VFW Auxiliary 214

ISO:

1. Anyone that has season Penguin tickets that would be willing to donate a set for a raffle

2. Anyone that may work or have a hookup at a restaurant/retail store or anywhere that would be willing to donate prdouct / gift card for a raffle

3. Any recommendations on places that may be willing to donate.

I've reached out to 25 places and waiting to hear back.

Raffle is a Chinese Auction which proceeds go to the VFW Auxiliary which helps provide support and services to veterans.

Are you a rider? Join a fun event for an amazing veterans organization.

Thursday, July 25, marks National Hire a Veteran Day. The men and women who served our country have many skillsets and experiences – in addition to a high level of dedication – that can benefit employers.

Employers who would like to hire veterans and guard members can list their job opening for free on the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations’ Job Board. Veterans can search the board here.

National Hire a Veteran Day also serves as a reminder for employers that it’s important to support veterans by providing resources to them as they transition from military life to the civilian workforce.

Home - Pittsburgh Hires Veterans Veterans, do you want a successful future as a civilian? That is the mission of Pittsburgh Hires Veterans. Get connected to education and employment today.

Local POW/MIA Update.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that Army Corporal Edward J. Smith, 18, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for May 15, 2024.

In August 1950, Smith was a member of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Aug. 31 while fighting North Korean forces in the vicinity of Changnyong, South Korea. He was never found, nor were any remains recovered that could be identified as Smith.

On October 6, 1950, a sets of remains was recovered from an isolated grave in a rice paddy near the village of Ibang-ni, roughly 8 miles west of Changnyong. Investigators could not make a scientific identification, and the remains, designated Unknown X-321 Miryang, were later transported to the United Nations Military Cemetery for temporary interment. In Feb. 1951, X-321, along with other unidentified Korean War remains, were transferred to National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.

In June 2021, DPAA exhumed X-321 for scientific analysis and identification, and transferred the remains to the DPAA Laboratory.

To identify Smith’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

Smith’s name is recorded on the American Battle Monument Commission’s Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Smith will be buried in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on August 23, 2024.

For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.

Reminder!

VFW Post 214 is hosting a July 4th event. Doors open at 2. Food around 4. DJ from 5-8!

Come celebrate!

June is . Let’s help raise awareness of every generation – for those whose trauma may not be a visible wound, for those whose trauma remains a secret, for those who don’t know where to start – start here.

Remember: There are many different PTSD treatment options available and you are not alone in this.

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/index.asp

All Aboard 'The USS Pittsburgh' !🛳🛟⚓️❤️💙🇺🇸

Experience our NEW “Kid’s Zone” exhibit, Scavenger Hunt, Make Cards for Veterans, Hands-On Activities with Artifacts, Selfie Station and more.

Bring the whole family on June 26th from 11AM to 2PM for this free event. Children attending this event will receive a personalized dog tag!

https://news.va.gov/131136/nca-adds-options-for-commemorative-plaques-and-urns/

"The legacy of brave men and women who have fought and died for their country is the freedom we enjoy as Americans"

VFW Claims Assistance for K2 Troops: Veterans with prior service in Uzbekistan at the Karshi Khanabad Air Base, known as K2, who need assistance with their VA disability claims should contact a VFW Service Officer. The VFW is ready to assist K2 veterans who currently have health conditions they believe were caused by toxic exposures during their service in Uzbekistan. This includes veterans who have had VA claims denied, have claims in appeal, or who have never applied. Contact the VFW at [email protected] or find a VFW Service Officer in your area.

Reminder: Veterans and family members seeking to file lawsuits because of water contamination at Camp Lejeune have only months left to do so. The deadline for filing is Aug. 10, 2024.

For more important information, visit: https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/pact-act-and-toxic-exposure-information/camp-lejeune-justice-act-litigation

Pre-Order yours today!

VFW Auxiliary 214 will be selling T-Shirts for Veteran's Su***de Prevention. All proceeds will be donated directly to the cause.

Available sizes from S - XXL, in both White and Black.

