On July 5, VFW Post 2205 in Denton, Texas, hosted a “Call of Duty: Warzone” tournament at their state-of-the-art esports’ suite, which includes high-speed internet connections, noise-canceling insulation and 10 NCAA-level gaming computers.

This is the first gaming tournament the Post has held since the suite’s grand opening on April 23. Excerebus, a veteran-founded company based in Fort Worth, Texas, sponsored the tournament, which Regiment Gaming hosted.

A total of $1,000, plus a free year of VFW Membership, was included in the tournament’s prize pot: $750 went to the first-place winner, $250 to the second-place winner and the VFW membership to the third-place winner (if eligible).

“Gaming helps veterans with ‘socialization’- one of the Army’s five pillars of resilience,” said VFW Post 2205 Commander Tim Middleton. “Video games are a high preventer of suicide for veterans.”

Middleton added that gaming can serve as a way for veterans to connect more easily in today’s world.

“It can be harder for guys to get together in person for a beer,” he said. “Gaming can help fill that gap when getting together in person isn’t an option.”

VFW Director of Programs Lynn Rolf III, founder of VFW’s gaming league Combat-Tested Gaming, had high praise for Post 2205.

“[Post 2205] is the model of what we’re trying to accomplish with Combat-Tested Gaming,” Rolf III said.

The VFW hopes to reach younger members with programs such as Combat-Tested Gaming and to help bring comradery to those struggling veterans who might benefit from it.

This article is featured in the 2025 July 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.

VFW magazine continues its “Destination Post Series.” The series features 125 Posts located in sought-after tourist destinations. Featured VFW Posts make a real difference in the communities in which the Posts are located.

This month’s segment takes VFW magazine readers to Denver, the Mile High City, where VFW Post 1, the oldest VFW charter in the world, has been at the heart of its eclectic art scene for more than a decade.

Located in Denver’s vibrant Santa Fe Art District, VFW Post 1 attracts thousands of visitors on the first Friday of each month during First Friday Art Walks, a signature event that offers a chance for veterans and civilians to connect over art.

“First Friday is what appealed to Post leadership in 2014 to buy what was then a run-down building,” said Jesse Eastburn, current VFW Post 1 Commander and VFW Department of Colorado adjutant. “They saw the potential it had to become what it is today.”

Through its homegrown Veterans Arts Council (VAC), Post 1 uses the monthly event to showcase its members’ unique personalities on studio walls alongside the charter’s rich history, a contrast that creates a timeless depiction of the veteran experience.

“The more the neighborhood grows, the more our part in it grows,” VFW Post 1 Senior Vice Commander David Bigelow said. “Our unique gallery allows veterans to heal invisible wounds through expression while also granting the community access to interact with us and break through the facade of who veterans are and how we live.”

Founded by Jim Stevens, Rod Ford, Darren Schultz, Will Coukoulis, Kelsey Komarek and Eastburn, the VAC is a multifaceted program that, among other things, conducts outreach for veterans, provides mentorship and promotes their art in the community.

“The VAC attracts veterans who might not otherwise know or interact with the VFW, and as a result, it has helped grow our Post 1 membership and community awareness and involvement,” said Stevens, a former Post 1 commander and current VAC director.

‘THE PROGRAM HAS CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF SO MANY LIVES’
Like Stevens, Eastburn has seen VAC blossom over the years. It has drawn national attention from news outlets such as The New York Times and served, most importantly, as a beacon for struggling veterans who have fallen through the cracks.

“Our VAC program is so special,” Eastburn said. “The program has changed the trajectory of so many lives in our veteran community. I’m proud to say I don’t know of one person who has been on our wall that has taken their own life, and I hope we can continue to say that for many years to come. Art saves lives, and it saved this Post.”

After nearly a decade without a Post building and facing the risk of disbandment, members of Post 1 moved into their beige brick home at 841 Santa Fe Drive in 2014 and rode the wave of activity that flooded the Art District each month.

Since then, its membership has grown to more than 1,000 as of 2024, and members such as Stevens, Jerry Rael and Jason Reid have all achieved local and national notoriety for their art.

“First Friday is our most effective recruiting tool, attracting artists who become members (VFW or Auxiliary, depending on eligibility), but also among the 3,000-5,000 visitors who walk in every month,” said John Keene, a former Post 1 and VFW Department of Colorado commander.

