At this past VFW Post 1545 business meeting we had a motion to donate to Tunnel 2 Towers. In an earlier article I wrote that I did some investigation regarding this organization and found that they use 95% of donations to help veterans and first responders with getting help with their lives.
Our post will donate $11.00 a month to their causes. I personally donate myself and encourage everyone to consider donating to this organization.
I need to share some personal thoughts. Over the past few weeks, we've witnessed truly disturbing acts of violence. It's heartbreaking and deeply troubling.
Let’s all take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and be thankful—we live in one of the greatest nations on Earth. But we have to ask ourselves: have we really come to a place where we kill those we disagree with?
What kind of society are we creating when we continually release violent offenders without consequences? Our elected judges—many of whom have spent years studying the law—need to seriously reconsider what kind of message this sends to our communities.
This isn’t about being liberal or conservative. It’s about using common sense. It's about valuing life, law and the well-being of our society.
We choose our leaders through elections. If your preferred candidate doesn't win, that is not a reason for violence. It's a time to reflect, to regroup, and maybe even say a prayer of gratitude for the freedoms we still have.
Let’s stop the madness and find our way back to decency—together.
One more thing: For those who fought for it.. Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
For some news regarding the VFW: Join co-hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray as they chat with experts, lawmakers and leaders from the veteran community about everything from military and VA issues to the work of the VFW.
Catch #StillServing: The VFW Podcast on your favorite platform—and watch the latest episode, Rockstars!, featuring VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore and VFW Auxiliary National President Lois Callahan, now on YouTube.
This week we honor U.S. Army Master Sgt. Donald P. Gervais, 24, of New Orleans, Louisiana, killed during the Vietnam War. This is his story: In the spring of 1968, Gervais was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On May 1, he was the door gunner on an OH-6A Cayuse helicopter on a reconnaissance mission over the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. A nearby aircraft reportedly witnessed the helicopter hit a dead tree and crash into a ravine. Due to enemy ground fire and dense vegetation over the rough terrain, the aircraft was unable to conduct a visual reconnaissance of the crash site. A nearby infantry platoon attempted to investigate the area but were forced to withdraw when they encountered enemy fire. On July 25, 1978, the U.S. Army changed Gervais’s status from Missing in Action to Killed in Action and posthumously promoted him to the rank of Master Sgt.
From October 2018 to April 2025, DPAA recovery teams conducted eight excavations of the crash site, where they recovered osseous remains, life support equipment, and aircraft wreckage, that was accessioned into the DPAA Laboratory. Gervais’s name is recorded on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with others who are unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Let us all thank God for this nation he gave us and its warriors. Keep this warrior in your thoughts and prayers along with all veterans and those still serving.
On a sad note, this Wednesday we honored Ken Smith, a past commander of Post 1545 who served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War where he received the Purple Heart. He was buried with full military honor. Semper Fi my friend!
Marc Farmilette, PDC – Commander VFW Post 1545
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Donald P. Gervais, and at work.
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