This past week I experienced something that truly touched my heart.
For those unfamiliar with the VFW, our organization operates at several levels: post, district, state, and national. When I was honored to serve as Commander of District 3 in New York, I worked closely with the District Auxiliary President, Kathleen Hayward.
Kathleen was a woman completely dedicated to helping veterans in every way possible. She worked tirelessly alongside me to ensure our district functioned with veterans’ needs always at the top of the list. Her passion project was the “22 Project,” which focused on raising awareness and support around veteran suicide. Through her leadership and compassion, she made a lasting impact on countless lives.
I learned of Kathleen’s passing this past week and attended her funeral service in Granville, NY. The 2½-hour drive gave me time to reflect on the many memories we shared and the incredible work she did for the VFW and our veterans.
Seven past District 3 Commanders attended the service, three of whom went on to serve as State Commanders. Their presence spoke volumes about the respect Kathleen earned and the legacy she leaves behind.
Rest in peace, sweet lady. You will not be forgotten.
VFW 2026 Priority Goals: The 119th Congress is now in its second session, and there is still much work to be done.
The VFW 2026 Priority Goals include many issues concerning benefits and services for veterans, service members and their families such as the Major Richard Star Act, VA community care reform, ending mental health overprescription harm and exploring alternative treatments for invisible wounds.
The VFW will continue to advocate diligently to ensure members of Congress and the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense and Labor provide the resources and care our nation’s veterans have earned and deserve. I will keep you veterans updated as results are posted.
The VA announced that scammers are impersonating its representatives to deceive veterans, surviving spouses and family members into believing their VA benefits have been overpaid and must repay immediately.
These fraudulent contacts may arrive via letters, emails, text messages or phone calls and include fake VA logos, letterheads and spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate.
Veterans can protect themselves by only using official VA channels to resolve any real overpayments, never sharing sensitive information like VA login information, and being cautious of urgent demands for quick payment. Veterans who believe they have been targeted should contact the VA at
1-800-827-1000 and can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or at VSAFE.gov.
Our post, as I have mentioned many times, holds Bingo. We have bingo starting up again in 2026 starting this Thursday (January 15) at 6pm. The dates for bingo moving forward are January 29th, February 5th, February 19th and March 5th. Come and enjoy a night of bingo with us and you will also be able to have a bite to eat.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. James H. Calfee, 36, of Boling, Texas, who was killed during the Vietnam War, was accounted for Aug. 8, 2025.
In 1968, Calfee and 18 other men were assigned to Lima Site 85, a tactical air navigation radar site on a remote, 5,600-foot mountain peak known as Phou Pha Thi in Houaphan Province, Laos. In the early morning of March 11, the site was overrun by Vietnamese commandos, causing the Americans to seek safety on a narrow ledge of the steep mountain. A few hours later, under the protective cover of A-1 Skyraider aircraft, U.S. helicopters were able to rescue eight of the men. Calfee and 10 other Americans were killed in action and unable to be recovered.
To identify Calfee’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA and nuclear single nucleotide polymorphism DNA analysis.
Today, Calfee is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, and on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., (Panel 44E, Line 17). A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Calfee will be buried at Evergreen Memorial Park in Wharton, Texas, at 11 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2026. Let us take a moment and remember all who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Please keep all of our service men and women in your thoughts and prayers. Also, all of our first responders who protect and keep us safe. God Bless America.
Marc Farmilette, PDC ~ VFW Post 1545 Commander
0 comments:
Post a Comment