vfwpineisland

Our VFW Posts are in trouble.

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 04:31:30 GMT

Our VFW Posts are in trouble.

Please read this article:
VFW Posts Are Dying. They Need …

From Commander Tom,

I recently came across another hit piece article on the VFW [and Legion to be fair] that we are a dying, smoking, old men’s bar. In the article, several of the members seemed to be proud of their personal barstools! I’m all for being proud of your Post [you may have heard me talk about your Pockets of Patriotism in the past], but we can do better.

We have such a wonderful story to tell and it doesn’t involve smoking and drinking. We have our legislative victories, our stellar claims machine, community service, and Youth Audio Essay programs to name just a few. THAT’S what we need to be telling reporters when they come knocking. Don’t give them what THEY want, tell them what WE really are! It’s easy for our more seasoned members to harken back to days of old when smoking and drinking were the norm. And it’s easy for the older members to say the newer veterans don’t care about this or that. Well, that is simply old man “Get off my lawn” talk and we need to stop it! Newer members won’t join if that’s what they hear and I don’t blame them one bit.

The media thrives on hit piece stories. The reporters are trying to look like Woodward and Bernstein cracking the Watergate case [ok, newer folks google that! :- ) ] Let’s give them the positive information. Let’s be proud of the VFW. Has membership declined since the early 90’s? Yes. That’s a fact. Is it killing the VFW? I think we have proven this year that it hasn’t. We have done more this year than in many of the past years. We don’t focus on membership…we focus on why we are here and that is for service and legislation. As long as we have one living member in the VFW that’s what we are chartered to do and that’s what we will continue to do!

Please let your Posts know that if they get a media inquiry they should be contacting your state headquarters as a heads up and for guidance. Maybe you can get an officer to show up and help the interview. I’m not upset with the local members who get caught up in the moment. That can easily happen. Reporters are great trolls and they want people to dish. That’s their job. Add in a few drinks and it goes downhill from there. Let’s help our local Posts be better with the media.

You are all leaders and I’m proud to be a member of Class 122. We are doing great things and for the next several months we will continue to do great things! The time is now so let’s get to it!

Fritz Mihelcic
Commander in Chief
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Baby Leah Rose is 2 Months Old

Tue, 16 May 2023 02:34:46 GMT

Here is an updated picture of my granddaughter.

She is now two months old and we are super anxious to head north to spend some time with her.

It will have to wait until after Memorial Day.

Commander Scott

WWII Vet Wilbur Riepel Sr Birthday Celebration

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 02:53:51 GMT

Today, I went to visit a WWII Vet named Wilbur Riepel Sr at the request of son Ron Rieple a Vietnam Vet. It was a very enjoyable visit, Wilbur is 102 and is doing quite well, Ron is also doing well. Every effort should be made to visit these two warriors as often as possible, soon all the WWII vets will be gone and we are fortunate to have one on the island. I will guarantee that it will be an enjoyable visit, both are very engaging men and Wilbur is surprisingly sharp and aware. He served in Italy during WWII with the Army Air Corps and was in a B-24 squadron. Please let’s get this done I will make an effort to go as frequently as I can, everyone should try to stop by also it will be a great memory. Phone number is 239 283 7865 address is 5717 Cubles Dr Pine Island. Let me know if you can help with this mission !!!

Tom

Wilbur’s birthday is in May. He will be 103 and plans will be made to make it a big celebration on the island with all our partners involved. So, stand by for more info will definitely need a WWII era jeep if anyone knows of one.

Post 4353 Commander Scott is a Grandpa!

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 02:39:33 GMT

Baby Leah Rose. 5lbs 14oz. 18.5″
She’s healthy and so is mom. Dad couldn’t be happier.
Born 17 March 2023 at 3:28am. Almost 48 hours of labor.
Thank all of you and our members and customers for their support during this time!

