Last winter, Louisville, Kentucky, was hit by long stretches of extreme cold. Members of VFW Post 1181 were concerned that older veterans would not be able to keep warm in temperatures below freezing. The Post offered its hall as a place for them to stay overnight. Soon, others were invited, too.

“I noticed local advocacy groups that were trying to get the city to open shelters for the homeless population,” said Post Commander Stephen Kanfield. “We have a pretty decent-sized hall, so I volunteered for it to be set up as an overnight warming center.”

A Safe Place for All

Kanfield and fellow Post members welcomed anyone in need. Other community groups chipped in, donating time and essentials.

“It was a safe place for people to relax for a bit,” Kanfield said. “Several groups volunteered to cook meals for our guests, and we coordinated with other organizations to get bedding, cots and air mattresses for people to sleep on.”

When asked why Kanfield and his Post chose to open their shelter to the wider community, he explained how this type of service also helps the veterans who are providing it.

“I joined the VFW to find a sense of purpose again. I wasn’t doing well mentally and needed to take my mind off things,” he said. “By working with others, I was able to jump right in and do something meaningful. Having so many people trust me to keep them safe overnight let me know I was where I was supposed to be.”

‘Other Veterans Joined to be Part of the Work We Were Doing’

Kanfield and his fellow members were not the only ones who gained a sense of purpose.

“Other veterans in our area joined our Post so they could be part of the work we were doing,” he said.

Still Serving in this way inspired individuals outside of the veteran population to get involved as well.

“People realized that the Post wasn’t just a bar,” Kanfield said. “Strangers that had never been to the Post saw what we were doing and wanted to help.”

‘When a Need Arises, Our Members Will be There’

In fact, since 2023, the Post has been trying to increase its outreach efforts to serve the greater good. The warming center certainly seemed to serve that goal. Recently, Kanfield spoke with an individual who stayed at the Post for a few nights.

“He told me that if we hadn’t opened during that time, he most likely would have frozen to death,” Kanfield said. “The gentleman explained that he already wasn’t feeling well and feared he would have been stuck outside in the cold.

“That’s why we’ve been working to show that when the need arises anywhere in our community, our members and their families will be there ready to help. We’re here to provide veterans camaraderie and a sense of purpose through meaningful service.”

To get involved or learn more about the Still Serving campaign, visit TodaysVFW.org.

Debra S. Johnson, 72, lives in Pahrump, Nevada, with her husband Jerome, who is a veteran.

“My daughter, Adrena, is from a previous marriage,” Johnson said. “Her dad was also a veteran. He was 100% disabled, but when he was discharged, they did not know what was wrong with him.”

It took several doctors before Johnson’s ex-husband received the correct diagnosis and rating.

“I made a promise then that I would forever give back to the military community,” Johnson said.

Since then, Johnson has volunteered with different veterans’ groups. She also became a Nevada Veterans Advocate with the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. As an advocate, she informed service members, veterans and their families about available benefits and resources.

Johnson’s neighbor, who is a member of VFW Auxiliary Post 10054, asked her if she could assist Post members with their claims. Although Johnson’s volunteer efforts were similar to the work of a VFW Accredited Service Officer or Claims Consultant, she was not qualified for the role.

“When I realized I didn’t have the necessary qualifications, I asked if I could get training to become accredited with the VFW,” Johnson said. “If, after that, I felt like I could do the job, then I would.”

For eight months, Johnson traveled between Pahrump and Henderson, Nevada, which is about 70 miles away, to train under VFW Accredited Service Officer Marty Barrett. Johnson received her certification in 2024.

“And so, the journey started,” she said.

As a VFW Accredited Claims Consultant, Johnson spends Wednesdays and Fridays working on new claims. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are devoted to researching other claims that have been denied to potentially reverse the decisions.

One of Johnson’s goals is to learn about exposures and how they impact veterans to be sure she is doing all she can to strengthen each veteran’s case.

“I’m working hard to get them the ratings they deserve,” she said. “That’s why it makes me feel so incredibly good when one of my veterans calls me to tell me how I have changed their life – not just financially, but emotionally, too.”

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

Jack Hammond enlisted in honor of his four uncles who served in World War II and who were charter members of VFW Post 8818 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq in 2002 and 2003, Hammond became a VFW Life member himself.

