Sgt. Harold O. Young VFW Auxiliary to Post 2394

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

This poem was written by a Marine. The
following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let’s try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead! , who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

May God Bless You and Have A Great Day

For nearly 100 years, the VFW National Home has been helping and families who need a fresh start. Families find healing in a tranquil, rural, small-town community. Tree¬ lined streets connect 42 single-family homes with facilities like a gym, library, computer and science labs, day care center, playgrounds, fishing pond, hiking trails, and more!

Learn more about the National Home here: http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/

Recognize individual youth for their patriotism and/or support of veterans, service members and their families with a Patriotic Youth Award.

This award, available for download from the National website, is appropriate for individual youth of all ages.

Download the Patriotic Youth Award behind MALTA and recognize deserving youth in your community today!

ATTENTION MEMBERS:
We’re excited to share BenefitHub!

WHAT IS IT?
A FREE discount marketplace that offers deals on thousands of brands in categories like entertainment, restaurants, apparel and more.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Visit vfwauxiliary.benefithub.com or click on the Member Benefits section of the homepage at vfwauxiliary.org.

QUESTIONS?
Contact BenefitHub at 1-866-664-4621 or email [email protected].

Please note that VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters cannot help with your login or answer BenefitHub-related questions.

DID YOU KNOW…?
December 5 is International Volunteer Day!

Celebrated annually, this unofficial holiday was started by the United Nations in 1985 and is meant to encourage people of all ages to work together to help others and make the world a better place.

How are you and your Auxiliary making your communities better through volunteerism? Let us know in the comments!

VFW Action Corps Weekly
December 4, 2023


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VFW National Veterans Service Director Mike Figlioli testifies before Congress
VFW Tells Subcommittee to Streamline Appeals Process: VFW National Veterans Service Director Michael Figlioli testified at a House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs oversight hearing to examine the VA appeals process. Figlioli stated the VFW’s views on how to improve decision-making processes at the VA Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. “It is the VFW’s position that communication and coordination between the BVA, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and accredited representatives are critical during the remand process,” he said. “Clear and concise directives that the decision-maker must comply with from the BVA to the VBA help streamline the further development of cases.” He continued, “Effective collaboration between these entities is essential to ensure that the remand process serves its intended purpose without unnecessary complications and needless delays.” Read the testimony or watch the hearing, which begins at the 7:43 mark.

computer scams
FBI Briefing on Combating Malign Influence: VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Joe Grassi was in attendance for a virtual briefing by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on malign foreign and domestic influence targeting veterans and military family communities. The event was hosted by the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization We the Veterans. The presentation covered foreign and domestic groups aiming to sow public discord and undermine national institutions by pursuing veterans and military families through social media to achieve their detrimental objectives. The briefing also provided an in-depth look at the specific tactics involved and what the veterans’ community can do to mitigate bad actors. Learn more.

The POW/MIA flag flying in the breeze
MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced seven burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II and the Korean War. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

Army Air Force 2nd Lt. Kenyon Brindley, 23, of Little Rock, Arkansas, was assigned to the 703rd Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. He was killed in action on Feb. 24, 1944. He will be buried on Dec. 18, 2023, in Conway, Arkansas. Read about Brindley.
Navy Mess Attendant 1st Class Ralph M. Boudreaux, 20, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. He was among 429 crewmen killed that day. He will be buried on Jan. 29, 2024, in Slidell, Louisiana. Read about Boudreaux.
Army Cpl. Daniel De Anda, 22, of Pico, California, was a member of G Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, 8th U.S. Army. He died while a prisoner of war in March 1951. He will be buried on March 15, 2024, in Whittier, California. Read about De Anda.
Army 2nd Lt. Gene F. Walker, 27, of Richmond, Indiana, was assigned to Company H, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. He is believed to have been killed in action in November 1944, and the War Department issued a presumptive finding of death in April 1945. He will be buried in San Diego, California, in early 2024. Read about Walker.
Army Sergeant George F. Bishop, 22, of Centralia, Washington, was a member of Battery K, 3rd Battalion, 59th Coast Artillery Regiment. He died while a prisoner of war on July 28, 1942. He will be buried in his hometown on a date to be determined. Read about Bishop.
Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall, 21, of Leesburg, Florida, was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group. He was killed in action on Jan. 21, 1944. He will be buried in his hometown on a date to be determined. Read about Hall.
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Robert J. Ferris Jr., 20, of Long Island, New York, was assigned to the 401st Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force. He is believed to have been killed in action on Dec. 20, 1942, and the War Department issued a finding of death on Sept. 23, 1943. He will be buried in New Bern, North Carolina, on a date to be determined. Read about Ferris.