“This success has led to our Post hosting VA art competitions, allowing our artists to display and sell their work and hang it in the state capitol.”

The appeal, added Bigelow, is in the novelty that Post 1 presents to the younger generation of veterans.

“We offer a different angle on the veteran engagement through art and embedding ourselves in a city zone not traditionally known for a strong veteran presence,” Bigelow said. “This entices veterans of various age groups and war experiences.”

As a result, Bigelow said the Post often serves as the backdrop for local and state announcements impacting veterans, citing Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s Dec. 19, 2024, address to end veteran homelessness.

“Many other local organizations also use our Post as the location for announcing their veteran-related information to the public,” Stevens said. “All of this has helped raise our awareness in the community, which, in turn, has led to Post 1 becoming a hub for veteran activity and is an often-used referral by other community organizations.”

‘WE ARE NOT AFRAID TO TRY NEW WAYS TO INTERACT’
To cater to this growing visibility and a diverse membership, Post 1 also offers a wide range of programming that supports wellness, creativity and camaraderie.

From yoga classes to Healing Warrior sessions, music instruction and writing workshops, all veterans, regardless of their VFW membership status, are welcome to participate at no cost.

“Speaking from the perspective of the writer’s group, our classes are not only free but also accessible via Zoom for veterans across the country,” VFW Post 1 Jr. Vice Commander Rolando Rodriguez said. “We have built a space that honors tradition and innovation, making it not only a place of belonging for local veterans but also an inviting stop for traveling veterans seeking connection and healing through shared experience.”

This juxtaposition drew Rodriguez to Post 1, which he discovered a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down operations nationwide.

“I couldn’t believe it was a VFW Post,” Rodriguez said. “I saw veteran artists from all walks of life, real community and a sense of welcoming friendship. Getting involved took some time, but doing so felt natural because Post 1 embodies what service after service truly means. It’s a reservoir of tradition, but also a place that embraces new ideas, offering a path forward for veterans to heal, grow and connect through creativity and community.”

For Stevens, one of the oldest tenured life members of Post 1, this is achieved through the membership’s collective willingness to explore opportunities to extend VFW’s reach.

“We are not afraid to try new ways to interact with our veterans and the community,” Stevens said. “Not everything works, but we find things that do, and continuing that effort means we are not stagnated in the past and not afraid of the future.”

“This kind of action reflects the very spirit of the VFW’s founding – a community coming together to demand change in how the government treated veterans after war,” Rodriguez added. “It was a radical move then, and VFW Post 1 continues that legacy today by reimagining what it means to serve.”

As of the publication of this article, Post 1 has been working on an extensive renovation project to expand its reach and build on its success, again aiming for innovation.

“Our future upgrade plans will tie in additional veteran interest, such as small business incubators and a podcast booth,” Bigelow said. “Once in place, these will be open to all veterans for use and, in turn, expand the support offerings to veterans.”

Since VFW Post 1 does not operate under regular business hours, veterans traveling through Denver are encouraged to call in advance when planning their visit. First Friday Art Walks begin at 5:30 p.m. and run until about 10 p.m.

For more information, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VFWPost1.

This Destination Post Series article is featured in the 2025 July/August issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez, Jr., associate editor for VFW magazine.

Earlier this month, VFW Post 837 came together to celebrate Victory in Europe Day – the day Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Powers, effectively bringing an end to WWII in Europe.

Although the official date of V-E (Victory in Europe) Day is May 8, the Post held its ceremony on June 3. The Post holds a V-E Day ceremony each year.

“We welcome everyone to our events,” said VFW Post 837 Commander Johnny Vasquez when asked if the ceremony was open to the public.

Olivia Rux, the senior vice commander, organized and planned the V-E Day ceremony. Rux also gave a speech concerning the details of V-E Day during the event.

“[Olivia] always does a great job organizing events,” said Vasquez.

VFW Post 837 also recently held a Flag Day Ceremony, where they invited a little league baseball team to join in on the festivities. “Buddy”® Poppies were handed out to attendees, and each received a complimentary refreshment.

Along with holding events with the local community, the Post also visits nursing homes, helps homeless veterans, provides resources to veterans, holds yard sales and hosts tournaments for pool and bingo, all of which are open to the community.

