., about 30 miles southwest of Boston. “The profit is deposited into the Post relief fund. It helps provide a revenue stream we wouldn’t normally have. That revenue gives us the ability to help veterans or to support other community organizations. This provides us with a positive footprint within the community.”

Pricing for the 60-minute yoga classes at Post 7272 ranges from $7.50 to $10. Lower rates are for people who commit to doing more classes. The $10 rate is for one class only and payable at the door.

Since September 2021, when the Bellingham yoga program began, nearly $5,000 has been raised for the Post to help local vets. More than 120 people have taken the classes.

“Yoga at the VFW is a win-win for me and our vets,” said Sabrina Grancio, a frequent attendee. “It’s why I do it, and I like the participants.”

Other Bellingham residents are taking advantage of the classes, too.

“I’m thrilled by the sense of community support at the VFW,” Elle Taran said. “I’m connecting with local veterans and making amazing new friends along the way.”

A VFW Post in The Lone Star State also offers yoga classes.

“Our yoga classes are free for veterans and senior citizens and are part of a wellness program that we are trying to accomplish,” said Marcey Phillips, commander of District 17 in Texas and VFW Post 4709 in Conroe, Texas, north of Houston. “The participants absolutely love the classes, and they love the teacher who helps each student work to their full potential and gears the exercises to each student’s abilities. That inclusiveness makes it easy for people to keep coming back.”

Phillips adds that the classes enhance a healthy lifestyle.

“I feel that one of the largest benefits of offering our yoga program is helping to combat the ‘smokey bar’ stigma that the VFW has,” Phillips said.

‘BENEFITS… ARE AMAZING’
Calnan says yoga classes also promote VFW within the community.

“Another hope is that the community members who participate will support the VFW in other ways like at the Buddy Poppy drives or renting the hall,” Calnan said. “Any event or activity at the Post is its lifeblood. In my opinion, Posts need to be engaged with the community. If we can offer positive experiences to our members and make the Post a place people want to go, it’s a win-win for the community and our members.”

A VFW Post also is a comfortable place for a beginner to learn the practice, according to one Bellingham resident.

“I would not have even tried yoga if I had to walk into a high-end yoga studio,” Ed Baker said. “At the VFW, I don’t feel like I’m being judged. The benefits I get from this weekly class are amazing, [such as] mental discipline, breathing techniques [and] finding space in my own head to just calm down and relax.”

Calnan adds that his Post is “blessed” because one of the Post members, Dave Dunbar, is a yoga instructor.

“He is willing to give back and help veterans through the VFW 7272 Bellingham Post,” Calnan said. “We are very fortunate to be in that position and make a little cash while we do it.”

Tara Castonguay, a wife and mother of two in Bellingham, learned about Post 7272’s yoga classes from a Facebook post. Her only obstacle to attending, she said, was finding someone to accompany her.

“I originally saw the Facebook post many months before I joined,” Castonguay said. “I was trying to convince someone to go to motivate me. Eventually, I was lucky enough to get one of my daughters to come along.”

‘A BONDING EXPERIENCE’
Castonguay added that she and her daughter were “super happy” with the atmosphere of the group.

“We were very comfortable and thoroughly enjoyed it,” she said. “When we got home, we were talking about how much we enjoyed the class and how great we felt. I was able to convince my Navy retired senior chief husband to join us for the next class. Shortly after that, we convinced our 16-year-old daughter to come.”

Castonguay said that beyond the health benefits of yoga, it is mentally stimulating as well.

“It is a bonding experience for the family because the four of us go together,” she said. “Once there, it is relaxing, and the mood is set as soon as we walk in. Once class starts, it is a mind/body experience. We have an amazing instructor, and he even makes it fun for novice yoga students.”

If you are interested in finding out more about yoga, try checking out this website: https://www.myhealth.va.gov and search for “yoga.” You’ll find an explanation of why you should try yoga, how
you can recharge with yoga and an article titled “Pain? Try yoga.”

Additionally, The Veterans Yoga Project is a nationwide effort to promote yoga to veterans. Check it out at https://www.veteransyogaproject.org. You’ll find free yoga classes, both online and in-person, and learn about yoga. There also is an opportunity to participate in yoga teacher training.

The Veterans Yoga Project’s goal is to make mindful resilience techniques available to veterans. To accomplish this, several training programs for those wanting to teach in their community with sliding-scale scholarships are available to cover the cost of the program.

