Oct 25, 2019
Army Pvt. 1st Class Lynn Phar was honorably discharged in 2018 and currently is unable to work. But he has received some financial relief as one of the latest recipients of VFW’s Unmet Needs grants.
Established in 2004, the program issues grants up to $1,500 to assist active-duty military, veterans and their families. Burger King franchisees have supported the program through fundraising efforts for more than a decade.
Phar served in Afghanistan from May 2016 to February 2017 with the Army’s 3rd Cavalry Regiment, as an infantryman. He received a 70 percent disability rating from VA due to a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis and currently is unable to work or seek employment.
Phar learned about the program while researching online, and said he applied for the grant in July. He received $250.
The grant, he said, “meant a lot” in his time of need.
“It’s very essential because getting out and transitioning back to civilian [life] is pretty hard,” Phar said.
He added that the grant helped pay for food, utilities and “other necessities.”
However, he said that it is important to have documentation in order when applying.
“Overall, it’s a very excellent program,” Phar said.
For more information about how to apply for an Unmet Needs grant, vfw.org/unmetneeds.
This article is featured in the November/December 2019 issue of VFW Checkpoint. If you're a Post, District or Department Commander and aren't receiving the Checkpoint e-newsletter, please contact the VFW magazine at magazine@vfw.org.