Are you familiar with Auxiliary Outreach?

This Program involves the partnering of your Auxiliary with another organization in order to show Auxiliary presence locally while building and strengthening ties in your community.

This might mean your Auxiliary partners with a community theatre to staff the concessions stand and provide ushers for a weekend of performances, partners with a local church group to plant flowers around the building, partners with a city soup kitchen to serve Thanksgiving dinner, partners with the March of Dimes by being the people to hand out water during the walk and more!

If your Auxiliary has participated in an Auxiliary Outreach program or event recently, we would love to see pictures. Email us at [email protected] with the subject line Outreach.

Join us on Facebook Live from 2-3 p.m. CST December 13!

National President Carla Martinez will be our special guest for the next HQ Roundtable, during which she will share holiday greetings and answer questions from members.

Please submit your questions to [email protected] with the subject line HQ Roundtable by Monday, December 11.

Help veterans and service members in your community!

The VFW Auxiliary wants YOU to join us as honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform. If you’re the relative of those who served in overseas combat, we invite you to learn more about what we do and how we help veterans, service members, their families and our communities.

Click here to find out more about the VFW Auxiliary today: www.vfwauxiliary.org/join-us/ ‪

#‎VolunteerForVets‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ ‪ #‎VFWAuxiliary‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ ‪ #‎VSO‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ ‬‬‬

Today is the first day of December! Depending upon where you live and what you celebrate, this may be a busy month of snow days, holidays and short days, as the winter solstice approaches and the end of 2023 is just weeks away.

Below, we have listed just 10 of these significant December days. If you and your Auxiliary are participating in any seasonal events this month, let us know in the comments. Other Auxiliaries may want to "SWAP." And keep an eye on our social media month as we bring you additional info about each of these special days and more!

December 7: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 7-15: Chanukah
December 8: Bodhi Day
December 13: National Guard Birthday
December 15: Bill of Rights Day
December 21: Winter Solstice
December 25: Christmas
December 26: Kwanzaa
December 28: Pledge of Allegiance Day
December 31: New Year's Eve

Happy December!

A staggering number of veterans die by su***de every day, and the VFW Auxiliary is committed to lowering this number and changing the stigma surrounding mental health in America.

Sharing information about this and the warning signs of su***de is National President Carla Martinez’s special focus this year. She is not looking to raise money, but asks for all members to help raise awareness.

We therefore encourage you to educate yourself and others and learn how you can help combat this critical issue.
• Visit veteranscrisisline.net and click on topics under "Education and Advice" for resources.
• Connect struggling veterans with a counselor at the Veterans Crisis Line - Dial 988, Press 1.
• Learn the Five Signs that may mean someone is in emotional pain and might need help: changedirection.org/ -signs
• Purchase the Auxiliary Su***de Awareness Prevention Pin from the VFW Store: vfwstore.org/products/32033. When someone asks you about your pin, tell them that the VFW Auxiliary is concerned about the rate of su***des among veterans and military service members; we want everyone to be aware of the unique stresses they face.

Even one death by su***de is one too many.

Today is Giving Tuesday!

Giving Tuesday was started as a response to Black Friday (a day of in-person shopping) and Cyber Monday (a day of online shopping) as a day to remember those less fortunate and donate to charities that are near and dear.

If you would like to participate in Giving Tuesday this year, we encourage you to consider donating to National President Carla Martinez and VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento's joint special project: raising funds toward a remodel of the existing lobby area of the VFW National Home Welcome Center.

