Welcome to the VFW Auxiliary
Post 3466's site
We are the Capital city's post!
*Announcements*
**URGENT**
From the VFW Action Alert: "Congress has introduced the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, legislation that includes many provisions the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has fought for and supports.
But there is a serious problem.
To pay for those benefits, Congress would codify previously proposed VA disability rating cuts for tinnitus and sleep apnea. According to VA's own estimates, these changes could reduce disability compensation payments by approximately $57 billion over ten years and
affect up to 1.5 million veterans. Let's be clear. Those savings do not come from waste, fraud, abuse, or bureaucracy. They come directly from veterans."
Make your voice be heard, click on the picture and it will take you to the VFW home page where you can send an email to your representatives letting them know these are not "entitlements", they are EARNED benefits!
July is upon us already!
On July 4th, America will celebrate her 250th birthday-thank you to all veterans who helped keep her free!
25 July is National Hire a Vet Day. Per Veteran.com, "Marine Corps Veteran and Hire Our Heroes founder Dan Caporale created National Hire a Veteran Day in 2017 as a call to action for hiring companies, and also to encourage veteran job applicants. Additionally, Congress passed the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) in 2017. This resulted in the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, a federal award that “recognizes a company or organization’, commitment to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development,” according to the program website.
Jul. 27 – Korean War Veterans Armistice Day was established in 1995, 3 years after a memorial was dedicated to the tens of thousands who fought, were imprisoned and died in Korea. Each year, the President of the United States issues a proclamation announcing July 27th as a day of national observance in honor of Korean War veterans and their families.
28 July is National Buffalo Soldiers Day-These soldiers served on the Western frontier after the Civil War. They served in a variety of ways including security, law enforcement, and other frontier-specific activities. In 1866, Congress passed legislation known as the Army Organization Act, which formalized the creation of six all-Black U.S. Cavalry and infantry units. The first troops to be called Buffalo Soldiers were assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, assembled in 1866 at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. There would be 5 more regiments to come:
29 July is Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary-per Veteran.com, "In 1775, The Continental Congress authorized the creation of an Army Chaplain Corps, providing one chaplain for each regiment. At the time, those who served as Army Chaplains were paid approximately $20 a month and had no required military uniform. The role would evolve and change over time, especially where multi-faith operations are concerned.
The Corps did not begin as the pluralistic operation it is today, but over time Catholic chaplains were added, and later African American and Jewish chaplains. These additions happened prior to or during the Civil War, but it wouldn’t be until 1979 for women to be allowed to accept commissions as Army Chaplains.
What Is The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps?
The Army Chaplains Corps offer soldiers spiritual guidance, counseling, advice, and mentoring in peace and wartime by employing trained clergy members who have had both spiritual and classroom-type training and have passed Army training requirements in non-combatant soldier skills.
Chaplains are expected to accompany troops on and off the battlefield, providing what the Army calls 'free exercise of religion in a pluralistic setting'."
The annual VFW and VFW Auxiliary conference started on 18 June and concluded on 21 June in Bridgeport. We all had a great time seeing everyone and bringing in a new State president along with a new line-*Congratulations President Linda Smith from Post 1064! *
What the VFW Auxiliary does
Overview of the VFW Auxiliary's Mission
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary, established in 1914, is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families. The organization unites individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common goal: to serve those who have served in the military.
The VFW Auxiliary mission is to serve and support veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Established in 1914, the Auxiliary has been fulfilling its original objectives by supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving veterans, active-duty military and their families, and spreading patriotism nationwide. The Auxiliary is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans, service members, their families, and the communities they serve. Membership in the VFW Auxiliary is an excellent way to show your support of America’s veterans and to participate in community outreach and educational initiatives.
About VFW Auxiliary Post 3466
Our officers:
President: Carolyn Blankenship
Senior Vice President: Cheryl Jones
Junior Vice President: Nancy Shafer
Secretary: Lora Bibbee
Treasurer: Kelley Sockett
Chaplin: Jeannie Clark
Conductor: Thomas Stevens
Guard: Christopher Gray
Patriotic Instructor: Linda Freeman
Trustee #1: Diana Nicholas
Trustee #2: Nancy Shafer
Trustee #3: Linda Freeman
VFW Auxiliary Post 3466 is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through community service and advocacy.
As a proud extension of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, we engage in activities that honor the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.
Our organization fosters camaraderie, provides assistance to veterans in need, and promotes patriotic education within our local community.
Join us in our mission to enhance the quality of life for veterans and promote their welfare.
*Community Involvement*
Our post adopted the 111th Engineer Brigade. On 5 July, a pre-deployment meeting for soldiers and families was held at the base in Eleanor. Our auxiliary provided coffee, donuts, pencil flags with RAP cards and poppies. We also prepared snack bags for the soldiers to take when they left.