In 2012, he retired from the Army and set out to secure the benefits he had earned.

“After 31 years of service and multiple combat deployments, I attempted to independently navigate the VA system but quickly encountered challenges,” he said. “Remembering my uncles’ stories about the VFW’s advocacy for veterans, I sought assistance.”

Hammond reached out to Bill LeBeau, the VFW Department of Massachusetts state adjutant, for help and was soon connected with VFW Accredited Service Officer Delray Dorsey.

“Contrary to clear documentation from my time in Afghanistan and Iraq, the VA did not acknowledge my medical challenges stemming from burn pits and toxic exposure,” Hammond said. “Delray was instrumental in guiding me through hurdles and securing recognition of my service-connected injuries by the VA.”

Following the passage of the PACT Act in 2022, Hammond reached out to the VFW again and was introduced to VFW Accredited Service Officer Allison Krezman for additional assistance.

“She and Delray have been invaluable,” Hammond said. “The VA’s claims process remains difficult, but Allison’s unwavering advocacy continues to be a source of support and hope throughout this challenging process.”

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

Each issue of Checkpoint includes a callout for submissions. While submissions do come in, most have no photos and some with photos that are not acceptable for use.

To increase your chances of seeing the good work of your Post in Checkpoint or even on the pages of VFW magazine, here are a few pointers to consider the next time you take photos at a Post event.

If you have been tasked with taking a group photo, do not line up the group against the wall. Provide depth by bringing your subjects together at varying heights. Some can sit or kneel. Move in as close as you can to take the photo to illustrate crisp, clear faces. Most importantly, encourage the people you are photographing to be energetic and lively, enthused to be representing their VFW Post. Perhaps you can ask some to high-five or fist bump one another or some can stand back-to-back while turning their heads to the camera. Work to make the photos interesting for the reader.

Action shots are best, but not always the easiest to capture. For example, if you are wanting to capture a community dinner at your Post, avoid submitting a photo of a food table with no people. Instead, move in close and take a photo of a volunteer serving someone in the food line. No volunteer servers? No problem. Stand across the table from the person scooping up whatever is being served and catch him or her in the act.

As VFW continues to battle the stigma of the “smoky bar,” avoid sending in photos of folks sitting around the Post canteen drinking.

When possible, use natural lighting as the flash mode on cameras and phones can result in harsh lighting.

Avoid shooting from eye level. Try getting low to the ground and shooting up or find a higher vantage point to shoot down.

Make sure there are no distracting elements in the background that take away from the main subject. Common background distractions include exit or bathroom signs.

Most importantly of all, please include who is in the photo, when it was taken, where it was taken and your contact information.

This article is featured in the 2025 October 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.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) launched Still Serving in March 2020 to highlight how America’s veterans continue to serve in their local communities after transitioning from the military. What started as a campaign became a movement as veterans across the world stepped up to share stories of their continued service. In 2022, the organization launched an outgrowth of the initiative, VFW Day of Service – an annual dedicated day of community service projects led by veterans throughout the world. To date, more than 3,700 community service events have taken place. The Still Serving initiative has continued to break records for year-over-year growth. For example, from FY2024 to FY2025, engagements grew 112% and Day of Service events more than tripled.

“Service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off,” said Carol Whitmore, VFW national commander. “The Still Serving campaign reminds us that veterans, to include the collective VFW, not only give back to our local communities, but we stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow veterans, helping them navigate their VA benefits, advocating for enhanced quality of life programs and resources and ensuring no one is left behind. Veterans continue to answer the call, proving every day that the spirit of service lasts a lifetime.”

According to the 2021 Veterans Civic Health Index¹, veterans average nearly 30% more volunteer hours per year and outpace civilians by 15% in charitable donations. Additionally, nearly 40% more veterans belong to a group working on community issues.

Since its launch, 6.5 million people have engaged with the campaign through the Still Serving website, videos and social channels. Additionally, more than 3,500 veterans have shared their personal stories of sacrifice and service.

Building on a legacy of service spanning over a century, the Still Serving initiative captures the essence of the VFW and its members, reflecting the ongoing evolution of today’s VFW Posts as a place where veterans can seek support, share camaraderie with those who have similar experiences and give back to both fellow veterans and the broader community. The VFW encourages veterans and their families to share stories on social media using #StillServing to showcase how they themselves continue to answer the call to serve or honor a veteran in their lives who believes the spirit of service transcends military life.

