In September, members of VFW Post 9202 in Germantown, Wisconsin, and its Auxiliary will come together for their fourth annual golf tournament.

First started by Auxiliary member Leah Weber to honor her father, who is a member of VFW Post 9202, the tournament hopes to raise funds for local charities, the local police department, the local K-9 unit and any local veterans in need of assistance.

“It began as a way to support my dad and the Post,” Weber said.

Over the past three tournaments, the Post has raised more than $41,000, with last year’s tournament having raised some $18,000 alone. For this year’s tournament, the Post had to create a waiting list.

Weber and local professional golfer David Labinski run the tournament each year. With 36 teams and 144 individual golfers, plus live music, Weber is excited for this year’s tournament, which is being held at Dretzka Park in Milwaukee.

The tournament is open to the public, and about 15-20 members of the Post participate each year. Prior to the “shotgun start” of the tournament, the national anthem is sung with a color guard present.

“I love watching everyone come together to support the vets,” Weber said. “We have so much going on out in the course, everyone’s having a good time, there’s no bad part to the day.”

The tournament also will feature other games and activities, as well as raffle items. The Post expects the tournament to be even bigger next year.

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.

When deadly flash floods swept across parts of Texas in early July, VFW Post 12235 in Salado stepped up to collect donations for those hit hardest.

In just a few days, Post 12235 members, with support from the Salado community, collected over $10,000 worth of food, supplies, and clothing for flood victims in Kerrville, about four hours away.

“This is part of our duties as VFW members,” Post 12235 Commander Minnie Whitzel said. “To take action and assist people in times of need. I hope they were able to utilize everything that was needed.”

Post 12235 members advertised their need for supplies on their Facebook page. With four members splitting shifts on Sunday and Monday, the Post collected water, diapers, non-perishable food, wipes, blankets, pillows, clothing for men, women and children, batteries (all sizes), toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries, trash bags, pet food, disposable plates, bowls and silverware, first aid items and $2,290 in Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and Visa Cards.

“It was amazing how fast the people in the Village of Salado responded to our request,” Whitzel said. “They even thanked us for putting it together so fast. Seeing so many come out even in the rain on Sunday afternoon was humbling.”

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.

In anticipation of the 2025 VFW National Convention in August in Columbus, Ohio, the VFW and Humana are continuing the Uniting to Combat Hunger (UTCH) program which has provided more than 5.6 million meals for food-insecure families since 2018.

Last year, at the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, volunteers participated in a UTCH seed-packing event aimed at helping families affected by food insecurity. Those seeds were sent across the country to distributors that provide healthy and fresh produce for those in need.

As part of the initiative to address the issue, volunteers packed 4,000 seed packets that were distributed to VFW Posts, Auxiliaries and community gardens. A partnership with the Society of Saint Andrew, a Virginia-based non-profit that provides hunger relief to communities in the U.S., has yielded about 72,000 pounds, or nearly 2.9 million servings of fresh produce, for communities in need.

VFW’s partnership with Humana has garnered more than 5.6 million meals for families in the United States. In 2024, 158 VFW Posts and Auxiliaries in 41 states participated. VFW Foundation Director of Donor Relations Richard Freiburghouse said that the UTCH campaign exhibits VFW’s commitment to serving veterans and their communities, as well as addressing one of the most pressing issues facing many veterans.

“The core goals of the Uniting to Combat Hunger program are to alleviate food insecurity in communities around the country and engage with VFW members participating in meaningful service projects,” Freiburghouse said. “By leveraging our networks and resources, VFW Posts can make a significant impact, often involving veterans and their families in these efforts.”

For this year’s UTCH campaign, VFW and Humana partnered with Volunteers of America. The program focused on helping homeless veterans overcome food insecurity.

Tracy Nolan, senior vice president of Humana MarketPoint, said the health care insurance company and VFW have a long-standing commitment to veterans, service members and their families.

“Food insecurity and homelessness are both serious risks for suicide and other health issues,” said Nolan, who was a guest speaker at the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville. “We continue our collaboration with the VFW on the Uniting to Combat Hunger campaign to ensure our nation’s veterans have access to healthy foods and resources that can help decrease the risk of common health problems – both physical and mental.”

According to Feeding America, 1-in-9 working-age veterans are food insecure. The organization also claims that about 1-in-4 active-duty service members were food insecure in 2020, and about 1.2 million low-income veterans use the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. As of 2021, 12.8 percent of U.S. households were considered food insecure, according to the Department of Agriculture.

For more information about the Uniting to Combat Hunger initiative, visit https://www.vfw.org/UTCH.

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.

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.”