The Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars traces its roots back to 1945 when veterans of World War II founded the local organization.
The National VFW is 115 years old. It established the Veterans Administration; created a GI Bill for the 20th Century, developed the national cemetery system, and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. The GI Bill for the 21st Century gives expanded educational benefits to America’s active duty service members, and members of the Guard and Reserves fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Annually the nearly 1.9 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make a Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.
From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president’s cabinet, the VFW is there.
Simply put, the members of Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies and Men’s Auxiliaries, Chapter 480, Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Modern Warfare contribute hundreds of volunteer hours as it strives to continue to do good things for deserving people, our veterans, their families, kids and veterans events in their communities.
The seventh annual Golf Tournament at Pheasant Hill Golf Course is a fundraiser to support local activities such as a free Children’s Picnic for 300-plus kids at Marvin Park. There’s a free movie at the Tioga Theatre for the kids with bicycles given away.
A second Golf Tournament raises funds to support the Tioga County Rural Ministry for Thanksgiving and Christmas projects for needy families. There’s also free bowling for the kids on “Black Friday”.
A Christmas Party draws a full house to Warner Hall and each child leaves with gifts worth $20.
VFW Post 1371 is very active with an Honor Guard to pay last respects at deceased veteran funerals and burials, on Memorial Day with “Flags In” for veterans graves in cemeteries, Memorial Day Parade and Service of Remembrance at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial to the deceased who served, around Memorial Day and Veterans Day the Veteran in the Classroom Program where veterans share personal stories to students, Veterans Day Honoring All Who Served, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Christmas wreaths on veteran graves during National Wreaths Across America, and working with Tioga Post 401 American Legion on veterans activities.
The VFW Post 1371 Ladies Auxiliary outreach includes programs with the post men, sending packages to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, donating money to food pantries, Flag Day Programs at Tioga County Schools, visits to Long Meadows, a concession stand at Thursday night Bingo, the purchase of Christmas wreaths at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial, special services for deceased members, various community service programs, support to the Junior Girls, and much more to be detailed next week.
The VFW Post 1371 Men’s Auxiliary is very active with virtually every program including important post dinners, Friday night dinners in Delmar Sibley Memorial Hall, parades, donations to veterans programs, Flags In at Evergreen Cemetery, Lowering and Raising Flags at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial whenever a New York State serviceman is killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, plus much more in a future article.
Chapter 480 Vietnam Veterans of America uses its annual Catfish Derby on the Susquehanna to raise funds to support veterans and youth programs including children’s theatre, food donations to Tioga County Rural Ministry, visits to veterans at the Oxford Veterans Home, bringing the Vietnam Wall That Heals to Owego Free Academy, the 24-Hour POW/MIA Vigil on National Recognition Weekend, and a very significant project undertaken by its leader Bill Chandler to update the Tioga County Veterans Memorial in the Courthouse Square.
VFW Post 1371 members have a 69-year tradition to work every day to make a difference. More of what they do will be included in future Tioga County Veteran News Briefs.
Tell us more about what the VFW does for you and our community for future reports. Write your story in your own words and email to VFW Post 1371 Memorial Day Chair Jim Raftis at jraftis2@stny.rr.com.