Members of VFW Post 2811in Gainesville, Florida, provided and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for an Army Reserve unit on June 14 at Cynthia Chestnut Park.

Three Post members participated in a sendoff picnic for more than 50 soldiers and family members of the 257th Transportation Battalion, 399th Movement Control Team.

The veterans provided refreshments and camaraderie to the unit that is on orders for deployment to the Middle East.

“Deployments can be stressful,” said VFW Post 2811 Quartermaster Avery Owen, a retired master sergeant with the 3rd Bn., 20th Special Forces Group of the Florida Army National Guard. “Local reserve units tend to be made from communities and often families that you know. This gives our VFW Post a chance to show its grassroots support for those who are sacrificing for our freedoms. Anything we can do to make things easier for the soldiers and families involved, we’re happy to do.”

Owen, who manned the grill and transported the Post’s tables, chairs and refreshments to the event, said that this is the type of function that the VFW promotes. He added that grant funds available through the VFW’s Military Appreciation Program (MAP) can help offset his Post’s costs.

“The prime mission of the VFW is to honor veterans by directly helping them and their families,” said Owen. “When our Post took the position of helping sponsor the 257th Transportation Battalion, it did so knowing we have the full backing of every VFW member in the organization.”

Specifically designed by the VFW to help Posts build relationships with their local military community, the MAP grant program can help VFW Posts cover expenses up to $5,000 annually, if funds are available for events such as the sendoff picnic. The money is specifically earmarked for basic food items and nonalcoholic beverages for service members and their family members.

“The program is a great fit for active Posts like ours who want to spend more time helping and less time fundraising,” said Owen. “That way, we can spend more time at the grill and less time worrying about the bill.”

Article written by Michael P. Maurer, a Life member of VFW Post 2811. Maurer is the recent recipient of the Silver Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest.

This article is featured in the 2025 June 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.

VFW Post 3219 in Hampton, Virginia, will hold its fourth annual blood drive for its 2025 VFW National Day of Service event. By participating in and leading the blood drive, veterans continue their service far beyond the military, demonstrating commitment to their community.

Post Commander Joe Perkins said, “Veterans don’t stop serving when they take off the uniform. Instead, they channel their dedication into impactful initiatives like lifesaving blood donations, showing that their mission has evolved – but never ended.”

Perkins adds that the event also gives veterans the opportunity to lead by example, “making it clear that this isn’t just a Post-driven effort – it’s a community-driven movement, guided by veterans who continue to answer the call to help others.”

He said that hosting a blood drive is not only a group effort. It’s also a meaningful way for each participant to feel good about contributing to a worthy cause.

“A blood drive is far more than a singular event – it serves as a lifeline, fostering unity and reinforcing the principle that every individual has the power to make a lasting difference.”

Each year, the blood drive has been a collaboration between the Post and community members working together for the good of everyone. It’s a rewarding activity that helps form strong connections for all involved, and Perkins has some tips for other Posts planning Day of Service events.

“Organizing a Day of Service is effortless when you are fully engaged with the community. Your family, friends and neighbors have all been part of your military journey, and now, they remain integral to the mission of giving back,” Perkins said. “Make it clear that this isn’t just an event, it’s an extension of veterans’ lifelong commitment to service.”

“When planning a Day of Service event, keep an open mind and approach the effort in a way that supports everyone, whether they’ve worn the uniform or not,” he said. “After all, service isn’t about where you come from, it’s about where you’re willing to go to help others.”

Veteran Sandy Sonju, 59, lives in Kalispell, Montana, with her husband, Martin. Sonju has two sons, Jarod and Justin, and three stepchildren, Marty, Stephen and Angel.

She enlisted in the U.S. Army 20 years ago and served in Karlsruhe, Germany, as a military police officer.

“Like many others at the time, I joined to afford college and mature,” she said.

In 2023, Sonju became a VFW Accredited Service Officer, working for the Veterans Affairs Division of the Montana Department of Military Affairs.

“All my life, I had jobs like teaching, foster parent training and in family support that allowed me to serve others,” Sonju said. “Each role taught me how to assist people and give them access to the information they need.”

As a VFW Accredited Service Officer, Sonju does the same for veterans seeking help filing claims, including those living in rural communities throughout the state.