To participate in this project, you can organize fundraisers, share information with fellow members and make donations. Read more in VFW Auxiliary Magazine: https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=795542

In Case You Missed It:

Earlier this year, VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters made the decision to no longer use last names for students in grades K-8, which includes contest winners, featured Scouts, youth volunteers and scholarship recipients. (This was already the policy for “Buddy”® Poppy children, per the National Home.) Instead, we will use first names only and/or first names with last initials. We are also redacting other identifying information (such as schools) on a case-by-case basis in an attempt to reduce the children’s digital footprint.

This does not apply to scholarship recipients, featured Scouts, members, members’ relatives, youth volunteers or Better World Award winners in grades 9-12 unless specifically requested by the parent/person submitting the information, photos and photo releases.

Related, National Historian and Media Relations Ambassador Diana Morris encourages all members to “SNAP” as they take and post pictures this year. That stands for, “Stop Now, Ask Permission.”

While the last name redaction policy is not mandated for individual Auxiliaries and Departments, we encourage you to consider doing the same. Together, we can keep kids safer on the internet!

Good news!! The 2024 Podium Book: Bylaws and Ritual is available NOW in MALTA under Member Resources!

The Bylaws underwent a number of changes this year, perhaps the biggest of which is the change of the bullet system. The large/small bullets have been changed to an alphanumeric system. This was suggested and voted on by delegates at the 2023 National Convention during the discussion of Bylaws and Resolutions.

Other voted-upon changes include "Conductress" becoming "Conductor" and the removal of County Councils (decided by the VFW in 2022). Check it out now!

Note: a hard-copy will be available for purchase soon from the VFW Store.

ON THIS DAY…

In 1883, abolitionist and formerly enslaved women’s right activist Sojourner Truth died at age 86.

Truth was born Isabella Bomfree in 1797. She was bought and sold four times, forced for perform hard labor and frequently assaulted. In 1827, less than one year before emancipation would be legally required in New York (the first state to completely abolish slavery), the mother of five took her infant daughter and escaped to the home of an abolitionist family who purchased her freedom and helped her sue for the return of her son; the 5-year-old had been sold into slavery in Alabama. In 1843, the talented speaker renamed herself Sojourner Truth.

During the Civil War, she aided Union troops by organizing supplies and recruiting soldiers. Because of her immense contribution and commitment to civil rights, in 1864, she was invited to meet with President Lincoln.

She is perhaps best remembered for her speech “Ain’t I A Woman?” Though she never learned to read or write, she dictated her autobiography to Olive Gilbert, which went on to bring her national recognition in her lifetime.

To teach today’s youth about the amazing life and legacy of Sojourner Truth, consider donating books about her to local schools, libraries or shelters as part of our Youth Activities initiative Patriotism Through Literacy.

ON THIS DAY…

In 1789, President George Washington issued a presidential proclamation declaring a Day of National Thanksgiving. This would not happen again until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln asked Americans to “set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise.”

Today, on this anniversary of those Thanksgivings, we would like to say a special thanks to you, our members! And if you would like to say thank you to a particularly wonderful member in your Auxiliary or Department, you can do so by nominating them for the VFW Auxiliary Magazine’s Member Spotlight feature! Submit nominations with the Member Spotlight form in MALTA Member Resources, Miscellaneous.

Send submissions to [email protected] or
Editor
VFW Auxiliary Magazine
406 W. 34th St., 10th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64111

The VFW Auxiliary offers cancer grants to members who are battling cancer.

Eligibility requirements:

• Applicant must be a member of the VFW Auxiliary for one (1) full year.
• Current dues must be paid before applying for a cancer grant.
• After twelve (12) months have passed from date of diagnosis or last treatment, application will not be accepted.
• A member is allowed two (2) grants during lifetime. Twelve (12) months must elapse between new diagnosis and/or treatment from date of first grant for a second application to be considered. Continuous treatment which lasts beyond the twelve (12) month period will qualify for a second grant.
• Application will be rejected if member has been deceased for longer than 30 days.

The grant amount is currently $550.00 and funds are paid directly to the member or, in the case of a deceased member, to their estate. Funds are dispersed 2-4 weeks following the acceptance and approval of the completed and signed application. Please read the instructions carefully before submitting an application. The most common reason an application is denied is due to missing information from either the member or physician.

To access the application, log into your MALTA account.
Questions? Contact National Headquarters at 816.561.8655.

