Archives

Oct 03 2024

‘I Want to Help Other Veterans’

Veteran Charles Hoisington is #StillServing with the VFW alongside his service dog, Dodger, who was gifted to him by the nonprofit organization Northwest Battle Buddies. “Dodger gave me a sense of purpose,” Hoisington said. Before the pair met, Hoisington described himself as a recluse who was filled with anger, fear and loneliness. Aft...

Oct 02 2024

'I Love Wearing the Uniform’

Veteran Eric King is #StillServing in the U.S. Army Reserve with help from his German Shepherd service dog, Zoka. After serving in combat, King developed post-traumatic stress. Zoka redirects King when he becomes overwhelmed by using her paws or body to apply calming pressure. “Because of her, I can fully participate in life,” King said...

Oct 01 2024

'I Care About Helping Fellow Veterans’

Veteran Lon Smith is #StillServing as a Life member of VFW Post 8466 in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with his emotional support dog, Lon Smith Jr. (LJ), an Imperial Shih Tzu. Smith developed post-traumatic stress after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. LJ distracts Smith during episodes of anxiety or depression and when he experiences flashbacks....

Sep 30 2024

'I Want to Give Back'

As a member of Post 3103, VFW Life member Ben Seal is #StillServing his Post and with other organizations across his Fredericksburg, Virginia, community. As both junior vice commander and chair of his Post’s house committee, Seal supports logistics, security and maintenance. He also chairs Virginia District 8’s Youth Scholarship Committ...

Sep 30 2024

‘[We] Can Still Contribute to Our Communities’

VFW Life member Sam Baker is #StillServing as a member of VFW Post 6683 in Enterprise, Alabama, and by devoting his time to the VFW and several other local organizations. Baker not only serves his Post as adjutant, he also volunteers as a pilot for the Friends of Army Aviation and is the senior vice president of the Aviation Center Chapter of the A...

Sep 27 2024

VFW Day: Celebrate the Legacy

WASHINGTON — This Sunday, Sept. 29, we proudly celebrate VFW Day, marking the 125th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). This extraordinary milestone is not only a testament to our rich history but also a reflection of the unwavering dedication of veterans across our nation and around the world. Since our founding in 1899, the V...

Sep 26 2024

‘I Want to Pay It Forward’

VFW Life member from Tualatin, Oregon, Rocky Bixby is #StillServing his community by volunteering at several organizations that help the elderly population. “I want to pay it forward to the people who protected our younger generations,” he said. A member of VFW Post 3452 in Tualatin, Bixby volunteers at Ride Connection, an organization ...

Sep 25 2024

‘It’s My Passion to Help Others’

Georgetown, South Carolina, veteran Karen Collins was an Army Reservist in seminary for three years before she deployed to Iraq. Today, she is #StillServing as chaplain of VFW Post 6444 and works to expand the Post’s presence in the local community. A Life member and Post junior vice commander, since November Collins has led a gift-card drive...

Sep 25 2024

Everyday Heroes: Supporting the Veteran Caregiver Community

Statement of Meggan Coleman, Associate Director National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States For the Record United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs With Respect To Everyday Heroes: Supporting the Veteran Caregiver Community WASHINGTON, D.C. Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, and member...

Sep 25 2024

‘From the Bottom of My Heart, Thank You’

Navy veteran Juan Preciado, 30, resides in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Brenda. He served five years as an aviation ordnanceman. Preciado was stationed on the USS America based out of San Diego, California, and was later deployed to South America and Africa. During this time, he earned Sailor of the Year in 2017 and later moved to the rank of pett...