KANSAS CITY, Mo., – This year the VFW enters its 125th year of service to veterans, service members and their families. As such, the VFW has proudly launched a year-long campaign to commemorate the momentous occasion.

The VFW traces its roots back to Spanish-American war when the battle wounded returned home to no health care, benefits and little support. Left to fend for themselves, a group of 13 veterans gathered in a small tailor shop in Columbus, Ohio, to discuss how they could assist their fellow veterans and dependents of their fallen brothers-in-arms.

In fact, they weren’t alone. Several small, unaffiliated organizations were taking shape in areas across the United States with a common goal of advocating for veterans’ needs, and in 1899, two key groups were established: the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines. These groups would soon merge to become the VFW. It’s mission: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.

The VFW would quickly grow in membership and influence, expanding its advocacy efforts to educational benefits, disability pensions and hospital services. The group would also cultivate its local impact initiatives through community service, youth scholarships and programs, and civic engagement activities.

Today, and throughout its storied history, the VFW has led the charge in making available positive, life-changing support and resources through its advocacy initiatives and services to include the establishment of the Veterans Administration. It has played an instrumental role in the passage of every piece of vital veterans legislation and collects $13 billion in benefits and compensation from the VA annually for veterans.

Today’s launch of the commemorative campaign celebrates the VFW’s legacy of service with a dedicated microsite, commemorative VFW Post program and a sneak peek into an upcoming line of commemorative VFW Store items. New initiatives will be added as the organization builds momentum to its official founding date of Sept. 29 and to its conclusion at the 125th VFW National Convention in August 2025.

In a special ceremony on April 20 at Post 1333 in Neptune, New Jersey, World War II veteran Stanley Dubroff, 97, was awarded this year’s Neptune Township/VFW Hometown Heroes Award.

Nominated by Post 1333, where he serves as the oldest living member, Dubroff was selected by the Neptune Township Veterans Committee as its annual Hometown Hero for continued activity in assisting his Post reach its community goals.

“I was humbled to receive the award,” said Dubroff, who spoke of his being drafted at the age of 18. “I was in the Army as the son of a naturalized citizen. My father was a fierce American. I had two brothers who were medically unable to serve. It was a matter of personal pride on his part that he had a son going to fight for his country.”

Dubroff went on to serve in the Army from December 1944-46, his original enlistment into the Navy being rejected because of color blindness. He did his basic training at Camp Croft in South Carolina before being deployed with A Co., 382nd Inf. Regt., 96th Inf. Div., to the Philippines in July 1945.

“I didn’t feel that I did anything special,” Dubroff said. “I was serving in the Philippines preparing to go into combat as a BAR man when I learned we were to be in the lead for the invasion of Japan. The atom bomb saved Company A from being at the forefront of the invasion of Japan as not invading Japan undoubtedly saved my life.”

At Babe Ruth Field in Hollister California’s Veterans Park, the crowd’s excitement was palpable as two San Benito Bambino teams came together on April 27 in the third game of their season to play the Warriors, composed of the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9242.

As the loudspeakers blasted her entrance music, Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and Roll,” Bambino Fay Rendon was preparing for her turn at bat, carrying herself with a confidence that any ball player would admire.

“I think we are going to kill these guys,” said Rendon, 19. “We kick [butt] every time. I love coming out here – I feel like a superstar.”

The Bambino League, along with the companion program, the Challenger League, is part of a baseball program for players with either intellectual or physical special needs. “They come out and enjoy baseball just like anybody else,” said Coach Daniel Gutierrez. “It’s all part of getting some exercise, hitting the ball and having fun.”

Rendon’s words proved prophetic. The 15 players on the team scored run after run while the Warriors seemed to have forgotten even the simplest fundamentals of the game, consistently throwing the ball too late or in the wrong direction – when they could even manage to catch the ball.

The final score of the two-inning contest was 30-0, echoing the results of a game earlier in the day, 24-0 win for two other Bambino teams against the VFW Post members. The Bambinos somehow never suffered a single out, and the Warriors, no matter how many times they crossed the plate, never managed to score a run.