You also can check with your local VFW Post to find out about yoga classes that might be offered there.

This article is featured in the 2024 April issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Dave Dunbar. Dunbar is a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War. He is a Life member of VFW Post 7272 in Bellingham, Mass., and leads the yoga program there. He has taught yoga classes for 18 years at sites around Boston and the commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Through the VFW’s National Military Assistance Program (MAP), members of VFW Post 8273 in Frisco, Texas, helped feed more than 2,500 active-duty troops and their families on March 3.

The Post co-sponsored a “Family Day” event in honor of the 301st Fighter Wing at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, supplying 11 pallets filled with a variety of drinks, snacks and desserts.

“We were thrilled with the turnout,” Post 8273 Commander Shenna Lawless said. “The opportunity to support the 301st Fighter Wing’s Family Day was provided by 1st Sgt. Kenny McMillen, a life member of our Post, and we seized it enthusiastically. Thanks to MAP, we were able to contribute significantly.”

Through the use of national VFW programs like MAP, which has helped sponsor events supporting more than 2.3 million service members and their families since 2005, VFW Posts like 8273 have cultivated relationships with their local military communities.

From “Family Day” events to deployment and welcome home ceremonies, festivals and holidays, the MAP program is a valuable asset for all VFW Departments and Posts to use in order to build on their presence among active-duty troops.

“Participating in events like the Family Day for the 301st Fighter Wing is crucial for us,” Lawless said. “It offers a unique chance to connect with service members and share the mission and benefits of the VFW, reinforcing our commitment to supporting them.”

Being heralded for years as the primary place for the retirement of U.S. flags in the county, members of VFW Post 2391 in St. Augustine, Florida, wanted to upgrade its site and ceremony.

Under the direction of Post 2391 Quartermaster Bob Bewsee, who oversees the Post’s Honor Guard and more than 1,000 flag-retirement events a month, design plans for a new beautification project began in June 2023 to revamp the old flag retirement site at the Post.

“A pentagon was chosen for the shape, with each of the five corners representing one of the five service branches,” Bewsee said. “We received a significant contribution from the local Lowe’s, and the project was completed by Sept. 4.”

The majority of the work was undertaken by Post 2391 Life member Rick McAllister and fellow Honor Guardsman Dan Weir, who spent most of August working on the site.

The pair laid gravel and decorative garden paver bricks, erected a flagpole, added fire extinguisher mounts and two concrete benches for public observation.

“Weir also designed and constructed four smokeless burn barrels and donated a mounted eagle for the center,” McAllister said. “Then other Post and Honor Guard members jumped onboard to help with the finishing touches.”

The new retirement site was unveiled on Labor Day last year during a ceremony led by Post 2391 Commander Daniel McDonough, who dedicated the project to the U.S. flag itself for all it means to veterans and Americans alike.

“We are honored to render the proper respect to all American flags in our community once they have reached their retirement condition,” McDonough said in his opening remarks. “The flag has served us with honor since the inception of our country and, as we do with fallen veterans, we are proud to offer respect and dignity at the end of their duty.”

Post Chaplain Paul Szarnicki proceeded McDonough by offering a prayer covering the historical significance and reverence of the flag. The Honor Guard then conducted the retirement ceremony for those gathered.

“It was a nice ceremony with about 40 members and guests,” McAllister said. “And it was immediately followed by the start of our annual Labor Day celebration and cookout. Well over 100 people attended this event, and we made a point to direct our guests to see our new flag retirement site.”

This article is featured in the 2024 March issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr., senior writer for VFW magazine.

VFW Posts around the country are amping up for the third annual VFW Day of Service on May 4. That date kicks off a month of veteran-led community service projects.

The Day of Service is an outgrowth of the VFW’s #StillServing initiative that launched in 2020 and has since brought recognition to how much U.S. military veterans continue to serve in their communities after they take off their uniform.

By concentrating on veteran-led community service projects on this day, and throughout the month of May, the VFW intends to bring focus to the role veterans play in the well-being of their communities and surrounding areas.

“We hope to harness the momentum of our last two events to make the third annual Day of Service the best yet in terms of participation and impact,” VFW Director of Communications Randi Law said. “Through this event, not only have our members contributed in countless, meaningful ways to their communities, but they’ve had a lot of fun doing it. Our hope is the event continues to grow for years to come.”