Visit vfw.org/StillServing to learn more about the campaign, make a shareable image honoring veterans in their lives, watch videos of VFW members making a difference and see a collection of user-generated content.

¹2021 Veterans Civic Health Index

Located about 35 miles north of the Oregon border in Washington state and home to about 85,000 is the city of Kennewick, a vibrant residential and banking community. This past February, VFW Post 5785 member and Marine vet Kevin Veleke was recognized as the “Kennewick Man of the Year” after having restored four local veteran memorial sites.

The organization behind the award, the Kennewick Man & Woman of the Year, has been recognizing exceptional public service since 1946. The honor is given to individuals who have provided service to the Kennewick community where no compensation was given and is only applicable to those who live and/or work in Kennewick.

Born and raised in the Seattle area, Veleke attended Washington State University and graduated in 1968 with a B.A. degree in marketing. He began his service in the Marines shortly thereafter, and in the fall of 1969, was stationed in Phu Bai, South Vietnam, as an aviation supply officer for Marine Base Squadron-36.

After returning home, Veleke lived and worked in several areas of the country before settling back in Washington. He worked as an insurance broker for an independent insurance agency in Richland, Washington, while living in Kennewick.

A COMMITMENT TO REMEMBRANCE

Over the years, several veterans’ memorials in Kennewick had become overgrown, neglected and even vandalized, with some having gone without maintenance for decades. Looking to honor the sites and the memory of all those who served, Veleke took it upon himself to refurbish the memorials.

Last year, he began his restoration efforts at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Kennewick, where he pruned overgrown flowers around the memorial and helped replace the flagpole, which had been vandalized a few years prior. Veleke reached out to a friend with the proper equipment and other citizens of Kennewick to successfully install the new flagpole.

Veleke then turned his attention to the Regional Veteran’s Memorial, located at Kennewick’s Columbia Park. Centered at the memorial is a tall monument dedicated to each of the military services surrounded by 18 in-ground lights – 16 of which hadn’t been working. Veleke took the initiative to raise the money needed to buy and install new lights at the memorial, allowing for the monument to be lit up in the evening once again.

Marine Cpl. Gerald Carmichael, the first man from Kennewick to have been killed in Vietnam, had a commemorative pyramid and street named after him. According to Veleke, the pyramid hadn’t been refurbished in more than 60 years. A total of $30,000, raised by Veleke, went into the equipment and labor costs needed to lay the concrete necessary to restore the pyramid, as well as add a wall behind the memorial.

Veleke’s most recent project involved restoring an American Auxiliary pyramid, which had been installed in 1968, as well as a VFW wall monument, which was installed in 1985.

“Neither of these memorials were being maintained by anyone,” Veleke said. He was able to raise $25,000 to help restore both memorial sites.

‘IT’S SPECIAL TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH VERY GOOD PEOPLE’

The award came as a surprise to him, when his wife informed him one day that they were invited to the Kennewick Man of the Year ceremony.

“I had no knowledge why,” Veleke said. “The award was a complete surprise.”

At the ceremony, when Velke was announced as the winner, 200 attendees came out of an adjacent room to congratulate him, including past Kennewick Man and Woman of the Year recipients, members of his church, employees of the Kennewick school district, members of VFW Post 5785 and an honor guard dressed in uniform.

“It was a sight to see,” Veleke added.

He was nominated for the Kennewick Man of the Year award by past recipients Kirk Williamson, who had won it in 2000, and Bob Kelly, an Army veteran who had won it in 2015.

“It’s a special feeling to be associated with very good people,” Veleke said when asked about his feelings toward the award.

Veleke’s fellow Post members also are active in the community. They help perform fl ag ceremonies for Kennewick, attend parades, provide military funeral honors at veteran funerals, provide emergency assistance to veterans and support the local JROTC program.

Veleke serves as the liaison at his Post for young Marines in the area. He was able to work with a group of Marines to help restore the 62 names engraved on one of the veterans’ monuments in Kennewick.

