Veterans Day 2020 presentation in Meeker, CO | LUCAS TURNER PHOTO
RBC | What does a veteran do when they are separated from the military? The answer is pretty simple for those that are members of one of these organizations, they continue to serve.
This article is to inform the residents of Rio Blanco County what the VFW and American Legion are doing to serve the community, whether you’re a veteran or not.
One of the most popular and most used services is in the area of medical needs such as wheelchairs (both standard and electric as well as the electric scooters), hospital beds, crutches, walkers, knee scooters, shower chairs, and bedside commodes. These items are available for short or long term use at no cost.
We maintain a fund for the reimbursement of travel expenses for medical services and other emergency needs of our local veterans. There is a separate fund that we can draw on for veterans that are traveling through our area and have an emergency need.
We maintain a stock of high quality U.S. Flags that we will sell to the public.
The VFW/Auxiliary and the American Legion also provide color and honor guards for sporting events, funerals and parades.
Some other services that we provide would be assistance with minor construction needs, such as a temporary wheelchair ramp.
The VFW Auxiliary maintains and administers a scholarship fund for the local high school graduates.
The American Legion Chaplain, Reverend (retired) John Wall is available to counsel veterans and other members of the community, by appointment free of charge.
So, who is eligible to join these organizations? For the VFW you have to have served in an area where there has been an armed conflict involving U.S. forces (including a tour of duty in Korea post armistice). If you served in any branch of the military regardless of the time period, you are eligible to join the American Legion. The VFW Auxiliary, no longer the “Ladies Auxiliary,” is now open to men as well. If you have a parent, grandparent, brother or sister that served in a war theatre you would be welcome to join the Auxiliary.
Finally, a plea to our local veterans to come join us so that these organizations will continue to be able to serve our community. All three organizations meet on the second Thursday of each month in a combined meeting at 5:30 p.m., or if you remember your military time, that’s 1730 hours.
By ROB BAUGHMAN – Special to the Herald Times
