Members of VFW Post 10380 in Green Township, Ohio, once again headed out to the Harvest Home Fair earlier this month to spread the good news about VFW. Held in Cheviot, Ohio, a Cincinnati suburb, the fair took place Sept. 8-11.

According to member Bob Abrams, “hundreds of people” stopped at the VFW booth. He said that number is greater than in past years.

“We handed out more than 500 U.S. flags to children and their parents who came to thank us for our service,” Abrams said. “There were many veterans inquiring about VFW membership, too.”

Member Ed Murphy said it is too soon to say how many members were recruited without first checking eligibility.

“We did have at least three veterans join our VFW,” Murphy said. “We have several more considering membership.”

Murphy said the success of the VFW booth this year was due, in part, to its location at the fair.

“Location made a huge difference,” he said. “Last year they had us by the rides and very loud music. It made it hard to communicate. This year, we were located by the main gate.”

Nearly 20 VFW members throughout the weekend manned the booth. They worked in shifts answering questions about membership, but also about what the VFW does in the community.

Murphy said that Post 10380 does not have a bar or restaurant which allows the Post to give the majority of its money to veterans and their families.

“Many people at the fair were surprised to hear that our color guard does nearly 100 military funerals each year,” Murphy said. “We also do about 8-10 missing man ceremonies as well as act as the color guard at other activities when requested.”

Abrams and Murphy agree that while recruiting new members is great, they are pleased that more people know about the work of the VFW.

“We know how to get things done,” Murphy said. “People attending the ‘Biggest Little Fair in Ohio’ are definitely getting to know more about Green Township VFW Post 10380.”

The ring of a bell at VFW Post 10087 in Beverly Hills, Florida, by an elderly veteran in May led to a grand-scale, 119-hour volunteer mission by six Post members to improve his living conditions.

When the 74-year-old veteran sought help from the Post in finding a local handyman for minor domestic repairs around his trailer, its members assessed the situation and realized this was a subdued plea for more than a routine repair.

“We learned that he suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a heart condition and was living alone in a mobile home he owned,” Post 10087 Commander Bill Merryman said. “We realized there were major safety issues involved and, as a result, his living in these conditions were causing him to become severely depressed.”

The Post members also learned that more than 50 percent of the interior flooring had deteriorated, his overgrown yard had become unsafe to walk about, and the front steps to the home were a safety hazard and needed replacement.

Led by Brooks Herrold, fellow Post members Bob Myal, Paul Bianchi, Tim Walter, Charles Adler and Merryman devoted 119 hours of labor at the veteran’s home, accumulating more than 920 miles on their vehicles and providing all tools needed to complete the project.

“We went in and replaced the front stairs, all of the rotten subflooring and cleared the property around his home,” Merryman said. “We completed the first phase at the end of July, and even though we are not yet done, most of the current repairs have already improved the veteran’s living conditions and mental status.”

The project relied on Post 10087’s veterans relief fund and the Veterans Foundation to cover the materials needed for replacement, while Herrold covered the project’s liability insurance through his Beverly Hills-based construction company, KCH Construction.

“Additional funds have been raised to cover the subflooring with tile and that phase will be completed in September,” Merryman said. “The veteran has expressed his gratitude to Post 10087 and all those who volunteered their time and expertise to work on this project.”

Through their house committee, Merryman added that Post 10087 is often reviewing new projects in support of veterans needing a hand up. They are also in the process of taking on a female veteran’s need of a roof repair, a request that was forwarded to them by the local United Way.

“Wherever and whenever we can, we assist,” Merryman said. “We hope this inspires others to continue helping veterans whenever possible.”

Last May, VFW Post 3619 in Deridder, Louisiana, joined others around the country for the first-ever VFW National Day of Service. But Post members were stepping up for their community long before that.

For National Day of Service, the Post hosted a Youth Summer Safety Fair where kids received ID kits and personal first aid kits. Young attendees also enjoyed crafts, story time and snacks. The event was a bright spot for a community that continues to rebuild following the pandemic and Hurricane Laura.

Since the onset of COVID-19, members have provided essential supplies to senior and disabled veterans. The Post also welcomed school-aged children into its hall to use its internet for distance learning, which is critical in its rural area.

When Hurricane Laura hit in late 2020, the Post sustained major water, wind and structural damage. Yet, its focus was on helping others. For several weeks, members worked to clear power lines and debris to allow access for emergency personnel. But that was only the beginning.

