Hello to All

Welcome everyone to the 2009-2010 Veterans and Family Support Program. I look forward to a successful year as we, the Auxiliaries and Districts, work together on this multi-facet program which includes National Military Services, National VFW Home for Children, Buddy Poppy, and Continuing Education Scholarship. I urge each sister to carefully read the Veterans and Family Support Program for changes that have been made. I will update the changes in my quarterly General Orders and other articles.

I recently interviewed several veterans from different branches of the US Armed Forces to find out how appreciative they were to receive communication in any form from families, friends, and organizations, particularly the LAVFW.  Their responses were warmly heartfelt with similarities among them all.  With each package or letter received, the veterans’ spirits were uplifted knowing that we were thinking of them. The veterans proudly and happily shared whatever they received with their fellow soldiers.

 This is the same as within the Veterans and Family Support program, where we have many opportunities to actively participate and make a difference on behalf of veterans, both domestically and internationally through the National Military Services, National VFW Home for Children, Buddy Poppy, and Continuing Education Scholarship programs.

 Under the National Military Services program, we can directly help the veterans through farewell and welcome home activities in conjunction with the VFW Posts. We also directly help the veterans when each Auxiliary makes a donation to Ladies Auxiliary VFW National Headquarters and earmarks the donations as National Military Services. Then the National Military Services can distribute these funds to the most needy program; that is, Military Assistance Program, Operation Uplink, or Unmet Needs.

Our VFW National Home for Children provides a beautifully well rounded facility for the children and families of the VFW and active military personnel.  I encourage all Auxiliaries to do their share to help maintain the Home by donating in accordance with the guidelines in the program. The ILLINOIS DAY at the Home is set for Saturday, October 3, 2009.  This is a great time to personally interact with the children and families, visit the two (2) homes on the campus to see what equipment the Department of Illinois donated in the past, and hand present your donations during the program service. It is an exciting and enjoyable day for all who attend. So let’s mark our calendars, plan to attend, and support our military families.

I think that the Buddy Poppy program is so special because of the sacrifices our veterans have made for the freedom of our country. When the Auxiliaries and Districts have Poppy Celebrations this year along with the VFW, I cannot emphasize enough that with ‘A Work of Heart ‘theme, more participation, including increased poppy displays is needed. New this year is ‘All American Star Spangled Bonus Day’ to be held on    March 3, 2010. I encourage all Auxiliaries and Districts to look for ways to celebrate March 3 with poppy distributions. Of course, we want to continue our standard poppy distributions on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Let’s remember that Buddy Poppy can be promoted throughout the year.

I believe continuing education is very important. The program has Continuing Education Scholarships available to eligible members.

Thank you in advance for your support of the Veterans and Family Support Program. I look forward to presenting many awards and citations at our June 2010 Department Convention.