Wilber Riepel SR Birthday Celebration

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 03:04:04 GMT

Flags for First Graders

On February 21, 2023 Members of VFW Post 4353 and its Auxiliary with the help from Elks Lodge 2781, educated the First Graders at Pine Island Elementary on the proper etiquette and history of the American flag. The students learned of the history and evolution of the flag that means so much to all Americans. VFW Commander Scott Zilch was proud to tell the first graders of the respect and reverence that he has for the flag, as a Navy Veteran he was familiar with the display and meaning of all the various flags throughout our country’s great history. Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge 2781, Ev Goodwin an Army veteran, told of the importance of the proper display and retirement of the national colors. VFW Auxiliary members Mike and Hether Thatcher also shared with the children the importance of the flag in our everyday lives. Dr Tom Millins had worked for the last few years to bring this program to Pine Island Elementary and was glad that it was finally able to become a reality. The teachers also participated and learned interesting facts about the history and of the formation of the current flag. Each student received a small flag and a coloring book /informational booklet. Fifty stars and Thirteen stripes have a meaning that all first graders at Pine Island know, states and original colonies. This program has been part of the Americanism initiative of the 40/8 Club, Voiture 1530 of the American Legion Post #284, for over 50 years and will continue to educate the future leaders (first graders) of the United States on the American Flag for many years to come. Greater Pine Island VFW Post 4353 is proud to bring this program to Pine Island and will continue this on a yearly basis.

VFW & Elks Partner Sunday Breakfast

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 03:06:29 GMT

VFW & Elks Partner Sunday Breakfast

Greater Pine Island VFW Post 4353 has been doing Sunday breakfast for many years and as a result of the destruction of the Elks Lodge they have partnered with the VFW to have breakfast every Sunday, the first and third staffed by Elks members and second fourth and fifth by the VFW.

January 29 was the first joint crew of volunteers and was a huge success with over one hundred meals served. The crew was made of new faces, Elks members Judy Hopkins, Denise Hoogstra and Jay and Leigh Lingwall, VFW members Chris and Chrystal Rogers, Tom Ferguson and Chef Ray Weber rounded out the crew. They all did an outstanding job. We hope that all had a great meal and that the turnout will grow.

Commander Scott Zilch of the VFW is proud to partner with Elks in this endeavor, No One Does More For Veterans and the Community !!

Training Leads to Action, Resulting in a Saved Life!

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 03:02:18 GMT

Training Leads to Action, Resulting in a Saved Life!

July 26, 2022

Wayne Walker, a life time member of Greater Pine Island, VFW Post 4353 in Saint James City, Florida who is the Manager of Richmond Fisher House at Hunter Holmes McGuire Hospital in Richmond Virginia saved a live of a veteran in cardiac arrest. Mr. Walker was traveling through the medical campus parking lot when he heard the pleas for help from the veteran’s spouse, upon arrival at the scene Wayne quickly assessed that the patient was unresponsive and immediately removed him from his vehicle and began CPR. He was assisted by other employees and the call was made to get an ambulance to the scene. It was determined that the patient needed assistance breathing, requiring an Ambu Bag, Mr. Walker sprinted the 100 yards to his office and retrieved a bag valve mask (BVM), once back to the scene with the use of the bag the patient was stabilized and handed over to the newly arrived EMT’s and ER personnel. Through Wayne’s selfless actions, prompt and effective CPR increased the odds of the survival and saved the distressed veteran.

Wayne Walker, a retired Army Command Sergeant Major with 25 years of service, numerous deployments, and a life member of VFW Post 4353, responded that he was confident in his training was grateful that his CPR certification and actions resulted in resuscitation of the patient. Mr. Walker returned to his normal duties as the manager of the Richmond Fisher House, he was later notified that the patient had been stabilized as a direct result of his timely intervention. Mr. Walker will be nominated for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Life Saving Award; his actions are in keeping with the high standards of the VFW and the Veterans Administration.

This incident is another example of how proper training and certification in CPR could result in positive, lifesaving outcomes. CPR certification and AED training are a vital part of being an effective partner and an asset to the community. Greater Pine Island VFW Post 4353 has held familiarization training on the AED and CPR fundamentals with the Matlacha/ Pine Island Fire Department. The VFW will continue to focus on insuring that all available options are pursued, resulting in the Post being a safer place and members getting the training as desired.

vfwpineisland

Our VFW Posts are in trouble.

Our VFW Posts are in trouble.

Please read this article: VFW Posts Are Dying. They Need …

Baby Leah Rose is 2 Months Old

Here is an updated picture of my granddaughter.

She is now two months old and we are super anxious to head north to spend some time with her.

It will have to wait until after Memorial Day.

Commander Scott

WWII Vet Wilbur Riepel Sr Birthday Celebration

Post 4353 Commander Scott is a Grandpa!

Wilber Riepel SR Birthday Celebration

Flags for First Graders

VFW & Elks Partner Sunday Breakfast

VFW & Elks Partner Sunday Breakfast

Training Leads to Action, Resulting in a Saved Life!

Training Leads to Action, Resulting in a Saved Life!

Please read this article:
VFW Posts Are Dying. They Need …