Share your talent, display your patriotism and express your creativity. Enter the VFW Auxiliary national anthem singing contest, Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!

Youth in grades K-8 and 9-12 are invited to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the genre and arrangement of their choice – they just can’t change the words! Video entries and signed entry forms are due to a local VFW Auxiliary by March 31, 2024.

Visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities for contest eligibility, rules, National awards and an entry form.

On the 40th anniversary of the end of the Grenada Campaign, we pause to remember all who served and sacrificed in support of .

Have you heard of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest?

Beginning in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth, this contest comprises only two-dimensional entries. Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools compete to win National awards totaling $37,000. (Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be permanent residents or have applied for permanent resident status to become a U.S. citizen.)

Learn more on our website: https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships/young-american-creative-patriotic-art-contest/

ON THIS DATE…
In 1910, famed novelist Leo Tolstoy died.

Few members today remember that the author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina had a connection to the VFW Auxiliary!

At the Auxiliary’s Statue of Liberty birthday celebration in 1953, guest speakers included Alexandra Tolstoy, the writer’s youngest daughter, who founded the Tolstoy Foundation to assist with the relocation of Russian anti-Communists; she had fled the country in 1931 and later became a U.S. citizen.

Source: VFW Ladies Auxiliary: Celebrating 75 Years

Pictured: Alexandra Tolstoy in front of a portrait of her late father, 1963 (Getty Images).

ICYMI: The VFW National Home’s Ad will be featured on airport TV screens across the country again on REACH TV, on November 20 as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15 p.m. EST.

Needing answers but don't know where to look?

Check out the frequently asked questions sheet on the National website here: https://vfwauxiliary.org/about-us/faq/

Here is an example of one that can be found on that sheet:

Q: Why aren’t in-laws, cousins, uncles/aunts, nephews/nieces, great-grandparents/great-grandchildren of veterans eligible?

A: The IRS determines the degrees of separation from the veteran that qualify for membership in a veterans’ service organization auxiliary. The relationship must be within two degrees of “consanguinity” in order to be eligible. That means two generations back (i.e. parents or grandparents) or forward (i.e. children or grandchildren).

VFW Action Corps Weekly
November 20, 2023


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Ryan Gallucci at a Claims Shark press event
Fight Against Claim Sharks: The VFW was joined by congressional lawmakers, representatives from veteran organizations, and veteran advocates for a press conference warning veterans and survivors about the dangers of pay-to-play claims consulting companies, known as “Claim Sharks.” Some Claim Sharks offer high-priced assistance and suspect medical advice on VA claims without following the well-established professional and ethical standards of accreditation. No veteran should pay excessive and unregulated fees to access their earned VA benefits. VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci stated, "We're not going to stop in this [fight] because these are illicit organizations. What they are doing is illegal." He added, “Even if you legalize these activities, it doesn't do anything about the fraud. Our goal is to make sure that not another veteran falls victim to their scams." Get the facts or watch the video.

Camp Lejeune sign
Certain Health Care Costs Covered for Camp Lejeune Families: Families of veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune are now eligible for reimbursement of health care costs associated with Parkinson’s disease in addition to the list of serious health conditions currently covered. Learn more or apply for health care reimbursement under VA's Camp Lejeune Family Member Program. To apply for disability benefits related to Camp Lejeune, find a VFW Accredited Service Officer in your area.

US Department of Veterans Affairs and VA logo
VA National Veteran Su***de Prevention Annual Report: VA has released its 2023 National Veteran Su***de Prevention Annual Report. This is the largest national analysis of veteran su***des through 2021. The report shows 6,392 veterans died by su***de that year, which is 114 more than in 2020. The first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 led to greater financial strain, housing instability, anxiety and depression levels, and barriers to health care. All of these factors are known to be associated with an increased risk of su***de for veterans and non-veterans alike. This report is a peer-reviewed publication that is based on verified data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and DOD. Read the report.

Graph showing the increase in veterans claims approval rates
Reserve Component Compensation Challenges: Recently published data revealed a disparity in the approval of disability compensation claims between National Guard/ Reserve and active-duty component members. The Government Accountability Office recommends that VA should implement guidance informing reservists about the importance of reporting medical conditions in real time as related to claims for disability compensation. Read more.

