VFW’s Day of Service

VFW members around the world delved into VFW’s third annual Day of Service this year, an initiative to engage veterans, service members and local advocates in a widespread attempt to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

This year’s Day of Service built on the success of the previous two years, as VFW Posts in all 50 states, as well as those in Europe, Cuba, the Philippines, Japan and Thailand, participated.

The results of this year’s Day of Service stemmed from a decision by VFW to continue to expand and conduct outreach campaigns months in advance. VFW National Headquarters alerted members with information in VFW magazine and through a robust social media campaign.

With the Day of Service hashtag used more than 3 million times across social and traditional media, the gospel of what VFW does in and around their communities spread universally, as more than 500 Posts around the world participated this year.

“You can’t walk in anyone else’s shoes because you don’t know where they’re at in their life,” said VFW Post 5408 Commander Dwayne Kilbourne, whose Post in Acworth, Georgia, hosted a drive-through food drive. “Hopefully, we brought a smile to someone’s face today — and who knows what that will do for them tomorrow.”

Like Kilbourne, Garrett Collins of VFW Post 2260 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, shared similar sentiments on the impact a Day of Service can have on their communities.

Post 2260 hosted a “Fill the Humvee” food drive, an event Garrett explained was a special way for veterans to continue doing something they enjoy.

“I like to serve,” Garrett added. “Even though we don’t wear our uniforms anymore, we still serve the community. It feels good to give.”

Other notable VFW Posts were 8273 in Frisco, Texas, which hosted the “Wall that Heals,” a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and VFW Post 3396 in Sparks, Nevada, whose members partnered with other groups to beautify their local high school.