Since the hurricane, the Post has been supporting the community however it can, explained Post Quartermaster Shane Fowler. Members have removed trees and tarped roofs, fixed generators, made fuel runs for those in need, organized and distributed essentials and handed out thousands of pounds of food.

The Post fed more than 2,000 people in the first week following the hurricane and collected and distributed more than 200,000 tons of supplies to families in need around the state of Louisiana.

For its truly remarkable efforts, VFW Post 3619 received the 2021 VFW Fred C. Hall Memorial Outstanding Post Special Project Award – an honor well deserved.

In addition to its ongoing hurricane-relief efforts, the Post carries on with fun programs and beloved traditions like Blankets for Warm Vets and a Memorial Day Flag Posting.

The VFW has named VFW Post 3619 as it’s 2022 September #StillServing Post of the Month, and is proud to recognize the tireless and selfless work of the members of VFW Post 3619 who are #StillServing in so many important ways.

Members of VFW Post 4938 in Edmond, Oklahoma, are always available to help fellow veterans – and anyone else in need – no matter the task at hand.

“Our dedicated veterans continue to support a variety of VFW programs and their local community,” said Junior Vice Commander Bradly Blume.

For the inaugural VFW National Day of Service, the Post organized a food drive, benefitting the Hope Center of Edmond to help individuals facing hardship.

More recently, after learning about a local Iraq veteran who needed a space for his new service dog, the Post stepped up.

“Members jumped into action and quickly organized volunteers and supplies to make sure the veteran and his canine companion had what they needed,” said Blume. “Our Post believes that opportunities like this one are amazing ways to build, strengthen and preserve comradeship among members, local veterans and the community.”

In addition to these acts of service, VFW Post 4938 stands up for veterans’ rights and American values. For instance, members led a flag retirement ceremony as part of the Fourth of July Liberty Fest. And before the Senate voted on the historic PACT Act, the Post encouraged people to contact local politicians to ensure the bill passed.

Reflecting on recent efforts, Blume said, “this Post truly proves that no one does more for veterans than the VFW!”

The VFW is proud to honor Post 4938 and its members who are #StillServing.

Unraveling with the gospel of those touched by its power, a ranch hidden amidst the rolling pastures of Seguin in southern Texas has become a sanctuary for veterans.

Though few outside of the local veterans’ community in and around San Antonio have heard of it, Lazy U Ranch has become a safe haven for legions of active-duty troops, chaplains and wounded warriors over the years.

Named after the cattle brand registered by Henry Ulbrich in 1914, the 101-acre Lazy U Ranch moves many who have graced its pastures to recite its therapeutic effects, which often begin as the electric ironclad gate closes behind them.

Putting the clamor and speed behind, veterans proceed down a dirt road surrounded by swaths of greenery lined with oak and cedar elm trees that harbor longhorns munching on grass before arriving at the heart of the ranch.

Without the noise of contemporary life, veterans reach the ranch’s homestead to the tune of birds and insects buzzing and humming like pleasant memories, an old home built beside the slithering Guadalupe River.

As is customary, they are welcomed by the ranch’s owner, a hulking Cold War veteran sporting an ivory handlebar mustache and a cowboy hat that take a peripheral view to the piercing blue eyes
and warm smile of Craig Russell.

‘UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY’
Russell, who purchased the ranch alongside his wife, Nancy, whose family goes back several generations at Lazy U, has devoted his own home to the wellbeing of veterans. It is an oasis built on
the ethos – “God, Family and Country,” that Russell imparts to visitors.

“And no one gets to enjoy the amenities and activities we provide without having seen the short presentation we’ve created to tell the history of this place,” said Russell, a Life member of VFW Post 8456 in Geronimo, Texas. “They all need to learn and understand the history before becoming part of it. I’ve probably shown this presentation over a thousand times to more than 17,000 soldiers since.”

Russell indoctrinates newcomers by bringing them into the SS American Memorial, a hand-made building beside the family’s homestead. The building, started in 1984 by Nancy’s father, WWII veteran Jim Ulbrich, was dedicated in 2014 through more than $110,000 in donations to include air conditioning and a finished wine cellar in the basement.

Once inside, visitors sit to a backdrop adorned with timeless military memorabilia along massive commissioned paintings depicting American history hung on the wooden tapestry that makes up the ceiling and walls.

In this atmosphere, Russell plays the presentation on a screen, an emotional video compilation of photographs and quotes of sacrifice and duty to God, family and country that tell the history and evolution of the place.