“It’s very rewarding for me to see young men and women doing this kind of volunteer work,” Veleke said. “I hope I can inspire others to engage with other young Marines in their area.”

This article is featured in the 2025 September/October issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Danny Cook, senior writer for VFW magazine.

VFW magazine is concluding its 125th Destination Post series in this issue. The series began in April 2024 with Posts in Maryland. Since then, Posts from Washington state to Rhode Island and areas in between have been featured.

This final story takes VFW magazine readers to the “Heart of America,” where two Missouri River town VFW Posts are located on opposite sides of the state.

On the western side of Missouri, mere minutes from VFW National Headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is VFW Post 7356 in Parkville, Missouri. Situated just steps from the banks of the “Big Muddy,” this Post is located in the middle of this vibrant, bustling small community.

The Post took possession of the historic location last fall. The former power plant for nearby Park University as well as residents of Parkville, the building maintains most of its original features from when it opened in 1918.

Restaurants, antiques shops and art galleries line Main Street where the Post is located, right next to the railroad tracks. Of all the things to do in downtown Parkville, there is nowhere to have breakfast on a Saturday morning after shopping at the farmer’s market or taking a walk along the Missouri Riverfront Trail.

Post 7356 members saw this as an opportunity and are open every Saturday for breakfast. According to Post Commander Joe Wolfgeher, it is a great way to show off the Post, introduce people to the VFW and to raise funds for veterans and community outreach.

“Our Post does not base itself around drinking, but around community service,” Wolfgeher said. “Some of these guys will give you the shirt off their back and the last dollar in their pocket if it will help.”

Wolfgeher said that welcoming feeling and spirit of camaraderie is why he joined the Post in 2017. He was driving by the old Post home on the outskirts of town and saw a couple of guys on the lawn. The Marine vet pulled in to check it out.

“They did not try to recruit me,” Wolfgeher said. “The conversation was about my well-being and my needs, not about signing me up. That is why I joined this Post.”

The Post supports Boy Scout Troop 393, one of the largest in the area, according to Wolfgeher. In May, the Scouts joined Post and Auxiliary members and walked English Landing Park, picking up trash as part of VFW’s Day of Service. Members also work with the South Platte Civil Air Patrol.

In April, the Parkville Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the Post and Auxiliary to bring the Easter Bunny to visit with the youngsters in the community.

Buddy Poppy distributions help drive member engagement. It was at one of these drives in 2020 that David Goday was introduced to Post 7356 and signed up on the spot.

Today, the Air Force veteran is the Post junior vice commander.

“When I first joined this Post, I had no idea what the Post did in the community,” he said. “Being here has made me really proud to be a part of it. Being prior Air Force, I really missed the camaraderie experienced by veterans.”

Brent Grooms, a newer member of the Parkville Post, said the stories he had heard about other VFW Posts from his friends were all negative. However, he said that that has not been his experience in Parkville.

Grooms has served 21 years in the Air Force and is hoping to reach 30 years of service before retiring.

‘A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS POST’

Wolfgeher said the Post and Auxiliary work closely together, and there is mutual respect between the two groups.

VFW Post 7356 Auxiliary President Mary Helbock agrees, adding that Auxiliary members strive to be good partners with the VFW.

“Our members are so proud to honor veterans and family members,” she said. “We are excited to have our Post home so that we can combine our traditions and become even more involved in our community. This location certainly opens up more opportunities for us.”

An annual golf tournament, regular picnics in the park and the large presence the Post and Auxiliary has in the Fourth of July parade are just a few specific areas Helbock highlighted.

Kristiana Wolfgeher is the patriotic instructor for the Post Auxiliary. While she has been a member for six years, she started out as a babysitter during Post events before she was old enough to join.

She said she joined the Auxiliary as a way to be able to spend quality time with her dad (Joe, the Post commander) and have something they could do together.

“I really love the history of our new location,” Kristiana said. “It is truly a special place in Parkville. The building holds roots in the community, which is very fitting for the VFW.”

Auxiliary Treasurer Judith Green gave kudos to the Post members for lending a hand when needed. Her husband, Harold, is the oldest active member in the Post. He is now confined to a wheelchair.

“Members came over and built a ramp for Harold,” Judith said. “I know I can call on them and they will really help.”

Harold agreed, saying, “There are a lot of good people in this Post.”