“These kids do a lot of trash-talking,” VFW Post Commander Bernie Ramirez said. “But we have a pretty slow group here. We’re getting a little old for this.”

To be fair, the game’s rules were weighted against the veterans. Each of the two innings does not end until every Bambino has batted. The players are pitched up to six balls, and if none are hit, the ball is placed on a tee. Assistance is available for any player who needs help batting or running the bases.

“Coach Adam Mendolla asked us to come out and play,” Ramirez said. “And anybody who’s ever played with these kids can feel it in their hearts. It’s amazing, just the greatest thing you can do.”

This story (edited for length) and photo are by Robert Eliason and re-printed with permission from the Benito Link San Benito County News.

VFW Post 3641 members in Pueblo, Colorado, hosted nine veterans during their fifth annual Homeless Veterans Fair on May 3.

With tents scattered around the Post’s outdoor area, low income and homeless veterans in attendance were treated to several services provided by Post 3641’s members and volunteers as part of their initiative to mind the gap.

“We are here to fill a gap the best we can and it’s not perfect, but, we have people who are in need that we can provide some resolutions to some of their needs,” Post 3641 Commander Fred Gauna said.

At the Post’s fifth annual Homeless Veterans Fair, all veterans who participated were treated to free haircuts, health checks, warm meals and food pantry items to take with them for later.

“We also had vendors that offered free government phones, Medicare assistance and education opportunities,” Gauna said. “Our Post VSO was also there to offer assistance on compensation claims.”

Guana added that because his Post is very community-oriented, the VFW not only hosted veterans in need, but registered more than 66 other low income and homeless participants in providing them with these services free of charge.

“Attendees were appreciative, thankful, hopeful and skeptical,” Guana said. “Skeptical in that they were unsure on what services they could receive. We were glad to be able to provide all of them with these services.”

The next Homeless Veterans Fair at Post 3641 is slated for May 2.

A Vermont VFW Post Auxiliary in April hosted a successful bingo fundraiser to support a service dog training program that helps bring together service dogs with military veterans and first responders.

More than 100 bingo players participated in the event, which featured a 50/50 raffle and additional prizes, at VFW Post 1034 Auxiliary in Brattleboro, Vt. The guests also had lunch and met service dogs, Mercie and Sasquatch, from Vermont Paws and Boots. Those attending also were educated about the Bennington-based program by Vermont Paws and Boots Executive Director Michelle LeBlanc, a member of VFW Post 1034.

According to the organization’s website, the mission of Vermont Paws and Boots is to save the lives of veterans and first responders who struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and physical disabilities.

“Being in southern Vermont, we don’t have any military bases, so we need to make sure we take care of organizations in our area,” said Karen Campbell, president of VFW Post 1034’s Auxiliary. “We felt that Vermont Paws and Boots was an amazing organization. Veterans and first responders give so much to our country and community.”

The fundraising event raised more than $1,300. For more information about Vermont Paws and Boots, visit www.vermontpawsandboots.org.

WASHINGTON – “The first amendment of the Constitution grants the rights of freedom of speech and of the people peacefully to assemble, the same rights members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) swore an oath to support and defend. We also support the rule of law in our country and those working to uphold it. Without them, segments of our population would have their rights infringed upon. While those staging protests on college campuses across the country have the right to free speech and to peaceful assembly, they do not have the right to violently act out against others. We are confident law enforcement will restore safety and security for all those impacted by the abject lawlessness over this past week.”

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About the VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.4 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information, or to join, visit our website at vfw.org.

VFW Post 10904 in Manchester, Tennessee, hosted its annual Vietnam-era Veterans Honors Dinner on March 28. Now in its seventh year, the dinner’s purpose is to recognize Vietnam veterans and to treat them as they should have been treated when they returned home from Vietnam.

The Vietnam-era veterans in attendance were told:

-“Thank you for your service;”
-“Your cause was just;” and
-“Welcome home.”

The gathering was held at Manchester’s Coffee County Veterans Building, which is shared by the VFW, DAV and American Legion. More than 100 guests were present. Lloyd Smith, a local musician performed songs from the Vietnam period.

