VFW Life member Anthony Freire was born in Holtville, California, and lives in Wildomar, California. He joined the Navy in 1982 and served around the world, including on the island of Diego Garcia and Luzon Island in the Philippines; in Pyeongtaek, South Korea; at Fort Meade in Maryland; at the Naval Station Rota in Spain; at Naval Station Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor Hawaii and on the USS Saratoga; and on six fast-attack submarines. After 14 years of service, Freire retired and joined VFW Post 1508, where he serves as a Post quartermaster.
Freire joined the VFW because he wanted to give back to his family of veterans and the community where he lives.
“Our Post is very active within the community and surrounding areas,” he said. “We host all kinds of events to help veterans. We’re a family with a motto of ‘One Team, One Fight.’”
Freire is #StillServing by regularly participating in his Post’s “Riders Group” to provide escorts for fallen comrades.
“After a Riverside County sheriff officer was killed in the line of duty, our Post organized a three-day event of spaghetti dinners,” he said. “All proceeds from the dinners went to the fallen officer’s family. I was amazed at the support.”
Over the three days, Freire’s Post raised more than $9,000.
“I was so proud of our community,” he said. “This is why I serve.”
Freire also works with other Post members to provide support to local families who are struggling financially.
“We received a call from a veteran whose family had fallen on hard times and [were] about to be kicked out of their home,” he said. “Within two hours of receiving the call, our Post gave me the authority to pay their rent for the month, and we provided them with gift cards to purchase groceries. We’re here to help.”
The Post also secured a few work opportunities for the veteran, enabling him to earn income outside his regular job.
“This is what it means to serve our community,” Freire said. “The hug I received from his spouse is something I will never forget.
“I will always be glad to show our community what the VFW stands for,” he continued.
“We’re not a bunch of old veterans sitting around telling war stories. We step in and make a difference.”