VFW’s second annual Day of Service in 2023 grew its total number of grassroots events by more than 20 percent from the first year. VFW Posts in all 50 states, as well as those in Europe, Guam, Asia and Puerto Rico, participated last year.

Much as Veterans Day commemorations take place throughout the month of November, the VFW Day of Service kicks off on the first Saturday in May.

The VFW asks that VFW members, all veterans and others visit VFWDayofService.org to register their events on the interactive Day of Service map and receive a special participation decal and/or find a local event to join and see what veterans around the country are doing to make a difference.

VFW Day of Service events are community service focused, so it is up to you and your Post to identify what your community needs. Whatever Day of Service project you and your members decide upon will qualify. However, “Buddy”® Poppy, recruiting and events which raise monetary donations do not qualify as a Day of Service event.

Below are some examples of community service events:

• Drives – food, personal hygiene products, diapers
• Home repair
• Street / park / cemetery / vacant lot clean-up
• Health fairs
• Houseless to home support
• Playground rehab / installation
• Accessibility initiatives

The photos you see here are some fine examples of work done during the 2023 VFW Day of Service. For more information about VFW Day of Service, contact info@todaysvfw.org.

This article is featured in the 2024 March issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor for VFW magazine.

In anticipation of the 2024 VFW National Convention in July in Louisville, Kentucky, the VFW and Humana are continuing the Uniting to Combat Hunger program that has provided more than 4.5 million meals for food-insecure families since 2018.

During the 124th VFW National Convention in Phoenix last year, dozens of VFW and Auxiliary members, as well as Humana employees, participated in a Uniting to Combat Hunger seed-packing event that provided about 30 tons of vegetables for families suffering from food insecurity.

VFW Foundation Grants Manager Jason Couch said that VFW is once again working alongside the Society of Saint Andrews. The nonprofit organization is offering VFW Posts free seeds to create victory gardens.

“Creating a victory garden is a great way to grow food in food deserts and other areas where fresh produce is scarce,” Couch said. “It’s also more sustainable – growing your own plants is better for the environment.”

Victory gardens have a rich history dating back to the first and second world wars. The U.S. encouraged citizens to plant various fruits and vegetables in private gardens to supplement rations.

The Uniting to Combat Hunger program aims to alleviate food insecurity among veterans and their families, as well as in the broader community. The program recognizes that many veterans face challenges, including financial difficulties and limited access to resources, which can contribute to food insecurity.

“The Uniting to Combat Hunger initiative exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and sustainability within communities across the country,” he said. “By fostering the growth of victory gardens, we are strengthening the bonds among VFW Post and Auxiliary members.”

The Department of Agriculture in 2021 said more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, experience food insecurity in the U.S. during the year – that is about 1-in-10 households in the country.

Feeding America says that about 125,000 active-duty military troops experience food insecurity – about 7 percent of troops in the active military. However, according to the Department of Agriculture, only about 2 percent of active-duty troops qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Feeding America also says 1-in-4 Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans are affected by food insecurity.
For more information, visit https://endhunger.org/seed-project.

Members of VFW Post 6755 in Liberty, Pennsylvania, hosted a Suicide Awareness Brunch on Feb. 18 to help raise donations and awareness for a local nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans.

In a joint partnership with This is My Quest: Veterans in the Wild, a local nonprofit created in 2022 to provide veterans of all ages with outdoor exposure therapy, the event served brunch to 85 people and helped raise more than $1,700 among other donated items.

“All the money raised was for This is My Quest: Veterans in the Wild to help with their efforts to get veterans out in nature and talking,” Post 6755 Commander Scott Mclaughlin said. “Whether it is at a VFW Post or out in nature, we believe just a simple conversation or gesture might make all of the difference for a fellow veteran.”

The idea for a suicide awareness brunch was presented to Post 6755 by one of their own, trustee Travis McConnell, who serves as the nonprofit’s veterans outreach director. It was through McConnell that Post members jumped at the opportunity to raise awareness about an issue as important as the suicide numbers among their own.

“Mr. McConnell is a Post trustee, so naturally, when he asked, the Post gladly provided him with the space and support he needed to host such a meaningful event for our local veteran community,” Post Quartermaster James Reed said.

During the brunch, the Post also received donations in the form of 30 blankets, 40 knitted hats, 100 pairs of socks, a few packs of T-shirts and 15 pairs of gloves. The donations will go toward veterans in need of clothing items and blankets to stay warm.

