“I had a career where I left and did everything in the world and then came back here,” Norman Machelor said.

“Here” is Lewiston, New York, where Machelor was born 80 years ago and lives now with his wife, Mary. The two met as students at the University of Buffalo and wed before graduation. Machelor joined the Army soon after that.

Continuing a Family Tradition

“I chose to enlist because there was a passion there,” he said. “For one thing, my dad served in World War II as an infantry officer. So, that’s what I wanted to do, too.”

Like his father, Machelor was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS). In 1968, he joined the 51st OCS Company and also completed Jump School at Fort Benning. He went on to train other soldiers for a year before being deployed to Vietnam as a platoon leader. After an injury left him disabled, Machelor returned home to work for his father. Eventually, he took over the business and sold it after 25 years.

Machelor spent the next 10 years working for the governor of New York as the deputy director of government affairs for the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. After that, he began a new job with the VA.

“I was a claims examiner with the VA, which was a computer job,” Machelor said. “It was interesting, and I learned a lot, but I never interacted with veterans, which I didn’t like.”

‘We Talk and We Talk and We Talk to Figure Out What’s Wrong’

In 2020, Machelor was recruited to work for the VFW as a VFW Accredited Service Officer.

“Of course, no sooner I got hired than COVID hit,” he said. “Fortunately, they let us work from home, so I’ve been doing a hybrid job ever since.”

Much like in the National Guard and Reserve, VFW Accredited Service Officers, like Machelor, must attend two weeks of continuing education training annually to retain both VA certification and access to veterans’ records.

Whether Machelor is working remotely, at the VA regional office, or at the VA hospital, he gets to work directly with veterans, just like he always wanted to do.

“Basically,” Machelor explained, “the two elements of the job are getting people into the VA claims system and then researching their cases to get them the best benefits possible.

“We talk and talk and talk with veterans to figure out what’s wrong, how it happened and all the rest. Then, we submit paperwork. We try not to promise them anything because we can’t. But if the VA’s decision is negative, we go back through the paperwork to see why and how we can appeal the claim.”

Regardless of how a claim plays out, Machelor’s support is unwavering.

‘Of Course, He Comes to Me, His Service Officer’

“The veterans we assist remain clients forever,” Machelor said. “There are people I worked with years ago who call me to reopen their case because a condition progressed. That’s a big part of what we do.

“For instance, one guy received VA disability for diabetes in 2020. Now,” Machelor explained, “it’s progressed to where he needs insulin instead of pills. He’s eligible to ask for an increase in benefits. So, of course, he comes to me, his service officer.”

In addition to helping veterans, Machelor has noticed that many of their family members are unprepared in the event of a death. He encourages veterans to act before it is too late.

“Many of them just aren’t aware that, generally, their benefits stop upon their death. I know which spouses may be eligible for continued benefits in the event of the veteran’s demise and call to inform them to prepare to contact me right after their spouse passes,” he said.

I Say to My Wife, ‘I Rang the Bell’

While reflecting on the veterans and families he has helped, Machelor said, “Every once in a while, I’ll tell my wife, ‘I love my job.’ She’ll say, ‘Yeah, I know you do.’

“That doesn’t mean it can’t be frustrating. But when I was younger, I wanted to go to law school. Even though I’m not a lawyer, this job gives me the chance to represent veterans.”

In one instance, Machelor was able to secure $80,000 in back pay for an individual. In another, he helped an 80-year-old, who had never received assistance, get benefits that he could use to address his prostate cancer. And just recently, Machelor started the paperwork for a Vietnam veteran who is applying for benefits for himself so his wife can be eligible for a pension when he dies.

When asked how doing this work makes him feel, Machelor said, “Well, I had cancer. And when you battle cancer successfully, you ring a bell. So, a lot of days after I leave my office and get home, I say to my wife, ‘I rang the bell’ because I was able to change someone’s life.”

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

On May 23, a brand new statue was unveiled just a few steps away from the front doors of VFW Post 9186 in San Antonio, Texas.

“The Price of Freedom” is a bronze statue depicting three soldiers – two men, who are embraced shoulder-to-shoulder, carrying one another, and a woman, who is providing close support from behind. It stands adjacent to the Post’s flagpole, atop a marble pedestal on the corner of Padre Drive and VFW Boulevard.