Member Rick Hamman, who transferred to the Post in 1996, said the best quality of Post 7356 is the close-knit community.

“I think we are special because of the closeness of this group,” he said. “That, and the willingness of everyone to help anyone in need of a little help. I loved coming down and being a part of getting this building ready to open.”

Wolfgeher said that while the Post will not have a bar, the space is available to rent, something members expect to profit from.

The second floor of the Post features a library which members hope students from nearby Park University will benefit from, as well as veterans. Green velvet couches and military-themed books make for a nice reading experience.

At press time, the rooftop deck was under repair, but the future holds good things for that space as well, according to Wolfgeher.

“We have big dreams and big visions,” he said. If you are traveling to Kansas City, Missouri, take the short drive to Two Main Street in Parkville.

A ‘WELCOMING POST’

A three-hour drive east out of Kansas City across Interstate 70 will land you in Missouri’s wine country, more specifically, the picturesque town of Washington overlooking the Missouri River. It is about a 30-minute drive to Hermann, Missouri, known for its plethora of wineries.

Downtown Washington has well-preserved 19th century buildings styled in German architecture, as this is a community rooted in German heritage.

A short distance from downtown is VFW Post 2661. It is housed in a large Victorian-style home once owned by John B. Busch – older brother of Adolphus Busch, co-founder of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.

A common feeling about the Post among the members VFW magazine spoke to was “welcoming.”

“Everyone here made me feel so welcome,” Post 2661 Commander Duane Harlan said. “I never wanted to go to any other place.”

Member Joe Lueckenhoff who lives in nearby New Haven, describes the VFW crowd as a “bunch of friendly people.”

He noted that there are people who got married at the Post home who now have children getting married there, as well.

“We have people asking when we are going to put up the Christmas lights each year so they can come take family photos,” he added. “In fact, the two guys who used to put up the Christmas lights for us, their sons now do it.”

When Post Junior Vice Commander DJ Elbert, also the Post service officer, got out of the Marines, he knew he wanted to be a part of Post 2661.

“When I came home, I saw these same people who were at my high school graduation posting the colors the year before,” Elbert said. “I wanted to join.”

That welcoming spirit extends to the community, as well. Post members are active in the Build a Bed program through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that aims to provide beds to children who may not otherwise have a bed to call their own. So far, Post members have built 50-55 beds.

The Post’s funeral detail performs about 250 funerals for veterans each year. Bingo is held every Tuesday night, and some 90-100 people show up to try their luck.

Senior Vice Commander Ben Strange said the Post has a good relationship with the Washington JROTC program.

“We work closely with the local JROTC,” he said. “We invite them to everything the Post does.”

Not surprisingly, some of the JROTC students are related to Post 2661 members. Such is the case with Will Riegel. He is the great-grandson of Othmar Jasper, a 105-year-old WWII veteran.

Jasper served in WWII from 1941-45 and earned two Purple Hearts. He landed in France just days after D-Day. When asked what he thought about that landing, he smiled and said, “I was just glad to get it over with.”

On June 29, the VFW hosted a drive-through birthday party for Jasper’s 105th.

STAYING CONNECTED IN THE COMMUNITY

Former Post 2661 Adjutant and Afghanistan War vet Amanda Todd said she enjoys the Post’s annual Celtic Festival, which draws from surrounding communities and introduces a lot of people to the friendly folks at the Post.

“It is a very innovative approach to stay connected to the community,” she said. “This year’s festival is Sept. 6, and it’s going to be bigger and better than before, with dancing, historical items and live music.”

At last year’s Celtic Festival, VFW service officers Troy Williams and Kevin Scott helped 30 veterans with their VA benefits.

In April, the Post had its first golf tournament. It benefited the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James and special Post projects.

The Post also has been known to host mental health and wellness fairs open to the public.

On any given evening, the Post is abuzz with members and visitors convening or sitting on the grand front porch. Many establishments in Washington are not open early in the week, which makes the Post a popular place.

Another point making this Post attractive to visitors is the building itself. While updates have been made, members try to keep the historical integrity of the structure.

“We really try to do everything we can to preserve this building,” Senior Vice Commander Ben Strange said.

Quartermaster Chuck Wickes added with the unique history of the Post home, members are eager to preserve it.

