Military Kids Interview with VFW Members

DHS Report Was a Threat Assessment, Not Accusation

Washington, D.C., April 15, 2009- The leader of the nation's largest combat veterans' organization said a leaked government document that mentions disgruntled military veterans as potential security threats should have been worded differently, but he takes no issue with the document's purpose: to assess possible threats to the safety and security of the United States.

"A government that does not assess internal and external security threats would be negligent of a critical public responsibility," said Glen M. Gardner Jr., the national commander of the 2.2 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries.

At issue is an April 7, 2009, Department of Homeland Security document, entitled, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."

The report, which is unclassified but marked "For Official Use Only," surfaced Monday and is causing a furor within some veterans' communities and the news media. It lists disgruntled military veterans as being possible security threats, either by acting as lone wolves or as being targeted for recruitment into rightwing extremist groups who are hate-oriented (religious, racial or ethnic), or driven by domestic issues ranging from the economy and gun control to illegal immigration and abortion, among others.

"The report proves that DHS is doing its job, and that's to protect America and Americans," said Gardner, a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps from Round Rock, Texas.

"The report should have been worded differently, but it made no blanket accusation that every soldier was capable of being a traitor like Benedict Arnold, or every veteran could be a lone wolf, homegrown terrorist like Timothy McVeigh. It was just an assessment about possibilities that could take place,” said Gardner.

"That's how successful military campaigns are waged, and that's exactly how our nation must be protected. You try to plan for every possible wildcard scenario, and then you adjust your plans accordingly."

The VFW national commander hopes DHS tones down the disgruntled military veteran angle in its next edition, and includes other professionals who have paramilitary training, such as the police, Secret Service, FBI, and DHS' own Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

VFW Racing Team Meets Wounded Warriors

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.-sponsored NASCAR racing team of Kevin Harvick and Ron Hornaday have always been proud of America's defenders, and after yesterday's visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, they are even more appreciative of the sacrifice that is sometimes required from those who wear the uniform.

Met by Walter Reed's commanding general, Maj. Gen. Carla Hawley-Bowland, and accompanied by VFW National Commander Glen Gardner and Harvick's wife, DeLana, the team met with seven wounded warriors, all amputees from explosions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This was an opportunity very few people get to experience,” said Harvick, who along with his wife are co-owners of Kevin Harvick, Inc. “I was able to personally say thank you to some of our country's finest men and women who have given so much for all of us. This visit was an eye-opening experience at how far medical research has come, and it was truly an honor to be able to meet and talk with these brave men and women.”

Harvick and Hornaday were able to trade stories with the patients about racing, and they listened intently as soldiers talked about their families, how they sustained their wounds, and how long they had been in the military.

“I could listen to those guys talk all day,” Harvick said. “Just hearing about their experiences is amazing, and it helps you understand what true courage and loyalty is all about.”

Hornaday, who had made a trip to Iraq to visit troops a few years ago, echoed the thoughts of his boss.

“It is incredible to listen to the stories and hear how desperately these patients want to get well only to rejoin their battalion," said Hornaday, a three-time Truck Series champion. "This visit was a real honor. I got the opportunity to shake hands with true heroes. I am so thankful for each and every person in this hospital, not only the patients, but the doctors and nurses who are taking care of them. A visit like this really makes you proud to be an American.”

"No one can meet a wounded veteran and walk away unchanged," said the VFW's Gardner. "A firm handshake or a slap on the back is wonderful, but knowing that there are grateful Americans who recognize and appreciate your service is far better. I am grateful to Walter Reed for the opportunity."

Walter Reed currently has about 30 inpatients and 680 outpatients who are Iraq or Afghanistan veterans. Since 9/11, more than 10,000 current war servicemen and women have been through the hospital, which is scheduled to merge with the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., in 2011.

The Army also used yesterday's visit to present Hornaday and the Harvicks with Freedom Team Salute commendations in recognition of their strong support of soldiers. The commendations, which are signed by Army Secretary Pete Geren and Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., is part of a program established in 2005 to formally recognize individuals within the civilian and military communities who actively support the Army and its soldiers.

VFW Announces 2008-2009 National Voice of Democracy Winners

Winners of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary sponsored, Voice of Democracy (VOD) audio-essay scholarship competition were announced late yesterday afternoon. The program celebrated its 62nd year with this year's theme being “Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefit Today’s Youth by...”. All national scholarships totaled $175,500, and all winners received at least a $2,000 college scholarship.
This year's first place winner, Natale Szabo, has received the $30,000 T.C. Selman Memorial Scholarship Award. Read her winning speech below:

“Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefit Today’s Youth by…”

by Natale Szabo

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a soldier.” My AP European history teacher, and also one of the single most intelligent educators at my high school, has this saying on a poster sitting outside of her room. Every single day hundreds of students pass by. Some of them stop and look, some ignore it, and some barely notice its existence. Few students actually think about it.

It’s amazing the level of freedom we have in this country, and how much we take it for granted. This year is a historical time in politics, being the 2008 presidential elections. Wait – what was that I just said? Elections? We have the power to actually choose who represents us? And we don’t even have to worry about riots or people waiting with guns outside of the election booth? Many people wouldn’t think twice about this. But you and I know that our country is a political anomaly in the scope of the world. The first amendment alone allows Americans to worship at a synagogue, a Christian church, or a mosque, read or publish nearly anything imaginable, and bring huge numbers of people together in a protest. Rich or poor, female or male – Americans have the right to an education, and every single one of us is lucky enough to be tried in front of a jury in the court of law.

