VFW DISPATCH – June 2016

Meet Us in Charlotte!

117th VFW National Convention set for July 23-27 in Charlotte, N.C.

Are you headed to the 117th VFW National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.? Make sure you don’t miss out and register today! Join us as we honor award recipients, hear from several guest speakers and distinguished guests and guide the VFW into the future! Get the details here.

VFW Announces Scout of the Year Award Recipients

Three Scouts eclipse peers to receive national distinction.

The VFW proudly announced the names of three Scouts selected as national winners of the Scout of the Year scholarship program. First-place winner Elena I. Crespo of San Diego, Calif., will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Grant Mercer from Marietta, Ga., was awarded second-place and will receive a $3,000 scholarship. Third-place winner Katie Prior of Oklahoma City, Okla., will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Read more about this year’s winners.

VFW Auxiliary Celebrates a Historic Year in Membership

The VFW Auxiliary has seen a remarkable year of growth and change.

For the first time in more than two decades, the VFW Auxiliary has achieved more than 100% in membership, it proudly announced last week. The VFW Auxiliary is made up of more than 464,000 male and female members representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several foreign-based Auxiliaries. Find out more about their remarkable year of growth and positive change.

VFW Post 1012 Teams Up With Students to Honor Veterans

#VFWPostPride is a great way to show how your Post makes an impact.

Students from McGlynn Middle School in Medford, Mass., teamed up with VFW Post 1012 and American Legion Post 45 to decorate veterans’ graves in honor of Memorial Day. If your Post has a similar story, be sure to share your event on social media using #VFWPostPride. Discover what other VFW Posts, Districts and Departments are doing in communities worldwide.

VA to Review Thousands of Brain Injury Evaluations

More than 24,000 post-9/11 veterans could qualify.

If you’re a post-9/11 veteran with a traumatic brain injury but were denied disability compensation by VA between 2007 and 2015, you may have another chance to receive their benefits. The VA recently announced that more than 24,000 veterans could qualify to receive another medical exam for brain injury without having to refile a claim. Get more information and find out what to expect next if you believe you qualify.

VFW Auxiliary Announces Scholarship Winners

The Continuing Education Scholarship helps recipients further their education.

The VFW Auxiliary announced the winners of its annual Continuing Education Scholarship, which assists Auxiliary members and their immediate family members who wish to further their education with a $1,000 college scholarship. Winners selected from each of the four Auxiliary Conferences were: Amanda Williams of Almena, Wis.; Kyla Marino of Carthage, N.Y.; Stacy Cremeans of Conroe, Tex.; and Drema Harmon, of Tucson, Az. Read more about the winners.