Each soldier symbolizes a different armed conflict that the U.S. has been involved with. The soldier in the center represents the Vietnam and Korean Wars, the soldier to his left represents WWII and the soldier standing behind the pair represents the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

“We’re all brothers and sisters, regardless of the conflict or war we served in,” said Antonio “Tony” Ramon, commander of Chapter 1836 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart when asked about the significance of the statue representing different eras.

The original idea for a statue came from Vietnam veteran and local artist Michael Boyett, who served as an infantryman in Vietnam. Boyett created the original design for the statue, however after Boyett’s death in April 2015, the project was put on hiatus.

Ramon, along with the rest of Chapter 1836, eventually picked up the project. They wanted a memorial that emphasized different eras of U.S. military conflicts. However, the project was put on hiatus once again when they began to have trouble establishing a location for the statue.

After connecting with Post 9186, they were able to coordinate the statue to be placed in the Veterans Memorial Garden, just outside the doors to the Post.

To help pay for the statue, the Post began to hold fundraisers. However, once news of the statue reached the ears of Michael Lynd, who served as a first lieutenant during the Vietnam War and founded Lynd Management Group, he offered to pay for the whole statue – so long as “he could get one of his own.” Lynd’s statue, “Vet Fully Loaded,” can be found outside the Lynd corporate office in San Antonio.

The unveiling ceremony of “The Price of Freedom” at Post 9186 was a success. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, along with retired Army major general and Medal of Honor recipient Pat Brady, were guest speakers at the event, which included Harlandale High School JROTC members presenting colors and mariachi performers from Southwest High School.

Post members took an immediate liking to the statue.

“Words cannot describe how beautiful this statue is,” said past-VFW Post 9186 Commander Ralph Alvarado. “All of us at VFW Post 9186 are proud to have erected this statue on the grounds of our Memorial Garden.”

Ramon praised the cooperation between the Military Order of the Purple Heart and VFW.

“It was an awesome ceremony,” said Ramon said. “The Purple Heart and VFW worked together as a team. Different organizations can get together to accomplish something for these veterans.”

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

On April 24, 1966, VFW Post 6069 in Lebanon, Ohio, hosted a meeting with 12 members from four other Posts to discuss the formation of a burial detail. After several names were suggested, all members present voted unanimously to adopt the name “VFW Memorial Team.”

For the last 60 years, the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team has worked closely with numerous area funeral homes, veteran service officers, active-duty military funeral details, and cemeteries to provide military honors for thousands of local deceased veterans.

Working with more than 20 partners in and around their communities, the VFW Memorial Team currently serves Clermont, Hamilton, Warren, Butler and Brown Counties in Ohio, as well as Kenton County in Northern Kentucky.

In 2025, the VFW Memorial Team conducted a record 206 services with honors, including 11 veterans of World War II, 20 from the Korean War, 41 from Vietnam, as well as three from both the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism.

Families usually receive these services either through a referral from their funeral directors when making burial arrangements, or by contacting the Team directly, most often through their county Veteran Service Office or by word of mouth. Proof of military service, such as a DD-214, is required.

The team does not charge deceased veterans’ families, and no team member receives any compensation for their services. While the services are free, the team does accept donations to help cover expenses.

In addition to a folded U.S. Flag, the VFW Memorial Team also gives families a parchment-style certificate of remembrance, a bronze burial medallion, and some of the spent shell casings from the rounds that our rifle team fired that day in honor of their loved one’s service to our nation.

The average age of the 21-member team is 69 years, with every branch of service represented, except the Space Force. Team members are affiliated with several different local VFW and American Legion Posts, with the team’s headquarters at VFW Post 9630 in Willowville, Ohio.

This April, the team will be hosting a “60 Years of Service Celebration Dinner” in Cincinnati.

For more information on the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team, visit www.swohiovfwmemorialteam.org

This article is featured in the 2025 December 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. This article was submitted by Randy Fannin, Commander, SW Ohio VFW Memorial Team.

Veteran Richard “Rick” Barela, 72, lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with his wife Barbara. He is a Gold Legacy Life member of the VFW and serves as the adjutant of VFW Post 680.