“This gives a powerful visual history lesson on the Cold War and the founding of our country,” Russell said. “And it closes with a tribute to the sacrifice of our warriors.” By the time the credits roll, the veterans above their heads, separated by two factions – the dead and the living – become part of the viewers’ experience, a kind of distant family whose sacrifice is now bore by the new generation of veterans.

“It’s pretty powerful stuff,” said Timothy Voss, an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran who was first introduced to the ranch in 2012. “The education and message it provides let you begin to feel like you belong to something special.”

Voss, a Life member of VFW Post 8111 in San Antonio, was introduced to Lazy U in 2012 while looking for a good fishing destination around San Antonio, about 36 miles west of Seguin.

The Army veteran, who was medically retired in 2007 following an IED explosion while deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division in 2005-06, met Russell, learned about the place and has since become a regular.

“I come for the sense of peace the grounds provide,” Voss said. “As a veteran, it’s a struggle to find your clan amongst the general populace. The ranch provides the warrior clan a home amongst kinfolk of the same calling.”

‘LET THEM DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES’
In hearing much iteration of Voss’ sentiments about the ranch from thousands of veterans, Russell and his shipmates in 2016 decided to create the SS American Memorial Foundation. Through this nonprofit, Russell seeks to bring military and civilian families together by relieving the burdens of separation and hardship through direct assistance for basic needs, historical education and patriotic avenues.

“It has been a slow process because many veterans, especially wounded warriors, are skeptical when we tell them everything is free of charge,” Russell said. “That’s why we try hard just to get them to this place, let them take it in and decide for themselves.”

Russell’s confidence in the ranch’s power dates back to a fateful Fourth of July reunion with his shipmates in 2000. In many ways, the seeds for the SS American Memorial Foundation and the Russell family’s continued refuge for veterans at the ranch were planted that day.

After more than 15 years since they served aboard the USS Tunny (SSN682), which patrolled an area around the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, Russell and his submarine crew had a reunion at the request of their beloved Chief of the Boat (COB), Master Chief Torpedoman’s Mate David Follo.

What began as a small get-together for 30-40 shipmates morphed into an annual event later dubbed “The Lazy U Ranch 4th of July Shindig.”

“Each year the event grew in numbers of shipmates, family and friends in attendance,” Russell said. “It included a BBQ cook-off contest, live music and an attendance of more than 500 guests from 17 states, which included Hawaii and the country of Ireland.”

By 2005, the event morphed yet again to include the raising of a 20-by-30-foot U.S. garrison flag. This led to a different dimension – having children in the audience read the history of the Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance, Star-Spangled Banner, 21 Gun Salute and TAPS.

“The event became an education in the traditions of this great country,” Russell said. “It went from a gathering of old shipmates to an educational event intended to offer a sense of history to renew patriotism in the hearts of guests.”

‘A CHURCH IN A SENSE’
In wanting to both share the ranch’s fertile grounds for respite and outdoor therapy, as well as reminding veterans of their storied past laden in sacrifice and patriotism, Russell reached out to a new wave of soldiers in 2010.

“We reached out to the Warrior Transition Battalion located at the BAMC Intrepid Center [at Fort Sam Houston] so that they may use and enjoy the ranch as a place of quiet rehabilitation,” Russell said. “They understood that one of the most powerful tools for healing was outdoor activities like kayak fishing.”

Since then, groups of active-duty troops as small as 10 and as large as 400 have visited Lazy U Ranch regularly, where they are greeted by local volunteers who provide meals for the day with donations from churches and local companies.

Someone most keen on the idea of outdoor therapy is retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Camacho, whom after 19 years as an Army combat medic was selected to run the Warrior Transition Battalion, now known as the Soldier Recovery Unit at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.

“I met Craig and Nancy back in September 2019,” said Camacho, who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. “Our meeting was in support of my unit’s mission of taking care of our most critically wounded, injured and ill. It was quite obvious that they were doing truly good things for others. They essentially took the ranch and used it to continue providing nurturance and sustainment of life in a bigger way, well beyond producing consumables.”

Camacho, a Life member of VFW Post 8315 in Schertz, Texas, went on to conduct three “Organizational Days” at the ranch following his initial visit, introducing his unit members to the ranch’s charm.

“It proved to be the right environment to get after the unit’s relaxation, resiliency and unit cohesion enhancement,” Camacho said. “I personally view it as a church in a sense, a building where a community of believers congregates. Veterans can come to any event that’s held at the ranch and be around relatable people. This in turn allows for conversation, which drives the ability to help and inspire each other.”

