VFW VA Post 1177 - Leesburg

Taking Pride in the Nation

Posted at 02:16 PM on Friday, July 3, 2009 by post1177

by Glen Gardner, VFW National Commander

Patriotism is in the air especially this time of year, and we should embrace all it stands for. Those who guarantee our freedoms must not be forgotten.

June and July contain two very important holidays—Flag Day and Independence Day. Both symbolize what it means to be an American. As veterans, these special days may have added meaning. Actually fighting for the values the flag represents and the liberty we celebrate on July 4th has a way of leaving lifelong impressions.

While the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have largely receded from the collective public mind, military families and those of us concerned for their welfare still pay close attention. Proudly flying the flag, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing along with the national anthem and revering the Founding Fathers are traditions worth maintaining, particularly to this segment of the population.

Other than voting, a USA Today/Gallup Poll last year found that 87% of Americans see serving in the military as the most patriotic act. Obviously, to these Americans, patriotism is not an abstract virtue. It means demonstrating it in a tangible way. Patriotism without sacrifice is hollow, no matter how one defines it.

At the core of this creed is a cause greater than self-interest, something bigger than one's self. Today, only a tiny minority of Americans bear the burden of defending the frontlines against enemies who would destroy everything the nation represents. And GIs have paid a steep price in loss of life, physical and psychological wounds, disrupted family lives and postponement of personal aspirations.

As VFW members, we owe it to them to not allow their immense sacrifices to be forgotten in the rush of backyard barbecues and fireworks displays. Respecting the symbols of our country is essential. But remembering those who have preserved the values they represent is equally, if not more, important.

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VA News - Week of June 29, 2009

Posted at 02:10 PM on Friday, July 3, 2009 by post1177

VFW Riders, July 2nd

Posted at 11:30 PM on Thursday, July 2, 2009 by post1177

We traveled from Headquarters to Beckley WV on July 1^{st, where we spent the night. We then rode 302 miles to Louisville KY where we rested our bottoms. There have been no major problems in the past two days. The weather has been nice, only cooled us all off a couple of times with a small shower here and there. On Friday, we will head to Merrillville IN and visit with Post members from all over who plan to ride together to the National home on Saturday the 4th.}

VFW Riders to the National Home, July 1st

Posted at 10:15 PM on Thursday, July 2, 2009 by post1177

On July 1st, 14 bikes left Hampton Roads, from Post 4809 and Post 3219.  They headed towards Staunton with a brief stop in Richmond at Post 6364 and collected $1000.00 from them and $1000.00 from their Men’s Auxiliary.  They then headed to Staunton and met with State Adjutant/Quartermaster Kim DeShano and picked up a check for another $10,765 that had been collected from various Virginia Posts and money raised by the VFW Riders of Hampton Roads.  They stopped for the night in Beckley WV, where they were met by another rider, Paul Baker, from Abingdon. He brought another $200 from his Post 1994.  The grand total collected, so far, for the VFW National Home for Children is $12,765.00.
The next overnight will be Louisville KY.

Photos Taken at VFW Functions

Posted at 08:27 AM on Thursday, July 2, 2009 by post1177

  When you are at a function where our Past State Commander Doc Crouch is taking pictures, you can view them at   http://vfwva.myphotoalbum.com .   This link is arranged in folders by the VFW event, go check it out. 

VFW Washington Weekly - June 29, 2009

Posted at 09:26 AM on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 by post1177

In This Issue:

1. GI Bill Hearing

2. GI Bill Transferability Rules

3. House Passes Defense Bill

4. Congress on Recess

 

1. GI Bill Hearing: The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held another hearing on VA's implementation plans for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The GI bill benefit is scheduled to be fully implemented on Aug. 1, 2009. The application process to determine eligibility opened on May 1. VA has reported over 100,000 applications filed for the education benefit.  Keith Wilson, Director of VA's Education Services, testified that VA has a two-part IT strategy that relies on short- and long-term goals for processing the claims. He updated committee members on VA's partnership with the Navy's SPAWAR Systems Center, which is contracted to design, develop, and deploy an end-to-end solution that utilizes rules-based, industry-standard technologies. VA is currently working with SPAWAR on the long-term IT solution, and expects the program to be completed no later than December 2010. For more on the hearing, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/.

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First Annual Hampton Roads Veterans Job Fair, July 2nd

Posted at 11:13 AM on Monday, June 29, 2009 by post1177

You're Invited to Congressman Glenn Nye's

First Annual Hampton Roads Veterans Job Fair

On Thursday, .July 2^{nd, 2009 Congressman Glenn Nye will host his first annual Hampton Roads Veterans' Job Fair at VFW Post 4809 in Norfolk.}

The fair is intended to bring together employers in Hampton Roads with local veterans who have valuable skills and training from their rnilitary service.

There is no cost to participate -and all veterans from ac/'Oss the area are invited.

The fair will feature:

Twenty local employers, including the public and private sector, as well as staffing firms.

Resume counseling and interview training sessions

Up to several hundred local veterans with valuable skills and training from their service in the military, and

The world premiere screening of a new episode from the In Their Boots documentary series. 1 he episode "Vets for Hire," focuses on the stories of three veterans battling to find work after returning home from IrClq and Afghanistan. Congressman Nye was interviewed for the program, discllssing his Veterans Business Center legislation, which recently passed the House of Representatives.

A panel discussion of veterans employrnent issues with the producers of In Their Boots, representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Congressman Glenn Nye.

The fair will take place on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 PM at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4809 al 5728 Bartee Street, Norfolk. VA 23502.

For more information, call 757-326-6201 or visit hltp:l/nye.house.govl and click the link for the Hampton Roads Veterans Job Fair.

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