2018
2121 Grand Island Blvd.
Commander Ann Marie Pfohl
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January Newsletter
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony - December 2019
VFW Post #9249 is hosting a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, December 7, 2018 at 12 noon at the post, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. The ceremony will take place outside at the flag pole area. Everyone is welcome to attend.Hot Turkey Sandwich Night - November 2019
The VFW Post 9249 Auxiliary, 2121 Grand Island Blvd., is hosting a Hot Turkey Sandwich Night on Saturday, November 23rd from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., (or sold out). Tickets are $7.00 and include open face hot turkey sandwich with gravy, chips, vegetable, & cranberry sauce. See flyer for details.
Veterans Day Luncheon at VFW - November 2019
Mary Stewart Photos.
Many of the brave souls who went to the frigid Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11th, enjoyed lunch at the VFW Post 9249 after the ceremony.Toys for Tots Collection Site - November 2019
The VFW Post 9249 is sponsoring the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots collection on Grand Island. Drop off new, unwrapped toys in the donation box at the Post, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. from noon - 9:00 p.m. daily. Deadline for drop off is Sunday, December 15th. See flyer.
Veterans Day Ceremony - November 2019
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"Veterans Day occurs on the 11th hour of 11th day of the 11th month of November to remember when the armies involved in WW1 stood down (1918). In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.In 1968, Congress moved the celebrated day to the fourth Monday in October, President Gerald Ford reversed the tinkering in 1975 to honor the original significance of November 11th.
Veterans Day commemorates all veterans. The Grand Island Recreation Department invites everyone to the 2019 Observance on November 11th at 11:00 a.m.. The site is at the Veterans Park on Bedell Road. All are invited to a reception at the Charles N. DeGlopper Post after the ceremony.
Veterans Cemetery Town Hall Meeting - October 2019
CORFU - The VA National Cemetery Administration is holding a town hall meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday (October 9, 2019) at the Pembroke Community Hall, 116 E. Main St., Corfu. Western New York National Cemetery Director James Metcalfe will provide an update to the status of the veterans cemetery being built in Pembroke. The town hall meeting is open to veterans and their families, veterans service organizations, government officials, media, other community partners and the public.VFW Announces Kick-Off of Annual Scholarship Competition - October 2019
High School Students compete for $2 million in scholarships & incentives.Department of New York Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Thomas Todaro, and Youth Recognition & Scholarship Chairman Wally Zincio announced the kick-off of this year’s VFW’s sponsored Voice of Democracy Essay Competition. All New York State high school students have the opportunity to compete for more than $150,000 dollars in scholarships & prizes and a trip to Washington, D.C. and Valley Forge PA.
Students must write and record a three-to-five minute essay on the selected theme using an audio CD or flash drive and present their recording, typed essay and completed entry form to their local participating VFW Post by Midnight Oct. 31.
The 2019/20 theme selected is “ What Makes America Great.” Students begin by competing at the local Post level with an entry deadline of Oct. 31st. Post winners than compete at the District level with the winner advancing to the state competition. A panel of impartial judges consisting of elected officials, and community leaders will convene Dec. 28, 2019 at Columbia Greene Community College, Hudson, NY to choose winning essays from the ones that reached Dept.(State) VOD Chairman Wally Zincio's desk, from across the state. The essay winners chosen that day will receive up to $8,000 scholarship awards as follow; First place $2,500; Second place $1,500; Third place $1,000; Six - Fourth place winners of $500 each.
The Dept. of New York 1st place winner will then be advanced to the National competition. All state first-place winners receive a four day trip to Washington, D.C. and the chance to compete for their share of more than $150,000 in scholarships. The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 college scholarship. The Dept. of New York. 1st. place winner will also be offered a trip to Valley Forge P.A. to attend a leadership seminar, Freedoms Foundation. Please visit http://www.vfw.org/VOD. for detailed contest rules and applications.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NBA) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles. Around 40,000 students participate in the competition each year and the VFW awards more than $2 million dollars scholarships every year. The Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial VFW Post 9249 will accept entries until the close of business, October 31, 2019 at 2121 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island, NY 14072. Entry Form.
This Sunday is Gold Star Mothers Day - September 2019
From left: Grand Island Gold Star mothers; Shirley Luther & Mary Anne Crowe.
