Letter - Local VFW post holding membership drive

To the editor:

We would like to encourage the veterans in our area to join the VFW, if they qualify within the parameters of the guidelines set by Congress. Why join? Because there is strength in numbers, and that is why we have benefits for our veterans. The VFW is constantly fighting for veteran benefits, whether college benefits or medical benefits. We need representation in Washington advocating for our veterans, and if we don’t have the numbers, our voice is not as important to the legislators.

Some of you may think the VFW is just a bar with bingo and pull-tabs, but we do more for our community. The city of Alexandria receives about $580 a month from us from our charitable gambling, which contributes to the city budget. We give money to veterans in need, youth development such as athletic teams, we have community service representation by our color guard at special events and honor guard representation for veterans who have passed away. We give money to veterans service organizations, give money to the National Children’s VFW Home, which is a refuge for surviving spouses and children of deceased VFW and Auxiliary members. Our post gives money to the Max Beilke VA Medical Clinic, here in Alexandria.

We have applications at the post and we will be set up at the Viking Plaza Shopping Mall on November 28-29 for a membership drive. If you would like to sign up, it would be helpful for you to bring a copy of your discharge papers to verify eligibility. A lot of veterans don’t get involved with local posts until later in life because of family obligations and such, but we still need your membership support. Thank you.

Grant D. Haugen, commander,

VFW Post 936

Alexandria, MN

Tags: opinion, letters