Secretary VFW Auxiliary 10386

03/31/2026

A staggering number of veterans die by su***de every day. The VFW Auxiliary is committed to lowering this number and changing the stigma surrounding mental health in America.

We encourage you to educate yourself and others and learn how you can help combat this critical issue.
• Visit veteranscrisisline.net and click on topics under "Education and Advice" for resources.
• Connect struggling veterans with a counselor at the Veterans Crisis Line - Dial 988, Press 1.
• Purchase the Auxiliary Su***de Awareness Prevention Pin from the VFW Store: vfwstore.org/products/32033. When someone asks you about your pin, tell them that the VFW Auxiliary is concerned about the rate of su***des among veterans and military service members; we want everyone to be aware of the unique stresses they face.

Even one death by su***de is one too many.

03/31/2026

03/31/2026

The VFW National Home Helpline is the first step on the path to help for and families. This free service:
• Offers information
• Creates connections
• Gives hope to struggling families across the country.

The Helpline is answered M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern, except holidays. Messages left after hours and on weekends are answered the next business day. Contact the Helpline at 800.313.4200 or [email protected].

Read more about the VFW National Home’s Helpline here: http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/

03/30/2026

On this day of remembrance, we honor our nation’s Vietnam War veterans and their families. We will never forget your service, always advocate on your behalf and never forget your legacy.

03/30/2026

March Madness looks a little different here… 💙🏀

No brackets. No buzzer-beaters. But everything on the line.

This March, 6 new families arrived at the VFW National Home—each with their own story, their own challenges, and their own hopes for what comes next. What they found? A place to land. A place to rebuild. A place to believe again.

This is March Madness, National Home style—where the real victories change lives.

👉 Read their story and see how you can be part of the win: https://vfwnationalhome.org/blog/march-madness-national-home-style-where-new-beginnings-take-the-bracket/

03/30/2026

Did you receive the latest VFW Auxiliary National E-Newsletter, emailed to members yesterday afternoon?

In it, find:
* Update Your Websites - Avoid Misinformation
* National Convention Housing is Open
* Attend Your Conference Conferences
* Save the Date: Next HQ Roundtable
And more!

Let us know what you think of the stories you read in the E-Newsletter. Leave a comment here, send us a direct message or email feedback to [email protected] with the subject line ENews.

02/28/2026

The VFW National Home Helpline is the first step on the path to help for and families. This free service:
• Offers information
• Creates connections
• Gives hope to struggling families across the country.
The Helpline is answered M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern, except holidays. Messages left after hours and on weekends are answered the next business day. Contact the Helpline at 800.313.4200 or [email protected].
Read more about the VFW National Home’s Helpline here: http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/

The VFW National Home Helpline is the first step on the path to help for and families. This free service:
• Offers information
• Creates connections
• Gives hope to struggling families across the country.

The Helpline is answered M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern, except holidays. Messages left after hours and on weekends are answered the next business day. Contact the Helpline at 800.313.4200 or [email protected].

Read more about the VFW National Home’s Helpline here: http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/

02/26/2026

MARCH 31 is the deadline for student entries to participating/sponsoring Auxiliaries for the following:

Young American Patriotic Art Contest scholarship

3-Dimensional Patriotic Art scholarship

Illustrating America contest

02/26/2026

WHAT IS THE ILLUSTRATING AMERICA CONTEST?

Created in 2019-2020, Illustrating America is a patriotic art contest for students in elementary and middle school who compete against their peers in three grade categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8. Illustrating America encourages students to be creative and to interpret the "assignment" however they see fit. Some of the ways past winners have chosen to represent their view of America are by drawing famous Americans, by thanking soldiers or veterans for their service, by doing their best to make American Flags (students are not required to follow Flag code for this contest), by painting their own homes, towns and/or families, by sketching famous landmarks and more. The primary goal with this contest is for children to express their creativity and patriotism in their own unique ways, not to color a printed picture or trace another's artwork.

02/26/2026

WHAT IS THE 3-DIMENSIONAL PATRIOTIC ART CONTEST?

Since 2022-2023, the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest has existed separately from the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Three-dimensional art can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, etc. The intention is the same: to show patriotism and one's view of America through art, which is submitted alongside a typed explanation of steps taken to create the art/the artist's statement.

Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31, 2026 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools compete to win National awards totaling $5,500, with the first-place National winner receiving a scholarship in the amount of $2,500. (Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be permanent residents or have applied for permanent resident status to become a U.S. citizen.)

02/26/2026

PATRIOTIC ART CONTESTS DEADLINE
Student Entries Due by March 31
To Participating/Sponsoring Auxiliaries
The deadline for Young American Creative American Patriotic Art Contest, 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest and Illustrating America contest entries is quickly approaching! All art is due to participating/sponsoring Auxiliaries by March 31, 2026. No late submissions will be accepted.

The National first-place winner of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest is awarded a $15,000 scholarship, while the winner of the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest is awarded a $2,500 scholarship.

WHAT IS THE YOUNG AMERICAN CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ART CONTEST?

Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest, which began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. This contest comprises only two-dimensional entries along with a brief written statement about the art. Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31, 2026 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools compete to win National awards totaling $37,000, with the first-place National winner receiving a scholarship in the amount of $15,000. (Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be permanent residents or have applied for permanent resident status to become a U.S. citizen.)