The 111th deployed on 6 July and will be gone 9 months. We gave out the snack bags for the soldiers.
Saint Albans was proud to recently host the Traveling Wall, a half size replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. The St. Albans VFW Post 6418 played a key role in bringing the wall to this location. Member of VFW Post 3466 and Auxiliary attended the opening ceremonies.
On May 16, Post 3466 VFW and Auxiliary took part in the annual Armed Forces Day parade in South Charleston. Big thanks to the community for turning out in full force to honor and celebrate our veterans!
On 2 April, VFW Auxiliary president Carolyn Blankenship and member Cheryl Jones presented goodie baskets to staff at the Woody Williams VA hospital.
On 26 March, we honored the VFW post's Vietnam veterans. We served them cake and punch; they were also given a medal which honored their service. Welcome home!
For K-9 Veteran's Day, our Auxiliary presented Hercules and his owner, Andrew Sockett, a bag of dog food, a basket with toys and treats as well as a certificate honoring Hercules' service to Andrew. Hercules is Andrew's service dog, and per Andrew, he has significantly improved Andrew's quality of life.
A big "Thank You" to Andrew and Hercules!
On 25 February, we provided coffee and snacks for the patients at the South Charleston VA Clinic. As always, we had a great time with all of the veterans. Thanks to the staff for having us out!
Pictures from the flag folding ceremony at Celebration Villa on 13 November with Carolyn Blankenship, William White, Cheryl Jones and Sean Adkins-from the WV 82nd Airborne Association. A big THANK YOU to the staff for having us out, we enjoyed and appreciated it!
We participated in the Ripley Veteran's Day parade with the VFW. It was so cold, but we had a great time and were honored to pay tribute to all veterans with our own veterans!
**Interested in supporting our veterans of foreign wars? We organize "Buddy" Poppy drives to raise awareness and funds for veteran assistance. If you're hosting an event, let us know—we'd love to participate and help you show your support for our veterans of foreign wars! **
Resources for Veterans
(Click on the picture to visit the website)
Need something else?
Send us an email and we'll see what we can do for you vfwaux3466@gmail.com
Veteran's Crisis Line
Do you need immediate assistance? Please call 988 or visit the website.
VA Benefits
Just starting or need assistance with your VA benefits?
VA Hospital Locations
Are you looking for a local VA hospital? Go to the website, enter your location and the type of care needed.
Tired of solo missions? Find your new squad with VFW Combat Tested Gaming!
VFW Combat Tested Gaming
The VFW, America's largest combat veteran organization, founded CTG in 2023 alongside Crew Social Club to bring service members and veterans the ultimate gaming experience.
Ready to deploy into a community that gets you? Registration is 100% FREE! Join Combat Tested Gaming today and connect with thousands of military veteran gamers.
Housing, Food, etc.
The Kanawha Valley Collective is a housing and community resource agency for Kanawha, Putnam, Boone and Clay counties. They can also provide information for other areas in WV. You will be referred to agencies who work specifically with veterans.
Department of Health & Human Resources
Do you need assistance with community resources? Click on the picture for a link to all DHHR offices in WV. The counties are listed in alphabetical order.
Service Dogs
Have you ever considered checking into getting a service dog? Click on the picture and it will take you the VA page with an explanation and links.
Here is the link to one agency who has served veterans in WV:
Service Dogs for Veterans Charity in NY - America's VetDogs
Tagline
Sign up for the VFW Action Corps Newsletter
Keep up with the latest legislation events and how the VFW continues to advocate for our veterans
Are you interested?
Are you are a VFW Auxiliary eligible member looking for an Auxiliary post to join? Check out this link to find a post near you.
"Buddy" Poppies
How the buddy poppy came to be used by the VFW Auxiliary?
The Buddy Poppy program was established by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary to honor the sacrifices of American service members. The program was inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae and the need to provide relief for the people of war devastated France. The VFW Auxiliary began distributing Buddy Poppies in 1922, using poppies made in France and later incorporating artificial flowers due to delays in obtaining the original poppies. The VFW patented the name "Buddy Poppy" in 1924 and began using it to assemble poppies by disabled and needy veterans, who were paid for their work. The proceeds from the sale of Buddy Poppies are used to support the welfare of veterans and their dependents. The program has become an integral part of the VFW community, symbolizing the blood shed by American service members and the VFW's commitment to honoring their sacrifices.
VFW Auxiliary Meeting Protocol
Want to learn and understand how our meetings work?
Click on the link below and see how it's done!
In memory of
Denver "Lawson" Freeman
10 May 1949-26 March 2026
Semper Fi Lawson
Have any questions? Send us an email or come visit us, we'd love to see you!
We meet every 2nd Sunday at 2:00 and the last Thursday of the month at 6:00.
Genesis Fellowship Church
4032 MacCorkle Ave SW
South Charleston, WV 25309