‘A BIGGER IMPACT BY WORKING TOGETHER’
Camacho’s unit, along with numerous nonprofit organizations centered around the well-being of veterans, remain active attendees of the ranch, which through the creation of the SS American Memorial Foundation has allowed Russell to offer more.

Lauded as one of the few places that remained open to veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Russell’s efforts have turned toward expanding the ranch. He wants to add a 65-acre park devoted to active-duty troops, veterans and first responders. The SS American Memorial Park, according to Russell, also will include a church for chaplains, walking trails and primitive camping.

The location is in its development phase, which will include a lofty goal of Russell’s to build the largest freestanding flagpole in North America at more than 400 feet.

“I have found that there’s often a lack of communication between organizations that do good work for veterans,” Russell said. “So the ranch has become a place, like a central command, where these organizations can come in and coordinate assistance and make a bigger impact by working together.”

This article is featured in the 2022 August issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr., senior writer for VFW magazine.

While it is hard to gauge the extent family relationships are intertwined with VFW memberships, it is clear, after talking with members of VFW Posts from New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, California and as far away as American Samoa, that VFW “family ties” often become VFW “force multipliers.” Here is a look at some of those families.

CARLO AND LEE ANN DAVIS
VFW POST 9191, KILLEEN,TEXAS
In October 2019, when Lee Ann Davis – a retired U.S. Army chief warrant officer – took the Post 9191 commander’s gavel from her husband, Carlo Davis – an active-duty Army chief warrant officer – she described the opportunity as “very overwhelming and … humbling.”

Three years later, Lee Ann, an Iraq War vet, reflected on that initial assessment: “I’ve got to be honest with you, only after I started doing the job did I fully realize just what [it] truly requires,” she said. “That’s when the light bulb came on. I was expecting others to come help me until I realized I had to do it on my own. I was elected and Carlo was deployed.”

Lee Ann said that when she was in need of guidance or information, Carlo was there for her.

“You know,” Carlo said, “because Lee Ann is a combat veteran like me, [this transition] fit like a glove. Not only can she and I do stuff that we’re passionate about, but it also brings us closer together.”

From a broader perspective, the Davises emphasized the importance of family support. It is especially important, they said, for veterans facing PTSD and mental health challenges.

“For veterans who feel they are on an island all by themselves, the VFW is a secondary family that can deliver the support chain,” Carlo said.

For the marital tag team, leading Post 9191 represents both prestige and challenges for the couple. Not chartered until May 1959, when it was officially named for Benjamin O. Davis, the first African American general officer in the U.S. armed forces, the facility was originally called “The Colored Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.”

“One thing we’re trying to do right now is get our Post to be an historical landmark in the city of Killeen,” said Carlo, a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. “At the same time, I believe the VFW should also better recognize our history. Because of racial division, it was not always a good history. But it’s part of our heritage, so let’s not hide that.”

SONNY FATU VA’A, MARIA VA’AIGAFO, WANDA VA’A BAINES, SONNY VA’A JR., CHRISTY VA’A FIELDING, CHRISTOPHER FIELDING, MARY VA’A
VFW POST 3391, PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
If the VFW set out to determine the biggest family cohort in a single Post, the Va’a family would make strong contenders for the title.

Maria Brown Va’a-Igafo, the 61-yearold Va’a matriarch, counts a next-generation flock of five: a son, two daughters, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law. Four are on active duty in the Air Force or Army. Maria earned her VFW eligibility in Korea.

As Maria’s daughter, Wanda Va’a Baines, an Army major, said, it was the death of patriarch Sonny Fatu Va’a, also a member of VFW Post 3391, that convinced the younger generation to consider entering the VFW fold.

“My mom first introduced the VFW to us when she planned to attend the 2015 VFW National Convention in Pittsburgh,” said Wanda, an Iraq and Afghanistan War vet. “I remember very clearly how she informed us of VFW benefits and resources.”

Wanda said the VFW really left a “lasting impression” on the family when it helped the Va’a’s navigate the VA after Sonny’s death in 2013.

“She was very passionate [for] us to become members, so we all attended the 2015 convention to learn more,” Wanda said.

Not only did this sojourn spur new Post 3391 memberships, but it also became family tradition.

“Most of us are on the East Coast [in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, with one in-law deployed to Poland] while my mom and non-military siblings are out west.” Wanda said. “We don’t get to see each other 11 months of the year. So we use the annual national conventions as opportunities to have a family reunion, as well as show our patriotic support of VFW.”

