The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1160 hosted a morale boosting luncheon for the Soldiers of the 108th Training Command (IET) during February 2018 Battle Assembly. Members of the post made every dish served to the 108th Soldiers, providing them with sandwiches, chili, soup, and savory desserts. (U.S. Army photo by Spec. Tynisha L. Daniel)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Since founded in 1899, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a nonprofit service organization has been comprised of Veterans and military members from the active guard and reserve forces. In addition to service members and Veterans, spouses and family members have also been apart of the organization for decades.
The VFW and auxiliary are intentional about giving back and on Sunday, Feb 11., the auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1160 hosted a luncheon for the Soldiers of the 108th Training Command during battle assembly weekend.
Members of the auxiliary made every dish served to the 108th Soldiers from scratch, providing them with sandwiches, chili, soup, and savory desserts.
“Everyone pitched in, we decided to show our support to the 108th Soldiers and with the help of Christine (previous post commander), the luncheon was a success,” said William Pattersen, Post Commander.
Located on Central Avenue, Post 1160 is the first VFW post organized in Charlotte. The post has been around for years, continually growing and showing their support to the military and the community.
“The military has changed since we were in, but its principles have not. We use those same principles here at Post 1160, and seeing the younger Soldiers soldiering is inspiring. We’re the same, there’s just an age gap,” said Pattersen.
From fighting for Veteran’s benefits on Capitol Hill, to providing educational and transition support to members of the military, the VFW’s mission has always been to serve and advocate on behalf of all Veterans. They are also proud of their charitable outreach to help the community and their brethren in arms.
“We can do a lot for other Veterans and people in the service, that’s what we are here for,” said Pattersen.
The purpose of the VFW is to preserve and strengthen the comradeship amongst its members. The VFW does this by providing vital assistance and support to America’s service members.
A common misconception of the VFW is that you have to be a Veteran to be a part of the organization, when in fact those interested in being a part of organization can join while still actively serving their country.
“One of the major qualifications to join the VFW is to have served in a foreign war, whether it be World War I or II or in Iraq, and if you’re a family member of a Veteran who has served, you have the opportunity to be apart of our auxiliary,” said Christine Stephens, a member at Post 1160.
“The membership for the VFW has gone down over the years. It would be great to get the younger generations in so that we can do more for the community and take the fight outside of these walls,” said Stephens.
The VFW is here to give a voice to Veterans, to help them with their benefits, to help navigate the VA and to give Veterans what is dutifully right for them. We are there for the fight up at legislative, explained Stephens.
The yearly membership cost to be a member of VFW Post 1160 is $40, and an auxiliary membership is $30. As an incentive to joining Post 1160, the first five applicants who join in 2018 will have their initial membership fee waived.
| The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1160 hosted a morale boosting luncheon for the Soldiers of the 108th Training Command during February 2018 Battle Assembly. Members of Post 1160 and 108th Soldiers shared laughs and stories over the course of the lunch. (U.S. Army photo by Spec. Tynisha L. Daniel) |
“If you give up on Veteran organizations you lose the voice to fight for what is rightfully yours to keep,” said Stephens
If you or a service member would like to join Post 1160 VFW or the auxiliary visit https://www.vfw.org/ for more information on the VFW or visit the VFWs Post 1160 Facebook page If you or a service member would like to join Post 1160 VFW or the auxiliary visit https://www.vfw.org/ for more information on the VFW or visit the VFWs Post 1160 Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vfwstonewall1160