Maricopa VFW Post 11012

05/01/2026

🐾 Attention Veterans and Active Duty Military! 🐾

Kern County Animal Services is hosting a Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic just for you!

Give your furry friends the care they deserve while keeping them healthy and happy.

📅 When: May 27th

📍 Where: Veterans Service Parking Lot (1120 Golden State Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93301)

📞 How to Book: Call 661-868-7146

⚠️ IMPORTANT: You MUST mention promo code "Veterans Service" when booking to secure your spot!

04/14/2026

Mark your calendars!

12/22/2025

Comrades and Commanders at all levels of the VFW.
As we enter Christmas and New Year, we are often asked to donate to worthy causes or to support individuals down on their luck including veterans. Please exercise the “prudence of a true soldier” as our VFW ritual directs us to do when confronted with situations of veterans needing assistance. Many veterans in fact need assistance and the VFW is exactly the organization and the people to lend that helping hand too. However, we all know there are those out there who have never served who claim veteran status and as is usual won their war all by themselves.

I am issuing this notice to all Departments regarding a recent situation involving a private citizen who falsely claimed to be a Medal of Honor recipient, a former Prisoner of War, a multiple Purple Heart recipient, and a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. These claims were made during requests for assistance at multiple VFW Posts.

Upon repeated inquiry, this individual failed to provide any documentation or verifiable proof of military service or award status and has exhibited hostile behavior when challenged. This appears to be a clear case of stolen valor, particularly as it involves false claims of the Medal of Honor—the nation's highest and most sacred military decoration.

Please take the following precautions:
Do not engage with individuals making unverified or suspicious claims of military service or high-level decorations.
Do not provide services, money, or organizational resources unless you are confident the individual is known to your Post or their service has been previously acknowledged through proper channels.
Be aware that some individuals may exploit the goodwill of the veteran community by fabricating military honors for personal gain.
If you feel threatened or if the individual becomes confrontational, prioritize safety and contact local authorities.

While we remain committed to serving and honoring all who served, we also have a duty to protect our members and uphold the integrity of the VFW.

If you or one of your Post encounters this individual or others making unverified claims of high-level honors, please notify your Department Headquarters immediately. Cases involving claims of the Medal of Honor or other top-tier decorations may also be reported to federal authorities under the Stolen Valor Act.

Thank you for your continued vigilance and dedication.

I also know that this time of year can bring anguish to those who survived traumatic experiences themselves or through the loss of a loved one. Know that we care and all we ask is that you reach out when the demons come as we will help you fight them, anyone of us will. Consider us your QRF. Buddy checks are approved and expected.

May all of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and please share this message with all.

Dan West
Adjutant General
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

09/10/2025

📣 Urgent: Veterans Need Your Help!

SB 694 (Archuleta) – the bill to stop predatory claim sharks – is being stalled in the California Senate Rules Committee. Claim sharks are applying pressure to block it.

👉 Veterans, families, and supporters: please call the Senators below TODAY and tell them:
“I support SB 694 – please release it to the Senate Floor!”

Senate Rules Committee Members:

Sen. Mike McGuire (Chair): 916-651-4002 – Arcata, Clearlake, Crescent City, Eureka, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Ukiah

Sen. Shannon Grove (Vice Chair): 916-651-4012 – Bakersfield, California City, Clovis, Ridgecrest, Taft, Maricopa, Visalia

Sen. Brian Jones: 916-651-4040 – Escondido, Mira Mesa, Poway, San Marcos, Santee

Sen. John Laird: 916-651-4017 – Monterey, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Salinas, Marina, Hollister, Soledad, Atascadero

Sen. Eloise Gomez Reyes: 916-651-4029 – Fontana, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Bloomington, Muscoy, Grand Terrace, Highland

⚠️ Please spread this to every veteran and supporter you know. The more calls, the stronger our voice.

09/05/2025

:📸 Four Local Veterans Honoring Local Fallen Veterans 🇺🇸

This year’s Taft College Cougar Cookout is happening Thursday, October 2nd, from 5–8 PM, hosted by the Taft College Foundation. It’s a night of honor and celebration where local sponsors and veterans are recognized, and eligible veterans (those who served prior to 1975) are gifted a free seat on a future Honor Flight.

I say again, October 2nd, from 5-8 PM - mark your calendars 📆

✈️ Honor Flight Kern County takes veterans from Bakersfield to Washington D.C., where they receive first-class treatment while visiting our nation’s military monuments, the U.S. Capitol, and memorials built to honor their service and sacrifice. Each veteran is accompanied by a “Guardian,” who ensures the experience is memorable and meaningful.

👉 If you know a veteran who qualifies, please encourage them to consider this trip. Many hesitate, thinking “others deserve it more than me.” That’s just us veterans being stubborn—but every veteran deserves this honor.

♿ Wheelchairs are available for the Honor Flight trip to ensure all veterans can fully experience it—but they are not required to use them if they don’t want to. Please don’t let hesitation stand in the way of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

💺 The Cougar Cookout itself is free for all veterans—just call the Taft College Foundation to reserve a ticket: (661) 763-7936.

🙏 Thank you to our active-duty service members, veterans, and the families who support them every single day.

09/05/2025

🇺🇸 September is Hunger Action Month 🇺🇸

At VFW Post 11012, we stand with our partners at CAPK Food Bank in the fight against hunger. Together, we’re proud to provide meaningful nutrition to our neighbors who might otherwise go without a meal.

Over the past few years, we’ve grown in both capability and resolve, and we remain committed to serving the Maricopa community in this vital mission of food security.

💛 Thank you to all who support and volunteer—you make this possible!

08/29/2025

08/23/2025

Three days into demolition at VFW Post 11012. It’s not much to look at right now, but the empty space left behind will soon be filled with a new hall built to support veterans, their families, and our community.

We couldn’t be prouder of everyone who has stepped up and volunteered—especially today in 100°+ heat. It’s crunch time, and deadlines don’t wait for the weather.

We’ve still got a few days of work to go, and we’d love to have more volunteers join us if you’re able. Every helping hand makes a difference! 🇺🇸

08/21/2025

Mark your calendars 📅

Come help welcome home 102 year old WWII vet back from his trip with Gary Sinise!!!

August 29, 2025 @ 6 PM
Meadows Field

08/21/2025

Community Food Drive Reminder

Our monthly food drive is made possible by the hard work of dedicated volunteers and the support of our community. To keep this program safe and welcoming for everyone, we ask all participants to follow the rules and treat our volunteers with respect.

I just want to put this out as a general reminder for our community to be kind. Threatening, harassing, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Violations of the program’s standards may result in suspension or even indefinite removal from participation in the food drive.

We appreciate the cooperation of all who help us keep this service available to families in need. Thank you for respecting the efforts of our volunteers and supporting the mission of the VFW to serve veterans, their families, and the community.

Respectfully,

Cory Morse

Post Commander
VFW Post 11012