VFW Prepares for Memorial Day Activities While Looking for New Members

by David Croyle

Ford City’s VFW Post 4843 has many activities planned this weekend. But one activity that is being promoted all year is the need for new members.

VFW Adjutant Joe Thevenin said the Post described the military requirement.

“They are actually regular members that did duty overseas during the time of a conflict. All you have to do is bring your DDD214 or the added 215 to prove your eligibility and we’ll take care of it.”

Interested residents who did not serve in the military may still get membership in the VFW as a social member.

The Ford City Post located in Pattonville is one of 22 Posts in their District.

Post Commander Daryl Ray said their membership is very involved.

“We’re a very active VFW. Since the beginning of the year, we have given over $8,100 in donations to the community. At Easter time, we also have an Easter party for the kids. You don’t have to be a member of the post to bring your child down here. We spend around $2,500 on that. Each kid gets a $10 gift, and we give cookies out, have a coloring contest, and we give between 8 and 12 bikes away per age group - one for the girls and one for the boys. We color about 90 dozen of eggs, then we have plastic eggs that members of the VFW put money in. I think we put over 700 of them out last year. Also we have the Christmas party for the kids. Everybody gets a $10 gift. We give 8 to 12 bikes away. There is usually between 130 to 150 children attend these events.”

Ray stressed the fact that the children’s parents or relatives do not have to members of the VFW to participate.

“We do two Vietnam ceremonies each year - one in March and one in September,” Ray added.

Last week, the Boy Scouts participated in flag burning ceremonies that dispose of flags that are no longer usable.

“We’re doing a ceremony this year that we have never done before. On May 27, at 4PM, we invite all the Korean War veterans in the area to come down to our Post for the ceremony. We’re going to have a little meal for everybody. So please come down if you are a Korean War veteran or know one,” Ray said.

“At 12 noon on Memorial Day, we are going to start a Memorial Day ceremony. The Ladies will be taking a wreath and dropping it off the Veteran’s Bridge in Ford City. Then we will have a POW-MIA ceremony beginning at 3PM that day, and again, we will be putting some food out.”

Ray invited the public to come and tour the facility located at 2125 Bailey Avenue.

“We got a big patio. It’s got an awning on it. There is lots of room on it. Come down and see our place. We will take you around. I want everybody to know we are active as far as honoring our soldiers from all the wars.”

Ray said that membership in veteran organizations is important to secure future services from legislators.

“Our strength in Washington is not what it once was, because veterans are dying at alarming numbers. The politicians in Washington, DC know that. If they can see our ranks dwindling, (the think) ‘Well maybe we don’t have to help the V.A. out so much. But if they can see more people, whether it is the American Legion, or the AMVETS, or the VFWs, the more people that we can get to join these organizations, the more power we do have in Washington, DC.”

Ray said the VFW maintains a legislative committee in Washington, DC and one in Harrisburg also.

To further enhance service to veterans, the Butler V.A. has a representative at the Ford City VFW on the third Wednesday of each month to assist veterans with various issues, including getting knee braces, and other services.

“They made an appointment for me to get my hearing aids tested. I’m receiving new hearing aids, after 5 years. They are taking care of me good. I really appreciate it.” Thevenin said. Ray agreed.

“We had flu shots down there last September, and they are coming back this September for the Flu Shot program.”

The VFW will participate this Sunday night in the Memorial Eve ceremony at Ford City Park. Joe Thevenin explained.

“We go down with the Lion’s Club and present our colors. Also the American Legion Honor Guard has their colors there, and the Rifle Squad.”

Ray said they are busy this time of year.

“We coordinate with the Veterans Administration of Armstrong County. They give us a list of the cemeteries we are doing, and a list of the fallen comrades that are at the cemeteries. We do 1,140 graves in 14 cemeteries.”

Ray praised the county Veteran’s Administration at the Armstrong County court house for their service to local veterans.

“If you call them up there, they back you so much. I’ve never heard a complaint from anybody about the support that Cathy and Chuck gives the veterans in this county. They are just wonderful.”

Thevenin said Divine Redeemer students also participate in Memorial Day preparation.

“The children from the 4th grade will distribute flags at Holy Trinity and St. Mary’s cemetery. They do a good job. The teachers bring them over there. It’s really a help to the vets having children do that for us.”

Anyone desiring more information can call the Post at 724-763-9045.

1 Comment

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  By jorn jensen, May 26, 2016 @ 7:37 AM

  You want new members? Get rid of smoking. Why wait till the state makes it mandatory in private clubs? Veterans survived other risks of death, why would we now have try to survive cancer from 2nd hand smoke?

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