NORMAN WIENER, BRIAN WIENER AND COLIN WIENER
VFW POST 8098, BRIGANTINE, NEW JERSEY
In June 2020, Brian Wiener – a six-year Navy veteran and now an Atlantic City, New Jersey, firefighter – became commander of the VFW Department of New Jersey.

One of his first acts was appointing his father, Norman Wiener, a Korean War vet, as his chief of staff.

“Not many people get to do that,” said Brian, a Persian Gulf War vet. “We became much, much closer [and] genuinely wanted the best for each other. I would do it all over again if I could.”

A National Guard veteran, Norman took charge of Brian’s daily schedule.

“Sometimes he missed a date,” Norman said.

And, even though Brian was the boss, Norman occasionally stepped in as father.

“But I did it tactfully,” Norman said. “Sometimes he didn’t know it. All in all, we worked together pretty [well].”

Not surprisingly, the Wieners’ inter-generational VFW affiliation – Brian’s son, Colin, an Army officer, also is a member of Post 8098 – entail different perspectives on the VFW.

Brian, 51, understands that Norman, 86, and Colin, 27, have different age and lifestyle agendas.

“My father,” Brian said, “is of a completely different generation than my children. (Brian’s daughter, Breana, serves in the Marine Corps band.) His beliefs and his service are just different than ours. I have a vested interest, not only with my children’s and father’s VFW future, but also my own.”

Brian added that he has a special interest in the legislative end of veterans’ affairs, which complements the interests of the rest of his family.

“We would all like to be taken care of as veterans,” he said. “That remains the same [even though] the work that we put into it differs.”

BOBBI SHEETS, DAVE SHEETS AND BILL SANDERS
VFW POST 6365, LOCUST, NORTH CAROLINA
For Bobbi Sheets, North Carolina VFW District 12 commander, family connections have made Post 6365 a recruiting and financial juggernaut.

When Bobbi first joined the VFW in 1990 – three years into a 13-year Air Force career as an airdrop loadmaster and instructor – she assumed the Post was a bar outside the base gate.

“When I got here to North Carolina [after discharge], I transferred my membership right away [but] it took me 13 years to walk into the Post,” said Bobbi, who earned her VFW eligibility in Panama.

One day, though, Bobbi received a phone call inviting her to a meeting.

“What time does the bar open?” she asked, only to learn there was no bar because the Post was in a dry county.

Intrigued, Bobbi attended the meeting, only to find herself elected Post chaplain.

“I thought, ‘Oh Lord, I am the least likely person to ever be a chaplain,'” she said.

It was not until she attended the 2016 VFW National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, that Bobbi finally got “the big picture of what the VFW actually did.”

Once Bobbi moved up to Post 6365’s top leadership role – unexpectedly when her predecessor stepped down – she marshalled her untapped strength and began recruiting.

“If I filled the need that veterans have, they would join,” she said. “We even started Zoom communications to reach our shut-ins, deployed reservists and even people who left the area but still wanted to be involved.”

Post 6365 also benefits from the work of Bobbi’s spouse, Dave Sheets, an Air Force retiree who earned his eligibility on Grenada.

“My husband is the Post quartermaster,” Bobbi said. “He takes care of all the financials and keeps me focused on the numbers. He’s also the adjutant. He’ll give me a list [telling me] to ‘text these people, they need to pay.'”

Bobbi’s brother, Bill Sanders, another Air Force retiree who meets via Zoom from Ohio, chips in. Bill’s membership eligibility came from his time in Bosnia.

“He has really honed [my] writing skills,” said Bobbi, who often emails Bill drafts of VFW communications for his review and comment.

According to the figures, the Sheets and Sanders families have made a positive impact on the Post.

“We started my tenure with 19 [members],” Bobbi said. “We’re [now] at 95 people. We didn’t originally have a big bank account. Now we have five figures. We’ve done a lot.”

DAWN AND JACK NAPIER
POST 9561, HOOPA, CALIFORNIA;
KEVIN DALGLEISH
VFW POST 1872, LOWER LAKE, CALIFORNIA
For Dawn “Dusty” Napier, a Native American and member of the Kurak Tribe, leaving home for a Navy career meant leaving behind her family and indigenous heritage.

Returning 30 years later – retired as a senior chief in radio communications – Dusty found herself disconnected from two extended families – military comradeship and the Kurak Tribe.

“Had I not gone off to serve,” said Dusty, a Persian Gulf War vet, “I likely would have been active in restoration of tribal ceremonies and language. Since being back home, I’ve attended Kurak ceremonies, but reintegration has been slow.”

