VFW Post 8703 Auxiliary

10/15/2026

10/11/2026

🌮🌮 SAVE THE DATE 🌮🌮

10/10/2026

Get your nominations to me asap!!!

10/08/2026

We’re doing our part… our auxiliary is at 106.5% membership as of today!!!!

10/07/2026

We recently received an inquiry about the VFW Auxiliary and the VFW's Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen contests and because it is a question that has come up many times before, we would like to share our response.

The question was about what the VFW Auxiliary DOES when it comes to these two contests, as they are both VFW contests.

The answer is that the level of involvement is different from one Post/Auxiliary to another, so there is no "one size fits all," but Auxiliary members have long helped by distributing information to schools, collecting entries from students, arranging the judging or helping to find judges, contacting local media to promote the contest and/or to announce the winners, assisting in holding recognition celebrations for participants, raising money for prizes awarded on a local level and more.

In short, each individual VFW Auxiliary promotes the VFW Voice of Democracy and VFW Patriots Pen contests while supporting their Post in whatever ways the Post finds most helpful - sometimes this means taking a more active approach and sometimes this means taking a quieter background role - but no matter what you do, make sure to report your participation and fundraising under Scholarships.

And spread the word about these scholarships and contests today!

09/23/2026

☢️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS & FAMILIES — RECA CLAIMS

Please share this information with your family, friends, Veterans, and community members. Many New Mexicans may now qualify for compensation under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

🇺🇸 NEW MEXICO DOWNWINDERS

Under the expanded RECA program, an individual may qualify as a Downwinder if they:

📍 Were physically present anywhere in the State of New Mexico for at least 1 year between September 24, 1944 and November 6, 1962;

OR

📍 Were present in an affected area for the entire period from June 30, 1962 through July 31, 1962;

AND

🩺 Were later diagnosed with one of the diseases covered by RECA.

Covered diseases include certain forms of:

• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Lymphoma
• Thyroid cancer
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Pharyngeal cancer
• Small intestine cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Bile duct cancer
• Gallbladder cancer
• Salivary gland cancer
• Urinary bladder cancer
• Brain cancer
• Colon cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Liver cancer, subject to certain exclusions
• Lung cancer

💰 COMPENSATION

Qualifying Downwinders may receive a one-time lump-sum payment of $100,000.

If the qualifying individual has passed away, eligible survivors may be able to file a claim for the payment.

📄 WHAT SHOULD YOU GATHER?

You may need documentation such as:

✅ Proof that you lived in New Mexico during the qualifying period
✅ Medical records showing a qualifying diagnosis
✅ Identification documents
✅ Other supporting documentation requested by the Department of Justice

⏰ CLAIM DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2027

Do not assume that you or a family member does not qualify. Review the official eligibility requirements and documentation instructions provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

💻 APPLY / GET STARTED ONLINE:

U.S. Department of Justice
Radiation Exposure Compensation Program (RECA)

👇 Use the official DOJ RECA Claim Portal:
https://reca.justice.gov/ClaimsPortal/s/Getting-Started?language=en_US

For complete eligibility information:
https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca

⚠️ PLEASE SHARE!

New Mexico played a unique role in our nation's nuclear history, and families throughout our state may be affected by this expanded program.

Even if this information doesn't apply to you personally, sharing it could help a New Mexico family that has been waiting decades for this opportunity.

🇺🇸 Please help us get the word out.The key points above—including statewide New Mexico eligibility, the covered cancers, the $100,000 Downwinder payment, survivor eligibility, and the December 31, 2027 deadline—come directly from DOJ's current RECA guidance.

[Official DOJ RECA Claim Portal](https://reca.justice.gov/ClaimsPortal/s/Getting-Started?language=en_US&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[DOJ RECA Eligibility & Program Information](https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

I can also make you a VFW Department of New Mexico RECA flyer/graphic with “New Mexicans May Qualify for $100,000” as the headline and a QR code going directly to the DOJ claim portal.

09/22/2026

VFWA 7th annual food drive this Saturday Sept 26th at La Tienda. All food and monies stay local. 9:00-3:00pm!!