Through their joint partnership, Post 6755 and This is My Quest: Veterans in the Wild plan to continue to raise awareness on behalf of veterans committing suicide at an alarming rate.

For Reed, the “heart-stopping” number of veterans’ suicides each year is something he believes all veterans feel deeply personal about. Events like the Post’s recent Suicide Awareness Brunch provide a means toward opening discourse among those close to the edge.

“With each obituary skirting around the cause of death, instant messages, phone calls or texts from battle buddies, it never gets any easier,” Reed said. “Those lost in the shadows know that it takes another who has been down that dark path to lead them back out. Without these events and networking amongst each other, we will lose others to the darkness.”

When VFW Post 7168 in Sanger, California, struggled financially five years ago, Jim Anderson found help in the unlikeliest of places.

Anderson, who had transferred to Post 7168 to help it stay open, brought this up to a group of incarcerated veterans he sponsored and met with weekly at the Avenal State Prison in Avenal, California.

“Since I started doing a little bit of counseling with them seven or eight years ago, I quickly learned they are a very strong group of veterans,” said Anderson, a past Post 3225 commander and current Department of California District 9 quartermaster. “Despite what they have done in the past, they have been very committed to helping our veterans and the community where they can.”

On behalf of the Veterans Group of Avenal, the prisoners began raising funds for Post 7168 by collecting donations around the prison, as well as by having Post 7168 auction their artwork at golf tournaments open to the community.

“They do their own fundraising activities within the prison, and quite often, they get the rest of the blocks to donate,” Anderson said. “It requires the help of the officials within the prison, but they are good talkers and usually get that kind of support to allow them to fund-raise.”

They have since helped raise thousands of dollars for Post 7168 and its initiatives, which include Post grants for local veterans in need, as well as donations to the Fresno VA Medical Center in Fresno, California, homeless shelters in Fresno and Sanger, and overseas missionaries.

Their most recent fundraiser was held on Sept. 22, when the prisoners helped raise $3,138.56 during a food sale at the prison’s canteen, which they later presented to the Post in the form of a novelty check. They are allowed to do about two of these a year, according to Anderson.

The Veterans Group of Avenal also makes cards throughout the year and presents them to Anderson for distribution to local veterans’ hospitals, Blue Star mothers and others around the two communities.

“The scope of who they touch is rather large for such a small group of veterans,” Anderson said. “They are making a real difference, and they have done this type of work several times a year.”

Anderson says that Post 7168 shows its gratitude by donating art supplies and other equipment to the prison. He added that working with more than 200 incarcerated veterans at the prison has been personally fulfilling.

“One of the most gratifying things I have done is work with this group of veterans over the years,” Anderson said. “We have built a great relationship, and I have seen them time and again repent for what they did on the outside by committing themselves to serving others.”

This article is featured in the 2024 March issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr., senior writer for VFW magazine.

A VFW Post in the Land of 10,000 Lakes was recognized in February as a top contributor by donating to a new community athletic field.

VFW Post 4086, located in Wabasha, Minnesota, donated $10,000 to a new athletic compound in its city. The donation gave Post 8046 the status as a “Gold Contributor” to the soon-to-be-built Wabasha Athletic Field.

“Our donation was made possible through our Minnesota Charitable Gambling program,” said Jim Mathias, Post 4086 commander. “The Post takes a great deal of pride in the Charitable Gambling program and our ability to donate to several non-profit and education programs in the Wabasha-Kellogg area.”

Leaders of Wabasha broke ground at the athletic complex in July. The project costs $2.1 million, according to a press release from the City of Wabasha. The 7.5-acre complex will include baseball and softball fields; a hockey and skating rink; and basketball, tennis and pickleball courts. The complex will be outdoors but be built to withstand the harsh weather conditions of Minnesota.

“The new athletic complex location will address flooding of the old field location and improve safety by moving pedestrians and spectators away from the traffic coming off the Interstate Highway 60 bridge,” said Mathias, a retired Navy and Persian Gulf War veteran.

Mathias said that Post 4086 in late May will participate in the dedication ceremony for the new complex.

“Wabasha is a community of approximately 2,500 residents,” Mathias said. “Together with Kellogg, seven miles to the south, with a population of 425, our Post has a history of ‘giving back’ to the Wabasha-Kellogg community. By donating to the new Wabasha Athletic Complex, we can continue our legacy of ‘giving back.’ This was an exciting donation for us as the complex will serve many future generations.”