Sgt. Harold O. Young VFW Auxiliary to Post 2394

Sgt. Harold O. Young VFW Auxiliary to Post 2394 The VFW Auxiliary supports the VFW, serves veterans, active-duty military and their families, and spreads patriotism nationwide.

The Programs Of The VFW Auxiliary

Veterans and Family Support
Assist veterans, active duty military, and homeless through programs such as:
★ Operation Uplink – a free calling card program for active duty military and hospitalized veterans
★ Unmet Needs, Military Assistance Program, and Buddy Poppy drives – financial assistance for active duty military and veterans
★ Sports Clips ‘Help A Hero’ Sc

holarship – a $5,000 scholarship to continue education
★ The VFW National Home for Children – provide housing for spouse and children of active duty military and veterans who would otherwise go homeless

Americanism
★ Flag etiquette, promote patriotism and observance of patriotic holidays, American flag and POW/MIA flag presentations, POW/MIA recognition ceremonies, National Citizenship Education Teacher Award, awareness of struggles effecting the military and their families

Hospital and VAVS
★ Volunteer at hospitals, VAs, nursing homes, non-VA medical centers and clinics

Youth Activities
★ Sponsor or work with youth groups and Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans

Legislative
★ Contact congressmen about VFW Priority Goals and pending legislation on veteran related issues and promote ‘Get Out The Vote’

Scholarships
★ Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest - grades 9-12. First place prize is $30,000
★ Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest - grades 6-8. First place prize is $10,000
★ Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest - grades 9-12. First place prize is $10,000
★ Continuing Education Scholarship – for member, spouse or child of member. $1,000 Scholarship

State President’s Special Project
★ Each year, our State President chooses a fundraising project. This year’s donations will go to Hero Stars of Cape Cod.

VFW Auxiliary-National Organization Favorites ·36m ·Promote and support reading among youth with Patriotism through Lite...
06/19/2026

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Promote and support reading among youth with Patriotism through Literacy. This simple, fun and low-cost (potentially free) initiative introduces youth to historical figures and teaches them about events in our nation’s history while fostering a love of reading that can lead to a lifetime of learning.
Download a suggested book list under Member Resources – Youth Activities behind MALTA member login or check it out on our website: https://vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities/
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VFW Auxiliary-National OrganizationFavorites ·6h ·See a child thanking a veteran? Witness a youth place their hand on th...
06/17/2026

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See a child thanking a veteran?
Witness a youth place their hand on their heart correctly?
Know a child who can sing the national anthem?
Spot a child being respectful during patriotic events?
Reward them with a Random Acts of Patriotism card!
R.A.P. cards are appropriate for elementary age youth. Find them behind MALTA member login under Member Resources today. See less

VFW Action Corps WeeklyJune 15, 2026 Click here for a printer-friendly version of this week's Action Corps Weekly. VFW H...
06/15/2026

VFW Action Corps Weekly
June 15, 2026

Click here for a printer-friendly version of this week's Action Corps Weekly.



VFW Honor the Contract
VFW Strongly Opposes Cuts to Veteran Disability Benefits: Congress is considering the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, legislation that would fund new veterans' benefits by cutting disability ratings for tinnitus and sleep apnea, which by VA's own numbers would affect up to 1.5 million veterans and remove $57 billion from veterans' disability compensation over ten years. The VFW strongly opposes the bill as currently drafted. "Veterans' benefits are an earned obligation of the nation, a promise made through the military service contract, and should not be financed through offsets, fee increases or reductions that place additional burdens on veterans, military families and survivors," said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore in her statement condemning the bill’s funding mechanism. "A grateful nation pays its debts to veterans; it does not send them the invoice." The VFW urges all advocates to contact their members of Congress and demand they Honor the Contract. Take action now.