Barela enlisted in the 1970s and spent more than two decades in the Army, achieving the rank of master sergeant. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2020.

Barela completed multiple overseas assignments, including his final one in Germany. It was during that tour that he joined the VFW. After retirement, Barela became involved in the organization. He has held several positions, including service officer at his local Post.

“I started that job in 2022, right after the COVID lockdown, at the request of the Post commander,” he said. “There have been many changes to the VA claims process over the last three years, some good, some not so good.”

In September 2025, Barela became a VFW Accredited Service Officer. He is pleased with the training he received to fulfill his new role, which allows him to better serve his clients, even as policies shift.

“The VFW is doing remarkable things for veterans and keeping us informed about changes,” he said.

On a typical day, Barela meets with four or five veterans or their family members. He feels a sense of accomplishment when he can help them get approval for a VA claim and believes that being a veteran himself often helps things run more smoothly.

“Some veterans who need assistance are afraid to start the process due to stigmas about putting their claim forward and seeking help,” he said. “As a fellow veteran, I feel like I can talk to them without them worrying about being stereotyped. It brings me joy when I get a call or email from one of those veterans thanking me for processing their claim.”

Barela is concerned about the current political climate and believes it is limiting veterans’ rights. He is grateful to be in a position where he can help protect his fellow service members, just as he always has.

“I served 24 years and nine months,” Barela said. “I did not do it for money or fame, but for the soldiers, especially, the rangers to my right and left that follow the Ranger Creed – a creed that we live by each and every day, even after we leave the service.”

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

VFW Life member Yoselin Brice, 53, joined the Air Force in search of opportunity and life experiences.

“I wanted to get away from the hectic pace of New York City and my medical research job at Columbia University,” she said. “I was desperately looking for new adventures and to travel the world.”

Brice served for six years. After leaving the military in 2004, she spent more than 15 years working for the Department of Defense. Today, she lives in Bronxville, New York, and has two kids, Skyler and Connor. Brice’s late husband, Charles, also served and was a lieutenant commander in the Navy.

A self-described “military family advocate,” Brice became a VFW Accredited Service Officer in November 2024.

“This is an ideal job for me because I get to use my knowledge of the federal government, military experience and personal experience with the VA to help others navigate the complex web of applying for benefits,” Brice said. “Helping veterans is something I would gladly do for free. Getting paid to do so is a privilege and an honor.”

On a typical day, Brice meets with veterans or their family members who are seeking assistance with filing claims.

“My greatest accomplishment in this role is when I can call a veteran to tell them that a disability that has been afflicting them for years is indeed related to their military service and that the VA has approved their disability claim,” she said.

“My biggest challenge is not being able to secure dependent benefits or payments for military widows who are in financial distress. It’s heartbreaking.”

Brice explained that this is often because a late veteran did not understand they were entitled to dependent indemnity compensation, so they never filed a claim. She understands from experience how this can happen.

“Even as a veteran, for a long time, I didn’t know that service officers existed and that their assistance is free,” she said. “The first time I applied for health care and compensation was after I became one myself. Before then, I didn’t know I was eligible.

“The health care I’ve received has been life-changing. I can now get physical therapy that I could not afford previously and that has improved my quality of life. It’s gratifying to help other veterans manage their military-related disability claims using my knowledge and experience and to help improve their wellbeing by connecting them with the services they need and deserve.”

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

Army veteran Prinisa Desir, 27, served three years at Fort Carson in Colorado.

“I joined because I was looking for a sense of purpose in my life after high school,” she said.

Desir expressed her gratitude for the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.” The aid took care of the remaining tuition expenses that were not covered by her VA benefits.

“I’m able to have a better educational experience knowing I have financial support,” she said. “I cannot say thank you enough.”

No matter how old you are, Desir said, it is never too late to start something new. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in international business, she now studies nursing.

“Every day, life is passing you by. Why not go after your dreams?” she said.

Desir wants to become a pediatric nurse because of her passions for health care and helping children. Being a consistent, reliable patient caregiver is important to her.

“I want to help children facing their illnesses, as well as the parents who have to show up with just as much strength,” she said. “I’m proud I can touch the lives of others through big and small impacts.”

Desir encourages other veterans to pursue an education confidently.

“The first step is to be brave enough to put yourself out there!” she said.

