The last year was a special one for Ward Roney Jr. VFW Post 7511 in Monroe, Washington. For the fourth year in a row, it received All-State and All-American recognition. And it’s easy to see why. In addition to performing many hours of community service, raising thousands of dollars to support several causes and engaging the community, it also celebrated a few exciting firsts.
Partnering with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Post became the first Purple Heart Post in the state of Washington. Building on those efforts, it helped Monroe become the fourth Purple Heart City in the state and helped Snohomish County become a Purple Heart County as well. Today, thanks to the Post’s ongoing work, nearly every city in Snohomish County is a Purple Heart City.
In addition to honoring fallen heroes, Post 7511 works to inspire future Americans. This past year, it awarded its first $1,000 college scholarship to a Monroe High School senior.
Amid these greater acts of service and generosity, the Post was hard at work serving others. Post members clocked nearly 3,000 hours of community service, traveling more than 17,000 miles to lend support where needed. From cleaning veteran headstones to facilitating patriotic and youth programs to recognizing first responders and so much more, VFW Post 7511 stepped up time and again and motivated others to do the same.
After donating materials and building a new wheelchair ramp for a veteran and his family, one Post member urged others to “get out and help.”
Julie Hendrickson, a friend of the Post, admires members’ enthusiasm and determination to come together for the greater good.
“Post 7511 is so worthy of this honor,” she said. “Over the last six years, I’ve watched the Post come back from the brink and emerge a thriving, flourishing Post that lives to serve veterans and the community. They truly walk the talk.”
Recently, the Post hosted its annual Flags for Our Fallen golf tournament and is gearing up to participate in Wreaths Across America in December. Its efforts on behalf of veterans and their families never let up. For that reason, the VFW is proud to recognize VFW Post 7511 and its members who are #StillServing.