NASHVILLE – VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt joined alongside leaders from Humana, CenterWell Senior Primary Care and USAA on May 20 to package personal hygiene kits for homeless veterans as part of this year’s VFW Day of Service.
More than 50 volunteers spent several hours at the Grand Ole Opry packaging the kits with toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and other basic hygiene necessities. Operation Stand Down Tennessee – the only comprehensive veteran-serving agency in middle Tennessee, connecting veterans with careers, community and crisis services – will distribute the kits to homeless veterans in the Nashville area.
“On this 2025 VFW Day of Service, the VFW is honored to team up with Humana, CenterWell Senior Primary Care and USAA, and today’s packing event reinforces our commitment to our nation’s brave and selfless warriors,” Lipphardt said. “Here in Nashville, as we assembled these hygiene kits, we’re doing more than just providing essential items, we’re extending a hand of dignity and a reminder that no veteran is ever alone. This is the heart of the VFW – veterans helping veterans, ensuring those who served our nation receive the support and care they deserve, right in their own communities.”
The organizations made the event a veteran-centered affair, kicking off the day with a morning “Veteran Coffee Time” and a facility tour at the CenterWell Senior Primary Care location in Madison, Tennessee. They spent the afternoon volunteering for the Day of Service event and ended the evening at the Grand Ole Opry’s Salute the Troops concert event, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
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Before the concert, Humana’s Senior Vice President of MarketPoint, Tracy Nolan, and USAA’s Senior Vice President of GM Retirement and Insurance Solutions, Mary Stork, presented VFW National Commander Lipphardt with a Partners in Service Award in recognition of the VFW’s dedication and commitment to finding innovative ways to support America’s service members, veterans and their families.
"We have proudly partnered with the VFW for more than a decade to help provide meaningful support for veterans in need,” Nolan said. “Alongside USAA, we are honored to present the VFW with the Partners in Service award for being outstanding advocates for the veteran community, and we look forward to continuing our work together to address the health needs of those who have served our nation.”