Branch Hill Ohio VFW Post 5354

05/30/2026

Our Members hard at work completing the Day of Service for a project at the local Youth Baseball Fields.

Once set in, the kids will have somewhere to sit in their dugout and new bleachers for the parents.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW is not just about advocating for veterans but also helping connect the veteran community with the local communities

05/29/2026

SATURDAY MAY 30 TH WE'RE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC FROM 5P-9P FOR OUR MEMBERS ONLY FAMILY DAY AND CELEBRATION FOR OUR COMMANDER'S RETIREMENT CELEBRATION! See you after 9p!

05/23/2026

The Loveland Canteen is closed to the public 5p-11p for a Private Event tonight!

Today May 23, 2026 WE'RE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC for a private event 5p-11p.

05/20/2026

Why does the VFW use the Poppy as a symbol for a program that raises to assist those when most in need? You would have to read the poem by John McCrae, “On Flanders Fields”

Each post purchases the poppy’s from the National Store, the money donated to receive the poppy goes into a fund that is directed by that local post to assist those when in most need.

Branch Hill Ohio VFW Post 5354 and The Loveland Canteen proudly support this program and you can always find our display throughout the canteen.

As Memorial Day comes up, come by the post and make a donation for your Poppy!

05/19/2026

With Memorial Day coming up and this also being our 250th anniversary as a nation, it’s good to know the history behind Memorial Day.

For 250 years men and women have fought to maintain and improve our way of life, within our nation and globally. This weekend is to remember those lost during those times.

Here is an excerpt from the VA.gov:

https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Memorial-Day-history.asp

Memorial Day is a federal holiday honoring military personnel who died in service to the United States. Originally called "Decoration Day", it began as a springtime tradition to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers and was later expanded to include all fallen service members.The history of the holiday is defined by its grassroots origins and evolution over time:Early Beginnings After the Civil WarFirst Observances: Following the Civil War, various local springtime tributes to the dead emerged across the country. One of the earliest documented ceremonies took place on May 1, 1865, in Charleston, South Carolina, where formerly enslaved African Americans gathered to dedicate the graves of Union prisoners of war.Waterloo, New York: In 1966, the federal government officially declared Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of the holiday. Waterloo first held a community-wide, organized observance on May 5, 1866.The First National Decoration DayGeneral Order No. 11: On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (an organization of Union veterans), established "Decoration Day".May 30: He chose May 30 as the official date, likely because it was a time when spring flowers were in full bloom across the nation.First Official Ceremony: The first major national celebration took place on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, where participants decorated both Union and Confederate graves.Expansion to All WarsFor decades, Decoration Day strictly commemorated those who died in the Civil War.However, after the massive casualties of World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all American service members who have died in any conflict or war.Becoming a Modern Federal HolidayName Change: The term "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but it did not fully replace "Decoration Day" until after World War II.Uniform Monday Holiday Act: Congress passed an act in 1968 making Memorial Day an official federal holiday.Last Monday in May: Instead of keeping the traditional May 30 date, the holiday was moved to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend. This change officially went into effect in 1971.Traditions and MeaningRemembrance Symbols: The red poppy has long been a symbol of remembrance on Memorial Day, inspired by the World War I poem In Flanders Fields.Meaning vs. Veterans Day: Unlike Veterans Day, which honors all living and deceased U.S. military veterans, Memorial Day is specifically set aside to mourn and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving.

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

05/18/2026

SP4 Frank A Herda, a Cleveland Ohio Native… served in Vietnam and passed in 2023. Now buried in Cleveland OH.

Specialist Herda's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Herda (then Pfc.) distinguished himself while serving as a grenadier with Company A. Company A was part of a battalion-size night defensive perimeter when a large enemy force initiated an attack on the friendly units. While other enemy elements provided diversionary fire and indirect weapons fire to the west, a sapper force of approximately 30 men armed with hand gr***des and small charges attacked Company A's perimeter from the east. As the sappers were making a last, violent assault, 5 of them charged the position defended by Sp4c. Herda and 2 comrades, 1 of whom was wounded and lay helpless in the bottom of the foxhole. Sp4c. Herda fired at the aggressors until they were within 10 feet of his position and 1 of their gr***des landed in the foxhole. He fired 1 last round from his gr***de launcher, hitting 1 of the enemy soldiers in the head, and then, with no concern for his safety, Sp4c. Herda immediately covered the blast of the gr***de with his body. The explosion wounded him grievously, but his selfless action prevented his 2 comrades from being seriously injured or killed and enabled the remaining defender to kill the other sappers. By his gallantry at the risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c. Herda has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

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05/16/2026

Don’t forget that today is the day!!!! Come on out this afternoon

Rain or Shine, the event goes on! If rain keeps us from planting today, we will have a Q&A on how to volunteer, sponsor and a detailed breakdown of what each bed consists of and what it has taken to get it where it is now

05/15/2026

The U.S military always maintains a global presence. This is why we R.E.D, remember everyone deployed.

This list only shows unclassified locations, our nations heroes are present in more locations than what you see listed here.

Next week is Memorial Day weekend. Always keep our troops in your prayers so we can celebrate them on Veterans Day and not another service member we must remember on Veterans Day.