In Dusty’s view, VFW efforts to connect with “native veteran brothers and sisters” face daunting hurdles. To some tribal members, for example, VA and even veteran service organizations represent a government they do not trust.

Dusty said that for the most part, Native American veterans prefer having their health care provided by the Indian Health Service instead of VA.

As VFW Department of California commander, Dusty encourages VFW Posts to partner with their tribes.

Meanwhile, Dusty and her husband, Jack – a Navy retiree and Desert Storm vet – relish their reconnection with military camaraderie. Her brother, Kevin Dalgleish, is a member of a different VFW Post.

“I’m putting my energies into the VFW, a tight-knit association that bonds my husband and me together as family,” Dusty said.

If you have multiple family members who are veterans within the VFW ranks, send us a photo. We may use it on VFW magazine’s Facebook page.

This article is featured in the 2022 August issue of VFW magazine and was written by David Sears is a Vietnam War veteran and VFW member in New Jersey.

Picture captions:

Top row, left: Brian Wiener (far right) appointed his father, Norman (far left) as his chief of staff when Brian became the Department of New Jersey commander in 2020. Father and son are members of VFW Post 8098 in Brigantine, New Jersey, as is Brian’s son, Colin, also pictured. Brian’s daughter, Breana, is also pictured in her Marine Corps band uniform.
Top row, middle: Carlo and Lee Ann Davis of VFW Post 9191 in Killeen, Texas, believe that the VFW is a secondary family that delivers an important support chain.
Top row, right: Husband and wife duo Jack and Dawn “Dusty” Napier of VFW Post 9561 in Hoopa, California, said they cherish the VFW as it keeps them connected with a sense of military camaraderie. Bottom row, left: Bobbi and Dave Sheets work together as husband and wife at VFW Post 6365 in Locust, North Carolina.
Bottom row, right: The Va’a family of VFW Post 3391 in Pago Pago, American Samoa, counts multiple family members involved in the VFW.

A Sunflower State VFW Post in March hosted a benefit dinner for a resident who needed help with medical bills.

Chris Dearinger, a Basehor, Kansas, resident, was “stricken” by COVID-19 in September 2021, according to VFW Post 11499 Commander David Babin. The Army veteran said that even though Dearinger has medical insurance, the Basehor resident accrued more than $1.5 million in medical bills, with a “significant amount” that Dearinger still is responsible to pay.

“Chris spent 47 days on a ventilator,” Babin said, “took three months of rehab learning how to walk and breath on his own. It was all from complications from catching COVID-19.”

Babin added that Dearinger had only returned home from the hospital in recent months.

“We learned of Chris’ situation from former Basehor Mayor David Breuer, and we decided to lend a hand and took a bulk of that on,” Babin said. “We hosted a spaghetti dinner that more than about 200 concerned residents attended. We were able to raise more than $8,000.”

Babin said Dearinger and his father, Daniel, are well known in the community. Babin said that every year the community looks forward to the father-son duo’s Fourth of July city fireworks shows.

“We want to make sure we help anyone in need,” the Army veteran said.

VFW Post 11499 has a “strong connection” with the community, according to Babin.

“We are very involved with putting together fund-raising dinners for seniors, veterans and first responders of the community,” Babin said. “We also work with the school district here with Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy. The Post is well known, and I believe it is respected by everyone.”

Despite becoming the first female Department commander of West Virginia in June, Dr. Corrina Boggess dwells little on the historic accomplishment, focusing rather on the tasks at hand.

A former deputy chief of staff for the Army Reserve in Washington, D.C., who retired in 2009 as a colonel after 28 years in the service, Boggess’ leadership will take the forefront as she exemplifies her motto – “Service To All.”

“It’s a neat accomplishment, but I didn’t place much attention toward that,” said Boggess, who deployed in 2004-05 to Tikrit, Iraq, in command of the 376th Personnel Services Battalion. “I’m more focused on re-energizing Posts across the state to increase membership, as well as growing our presence in local communities so people understand the work that we do.”

Since joining the VFW in 2013 at Post 9097 in Hurricane, West Virginia, Boggess attributes her swift rise up the ranks to an uncanny understanding of legislation that was apparent during her first state convention appearance.

“They were presenting a piece of legislation, and I stood up and added some input,” said Boggess, who received her doctorate in executive leadership from the University of Charleston in West Virginia in 2018. “I was very comfortable talking about legislation because I did that for many years in the military. I was then pulled aside and asked to join the Department’s legislative committee.”