Toys for Tots
Bring Christmas Joy Through Toys for Tots: Since 1947, Marine Toys for Tots has been bringing the joy of Christmas to America’s less-fortunate children and fostering community engagement. Every holiday season, new unwrapped toys are distributed to children in need. Donated items may be dropped off at designated locations, or you may make a virtual donation. Learn more.

Holiday Priority Mail
Holiday Overseas Mail Deadlines Approaching: The U.S. Postal Service is preparing for the holiday season as many families spend holidays apart due to military service. In order to ensure overseas packages are delivered before Dec. 25, it has provided the following deadlines: Dec. 9 for all Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO) and Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) addresses with AE zip codes using Priority Mail and First-Class Mail; and Dec. 15 for APO/FPO/DPO addresses using USPS Priority Mail Express (excluding zip 093). The Postal Service offers a free military care kit to ship items. Read more.

The POW/MIA flag flying in the breeze
MIA Update:The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced three burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II and the Korean War. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

--Army Pfc. Clinton E. Smith Jr., 19, of Wichita Falls, Texas, was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on January 14, 1945. He will be buried in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 27, 2023. Read about Smith.
--Army Air Force Pfc. Henry J. McConnell, 28, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was assigned to the 2nd Observation Squadron. He died while a prisoner of war on July 26, 1942. He will be buried in his hometown on Nov. 30, 2023. Read about McConnell.
--Army Cpl. William J. Herrington, 19, of Alliance, Ohio, was a member of Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, in July 2024. Read about Herrington.

Today’s kids won’t ever meet a Titanic survivor, sign the Declaration of Independence, march with Dr. King, demand votes for women, race against Wilma Rudolph or hold their breath as Neil Armstrong takes his first step on the moon, but through books they can become immersed in the past, imagining themselves in place of those who lived decades or even centuries ago, which helps them to better understand the present and be prepared for the future.

When children are exposed to these different time periods and walks of life via immersive fiction, they gain perspective, form invaluable connections, and feel invested. Whether they’re learning about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge or the Industrial Revolution, World War Two or 9/11, they are growing in their knowledge of what America is, how America works, who helped build America, and who serves America today.

Our Youth Activities initiative, Patriotism through Literacy, seeks to help them with that! Our goal is getting historical fiction and creative non-fiction into the hands of students from preschool through high school, which promotes both patriotism and literacy in addition to encouraging empathy and broadening perspectives.

Download a suggested book list under Member Resources – Youth Activities behind MALTA member login

We love receiving pictures and messages about what your Auxiliary is doing to celebrate military families this month!

Please continue to send them our way so we can showcase you, our Auxiliaries in Action, on our social media and in our E-Newsletter.

Please email to [email protected] or upload to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtags and – make sure posts are set to Public so we don’t miss them!

Are you an informed veterans’ advocate?

Simple steps you can take to understand legislative issues and make a difference on Capitol Hill include:
• Signing up for VFW Action Corps Weekly and answering the call to take action when the VFW sends out alerts.
• Reading and understanding the VFW Priority Goals.
• Contacting your legislators about issues impacting veterans and their families.
• Voting in every local, state and national election you are able.

Take these steps and learn more here: vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/legislative/

ATTENTION MEMBERS:
We’re excited to share BenefitHub!

WHAT IS IT?
A FREE discount marketplace that offers deals on thousands of brands in categories like entertainment, restaurants, apparel and more.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Visit vfwauxiliary.benefithub.com or click on the Member Benefits section of the homepage at vfwauxiliary.org. The referral code is HDDLQA.

QUESTIONS?
Contact BenefitHub at 1-866-664-4621 or email [email protected].

Please note that VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters cannot help with your login or answer BenefitHub-related questions.

Do you or does someone you know need help?

Call the VFW National Home Helpline and receive information on services and support in your area. The National Home Helpline is the first step on the path to help for and families.

This free service:
• Offers information
• Creates connections
• Gives hope to struggling families across the country.

The Helpline is answered M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern, except holidays. Messages left after hours and on weekends are answered the next business day.

Contact the Helpline at 800.313.4200 or [email protected].