Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Arizona

VFS MEETING - NOVEMBER

Following the October 27 ‘Patriotic Pumpkin Party’, which was a smashing success, the Veterans and Family Support (VFS) Committee held their November meeting at VFW-10188 to focus on planned events in November and December. All components of the VFS-Family were in attendance: Military Family Readiness (FRG) groups and the American Red Cross with the VFW represented by VFS Chair and LAVFW-10188 Treasurer Kim Sloan; Department Vice President and LAVFW-549 President ‘Ronnie’ Heinemann; LAVFW-10188 President Eileen Bedel; with Youth Activities Chair & 640th Unit-Mom Chrissy Harlan. The next few weeks will be very busy for VFW Post and Auxiliary members:

November 12: Tucson Veterans Day Parade (contact Gary Harlan for particulars about this event).

November 17: VFW and Auxiliary 10188 is host for its 15th annual ‘VA Patient Thanksgiving Dinner’ about 1030 at VFW-10188. Contact Chaplain Bob DiVarco for details about this event.

November 18: The “Ride For Cancer” bus departs from VFW-549 at 0700 for Laughlin. This activity is entering its 20th consecutive year and continues to be organized by its creator, ‘Ronnie’ Heinemann.

November 18: Christmas ‘Stocking Stuffing Party’ for deployed soldiers are hosted by FRGs at the Valencia Armory beginning at 1000. Contact Kim Sloan for particulars about this event.

November 18: Distribution of turkeys to Military families will be held at the Valencia Armory in conjunction with the ‘Stocking Stuffing’ party.

December 1: FRG Unit Christmas Parties are held at different locations. Contact Kim Sloan for particulars about these events.

Planning for the return of Arizona National Guard soldiers from Afghanistan, hopefully by January, is a ‘works-in-processes’. For particulars about this activity contact VFS Chair Kim Sloan.

Pictured are some of the VFS Committee members at their November meeting planning future activities.

Pictured is Red Cross Military Representative Cheryl Bender who is ‘showing-off’ a sample stocking (this one made by American Legion volunteer) that will be filled during the “Stocking Stuffing Party” at Tucson’s Valencia Armory on November 18. The stockings will then be delivered to Arizona National Guard soldiers who are deployed all over the Middle East.