By then, Boggess had transferred with her uncle, a Vietnam veteran, to Post 8363 in Chesapeake, West Virginia, where she became junior vice commander in 2016 and saw the Post attain All-State and All-American honors.

When the COVID-19 pandemic plagued the country in 2020, Boggess, who had recently been voted commander of Post 8363, received a proposition to further elevate her status within the organization.

“The Department commander at the time had asked me if I was interested in the junior vice position because it had become vacant,” Boggess said. “The vote was done by the council of administration because there was no state convention that year due to COVID. There was some resistance from a few Posts because I was a female, but the council was very supportive and unanimously voted me in.”

During her historic ceremony as the first female Department commander of West Virginia in June, Boggess again displayed a shrewd sense of leadership. Instead of holding the ceremony at the state headquarters, Boggess chose a banquet hall that allowed the state’s Auxiliary members to attend.

“From my perspective, the Auxiliary and the VFW are two sides of the same coin,” Boggess said. “I did my presentation at the banquet hall to allow the Auxiliary members to be present because they’re a crucial part the organization. They are a great asset to help recruit, and I think that’s a relationship we should be strengthening.”

Boggess also wants to capture the attention of veterans in communities across the Mountaineer State by enhancing VFW’s presence. From curating shabby VFW Posts in need of repairs to advocating for VFW’s many services.

“I am actively out there recruiting ad servicing all veterans, not necessarily placing all my focus on a specific group,” Boggess said. “While I do want to recruit more female veterans into our great organization, we must first help them recognize that they are combat veterans.”

Boggess cited that over the last 20 years, there’s been a large influx of female veterans deploying to combat zones. A lot of them, however, are younger and placing most of their post-military efforts on having families and succeeding in their civilian careers.

“As they begin to age, I think these female veterans will be an active voice in our organization,” Boggess said. “Since I was older when I retired, I had the time to join and work towards something. I believe as these female veterans start to age out, they’ll start to get more involved like I did. For now, I’ll keep talking to as many of them as I can, sharing my experience that the VFW is more than welcoming to women.”

For many veterans, equine therapy has been a way to cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. Those veterans form a special bond and relief from working with horses that possibly no other animal can provide.

At New Freedom Farm, located in Buchanan, Virginia, organizers take it a step further by saving horses that are a part of the therapy.

New Freedom Farm Founder and Director Lois Dawn Fritz said her mission is to provide a refuge for horses and therapy for veterans and first responders.

A veteran of 1991’s Persian Gulf War, Fritz said veterans and first responders can visit the farm any time it is open. She added that no appointment is needed for attendance.

A SAFE HAVEN FOR HORSES
Founded in 2016, New Freedom Farm, according to Fritz, exists to aid veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, TBIs and substance abuse through activity with the farm’s horses, as well as farming and peer-to-peer support.

“The end goal is to personally empower veterans and help them heal through the realization of their own efforts and contributions,” said Fritz, a former Navy corpsman. “Our slogan is ‘Healing Heroes Through Horses.’ At New Freedom Farm, veterans and horses help each other.”

New Freedom Farm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, also serves as a place for the rehabilitation of neglected horses, with many at risk of being slaughtered. Fritz, a member of VFW Post 5895 in Buchanan, Virginia, said the farm provides shelter and serves as a “foster home” for those horses.

“Unfortunately, in our country, horses are often sent to slaughter,” Fritz said. “Those mustangs have been through so much trauma, just like our veterans have.”

Fritz claims that her farm is the first organization for veterans to receive accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. GFAS is a nonprofit dedicated to recognizing animal rescue centers with high standards and raising awareness for their work.

BATTLE BUDDIES
One veteran who receives therapy at New Freedom Farm is Clint Cash. The medically retired Army veteran said he met Fritz years before he started going to New Freedom Farm on a regular basis. He has been going to the farm for more than two-and-a-half years.

“One day I decided that I wanted to go there and try it out,” Cash said. “I started going back more and more, and now it’s like a second home to me. I always enjoy going back to the farm.”

Cash was medically retired from the Army for PTSD, which he said stems from his deployment to Afghanistan.

“I was happy getting out of the military, but after I got out, I realized I missed the camaraderie,” Cash said. “I don’t miss being in the Army, but I really miss the brotherhood I had with my fellow soldiers.”

Cash – who deployed from June 2009 to June 2010 to Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, with 8th Squadron, 1st Cav Regt., 5th Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. – said the first few times he visited the farm, he got to know Andrew Kintgen, the barn manager at New Freedom Farm.