VFW Podcast Episode 66
House Lawmaker Featured Guest on Podcast: House Committee on Armed Services member Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., a VFW Life member of Sharpsburg, Pa., VFW Post 709, joined co-hosts Rob and Brittany, as well as VFW National Legislative Service Director Kristina Keenan and Associate Director Joy Craig, for a brief conversation spanning life in Congress as a veteran, VA health care and diverse challenges facing service members like family well-being, repairing equipment in the field, and military transition. VFW staff also provided in-depth Capitol Hill updates on the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, the Major Richard Star Act, justice for Camp Lejeune water contamination victims, and the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act. Listen to episode 66, "The Mission Came First,” on your favorite podcast platform or watch it on YouTube.

Major Richard Star Act press event
House Press Conference on Major Richard Star Act: The VFW joined fellow veteran and military organizations, lawmakers and advocates at a press conference on Capitol Hill supporting the Major Richard Star Act. This legislation would end the offset that prevents many combat-injured veterans who were medically retired from receiving both their full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation. During the event, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano, D-Calif., and supporters called for additional signatures on a discharge petition that could bring the bill to the House floor for a vote. The VFW remains committed to ending this long-standing inequity and ensuring combat-injured veterans receive the full benefits they earned through their service and sacrifice. Watch the press conference.

Gabby Pannel
Service Does Not Stop: VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Gabby Kubinyi participated in a Flag Day panel discussion in Washington, D.C., hosted by We the Veterans and Military Families. Along with leaders from veteran and military family organizations, Kubinyi, who is a military widow, discussed how VFW members, military families and surviving spouses continue serving their communities after military service and loss. The panel highlighted the role service organizations play in fostering civic engagement, volunteerism and community connections across America.
Washington, D.C. VA hospital sign
Chapter 35 Benefit Ending for Secondary Education: Beginning Aug. 1, 2026, the VA Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA or Chapter 35) program will no longer cover high school coursework, GED preparation, tutoring or academic remediation. This change as required by Public Law 117–328 limits DEA to post-secondary education. Students enrolled before Aug. 1 may finish their current term, but no additional secondary-level terms will be covered. VA announced it is notifying affected beneficiaries and will provide guidance to schools. Read more about DEA benefits or submit questions to Ask VA.

The POW/MIA flag flying in the breeze
MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced no identifications or burial updates this week.

VFW Auxiliary-National Organization3h ·Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army! From the official website of the U.S.Army, "Sinc...
06/14/2026

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Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army!
From the official website of the U.S.Army, "Since its official establishment, June 14, 1775 — more than a year before the Declaration of Independence — the U.S. Army has played a vital role in the growth and development of the American nation."
Did you join the Auxiliary under the eligibility of an Army veteran?
Let us know in the comments! See less

VFW Auxiliary-National OrganizationFavorites ·7h ·Today is Flag Day! Flag Day has been observed for more than 150 years,...
06/14/2026

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Today is Flag Day!
Flag Day has been observed for more than 150 years, but its origins can be traced all the way back to June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress declared, "The Flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation."
In 1861, a celebration of the American Flag in Hartford, Connecticut focused on the Americanization of immigrant children, in 1889 the principal of a free kindergarten for the poor in New York City started a Flag Day initiative that caught the eye of the State Department of Education, and in 1893, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, a direct descendent of Benjamin Franklin, proposed a resolution to the city of Philadelphia to observe June 14 as Flag Day (unfortunately, as she was a woman, this was largely ignored). Presidents Wilson and Coolidge, in 1916 and 1927, issued proclamations declaring June 14 Flag Day, but it was not until 1949 that President Truman signed it into law.
The VFW Auxiliary considers observances of Flag Day and of the American Flag itself an important part of the Americanism Program. Past and present traditions involving the Flag have included distributing them to immigrants who celebrating their new citizenship, participating in Flag retirement ceremonies alongside the VFW, welcoming visiting National Presidents with an Aisle of Flags, replacing tattered or faded Flags flying in front of local businesses, placing Flags on veterans' graves over Memorial Day weekend, carrying Flags during parades and teaching children about the history and meaning of the American Flag in schools through picture books and youth programs.
Happy Flag Day from the VFW Auxiliary! See less