Gary Watermann, who serves with the Post Honor Guard, noted the original fireplace in the billiard room, saying it is “the most beautiful room” in the Post.

If you find yourself in Missouri’s scenic wine country, you are going to want to visit Post 2661 located at 813 Jefferson Street.

This final installment of the Destination Post series was featured in the 2025 September/October issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor of VFW magazine.

In June, VFW Post 2197 in Topsham, Maine, hosted a food drive for the Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program- a Maine food bank that has been helping those in need since 1983. This was just one of the six events the Post held for the VFW 125th Anniversary Post Community Program.

Posts were eligible for the title of “VFW 125th Anniversary Post Community” by organizing a committee of at least three Post members, completing at least four community engagement events and submitting an official application.

“We’re still serving,” Post 2197 Senior Vice Commander Ed Harmon said. “We must make ourselves available for our brothers and sisters. We must be able to reach out and serve our community, our states and our nation.”

Post 2197 found other creative ways to engage with the local community. Last Halloween, the Post had a “trunk” at the local “Trick-a-Trunk” event in Topsham, Maine. Post members handed out VFW coloring books, crayons, candy and safety information to more than 340 families.

In December, the Post participated in a clothing drive for the Brunswick school district, collecting hats, gloves and scarves for students in need. Members also served as Salvation Army bell ringers and managed to raise over $1,400.

The Post has also sponsored local sports teams, including an American Legion Post 202 Winter Softball Classic team and the Bowdoin College men’s hockey team- the latter of which was for a fundraiser for the “Maine Paws for Veterans” organization.

Harmon credits Post Commander Roger Stevens for much of the positive culture surrounding Post 2197, claiming that each member is there for each other.

“Stevens is such a huge factor,” Harmon said. “We will follow Roger anywhere because he’s such a great leader.”

The Post is eager to continue serving the community, veterans and each other.

“It’s such a camaraderie,” Harmon said. “The VFW is the best organization out there.”

This article is featured in the 2025 September 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.

In February, members of VFW Post 4575 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, were invited onto the court during a Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) home basketball game for an ovation to their service and their continued support of veterans.

“Post 4575 and MTSU have a deep and long-standing relationship,” Post 4575 Quartermaster Jerry Stewart said. “This partnership is underscored by MTSU’s dedication to honoring and supporting all veterans through various events and initiatives throughout the year.”

Each year, the university holds several events on or near Veterans Day at a home football game. Veterans and their families are invited to a formal ceremony dedicated to veterans, a free meal alongside a tailgate event and a walk across the field at halftime.

The Post also has an ongoing collaboration with MTSU’s Student Veterans of America Chapter, the Blue Raiders America Veteran Organization (BRAVO). The BRAVO chapter will be collecting canned goods to donate to the Nourish Food Bank this upcoming school year.

Many members of Post 4575 are either currently enrolled at MTSU, alumni or former professors. Stewart is enrolled at MTSU and serves as the BRAVO chapter president. Post Jr. Vice Commander Therrell Kast is a former professor of military science.

On the campus of MTSU stands a memorial to veterans- two stone walls with engrave names of servicemembers. MTSU also is a designated member of the Purple Hearts Trail- a system of connected roads and highways that serve to honor recipients of the Purple Heart Award.

For their 2025 VFW National Day of Service project this year, members of Post 7756 held a ceremony to teach local Boy Scouts in Gillette, Wyoming, the art of retiring “Old Glory.”

On May 3, 12 VFW and Auxiliary members hosted a local Cub Scouts troop and conducted the retirement of more than 400 U.S. flags donated by local businesses, banks, hospitals, schools and the local VA at a flag disposal box near the Post’s entrance.

“The respectful, properly performed, retiring of Old Glory is an important ceremony,” said Post 7756 Commander Donnell Nichols. “VFW and Auxiliary members in the presence of younger generations set the example of how to reverently retire the colors.”

The ceremony included a fire safety awareness presentation by one of the Scouts and a flag presentation about what the flag’s folds represent when folded. Afterward, participants were rewarded with an ice cream social.

“It is important for us who know the meaning of service to model and mentor the younger generation on what it means to serve,” Nichols said. “Besides that, it is good for veterans to be involved in the community and to display leadership.”