“I appreciate the Montana Division’s outreach efforts so people in remote areas can receive claim support,” Sonju said. “In the 1970s, my father, who is a veteran, drove over four hours to Fort Harrison in the winter for his doctor’s appointment.”

Sonju does not want to see other veterans struggle in the same way, which is why she meets with up to 27 veterans on a typical day. However, in October 2024, she smashed that number by assisting 87 veterans in a 24-hour span.

Sonju encourages her peers to attend as much training as possible to best serve their clients. She credits her team with helping her do that herself.

“Because of my supervisors and the instruction I’ve received, I can ensure each case is given complete attention and has the best possible outcome,” she said.

Sonju remembers watching her father struggle with VA paperwork to receive benefits after he was injured in the Korean War. Those memories drive her today.

“Each generation of my family has had an easier time working through the VA claims process thanks to improvements,” she said. “Helping veterans is my purpose. I’m proud to be a resource for them, and I’m proud to represent the VFW and the Montana Veterans Affairs Division.”

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

To establish their 2025 VFW Day of Service event, leadership from Post 9644 in Sheridan, Colorado, worked with the mayor and other officials to find out how they could make a positive difference in their city. They identified Bear Creek Trail, a high-traffic area that needed attention, as their objective for a trail cleanup.

Frequently used by pedestrians, runners and bicyclists, Bear Creek Trail is an asset to the city. Post 9644 plans to spend a day cleaning up the trash and debris to make it an even more desirable location for locals to enjoy.

“By working together with the city, we ensured that our event wasn’t just symbolic – it met a real need and reinforced our Post’s deep commitment to Sheridan and its residents,” said Rachel Rodgers, treasurer, Post 9644.

Post Commander Todd Van Sant has a strong, genuine bond with the City of Sheridan Mayor and other community leaders. This helps ensure Post 9644 is involved in the conversations that shape the community, and their efforts are aligned with real needs.

“That mutual respect and cooperation turn one-day events into ongoing partnerships that strengthen both the Post and the city,” Rodgers said.

Post 9644 found that connecting with community members is an important aspect of planning a successful Day of Service. The Post shared its suggestions to help other Posts.

“Start by including others. We have long-standing relationships with our Scouts BSA troop, Venturing Scouts, Cub Scouts, and the Young Marines – all of whom bring a powerful presence to the day. Their involvement not only helps get the work done but also builds intergenerational connections and fosters leadership.”

In addition to youth groups, the Post is also grateful to their VFW Auxiliary for helping with the Day of Service. “Equally important is the support of our VFW Auxiliary, whose efforts in planning, logistics, hospitality and outreach help turn a simple service event into a full community celebration.”

Post 9644 values the lasting benefits of what might seem like a simple trail cleanup event.

“When you bring everyone to the table – veterans, youth, city leaders, families – you’re not just giving back. You’re building something bigger than a day. You’re building community.”

“It also helps reshape the narrative around veterans,” Rodgers added. “It highlights us not only as individuals who may need support, but as leaders, mentors, and contributors who are invested in the success and well-being of our communities.”

This month, VFW magazine continues its “Destination Post Series.” The series features 125 Posts located in sought-after tourist destinations. Featured VFW Posts are those that make a real difference in the communities in which the Posts are located. This month’s article takes VFW magazine readers to two Posts located near “Chi-Town.”

A little more than 30 miles south of Chicago is VFW Post 311 in Richton Park. Not only is the Post a favorite spot in town to gather for a little fun, but it also is a community advocate.

VFW Post 311 Commander Aretha Spurlock said helping homeless vets is something of which the Post members are especially proud. The Post hosts an annual Veterans Stand Down and also supports the Midwest Shelter for Homeless veterans through clothing drives.

“We find ourselves in a great position to support our veterans through stand downs and resource fairs,” Spurlock said. “Thanks to a local woman, we provide equine therapy at the stand downs. She brings her horse for the vets to experience. We are very proud to be able to offer this.”

Spurlock said the Post also provides scholarships for high school students and supports career days at schools. For the past nine years, VFW Post 311’s emphasis on higher education has led to more than $30,000 in scholarships awarded to high school seniors with family ties to veterans in Richton Park.