Story from VFW 9249 Auxiliary Americanism Chairman Bob Lamb
The name the Gold Star Mothers was derived from the custom of military families who put a service flag near their front window. The flag featured a star for each family member serving in their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty. In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson approved the wearing of black arm bands bearing a gilt star by those who had a family member who died in the military service to the United States. This distinguished them from the blue stars, representing a family member presently serving in the armed forces.Each year on Gold Star Mother's Day, the last Sunday in September, the United States president calls on all Americans to display the nation's flag and hold appropriate meetings to publicly express their love, sorrow, and reverence towards Gold Star Mothers and their families. Government buildings are also required to display the flag.
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is an organization of mothers whose sons or daughters served and died while serving their nation in times of war or conflict. It organizes major events that take place on or around Gold Star Mother’s Day each year. Previous activities included a Gold Star flower wreath laying service, as well as an afternoon tour of President Lincoln’s cottage in Washington DC.
The last Sunday in September is also Parents of Fallen Military Sons and Daughters Day in New Jersey. This day is a tribute to all parents whose children died as a result of their service with the United States Armed Forces. It commemorates the contributions, commitments and sacrifices made by those parents individually and through the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
9/11 Memorial at VFW Post - September 2019
There will be a 9/11 Memorial at the VFW Post 9249 Flag pole this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The Post is located at 2121 Grand Island Blvd. All are welcome.Concert for Homeless Veterans - August 2019
H.A.V.E. Project Concert for Homeless Veterans will be held at the Grand Island VFW, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. on Sunday, August 18th from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Admission is $10 or toiletries for the homeless. See flyer for details.Volunteers Wanted for July 4th Picnic - June 2019
The VFW Post 9249, 2121 Grand Island Blvd., is looking for volunteers to help out at their annual July 4th picnic....especially after 2:00 p.m. Call the post at 716-773-6343 or email givfw9249@yahoo.com.Family Breakfast at VFW Post 9249 - April 2019
The VFW Post 9249 is hosting a family breakfast on Saturday, April 27 and May 18th. This fundraiser is open to members, guests and the community. The buffet breakfast includes scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, juice and coffee. Service is from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and the cost is $7.00 per person. Everyone welcome! Flyer.VFW Post 9240 Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ Fundraiser - April 2019
VFW Post 9240 Chiaveta's Chicken BBQ Fundraiser is Wednesday, May 1st from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00. Pre-sale tickets are encouraged by stopping at the post, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. See flyer for details.
Family Breakfast at VFW Post 9249 - March 2019
The VFW Post 9249 is hosting a family breakfast on Saturday, March 23, April 27 and May 18th. This fundraiser is open to members, guests and the community. The buffet breakfast includes scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, juice and coffee. Service is from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and the cost is $7.00 per person. Everyone welcome! Flyer.St. Patrick's Day - All Weekend Party - March 2019
The VFW Post 9249 is hosting a St. Patrick's Day All Weekend Party. Party starts 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15 and ends closing Sunday, March 17th. A corned beef & cabbage dinner will be on Saturday, March 16th from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. There will be drink specials all weekend. See flyer.Family Breakfast at VFW Post 9249 - February 2019
The VFW Post 9249 is hosting a family breakfast on Saturday, February 16, March 23, April 27 and May 18th. This fundraiser is open to members, guests and the community. The buffet breakfast includes scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, juice and coffee. Service is from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and the cost is $7.00 per person. Everyone welcome! Flyer.VFW, Legion and Expansion Committee Receive Funds & Valentines - February 2019
From left: Richard Lozo, Dan Drexilius, VFW Commander Dan McMahon, Legislator Kevin Hardwick, American Legion Commander Ray DeGlopper, Jim Sharp, Allen Lee, Alan Prame, Gary Roesch, Paul Coughlin and Ed Bognar.
Legislator Kevin Hardwick presenting Valentine's to Commander Dan McMahon.
Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick stopped by the VFW Post 9249 on Tuesday, February 12th, to present a check for $5000 to the VFW, American Legion and the DeGlopper Memorial Park Expansion Committee. These funds are from the 2018 Erie County Budget and will go towards the expansion expenses. Hardwick also delivered a box of valentine's made by elementary students from Grand Island, Town and City of Tonawanda, public and parochial schools. These will be delivered by VFW Commander and Commander Grand of NY military order of the Cooties Dan McMahon, to the Veteran's Hospital on Thursday, Valentine's Day. The expansion committee can look forward to an additional $1000 in this year's budget.VFW Auxiliary Soup Night - January 2019