Cash said he has a lot in common with Kintgen, an Iraq War veteran and a member of Post 5895.

“We started talking one day and found out that both of us were born on the same day,” Cash said. “We were both Army cavalry scouts and were medically retired as sergeants. We became pretty close after that.”

A Virginia native, Cash said one of the reasons he likes going back to New Freedom Farm is that sense of camaraderie he receives while taking care of horses and visiting the farm.

“The reason veterans need other veterans and their camaraderie is because veterans need to find other people like them, who have been through the same situations,” Cash said. “We know we can rely on each other more than we can rely on others.”

Cash added, saying that it has been a relief to be able to be around others who have the same mindset as him.

REHABILITATING HORSES
Cash, who served in the Army from January 2009 to November 2013, said that during his time at New Freedom Farm, he has worked with two horses, Eli and Cole.

“When Cole first came to New Freedom Farm and given to me, he did not like any humans,” Cash said. “He didn’t have any trust in people. When we first got Cole, he had a halter buried in his nose.”

Cash said that Cole’s wound has healed since then.

“Cole was just supposed to be at the farm until someone adopted him,” Cash said. “After a while, Cole started taking a liking to me. Surprisingly, New Freedom Farm gave me the horse in January.”

Cash said that ever since then, he and Fritz have been working with Cole. Fritz worked with Cole and got the horse comfortable enough to interact with humans. Cash noticed how gentle treatment made the horse more trusting.

“[Fritz] was also able to get a halter on him and walk him around,” Cash added. “Cole has turned around and is a good horse now.”

‘HORSES DON’T JUDGE’
While at the farm, Cash said he typically grooms and waters the horses. He added that he helps take care of the farm, including cleaning the horses’ stalls.

Cash said he spends a lot of his time with Cole and Eli and added that he is around them more than he is around most people.

“Sometimes if I have something I need to say out loud, but don’t really want to talk about it with anyone, I can just talk to the horses,” Cash said. “That’s why I like animals. I think that animals can feel some sort of bond with humans. They can feel that I’m having a bad day. A horse can tell if people are emotional or acting differently than normal.”

Cash said he believes veterans needing support should attempt animal therapy.

“I highly recommend that people find an animal to take care of,” Cash said. “The great thing about horses is people can say anything to them, and they will keep coming back as long as they show the horse affection. Horses don’t judge.”

This article is featured in the 2022 June/July issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Dave Spiva, associate editor for VFW magazine.

VFW Post 670 strives to be a good neighbor within its Fayetteville, North Carolina, community. Its members serve on local civic boards, volunteer at different organizations, work to combat hunger and more. Above all else, the Post is devoted to supporting its members and the greater veteran population.

“Our Post, although open to the public, is very much an organization that helps veterans,” said Commander Mike Baker. “It provides a place for veterans to talk to others who’ve dealt with the same issues, been to the same places … people who understand what you’re trying to describe, even when you can’t find the words.”

Because of the family atmosphere and camaraderie, the Post is a place where members can be themselves and join like-minded friends to make a positive impact together.

Recently, they took part in the inaugural VFW Day of Service when they gathered with Auxiliary members to clean up a local roadway.

“We walked a mile from the Post and collected all the litter,” said Quartermaster Amelia Smith. “In just that one mile, we collected 300 pounds of trash.”

In addition to this event, Post members have performed countless other acts of service in recent months.

“In April, we bought and collected $250 in new toys, blankets and games to donate to the Child Advocacy Center,” Smith said. “On March 30, the Post and Auxiliary hosted a Vietnam Veterans’ Appreciation Lunch.”

The Post also dedicates time and raises funds to support many programs, such as Man 22, the Veteran Suicide Awareness Program, 22 Until None, Veterans Empowering Veterans and Gold Star Families. And to support active-duty soldiers, members provide meal services at unit events.

“We’ve done four events in the last couple of months and served over 800 soldiers and family members,” said Baker. “We’ve also distributed candy, cookies and hygiene products to deploying units.”

No matter the task, members of VFW Post 670 are eager to unite and lend a hand.

“We’re still serving because it helps our community, as well as the veterans. When veterans gather together to help someone else, we don’t focus on what’s wrong with us, and we don’t feel alone,” said Smith.

“Regardless of the amount of people who show up, we come together and work as a team, focusing on how to get the job done to the best of our ability. Along the way, we meet people, make connections, share ideas and just try to relax and enjoy the camaraderie.”

The VFW is proud to honor the members of Post 670 who are #StillServing to provide vital support to the community and one another.