What began in August 2014 with three $1,000 scholarships, the Benjamin O. Davis Post 311 Commander’s Scholarship program has since awarded up to six $1,000 scholarships a year to more than 30 recipients.

On the second and fourth Fridays at the Post, veterans and military affiliates are invited to attend “Coffee Chats.”

Spurlock, who is the first female Post commander in her District, said these twice monthly events are hosted by VFW member Nekohl Johnson.

Coffee is provided by VFW member and Army vet Melissa Farmer Hill, who has her own coffee company, Sip Nation.

Spurlock said that several of the Post’s older veterans have died throughout the past year. A member asked the commander about having professional grief counseling for VFW members. That led to a “Grief and Loss” series at the Post presented by Dr. Renee Dickerson. The series focused on understanding the effects of grief on the mind, body and spirit, among other topics.

“I take my position as Post commander seriously,” said Spurlock, who is in her third year in that role. “We are a service organization, and we are here to serve veterans and the community. If they walk in, hopefully they will want to join us or support us in some sort of way.”

WORKING ‘HARD AT SERVING’
Among the good times had at VFW Post 311 are First Friday events. Food trucks and live music are two of the ways the Post celebrates the first Friday of each month.

In February, the community turned out for a pre-Valentine’s Day celebration with a catered meal and live entertainment.

Movie nights are held at the Post on a monthly basis. It is one of many free-of-charge events at the Post.

Spurlock said the Post markets its events on Facebook and also by text message chains. For those who are regulars to the Post, but not eligible for membership, there is a Friends of Post 311 group she texts. This group of supporters had a cornhole tournament in April to raise funds for the Post.

Spurlock likens entering the doors of Post 311 to entering the bar “Cheers” from the TV sitcom. She said everyone seems to know everyone, and if they don’t, they make sure to “warmly welcome” all visitors.

“The goal is that we work hard at serving,” Spurlock said. “So we want to enjoy ourselves just as hard. After all, tomorrow is not promised.”

COMMUNITY IS KEY AT BATAVIA POST
Just outside downtown Batavia, Illinois, on the banks of the Fox River is a picturesque six-plus acres resembling a park. VFW Post 1197 owns the park-like property.

VFW Post 1197 Commander Steve Hunter said the Post is “heavily” involved in the community, and likewise, the community supports the Post.

“Being out and visible in the community will make or break your Post,” Hunter said. “A few short years ago, our parking lot was in disrepair, and we were on the verge of closing. But with the past couple of commanders and our quartermaster, we have revitalized this place and pushed a real youth community.”

At nearly 300 members strong, Post 1197 hosts twice-a-year blood drives to benefit the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois.

“The blood bus comes to our parking lot, and we make it a huge success,” Hunter said.

A Persian Gulf War veteran, Hunter said that most events planned at the Post are aimed at families, which, he added, has helped in overall recruiting.

“Iraq and Afghanistan members are getting very involved,” Hunter said. “Families and young kids come hang out at the Post.”

At all levels, the Boy Scouts have a partnership with Post 1197. They annually camp out on the Post grounds on the weekend closest to Veterans Day in November. During the weekend, the Scouts, alongside Post members, retire U.S. flags.

“Our members teach the Scouts how to properly dispose of flags,” Hunter said. “In doing this, we also are instilling patriotism in these youngsters. We have a true partnership with the Scouts.”

Another way Post 1197 supports its community youth is by issuing a community service award to a member of the Bulldog Moving Company. The Bulldogs are high school football players who help out at the Post when the need arises. During the school’s Military Appreciation Night in the fall, the Post awards a trophy to a Bulldog for his commitment to service. Inside the trophy case in the school, there is a plaque for this award, and each year, the new winner’s name is added.

Each spring, around Easter, Post 1197 Auxiliary plans and executes a Touch-A-Truck event at the Post. From fire trucks to garbage trucks, kids get an opportunity to get up close and personal. Given the holiday, the Easter bunny shows up to help spearhead the hunt for thousands of Easter eggs.

“The kids really love this,” Hunter said. “We have gift certificates in some of the eggs, and of course, candy. After the hunt, they come inside for more fun.”

In addition to the Batavia American Legion that meets at the VFW Post, a fly-fishing group uses the Post given its proximity to the river.