But let’s take it further. Not only can we vote on who represents us, but once they’re in office, we can rant, scream, blog, and Photoshop compromising pictures of them all we want. Where else can you do that with the sort of nonchalant attitude that we regard it with? Whether we agree with those things or not, we’re allowed to do it.

Those liberties haven’t come to us without a cost. If it weren’t for a group of brave rebel-rousers in the 1700s, we’d still be spelling color with a “u” and answering to an island in Europe. Every single thing that we Americans take so selfishly as a “right” instead of a “privilege,” has been paid for in blood, tears, and pure determination. We are a country with a population in a league of our own. We are the owners of the American dream and that famous ingenuity that has sparked so much greatness. And at the heart of all of that? Our soldiers. Our brave, selfless, always persevering soldiers.

So what am I thankful for? What do I, a 17-year-old girl who likes designer clothes and only eats organic food, feel appreciative of? I’m thankful for my intelligence. I’m thankful for being able to question what’s happening to me and who’s controlling it. I’m thankful to be able to debate my fellow seniors about last night’s headlines every morning in history class. I’m thankful for being able to wear jeans instead of a dress every day. I’m thankful for my dad, an escapee from the oppressions of Soviet Hungary, to be able to create a prosperous life in America. I’m thankful for the parents, the children, and the siblings who have so selflessly seen their loved ones off to war. I’m thankful that I attend a high school where half of the students have parents who are members of the United States Military, for it is because of that personal connection that I have grown such an appreciation for our armed forces. I’m thankful for the food on my table, the clothes
on my back, the shoes on my feet, the TV in my house, the books that I read, and the life that I live. I’m thankful, and I owe every bit of it to the veterans that have sacrificed for me. Their health, their time, and their families – our military has always put the good of the people above their own well-being.

Most of us haven’t been in the throes of war, and don’t know what it’s like to be shot at. Most of us wouldn’t have the guts to be out there on the frontline. Lucky for us, we have our heroes in shining camo. Whether you’re a republican or a democrat, a protester or supporter of our war in Iraq, a welder or a CEO; you live your life as freely as you do because of a soldier. So next time you see a man or woman in uniform, stop, take off your hat, shake their hand, and thank them from the bottom of your heart for sacrificing themselves every single day. If you’re listening to this right now, thank a soldier.

'Adopt-A-Unit' Means More Now Than Ever

The VFW program that I feel impacts more lives than any other program we have is the Adopt-A-Unit.

This program affects the lives of each and every member of the deploying National Guard, Reservist, and regular military, each of their families and every member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

By adopting one of the deploying units we, the members of the VFW step back into the arena of camaraderie that bonded our membership together during our own conflicts in our past. By adopting our young comrade’s we send our spirit, our hopes and our fears along with them in our hope for their safe return and also allows us, the VFW members, to know that we are doing our best to see to the needs of those families that are left at home during that families’ time of separation and fear for their loved ones.

The Adopt-A-Unit is only as successful as the adopting Post allows it to be. It requires a dedication to the belief that we are members of an organization that stands ready to help all our brothers and sisters that stand in harms way.

To be a part of such an important undertaking is not only an honor but also a duty no matter what age, what branch of service or when and where we served. By committing ourselves to this effort we again can feel the closeness and brotherhood that sustained us during our own service to our country.

To adopt a unit go to Adopt-A-Unit on our National website. In the right hand column in the gray shaded area there is a link for the Adopt-A-Unit application. Click on the link and then choose either the Word or PDF format, click on that link and download the application. Complete all the information required and mail or fax it to the address on the form. It takes about 6 weeks to process and mail out the certificate.

While you are at the link for the Adopt-A-Unit application, please note there is also a form entitled Adopt-A-Unit Activity Report. By using this report and sending it to National they will know of each Post’s effort with the unit they adopted.

Remember more than one post can adopt the same unit. This is really very beneficial to all concerned. It increases the resources, both in the number of members to get the job done and funds available.

Junker-Ball Post 1865 adopted Bravo Company, 257th BSB, which is deploying shortly in November 2008. The post has supported the unit by donating food items and soft drinks that the Family Readiness Group (FRG) sold at their Craft Fair, hosted and sponsored their children’s and Adult Christmas Party. Post 1865 also hosted the area Mobility Briefing. The post is also selling “Red Friday” T-shirts from the FRG to help them add to their support fund. Post 1865 has started a community supported fund for the members of Bravo Company to make emergency funds available on a local level.
Recently, American Legion Post 21 of Kenosha adopted Bravo Company and VFW Post 8343 is also adopting them. This greatly enhances the support that can be given to Bravo. Posts should contact other VFW posts in their area and other service organizations to bring about a strong, united front for all of our deploying Guardsmen. It is not only good for the units but for the entire community.
The first joint project for the adopting posts was to raise funds for 137 Blue Star Banners for Bravo Company. VFW Post 1865 and AL Post 21 efforts raised almost $900.00 in just 4 days.

The primary goal of the Adopt-A-Unit is to provide the best support available to our troops. The Guard and our VFW National asks that the major emphasis be placed with the families at home. By supporting the Family Readiness Group (FRG) in their fund raising, becoming acquainted with the Unmet Needs program and forming volunteer groups, both from the posts and the community, of trades persons (plumbers, electricians, etc.) to help when emergencies arise we will accomplish the primary goal of the VFW, “To honor the dead, by serving the living”.

Courtesy of Dave Goeldner, Wisconsin VFW News.