Capt. John L. Weeks VFW Post 3142 was
established on March 6th, 1941, with James F. Pitts as the first appointed
Commander. There was no auxiliary until 1949, when President Audrey Hanna
served with Commander John Kahrs. In the following years, the Post and
Auxiliary members worked very hard to serve the military members,
veterans, and the Charleston community. Through the newspapers, radio and
television, they kept the public informed about what America could and
should mean to them. It was important to start this with the youth of our
country. Since this time, VFW Post 3142 has become a major contributor to
the community through many avenues and associations. Our post is
constantly visited by Comrades from other post homes, and we always go out
of our way to make them feel at home.
Providing grants to members with cancer, helping in the educational effort to make the public aware of the importance of early detection, and supporting research throughout the country are the activities involved in this program.
Created in 1947, the Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship program is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12 that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships.
Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy.
The VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship program provides a $5,000 award to an outstanding scout who is the recipient of a Boy Scout Eagle Award, a Venture Scouting Silver Award or a Sea Scout Quartermaster Award. Second-place winner receives a $3,000 award. Third-place winner receives $1,000.
Our Post members are also involved in numerous
community activities including sponsored Patriotic marches, entering
floats in local parades, donating food and clothing to the less fortunate
at Christmas time, participating in the annual March of Dimes Telerama,
and many, many other organizations. Post 3142 is definitely a VFW post
home with members who care about their veterans and active duty military
members, and we invite YOU to stop by and visit our home!
Don't forget to come out and join in on the fun
and dancing every Saturday night with Music and Entertainment by
The Tommy Ford Band and Bobbie Storm
Tell
'em Al sent ya!
In
remembrance of ALL veterans "both past and
present"
Please
click on the picture below and enjoy this tribute.
It really makes one think.....AND
REMEMBER!!!
About the VFW
The Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States, with its Auxiliaries, includes 2.2
million members in approximately 8,100 Posts worldwide.
Its mission is to "honor the
dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service,
national security and a strong national defense.
The VFW traces its roots
back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the
Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure
rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick.
There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them,and they were left
to care for themselves.
In their misery, some of these veterans banded
together and formed organizations with what would become known as the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed
in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum.
By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost
200,000.
Since then, the
VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans
Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development
of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam
vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War
Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI
Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to
America's active-duty service members, and members of the Guard and
Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical
centers services for women veterans.
Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam,
Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW
in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building
the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which is being constructed in
Washington, D.C., and is expected to open in 2010.
In 2001, VFW unveiled its
tribute to service and country with its dedication of Centennial Plaza.
Annually, VFW members and
its Auxiliary contribute more than 13 million hours of volunteerism in the
community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National
Volunteer Week.
From
providing $2.5 million in college scholarships to high school students
every year to encouraging elevation of the Veterans Administration to the
president's cabinet, the VFW is there--honoring the dead by helping the
living.
