Santa Paula VFW Post 2043

03/29/2026

🇺🇸 **Vietnam Veterans Day – March 29** 🇺🇸

Today we honor the brave men and women who served during the Vietnam War—your sacrifice, courage, and commitment will never be forgotten.

🎖 58,000+ Americans were killed in action (KIA)
🎖 Over 153,000 were wounded in action (WIA)
🎖 Approximately 835 Americans were prisoners of war (POWs)
🎖 Around 1,500+ remain missing in action (MIA)

Each number represents a life, a family, and a story that deserves to be remembered.

We also recognize the ongoing mission to bring every service member home and account for those still missing.

🇺🇸 Welcome home, Vietnam Veterans. 🇺🇸
Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

03/06/2026

As most of our community is aware, we are saddened that our VFW Life Member and longtime Quartermaster/Adjutant, Rey Frutos, has passed. Rey’s dedication to the VFW and to the Santa Paula community created a lasting impact that will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

He was instrumental in establishing school programs for Veterans Day and Memorial Day, helping teach our youth the meaning and importance of these days and ensuring that patriotic traditions continue in our community.

Rey’s leadership, service, and commitment left a lasting mark on our Post, our members, and the community he cared so deeply about. We are grateful for the time we had with him, for his leadership, and for the honor of calling him a comrade and friend.

He will be deeply missed. 🇺🇸

12/27/2025

A day after Christmas, in the rain, and without compensation, these dedicated members of the VFW and Santa Paula Veterans stepped forward to provide Military Funeral Honors for a fallen veteran🎖🪖.

No matter the weather, the timing, or the sacrifice required, they answered the call—ensuring our brother received his final salute with dignity, honor, and respect.

This is what service looks like beyond the uniform. Quiet professionalism. Selfless commitment. Brotherhood.

We are proud of every volunteer who stood tall, rendered honors, and reminded us that **NO VETERAN IS EVER FORGOTTEN**.

🇺🇸 Honor. Respect. Final Salute. 🇺🇸

12/24/2025

On behalf of all our members from VFW Mercer-Prieto Post 2043 and Santa Paula Veterans, We Wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

12/07/2025

On this day of remembrance, we honor the brave souls who faced the unimaginable at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Their sacrifice, courage, and unwavering devotion to our nation will never be forgotten. May we always cherish the freedoms they fought to protect. 🇺🇸

11/10/2025

Happy 250th Birthday Marines!!

11/06/2025

🇺🇸 VFW Post 2043 – Buddy Poppy Drive 🇺🇸

It’s that time again! Our semiannual Buddy Poppy🌸 Drive is here — the biggest fundraising event of the year for VFW Post 2043.

This Friday November 7th our members 🪖👨‍✈️🎖️will be at Vons from 10am-2pm and at the Post Office from 10am-12pm

Every donation helps us give back to the community we proudly serve. Funds raised go directly to support local veterans, families in need, and community organizations.

When you see our members out at Vons and the post office, stop by, say hello, and pick up a Buddy Poppy🌸 as a symbol of remembrance and support for those who have served🇺🇸.

❤️ Your generosity makes a real difference — thank you for helping us help others!

10/13/2025

Happy 250th Birthday Navy!!!

09/19/2025

National POW/MIA Recognition Day. This day is observed annually on the third Friday of September to honor all American prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action, along with their families. The day was established in 1979 after families of Vietnam War POW/MIAs sought greater accountability for their missing loved ones.

We remember and honor the sacrifices of U.S. service members held as prisoners of war (POWs) or listed as missing in action (MIAs).

Today also serves as a national commitment to never forget these service members and to continue the efforts to bring them home.

Santa Paula has 1 service member still unaccounted for, (MIA). Jim Ray Cavender, an Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 and pilot. CWO-3 Cavender went missing on November 4th, 1969 when his UH1H helicopter went missing during a combat support mission for the Vietnam War in the vicinity of Duc My Pass, South Vietnam. The helicopter's last radio transmission indicated they were having trouble. To this day, the crew or helicopter wreckage has never been found. Those lost along with CWO-3 Jim Ray Cavender: CWO Terry L. Alford, SP4 John A. Ware, and SP4 James R. Klimo.

We Will Never Forget

09/18/2025

Happy 78th Birthday! Fly, Fight, Win!

09/11/2025