Cost: S - XL = $15, XXL = $20.

These will be available on Memorial Day and the Auxiliary will be selling outside of the Lawrenceville VFW Post #214 after the Lawrenceville Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27th.

Lawrenceville VFW Post #214 is looking for the following:

- Bartender (Experience preferred, but not required)
- Shift(s) are EVERY Saturday and Sunday, 3pm - 11pm
- Possible other shifts as needed
- Pay = $10/hr, plus tips (Part-time, no benefits)

If interested, contact Jim McGinley @ 412-559-8743

Local MIA update. May he finally Rest in Peace.

https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3711052/airman-accounted-for-from-wwii-eshelman-p/

My office's first veterans' assistance event is coming up next Monday at the Lawrenceville district office. A veteran service officer will assist with compensation and pension claims, education benefits, obtaining military personnel and medical records, and more.

Please call the district office at 412-781-2750 to schedule an appointment.

THIS SATURDAY!!!!

Saturday, February 24th @ 3pm - 6pm, dahn the VFW Post 214.

It's a cook-off, so come hungry for some chili!

It's also FREE! BUT, come with some $$$. There will be a 50/50 and raffles.

Funds raised benefit the Highland Canine Connect and will go towards a service dog for a member of the community.

Happy New Year, members!

We are looking for some ideas to bring people into the Post. We have our weekly bingo, but trying to come up with some other fun, member/non-member activities.

Who would be interested in a "Sip-N-Paint"? They would come to us and cost would be $45/person.

If you've participated in other activities at another Post or Hall, what are they? Any and all ideas are welcome!

O Say Can Youth Sing?

The VFW Auxiliary national anthem singing contest, Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!, is an opportunity for youth to share their talent, display their patriotism and express their creativity while singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 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.

Are you, or do you know a veteran that enjoys talking and / or coffee?! If so, checkout restore22.org/events!!

Hello Animal Lovers and Vets!!

Did you know that Animal Friends has a program for Veterans?! They will provide veterans with a matchmaking service and WAIVE the adoption donation for any dog, cat or rabbit. They also will assist with providing services to help strengthen the bond and vets may be eligible for discounted wellness services, behavioral support, emergency boarding and access to free pet food.

If interested or if any questions, you can reach out to [email protected], call (412) 847-7030 or visit ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/Veterans.

Animal Friends for Veterans - Animal Friends, Inc. Animal Friends for Veterans Supporting vets. Rescuing pets. Saving lives. Many troops return home with scars – both seen and unseen – that can make it difficult to transition back to civilian life. They come in many forms including post-traumatic … →

It's that time of year again! Start cleaning out those closets.

We will be collecting MENS WINTER CLOTHING starting Monday, December 18th. Please drop-off INSIDE the VFW, not the red box outside.

We will accept any women's clothing, too. These items will be donated directly to veteran's organizations and can be dropped into the red box outside of the VFW.

If anyone has any pictures of the parade, specifically the Veterans that marched, along with the Auxiliary and from the ceremony at the Post, please send them to [email protected].

Thank you!

We still have some stock of shirts. They will be available for purchase on Monday at the Post after the parade.

Top 2 things NOT to do on Memorial Day

1. DON’T WISH ANYONE A “HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY”
There are dozens of ways you can honor America’s fallen this Memorial Day.

This is not Christmas – Memorial Day was not founded in joy with the promise of bringing glee each year. It was established as a way for the country to set aside time to honor the troops who had given their lives in service to America.

In 1868, Gen. John Logan declared the day for “the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

Despite what the day has transitioned to in American culture, it was established to honor and remember America’s fallen.

2. DON’T THANK THE CURRENT TROOPS
At least, don’t thank them just because it’s Memorial Day. They deserve respect and gratitude every day of the year, but this day is set aside specifically for America’s fallen warriors from every war.

America’s veterans are honored during November on Veteran’s Day when we aim to remember and appreciate the sacrifices of all veterans. But, Memorial Day allows the country to focus on those service members who are no longer with us – an important distinction.