TRIVIA, ART AND MUSIC
The Post is open every day except Monday. There is a full-service bar complete with multiple billiard tables and dart boards.

On the fourth Friday of each month, everyone shows up to hear live music. When the weather cooperates, an outdoor patio with picnic tables and umbrellas can be enjoyed.

The Post has monthly trivia. One month you might test your knowledge of all things related to “Friends” (sitcom) and the next share your smarts about 80s music.

If trivia is not your thing, the Post has paint nights where for a fee, guests come to the Post and get creative. Supplies are provided.

Hunter said the Post offers a bit of something for everyone. Due to the Post’s high visibility in Batavia, recruiting is usually successful.

“We know that when we bring in a new member, it is important to give them a little responsibility,” Hunter said. “Find out what their interests are and give them a chance to continue serving, but in an area they enjoy. When new members get involved, they stick around.”

This article is featured in the May/June 2025 issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor for VFW magazine.

Jason Khalaf, quartermaster of VFW Post 10254 in Tucson, Arizona, has some advice for other VFW Posts when planning Day of Service activities: “Choose something that your members care about – it makes a huge difference.”

When Post 10254 considered its 2025 VFW Day of Service event, it was a natural fit to partner with Southwestern Animal Rescue, a local veteran-founded nonprofit organization.

This year, the Post is hosting an adoption event to support rescued animals, including dogs, cats, horses and goats. Community members are invited to attend and help these animals find their new homes.

Khalaf shared a tip for other Posts when planning Day of Service events: “Work with groups you already have relationships with – it builds trust and momentum fast.”

Post 10254 is confident that the Day of Service will be a win-win for all involved. Not only will rescued animals be adopted by loving families, but VFW members and local citizens will reap the benefits of coming together for a shared worthy cause.

Khalaf believes collaborations with mission-based partners, like the adoption event, are also helpful in sharing the story of how veterans are giving back in their communities.

“These efforts spotlight how veterans continue to lead, support and care – often in quiet but powerful ways,” he said.

Khalaf offered some final suggestions for a successful Day of Service.

“Promote early, delegate tasks, and make sure to involve both veterans and civilians. And always take a moment at the end to reflect on what you did together. That shared pride is fuel for the next effort.”

On the night of Jan. 21, 2025, tragedy struck the Village of Ovid, New York. A devastating fire consumed a significant portion of the town’s Main Street, reducing to ashes the only grocery store, a beloved diner, a laundromat, an Italian restaurant, and the Seneca County STEPS office.

Apartments also were destroyed, displacing 16 residents and leaving nearly 50 individuals unemployed.

In the wake of this fire, the small but resilient community of Ovid faced an urgent crisis. At the heart of the relief efforts was the Ovid Veterans of Foreign Wars Arthur G. Depew Memorial Post 6200.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, VFW Post 6200 quickly transformed into the central hub for relief efforts. Recognizing the urgent needs of those affected, the Post organized a collection of donated goods, including clothing, furniture, household essentials, and toys.

Soon, the VFW was overflowing with donated items. As the need for essentials among the fire victims was met, the Post organized a bag sale, which not only helped redistribute excess donations but also raised more than $2,500 for the Ovid Fire Relief Fund, a charitable initiative started by the Ovid Federated Church.

Understanding the long-term financial strain on displaced residents and business owners, VFW took fundraising to the next level. Through a well-coordinated benefit event, they raised more than $20,000 for the Ovid Fire Relief Fund.

Beyond monetary and material aid, the fire created a new challenge for the town: The loss of three essential dining establishments. With nowhere for locals to gather for a meal, the VFW stepped up in an unexpected but crucial way.

The Post opened its own kitchen under the banner of the Depew Chow Hall, offering breakfast and lunch services Monday through Friday. The Depew Chow Hall employed three people who were unemployed by the fire. This initiative not only provided affordable meals but also reinstated a sense of normalcy and camaraderie for residents who had lost their familiar gathering places.

As Ovid continues its journey toward rebuilding, the contributions of VFW Post 6200 will be remembered as a testament to the power of community and the unwavering commitment of those who serve-not just in the armed forces, but in the heart of their hometown.

This article was written and submitted by VFW Post 6200 Quartermaster Kenny Fellers. It was edited for length.

This article is featured in the 2025 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.