Learn more about the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.”

Army veteran Prinisa Desir, 27, served three years at Fort Carson in Colorado.

“I joined because I was looking for a sense of purpose in my life after high school,” she said.

Desir expressed her gratitude for the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.” The aid took care of the remaining tuition expenses that were not covered by her VA benefits.

“I’m able to have a better educational experience knowing I have financial support,” she said. “I cannot say thank you enough.”

No matter how old you are, Desir said, it is never too late to start something new. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in international business, she now studies nursing.

“Every day, life is passing you by. Why not go after your dreams?” she said.

Desir wants to become a pediatric nurse because of her passions for health care and helping children. Being a consistent, reliable patient caregiver is important to her.

“I want to help children facing their illnesses, as well as the parents who have to show up with just as much strength,” she said. “I’m proud I can touch the lives of others through big and small impacts.”

Desir encourages other veterans to pursue an education confidently.

“The first step is to be brave enough to put yourself out there!” she said.

Learn more about the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.”

VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler participated in the 15th annual Ron Davies Memorial VFW Air Lift in Centennial, Colorado, on Dec. 14, hosted by VFW Post 9644.

The event, which was born out of a love of aviation between Davies and his daughter, Brittany Davies, serves to give back to those in need, especially in rural communities, across the state of Colorado through the Rocky Mountain skies.

The Post collected a total of 13,500 pounds of food, clothing and Christmas toys. Planes flew into Centennial Airport, and Post members carried the donations on pallets to be loaded onto the planes.

Post members spent the day before weighing each individual donation and calculating the total weight for each pallet. Pallets were then designated to a particular aircraft to avoid overloading.

Planes then flew to various communities across Colorado, from Grand Junction to Fort Collins, where local VFW members in those locations met the pilot to help unload the donations.

“This is the entire message of the VFW,” Geisler said. “This shows that we can come together and that we don’t have to do things in a silo.”

According to Post 9644 Todd Van Sant, the Post voted unanimously to name the event the “Ron Davies Memorial VFW Air Lift” after Davies’ passing earlier this year.

Brittany is proud to continue the event, which is expected to grow next year, with more donations, more pilots and more locations.

“I know my father would be proud of how this event turned out,” Brittany said. “Aviation really can partner rural communities together.”

Veteran Dale Wysocki, 73, was born and raised in Las Vegas. He now lives in Pahrump, Nevada, with his wife of 20 years, Susan.

Wysocki was in the Army from 1969 to 1975, including a year in Vietnam when he served as a helicopter crew chief and door gunner.

“I enlisted at the age of 17 because I wanted to do my duty during the war,” he said.

Wysocki was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He experiences a series of health complications because of it.

“I suffer from severe apnea, cardiomyopathy, acid reflux, diabetes, diverticulitis, a deteriorating spine, tinnitus, middle ear damage, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and several other ailments,” he said. “This has affected my whole life.”

For years, Wysocki did his best to manage his conditions on his own. Eventually, he connected with VFW Accredited Claims Consultant Debra Johnson through VFW Post 10054, where Wysocki is a Life member.

“Her assistance changed my whole life,” he said.

When they met, Wysocki had a 10% disability rating for his hearing. Johnson helped him submit a claim for several ailments. Today, he has a 100% disability rating.

“Now, I receive excellent care from the VA, including treatment for my PTSD, which has caused a huge change in my personality,” Wysocki said.

“I strongly recommend that any veteran with a claim contact their VFW and let them go to bat for you.”

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

Martin J. Barrett, 74, lives in Henderson, Nevada. He has six children: Brion, Jennifer, Melinda, Rebbeca, Jessica and Andrea.

Barrett was handpicked by his local draft board in June 1970 and began serving. He served in the Army for 19 months, including nine months in Vietnam.

Barrett began helping veterans with their disability claims in 2015 as the VFW Post 3848 service officer. Last year, he became a VFW Accredited Service Officer after he was encouraged to take the role by a colleague who sat on the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Barrett says that the most challenging part of the job is helping his fellow veterans receive the proper rating. But his own experience motivates him to do all he can on their behalf.

“It took me five years to receive a 100% disability rating,” he said. “It makes my day when I can help another veteran get their disability [rating].”

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