Here at the VFW Post 4174 in Lehigh Acres, we were excited to learn our VFW Commander in Chief, Tim Borland addressed a joint hearing of Senate and House VA committee members in March in Washington D.C. When he testified, he was backed by nearly 400 VFW and VFW Auxiliary members. The top of his list was more help for the veterans who had been exposed to toxins.

The VFW is doing its part by telling veterans about the new law, called the Honoring Our PACT, which was passed last year on March 8th, and helping them learn if they are eligible for VA disability compensation due to toxic exposures that were experienced while they were overseas.

While the VFW has made a lot of progress through the years, they are still disappointed with the VA’s poor handling of its own health record project. The VA has faced delays in developing the Electronic Health Modernization program, but its implementation would give the VA staff members seamless access to veterans military records.

All VFW posts have various missions they work towards and support wholeheartedly. Not only are they concerned with health issues, a big passion is to get people off the streets and into decent living quarters. The posts also want to honor its veterans and thank them for their sacrifices. This is done in many different ways, such as motorcycle rides to honor returning veterans, flag raising ceremonies, dinners, fund raisers to help families and the community.

Monuments are being erected across the nation to honor all veterans across the country , including a one of a kind museum in Pennsylvania which has been established and is the only women’s veteran museum. A retired Army sergeant major is credited with creating the Keystone State museum and she had wanted to do her part to ensure women are no longer “invisible”.

There is always something new happening at any VFW Post. If you’re interested, Lehigh Acres Post 4174 is located at 25 S. Homestead Road and we’d be happy to have you stop in to see what we’re all about. You’ll be happy you did!