A 10-foot projection screen showed the 1967 Bob Hope Christmas Special featuring Raquel Welch and other celebrities touring Southeast Asia. Several of the veterans in attendance fondly remembered seeing the show when they were there nearly 60 years ago.

VFW Post 10904 Quartermaster Howard Thompson served as the emcee. Thompson was a first lieutenant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is a Vietnam veteran.

He read a letter of gratitude from a former South Vietnamese refugee who later started a business. Part of the letter stated: “Back then, I didn’t grasp the nuances of politics, and I really didn’t care to. What I knew for sure was these brave soldiers, representing the United States, stood by our side against the Northern Vietnamese communists … risking their lives for our lives and liberty. That’s how I saw them then … that’s how I continue to see them now.”

VFW Post Commander Kimberly King said it is important to recognize Vietnam veterans especially as they were not recognized when they came.

“I’d say eight years ago, when we came up with this idea it was to pay honor and respect to our brothers and sisters who served in Vietnam,” King said.

To learn more about activities hosted by VFW Post 10904, visit https://www.vfwpost10904.com.

This Checkpoint article was submitted by G. Lamar Wilkie, VFW Post 10904 Senior Vice Commander and Adjutant.

A VFW Post in the Land of 10,000 Lakes held a special ceremony to commemorate Vietnam War veterans for National Vietnam War Veterans Day in March.

As reported in Virginia, Minnesota’s Mesabi Tribune, emotions ran high at VFW Post 4456 in Gilbert, Minnesota, during a moving tribute for the area’s Vietnam War veterans. Attendees were amazed by the display of respect shown to Vietnam War veterans in attendance and the war’s KIAs from the region.

“The whole thing was something I’ll never forget,” said VFW Post 4456 Auxiliary member Candace Barshaw, according to the Mesabi Tribune. “The emotion was so strong.”

National Vietnam War Veterans Day was first observed in 2017 after then-President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act. Prior to this, Minnesota’s first Vietnam War Veterans Day was in 2008 after then-Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty issued a proclamation, making Minnesota one of the first states to recognize the day.

Held under the flapping shade of the U.S. flag, VFW Post 3137 members in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, hosted a community gathering for their semi-annual retirement of old and tattered flags on April 6.

Against a picturesque view of the shimmering Atlantic Ocean, the ceremony opened with remarks from Post 3137 Commander Bo Stallings, followed by an invocation from Post Chaplain Carol Truslow. The ceremony also included the National Anthem by Post member Joe Houdek, which preceded the Pledge of Allegiance and the raising of the U.S. flag during the playing of To The Colors.

More than 100 flags were properly retired during the ceremony by veterans, Auxiliary members and other members of the community. Among those who helped retire flags were local Boy Scout Troop 15 and Troop 20, who also demonstrated the proper way to fold the flag, celebrating the flag as an emblem of the U.S.

Post 3137, dubbed “The Post on the Coast,” provides a receptacle for community members to dispose of worn flags at their entrance along Ocean Boulevard. They encourage all who have worn flags to dispose of them there, allowing for a proper retirement.

A VFW Post in San Diego accepted help from its community when it needed a new refrigerator after the Post’s had broken. When the original stopped, volunteers at the Post were in the process of cooking hundreds of meals for displaced flood victims.

During an interview with CBS 8 in April, volunteers told the news station that the Post’s main industrial refrigerator stopped working and that they were accepting donations for a new one. After the story aired, VFW Post 7420 Commander Livy Lazaro told CBS 8 that “everyone just started calling and blowing up our phone.”

CBS 8 reported that the Post received $3,000 in donations from across San Diego County. VFW Post 7420 Commander Livy Lazaro said to the TV station that his Post’s mission is not complete until “everyone is taken care of.”

On April 2, VFW Post 7420 told CBS 8 that it was providing 400 meals daily. In January, historical levels of flooding hit the military town. Many families were displaced and in need of meals. VFW Post 7420 members and volunteers immediately started preparing hot meals for flood victims in shelters and hotels. And even when the refrigerator stopped working, volunteers did not.

“We are going to be here until the families don’t need us anymore,” VFW Post 7420 Quartermaster Johnny Odom told CBS 8.