VFW Auxiliary-National Organization updated their cover photo.Favorites ·5h ·We wish our members, veterans, followers an...
06/14/2026

VFW Auxiliary-National Organization updated their cover photo.
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We wish our members, veterans, followers and supporters a very happy Flag Day (June 14)! 🇺🇸

VFW Auxiliary-National OrganizationFavorites ·4h ·Keep up to date about legislation impacting veterans by following the ...
06/14/2026

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Keep up to date about legislation impacting veterans by following the VFW and signing up for Action Alerts. Read more about newly proposed legislation in this :
Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW

June 11 at 5:19 PM
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“Congress should Honor the Contract and strengthen veterans' programs without creating new costs for those who sacrifice in service to our country. A grateful nation pays its debts to veterans; it does not send them the invoice.” - VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore
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VFW Auxiliary-National OrganizationFavorites ·1h ·Today is is National Women Veterans Recognition Day.As explained by th...
06/12/2026

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Today is is National Women Veterans Recognition Day.
As explained by the VA, this is not a Veterans Day just for women, but a celebration of the signing of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act in 1948, which was significant in that is allowed women the right to permanently and fully serve in the regular armed forces (and to be recognized as veterans after doing so).
Prior to the signing of this act, military women (save for nurses) were sent home after each conflict. Many were not treated as veterans who served their nation, but like civilians. They were often denied the rights and benefits afforded to men who'd served beside them, simply because of their gender. The act "deemed women essential to war efforts and allowed them to serve in the regular armed forces full time," (Missina Schallus, VA news).
Women have served in conflicts and wars throughout America's history, including the Civil War and the Revolutionary War, in positions as nurses and support staff (and even as spies!).
The VA notes, "Currently, Women Veterans Recognition Day is a state-recognized commemoration. This year, the states of Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah... and Wisconsin will recognize" it, as will the Virgin Islands.
With that in mind, today and every day we salute women veterans, regardless of when, where, how or how long they served, or whether they reside in a state that recognizes the holiday. Thank you all. See less

VFW Auxiliary-National OrganizationFavorites ·16h ·Are you familiar with the Missing Man Table?This table is set up in m...
06/09/2026

VFW Auxiliary-National Organization
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Are you familiar with the Missing Man Table?
This table is set up in memory of those who did not make it home. In MALTA, we have resources for VFW Auxiliary members who would like to set one up and/or hold a Missing Man Table ceremony. In addition, those wishing to share the significance of this with children can do so using the book America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven, illustrated by Mike Benny, as part of Patriotism Through Literacy, our Youth Activities initiative.

VFW Action Corps WeeklyJune 8, 2026 Click here for a printer-friendly version of this week's Action Corps Weekly. VFW Ge...
06/09/2026

VFW Action Corps Weekly
June 8, 2026

Click here for a printer-friendly version of this week's Action Corps Weekly.



VFW General Counsel John Muckelbauer Camp Lejeune rally
VFW Joins Camp Lejeune Rally on Capitol Hill: The VFW stood united with Camp Lejeune veterans and their families as part of a two-day rally on Capitol Hill calling for congressional action on H.R. 4145, the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025. VFW General Counsel John Muckelbauer shared the powerful story of his brother, Matt, a fellow Marine who died of cancer resulting from exposure to toxic water while stationed on Camp LeJeune. His personal and poignant testimony underscored the human cost of the decades-long contamination and the VFW’s urgent call for justice. Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci and National Legislative Committee Chairman Jason Johns also spoke in support of Camp LeJeune victims and urged Congress to act. Although Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in 2022, fewer than 1% of the more than 408,000 claims filed by victims of toxic water exposure have resulted in compensation. Watch their remarks.

