Temecula Valley VFW Post 4089 and its Men’s and Ladies Auxiliaries adopted the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469 Vengeance last November through the VFW National Military Assistance Program’s (MAP) Adopt-a-Unit.
Through Adopt-a-Unit, VFW Posts and their Auxiliaries are able to develop supportive relationships with military units and help deliver the vast network of resources the VFW has available for those serving in the military and their families.
To kick-off the adoption, members of Post 4089 served a holiday breakfast to 600-800 active-duty Marines in HMLA-469, their families and friends. Our Heroes Journey, a non-profit group created to support service members, provided gifts for children, there was a visit by Santa Claus and an appearance by Hollywood producer and director J.J. Abrams, who gave away Bad Robot Productions gift-boxes to every family.
VFW staff from Riverside County VFW District 23 were also present to explain to the troops the many benefits the VFW has to offer.
MAP provided financial assistance to cover the groceries that were used to provide the breakfast for the Squadron’s event. Post 4089 also purchased 16, 20-lb. turkeys to give away through a free raffle, so families could have a Christmas turkey dinner.
During the Adopt-a-Unit Certificate presentation, the Commanding Officer of HMLA-469, Lt. Col. Stephen Lightfoot expressed that the VFW is an organization that has been and will always be there to champion veterans’ rights and benefits. VFW Post 4089 Commander Donald Durnil responded by saying that the core values of the VFW are to be there for all veterans: before, during and after deployment.
To learn more about VFW’s Adopt-a-Unit or other National Military Services programs, click here.