Jason Johns VFW member visits White House
VFW Discusses Priorities with White House: VFW National Legislative Committee Chairman Jason Johns joined Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci and National Legislative Service Director Kristina Keenan at the White House for a meeting to discuss the VFW’s priority goals. The delegation provided Trump Administration staff with updates on its major policy priorities for the year, like the Major Richard Star Act, improving military transition, justice for victims of Camp LeJeune toxic water, safer prescribing of psychiatric medication, and the President’s recent executive order on alternative treatments for mental health. Johns also left behind his challenge coin from his term as VFW Wisconsin state commander for the White House’s military and public service challenge coin display in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Dental Hill Day
Dental Care for Veterans Hill Day: The VFW joined the Oral Health Progress & Equity Network (OPEN) Hill Day 2026 advocating for veteran oral health. Of the more than 9 million veterans eligible for medical care through VA, only 26% are also eligible for dental care. During the event, advocates met with House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Julia Brownley to illustrate the connection between consistent access to dental services and a veteran’s overall health. “Dental care is health care that can impact well-being and quality of life. The VFW supports efforts like H.R. 210, Dental Care for Veterans Act, to make dental care a standard benefit for all veterans enrolled in VA,” commented VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Meggan Coleman, who leads the VFW’s VA health care legislative efforts.

Radiation Roundtable
Nevada VFW Members Participate in Radiation Exposure Roundtable: VFW Department of Nevada Commander Candace Lopez and National Legislative Committee Member Daniel Sanders participated in a roundtable at the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas organized by House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano. Sanders presented input from VFW members including that veterans exposed to radiation in the United States are not currently covered by the PACT Act. He reminded attendees that contaminated areas were left open to winds and spread beyond the local sites. He also noted that the Department of Energy publicly acknowledged certain contaminations and has taken care of affected people, while the Department of Defense still has not acknowledged that people worked at these same locations.
VFW attends HVAC Roundtable
VFW-pushed Foreclosure Avoidance Program Available Soon: Coming just weeks after VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Joe Grassi urged its implementation, VA has introduced a Partial Claim program in accordance with the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (Public Law 119-31). This VFW-supported legislation provides a new option to help veterans who are at least three months delinquent on mortgage payments to avoid foreclosure. The program is a part of the VA Loss Mitigation Waterfall process in which a loan manager or lending institution may advance funds to bring a loan current with VA reimbursing that amount. The remaining balance is repaid interest free when the loan is paid off, sold or transferred. Veterans must complete a three-month trial payment plan to demonstrate they can resume payments before receiving assistance. Applications for the program will open on June 15, 2026. Learn more.

Gabby Forum
Strategies for Grassroots to Grasstops Advocacy: VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Gabriella Kubinyi presented the VFW’s viewpoints during the 2026 Buzz Advocacy Summit in Annapolis, Md., highlighting how strong advocacy organizations are built through long-term investment in people, relationships and local leadership. During the session on developing strategies for grassroots advocates to engage at a higher grasstops level, Kubinyi explained how the VFW develops trusted community advocates who are equipped to build lasting relationships with lawmakers and congressional staff. Drawing on the VFW’s nationwide advocacy structure and member-driven approach, she emphasized that meaningful influence is built over years of consistent engagement, training and credibility within local communities.

Runner AmputeeVA Streamlines Prosthetic Limb Delivery for Veterans: VA has taken steps to speed up the delivery of prosthetic limbs for veterans by implementing a new policy announced by VA Secretary Doug Collins. Previously, all prosthetic limb purchases required a review by a contracting officer, delaying the process. Under the new policy, about 95% of prosthetic limb orders no longer need contracting officer reviews while some purchases by local purchasing agents can now be made directly with local suppliers. VA reports these changes have already reduced wait times by 10 days. Once the new process is fully implemented across VA facilities, average delivery times are expected to drop from 94 days to 54 days. Annually, more than 45,000 veterans with major limb loss rely on VA prosthetic care. This new process aims to ensure they receive the high-quality prosthetic care they need as quickly as possible. Learn more.
The POW/MIA flag flying in the breeze
MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced no identifications or burial updates.

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